[Video] American Hostage Family Member Jonathan Dekel-Chen, Substack
Jonathan Dekel-Chen, the father of Sagui Dekel-Chen – one of the American hostages who was recently released – joined J Street president Jeremy Ben-Ami and Ilan Goldenberg Wednesday on Word on The Street Live. Jonathan spoke movingly about welcoming his son Sagui home after nearly 500 days in captivity, about becoming an advocate for the hostages overnight and about what it means to keep fighting for the families still waiting.
Syria Withdraws Troops From South After Days of Deadly Clashes With Arab Minority That Drew in Israel, CNN
“Syria says it is withdrawing troops from a flashpoint southern city after days of deadly clashes with an Arab minority group that triggered military action from Israel. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the country was ‘not afraid of war’ but had chosen to put its people ‘above chaos and destruction,’ after his government announced a new ceasefire with the Druze, an offshoot of Islam whose followers are spread across Syria, Israel and Lebanon.”
2 Killed and Several Injured in Israeli Strike on Gaza’s Only Catholic Church, AP
“An Israeli shell slammed into the compound of Gaza’s only Catholic church on Wednesday, killing two people and wounding several others, according to witnesses and church officials. Among the injured was the parish’s priest, who became a close friend of Pope Francis in the final months of the late pontiff’s life.”
Israel Strikes Syrian Capital, Sending Warning to Government, The New York Times
“Israel launched deadly airstrikes on Syria’s capital on Wednesday, damaging a compound housing the defense ministry and hitting an area near the presidential palace, according to the Israeli military and Syrian authorities.”
Syrian Detente Hopes Dim as President Accuses Israel of Sowing ‘Chaos and Destruction’ With Strikes, The Forward
“Much remains murky about the situation that has flared this week in the Sweida province of Syria. But it is clear that one result may be a retreat from the warming of relations between Israel and Syria that leaders of both countries were recently indicating could be on the way.”
IDF Officer Overseeing Gaza Aid Deliveries to Step Down After Right-Wing Attacks, Haaretz
“Alian’s announcement comes amid repeated attacks from government ministers, Knesset members and prominent right-wing figures, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Missions Minister Orit Strock and Jacob Bardugo, a right-wing pundit close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The criticism, largely playing out on social media, has sought to blame Alian for decisions regarding the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, even though all such decisions are made at the government level.”
Amidst Rising Tensions, Seizing Historic Opportunity for Syria, Israel, and the US, J Street Policy Center
J Street Policy Center Contributing Expert Jennifer Gavito and Policy and Research Coordinator Avraham Spraragen write, “No opportunity comes without risk – and risks both to and from the new government remain considerable. […] Amidst this considerable uncertainty, though, lies a moment of historic opportunity for all three countries that may yet not be realized, but will almost certainly vaporize if not seized upon very quickly.”
Relying on Trump is a Dangerous Gamble, The Times of Israel
J Street Israel Executive Director Nadav Tamir writes, “Israeli foreign policy focuses on complete reliance on one figure: Donald Trump. An unpredictable leader who’s already proven how easily he can turn his back on key allies like Ukraine, Canada, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, and others. From trade wars to real wars, there’s no long-term certainty. That goes for us, too, the moment he loses interest.”
[Audio] Project 2025’s Other Project, The New York Times
“During a congressional hearing yesterday, Republican lawmakers accused university leaders of failing to do enough to combat antisemitism on their campuses. That’s a claim that the university officials strongly rejected. The hearing was the latest attempt by Republicans to use what they see as the growing threat against Jews to their political advantage. And it reflects a plan that was first laid out by the Heritage Foundation, the same conservative think tank that produced Project 2025.”
Israel Once Rescued Children From Rubble. Now It Kills Those Who Try to Save Them, Haaretz
Gideon Levy writes, “Hala’s last words and the helplessness to save her are unforgiving. A woman trapped in the rubble of her home should rouse a strong wish to save her. But the situation prompted the IDF’s launch of killer UAVs to liquidate the rescuers, as happened Wednesday on Zarqa Street in Gaza City.”