JStreetPAC was established in 2008 as the first-ever federal political action committee (PAC) to explicitly promote American leadership to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The PAC’s goal is to demonstrate the depth and breadth of political support that exists for candidates who speak out in favor of a diplomacy-first approach to advancing US interests in the Middle East and promoting peace and security for Israel.
JStreetPAC’s Finance Committee interviews candidates for federal office about their views on issues related to American policy toward Israel and the Middle East to judge whether they align with JStreetPAC’s Policies. The JStreetPAC Board then votes on all endorsees. In deciding which candidates to endorse, the Board solely takes into account the views of candidates on issues that are of concern to the JStreetPAC.
Candidates pursuing JStreetPAC support in the 2020 election cycle will be evaluated for endorsement based on the following policy criteria:
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Support for continued US aid to Israel
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Support for the resumption of humanitarian and other forms of economic assistance to the Palestinian Authority and to the UN agencies that serve Palestinian refugees
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Support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and recognition that the two-state solution, with a capital in Jerusalem for both states, is in the best interest of US & Israeli security
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Active promotion of US leadership in achieving a two-state solution, and resolving the Arab-Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts through international diplomacy
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Support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and commitment to build upon it through further diplomacy
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Opposition to Israeli settlement expansion activities on the West Bank that further entrench the occupation and contribute to a creeping annexation of territory