J Street works to promote an open, honest and rigorous conversation about Israel. The opinions reflected in articles posted in the News Roundup do not necessarily reflect J Street’s positions, and their posting does not constitute an endorsement from J Street.
AIPAC Needs to Rethink Its Strategy Before It Does Any More Damage, Philadelphia Jewish Exponent
Rabbi Seymour Rosenbloom, member of J Street’s Rabbinic and Cantorial Cabinet and the co-chair of the Public Affairs Committee for J Street’s Philadelphia chapter, writes, “It’s long overdue for AIPAC’s CEO to “think about” the impact of the group’s actions. About whether it’s really in the interest of Israel’s future to be opposing mainstream pro-Israel, pro-peace Democrats while supporting far-right, anti-democratic Republicans. About the health of a bipartisan US-Israel relationship if anti-democratic, pro-settlement extremists are victorious in Israel, and anti-democratic, pro-conspiracy theorist extremists are victorious here.”
Why a pro-Israel Campus Organization Is Bringing Jewish Students to Ramallah, Haaretz
“Three years ago, J Street – the U.S. movement that describes itself as being ‘pro-Israel’ and ‘pro-peace’ – did something similar. It brought 40 young American Jews on an ‘alternative Birthright’ tour aimed at providing them with a more balanced picture of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that does not ignore the Palestinian narrative.”
U.S. Toughened Positions in Iran Deal Response, Israeli Officials Say, Axios
When Israeli national security adviser Eyal Hulata arrived in Washington this week, his government was highly concerned that the Biden administration was about to make new concessions to reach a nuclear deal with Iran. After the visit, that anxiety has been reduced, three Israeli officials say.
Palestinians Renew Push for United Nations Membership, The Jerusalem Post
The Palestinian Authority has renewed its push for full membership in the United Nations and has turned to the Security Council on the matter. “We are negotiating in good faith with all [UNSC] members,” PA Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour told reporters in New York on Thursday.
Iran’s Nuclear Program Casts Shadow on Israeli Election, Al-Monitor
With negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program shifting into high gear over the past few days, they are more than just the top item on Israel’s security agenda. With the November 2022 election fast approaching, they have also become a tool for rival campaigns to attack each other.
Police Close Case Against Settler Suspected of Killing Palestinian in June, The Times of Israel
Police prosecutors have decided to close a case against a settler suspected of stabbing a Palestinian man to death in June, a rights group representing the victim’s family said Thursday.
Israel Indicts Militant Whose Arrest Fueled Gaza Tensions, ABC News
The Israeli military said Thursday it has filed terror charges against a senior member of the Islamic Jihad militant group whose arrest in the occupied West Bank helped spark three days of heavy fighting in Gaza earlier this month.
Israel Is Criminalizing Palestinian Human Rights Defenders. American Jews Must Push the US to Intervene, The Forward
Daniel Sokatch, CEO of the New Israel Fund, writes, “The right move is always to stand with human rights defenders, even and especially when it’s hard. Americans who support democracy and human rights – including American Jews – do not stand idly when our own government ignores our country’s democratic values. We cannot do so now when a U.S. ally, even when that ally is Israel, acts in violation of the core principles we hold so dear.”