J Street Hopes to Capitalize on Growing Democratic Frustration With Israel, Jewish Insider
“Even though the Gaza war is largely over, J Street doesn’t expect the Democratic Party to return to its historic pro-Israel posture. Instead, the group wants to see a permanent shift in how Washington supports Israel militarily, even if its endorsees hold a range of views on that question. ‘We’re not looking for complete ideological fealty from our endorsees. We just don’t ask for that,’ J Street’s national political director, Tali deGroot, told JI. ‘We want to see candidates affirm that U.S. aid to Israel should conform to U.S. law, that Israel’s use of our aid should comply with international law and that our aid to Israel shouldn’t be viewed as a blank check.'”
Israeli Fire Kills 11 Palestinians in Gaza, Including Two Children, Local Hospital Officials Say, Associated Press
“Israeli forces on Wednesday killed at least 11 Palestinians in Gaza, including two 13-year-old boys who were collecting firewood, three journalists and a woman, hospitals in the war-battered enclave said. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on any of the incidents.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Join Trump’s Board of Peace, Haaretz
“Over a dozen out of 60 invited states have expressed interest at joining the Board of Peace established by Trump. So far comprised of mainly Middle Eastern and Eastern European countries, Western Europe has yet to clearly answer the invitation, balking at the stated initiative to rival the UN.”
Inside the Doctors Without Borders Clinics That Israel Is Closing in Gaza, New York Times
“Nearby, Ahmed Shaldan, 22, sat in a wheelchair awaiting his fifth physical therapy session for a leg injury from a missile strike. Told that Doctors Without Borders would be forced out, he said he was stunned. ‘This care is not extra, it’s essential,’ Mr. Shaldan said. He looked down at his leg. ‘If I want to walk again, I need this place.'”
Some European States Rethink Presence at US-Backed Gaza Base, Diplomats Say, Reuters
“Eight foreign diplomats told Reuters that officials from some European countries had not returned to the CMCC, located near the Gaza border, since the Christmas and New Year holidays. Several nations were questioning the purpose of the centre, with one Western diplomat describing it as ‘directionless’. ‘Everybody thinks it’s a disaster, but there is no alternative,’ said another Western diplomat.”
In First, Police Let Jewish Visitors Take Printed Prayers Into Temple Mount, Times of Israel
“Police confirm change to longstanding ban on non-Muslim prayer, which comes weeks after Ben Gvir confidant appointed as Jerusalem’s top officer; Jewish activists laud policy.”
Netanyahu’s ‘Total Victory’ Is Israel’s Security Nightmare, Haaretz
Israeli opposition leader and J Street Convention speaker Yair Golan writes, “The next war is already on its way. The script is known: Hamas restores its power, takes advantage of Qatari money to rebuild its terror infrastructure and waits for an opportunity. The next round will come with the terrorism backed by Turkey and Qatar, but then Israel will be more isolated, more divided and weaker. This is what abandonment looks like. Netanyahu has brought us back to a point worse than where we were on October 6.”
A Look at Trump’s Board of Peace and Who Has Been Invited, Associated Press
“Under the charter, the chairman — which Trump says will be him — has the power to invite member states, break any ties in a vote, decide how frequently it meets, and create or dissolve subsidiary entities.”
