About Us

Who we are

J Street organizes pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans to promote US policies that embody our deeply held Jewish and democratic values and that help secure the State of Israel as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people. We believe that only a negotiated resolution agreed to by Israelis and Palestinians can meet the legitimate needs and national aspirations of both peoples.

Working in the American political system, in the Jewish community and with others with whom we share core values, we advocate for diplomacy-first American leadership and policies that advance justice, equality, peace, and democracy in Israel, in the wider region and in the United States as well.

What we do

J Street was created to serve as the political home and voice for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans. The views of the majority of American Jews were previously underrepresented and ignored in our politics. We’re changing that, and in the process transforming our national conversation about what it means to be pro-Israel. We advocate and engage on every level – in Washington, in political campaigns, in our communities and on campuses. By changing the conversation, we open up political space for elected leaders to support policies that advance a secure, Jewish and democratic future for Israel and reflect the shared values that underlie the US-Israel relationship.

“There is no organization — no NGO — in the United States now that so stands for the values of diplomacy as J Street. And that is a very, very important thing to say. “
– Senator Tim Kaine

Our work in Congress and with the Administration

Recognizing the important role US policy plays in the Middle East and that the voices of Jewish and other pro-Israel Americans are critical in shaping that policy, J Street mobilizes support for US policies that help Israel to resolve its conflicts through diplomacy. We are reshaping political perceptions of what it means to be pro-Israel.

We advocate for:

  • Proactive leadership toward a two-state solution
  • Diplomatic approaches to resolving long-standing conflicts and addressing challenges
  • Policies that advance long-term US and Israeli security and reflect the core values of the US-Israel relationship
  • Measures that build trust and increase human security for Israelis and Palestinians on the ground

View our policy positions

Our work on political campaigns

In House and Senate campaigns across the country, we demonstrate the breadth and depth of political support that exists for candidates who champion a diplomacy-first approach to advancing US interests in the Middle East and promoting peace and security for Israel.

  • Contributed 50+ percent of all pro-Israel money to US congressional campaigns
  • Raised over $9 million in political giving in 2020
  • Endorsed 140+ Congressional candidates, including more than half of the Democratic caucus

Meet our endorsees

Our work in communities

Through community engagement and education, we advance a vision of an Israel that is secure, democratic and the national home of the Jewish people. We advocate that our institutions and leaders ground our relationship with Israel in the same values they apply to other issues, including freedom, justice and peace – the very principles set forth in Israel’s Declaration of Independence. We promote vibrant and respectful discourse about Israel within the Jewish community, expanding American connections to and support for Israel.

  • 200,000 supporters
  • 1100+ national lay leaders
  • 1000+ Rabbinic and Cantorial Cabinet members
  • Hosting the third-largest annual gathering of American Jews
  • 350 annual congressional meetings

Connect locally

Our work on campuses

We are galvanizing and training the next generation of pro-Israel leaders by building a powerful student movement committed to Israel’s future and to Palestinian independence. For too long, the campus conversation surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was marked by extreme polarization. Those voices claiming to be exclusively “pro-Israel” or “pro-Palestinian” dominated the conversation on many campuses, placing blame for the conflict solely on the other side. There was no political movement on campus reflecting a nuanced understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and fighting for a two-state solution. J Street U was founded to create space on campus where students could bring together their commitment to Israel and to peace, justice, and human rights for all people, and to marshal those commitments towards advancing a two-state solution.

  • Presences on over 95 campuses
  • 1000 new students trained each year
  • 600 campus events held annually

Learn More About J Street U

What we believe

Principle 1

We are committed to and support the people and the state of Israel.
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Principle 2

The future of Israel depends on achieving a two-state solution to the conflict with the Palestinian people.
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Principle 3

Israel’s supporters have the right and the obligation to speak out when the policies or the actions of the Israeli government are hurting the long-term interests of Israel and the Jewish people.
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Principle 4

Vibrant but respectful debate about Israel benefits the American Jewish community and Israel.
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Principle 5

Our work is grounded in the Jewish and democratic values on which we were raised.
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Meet the J Street family of organizations

j-street-logo-giving page

J Street’s 501(c)(4) advocacy organization lobbies Congress and the administration to promote diplomacy-first American leadership and policies that advance justice, equality, peace, and democracy in Israel, in the wider region and in the United States as well.

J Street’s 501(c)(3) organization promotes a more open and nuanced conversation on issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the US-Israel relationship. Through education and organizing, the c3 mobilizes pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans in our communities, on campuses and at our national conference in support of justice, equality and peace in Israel and the Palestinian Territory, as well as in the United States.

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J Street’s federal Political Action Committee helps elect pro-Israel, pro peace candidates to office, primarily by endorsing and raising money for their campaigns. Gifts are NOT tax-deductible.