President Carter Was a True Friend of Israel, The Times of Israel
J Street Israel Director Nadav Tamir writes, “Carter’s commitment to promoting a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continued to accompany him for decades after he left the White House in 1980. Many in Israel did not welcome his criticism of settlement policies and the preservation of the occupation. He indeed delivered pointed criticism, yet it was rooted in genuine care and a sincere aim to foster peace.”
J Street Statement on the Passing of President Jimmy Carter, J Street
“President Carter never wavered in his commitment to democracy and justice, even in the face of headwinds that at times seemed insurmountable. With visionary moral clarity, he always emphasized that the well-being of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples are inextricably intertwined, and his work was always grounded in a sincere desire to see a brighter future for all.”
The Knights of Trump’s Cacophonous Round Table, Substack
J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami writes, “I am firmly convinced that, at some point in the next four years, the opportunity for a meaningful regional agreement will present itself, and it’s not impossible to imagine a President enamored of big ticket successes looking to seize it. Israel’s right wing will find it much harder to say no to President Trump than they would have to President Biden.”
Israel Launches Strikes on Gaza at Turn of Year, The Washington Post
As the nearly 15-month war in Gaza entered a new calendar year, local health and civil defense officials reported Israeli strikes across the territory that they said left at least 13 people dead early Wednesday. The latest wave followed strikes that left 12 people dead and 41 injured in the final 48 hours of 2024, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Window Closing for Gaza Hostage-Ceasefire Deal Before Trump Takes Office, Axios
Some Israeli officials think that if a deal isn’t struck, the incoming president could support Israeli measures that the Biden administration opposed, like limiting humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza.
Hamas Police Chief Among 11 Killed in Israeli Strike on Gaza, Medics Say, BBC
The Hamas-run interior ministry condemned what it called the “assassination” of Mahmoud Salah and Hussam Shahwan, who it said had been “performing their humanitarian and national duty.”
Israel’s Top Court Blocks Change to Law That Gives Ben-Gvir Control Over Police Investigation Policies, Haaretz
Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled on Thursday against a clause in an amendment to the Police Ordinance that granted National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir the authority over police investigations, saying the clause isn’t constitutional.
Israel’s Former Defence Chief Gallant Quits Parliament, Reuters
Former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who had often taken an independent line against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right government allies, said on Wednesday he was resigning from parliament.
Palestinian Authority Freezes Al Jazeera Operations in the West Bank, CNN
It accused the network of broadcasting “inciting materials” and “misleading reports” that “provoke strife and interfere in Palestinian internal affairs,” Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency.
Israeli Troops Forcibly Remove Staff and Patients From Northern Gaza Hospital, Officials Say, AP
Kamal Adwan Hospital has been hit multiple times over the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods, according to staff. The ministry said a strike on the hospital a day earlier killed five medical staff.
The Threat Assessment Against Israeli Democracy, The Times of Israel
Rabbi John Rosove shares a presentation by Orly Erez-Likhovski, the Director of the Israeli Religious Action Center, on the threat to Israeli democracy posed by the most extreme right-wing government in the history of the state.
Israeli Threat to Banish Aid Agency Looms Over Gaza, The New York Times
Jack Nicas reports, “U.N. officials have said they are preparing to close down operations in both territories largely because the laws would prohibit Israeli officials from interacting with UNRWA. The agency says it must coordinate with Israel’s military every time its workers deliver aid or move across Gaza and parts of the West Bank.”