J Street’s Gaza Policy Recommendations, J Street
J Street’s newest edition of its Gaza policy recommendations emphasizes ending the war, securing the release of hostages and addressing urgent humanitarian needs while laying the groundwork for long-term stability in Gaza. The plan also rejects forced displacement proposals by the Trump Administration and instead advocates for a gradual approach that includes international forces aiding in reconstruction efforts to form a unified, self-governing Palestinian authority that will break the cycle of violence and foster peace in the region.
The Insidious Antisemitism of the Heritage Foundation’s ‘Project Esther’, The Times of Israel
J Street’s Deputy Director of Jewish Communal Engagement Emily Kaiman and Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum write, “At its core, Purim is about the triumph of courage over tyranny, the power of speaking out in the face of danger. Esther’s decision to reveal her identity and challenge the King’s edicts was risky but necessary for her people’s survival. Today, as antisemitism is manipulated for political agendas, we must resist efforts to weaponize it as a tool of repression rather than protection. The fight against antisemitism must confront threats from all directions, not be used to silence debate and target political opponents.”
Israel Cannot Let Hamas Win by Abandoning the Pursuit of Peace, The Jerusalem Post
J Street Israel Director Nadav Tamir writes, “Whoever adheres to the Zionist vision must fight to ensure that Israel remains both Jewish and democratic. This means continuing to push for a political solution, even in the face of brutal terrorism, even when it seems the public is shifting to the Right. I greatly respect and appreciate Rabbi Hirsch and his commitment to Israel and the Jewish people, but I disagree with him. I disagree with the notion that we should give up. If we give up, Hamas wins.”
U.S. Gives Israel and Hamas New Proposal To Extend Gaza Ceasefire, Axios
“Witkoff gave the parties on Wednesday an updated proposal that includes extending the Gaza ceasefire until after Ramadan and Passover, which ends on April 20, and resuming humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza, the sources said. The proposal calls for Hamas to release at least five live hostages and the remains of around nine deceased hostages on the first day of the extended ceasefire, one source with direct knowledge said.”
Hamas Says It Will Release Israeli-American Hostage Edan Alexander and Four More Deceased Captives, NBC News
“Hamas said Friday that it has agreed to release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, the last living U.S. citizen in the militant group’s captivity, as well as the bodies of four more deceased dual-national captives. Further details of whether Hamas’ agreement to release Alexander, now 21, were conditional and when he would be freed were not immediately clear.”
US and Israel Look to Africa for Resettling Palestinians Uprooted From Gaza, AP
“The U.S. and Israel have reached out to officials of three East African governments to discuss using their territories as potential destinations for resettling Palestinians uprooted from the Gaza Strip under President Donald Trump’s proposed postwar plan, American and Israeli officials told The Associated Press. The contacts with Sudan, Somalia and the breakaway region of Somalia known as Somaliland reflect the determination by the U.S. and Israel to press ahead with a plan that has been widely condemned and raised serious legal and moral issues.”
Columbia Suspends and Expels Pro-Palestinian Students Who Occupied Building, BBC
“Columbia University has taken action against students who participated in a pro-Palestinian protest last spring and took over a campus building. The school suspended and expelled some students who participated in occupying Hamilton Hall in a move that escalated last year’s campus protests. The Trump administration has pulled $400m (£310m) of federal funding from Columbia University, saying it failed to fight antisemitism on campus.”
Israel Targets What It Says Was an Islamic Jihad Command Center in Damascus, NPR
“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the target on Thursday was what he called the headquarters of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Damascus. ‘We are doing this because we have a clear policy: whoever attacks us or plans to attack us, we strike them,’ he said.”
Hostage Negotiations and Higher Education, Substack
Former Director of Jewish Outreach and Policy Advisor for the Harris Campaign Ilan Goldenberg writes, “The past few days have been deeply damaging to higher education and free speech in this country, and the fact that these actions are being taken under the supposed guise of protecting Jews, only serve to endanger the American Jewish community.”
Why Netanyahu Is Trying to Hide Israel’s Talks With Lebanon, Haaretz
Amir Tibon writes, “Netanyahu, basically, is about to do what Lapid refused to do in 2022: negotiate changes to the Israeli-Lebanese land border. Beirut has argued for years that several spots that Israel controls on the blue line are actually Lebanese territory and should be handed over […] These changes would move the border fence even closer to some of the Israeli communities that have felt threatened since October 7 and the year-long war in the north. That’s why mayors and community leaders near Lebanon responded with rage to Tuesday’s announcement.”
Netanyahu’s Global Far-Right Alliances, J Street
J Street Policy and Research Coordinator Avraham Spraragen writes, “Netanyahu is doubling down on aligning with illiberal, anti-democratic world leaders who have long track records of engaging in or enabling antisemitism. The leader of the Jewish state has emboldened and excused these nefarious actors, due to their shared commitment to right-wing pro-Israelism, including support for Israeli territorial maximalism, opposition to Palestinian statehood, and impunity for the crimes of occupation […] Netanyahu is abandoning Israel’s Jewish and liberal democratic values, fuelling a global movement that endangers diaspora Jewry and other targets of far-right persecution.”