News Roundup for December 19, 2025
J Street Endorses New Congressional Effort to Combat Antisemitism, J Street
J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami issued the following statement: “It is heartening to see legislation that is clear-eyed in its desire to meaningfully distinguish between genuine antisemitism and criticism of the policies of the Israeli government. The ARPA would provide resources for programs that protect civil rights and help prevent hate crimes, rather than cracking down on the institutions that have formed the backbone of the Jewish American experience, including immigration and higher education.”
Liberal Zionist Groups Criticize Trump Administration’s Travel Ban on Those With Palestinian Authority Passports, Jewish Telegraphic Agency
“‘At a time when the Trump administration claims that it is working to advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, its decision to bar Palestinian travel to the US is both deeply damaging and counterproductive,’ said Adina Vogel-Ayalon, J Street’s vice president and chief of staff, in a statement.”
A Country That Refuses to Look in the Mirror, Times of Israel
J Street Israel Executive Director Nadav Tamir writes, “With remarkable cynicism, Israeli leaders and representatives respond to criticism by diverting the discussion outward. They blame other countries, antisemitism, or social media. They even threaten diplomatic retaliation towards allies, instead of confronting the more difficult question: How is Israel perceived in the world today, and what policies have led to that perception?”
Spread of Famine in Gaza Strip Averted but Palestinians There Still Face Starvation, Experts Say, Associated Press
“There were ‘notable improvements’ in food security and nutrition following an October ceasefire and no famine has been detected, the report said. Still, the IPC warned that the situation remains ‘highly fragile’ and the entire Gaza Strip is in danger of starvation with nearly 2,000 people facing catastrophic levels of hunger through April.”
‘An Electoral Liability’ | Majority of Young Republicans Oppose Aid to Israel, Poll Finds, Haaretz
“A majority of Republican voters under age 45 say they would prefer to support a candidate who supports reducing U.S. taxpayer-funded weapons to Israel in the 2028 Republican presidential primary (51 percent), while only 27 percent prefer a candidate who would maintain or increase weapons.”
Hasidic Cult Members Illegally Enter Nablus, Ram Palestinian With Their Car, Times of Israel
“The Hasidim had been attempting to reach Joseph’s Tomb in the Palestinian city, security officials said. According to the Israel Defense Forces, after ramming the Palestinian — who was reportedly moderately injured — the Israeli citizens abandoned their car and fled on foot.”
‘Gaza Belongs to Israel’: Settler Activists Illegally Breach Enclave, Raise Israeli Flag, Haaretz
“Members of the Israeli Nachala settlement movement headed by Daniella Weiss crossed the border in their push to resettle the Gaza Strip in light of October 7, and were removed by IDF troops.”
Witkoff to Host New Gaza Talks as Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Appears Stalled, Associated Press
“Steve Witkoff will meet in Miami with officials from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, said the State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to preview a meeting that has not yet been publicly announced. There, the officials will review the implementation of Phase 2 of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.”
Could an Already Irked Trump Force Netanyahu to Move on to Second Phase of His Gaza Plan?, Haaretz
Amos Harel writes, “Netanyahu will likely agree to another IDF pullback in Gaza, which will allow Trump to proclaim an achievement and the transition to phase two, based on the assumption that a failure in the deployment of the stabilization force would be an American problem, not an Israeli one. On the other hand, Netanyahu will find it difficult to agree to an active role for Turkey and Qatar in implementing the agreement.”
