J Street Responds to the Expiration of Phase 1 of the Ceasefire, J Street
As the 42 day mark of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement passes, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami urges urgent diplomatic efforts to prevent a return to war. He writes, “The current break in major hostilities must be extended, massive humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza must continue, further hostages must be released, and an agreement on post-war governance in Gaza must be reached.”
The US and Israel: A Relationship Based on Shared Interests and Values, Substack
J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami discusses how the American Jewish establishment upholds a vision of the US-Israel relationship rooted in shared values and interests, despite the widening gap between the two nations’ political realities. He writes, “It is long past time for American Jewish institutional leadership to use its powerful megaphone to give voice to the majority of Jewish Americans who oppose where both Trump’s America and Bibi’s Israel are headed.”
Israel Halts Aid to Gaza and Proposes New Framework for an End to the War, The New York Times
“Israel announced on Sunday that it was immediately halting the entry of all goods and humanitarian assistance into Gaza, trying to strong-arm Hamas into accepting a temporary extension of the cease-fire in the enclave — a move that disrupts the existing, agreed-upon framework for negotiating a permanent end to the war and puts the fate of the hostages into uncharted territory.”
Arab States and UN Condemn Gaza Aid Blockade by Israel, BBC
“In a statement on Sunday, Qatar’s foreign ministry said it ‘strongly condemns” the Israeli decision, describing it as ‘a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement’ and ‘international humanitarian law’. In Egypt, the foreign ministry accused Israel of using starvation as ‘a weapon against the Palestinian people’, the AFP news agency reported. Both Qatar and Egypt helped to mediate the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.”
Rubio Bypasses Congress to Send Israel $4 Billion in Arms, The New York Times
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio has invoked ’emergency authorities’ to bypass Congress and send $4 billion in weapons to Israel, the second time in a month that the Trump administration has skirted the process of congressional approval for sending arms to the country.”
‘No Other Land’ Directors Plead for an End to Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, NBC News
“‘No Other Land,’ a portrait of a West Bank village under Israeli military occupation, won the Oscar for best documentary feature at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday. In their acceptance speech, two of the film’s four directors pleaded for an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ‘About two months ago, I became a father, and my hope to my daughter [is] she will not have to live the same life I am living now,’ said co-director Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist who is from Masafer Yatta, a region of the West Bank.”
One Killed in Stabbing Attack in Northern Israel, Reuters
“One person was killed and four were wounded in a stabbing attack at a bus station in the city of Haifa, Israel’s ambulance service said, in what police described as a terrorist attack.”
Getting the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire to the Next Phase Will Be Difficult. Here’s Why, AP
Samy Magdy and Joseph Krauss write, “Israel is reportedly seeking an extension of the first phase to secure the freedom of more captives, but tensions over ceasefire violations and political pressures on both sides cast uncertainty over the path forward.”
Why Netanyahu Should Fear the Trump-Zelenskyy Showdown, Haaretz
Amir Tibon writes, “For Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the showdown between Trump and Zelenskyy must have been petrifying to watch — every word that the U.S. president told Ukraine’s leader could just as easily be said to him regarding Israel’s war against Hamas and Hezbollah, or its decades-long fight against Iran.”
Loss, Worry and Prayers for Better Days Mark Ramadan’s Start as Fragile Ceasefire Holds in Gaza, AP
“As Palestinians in the Gaza Strip prepared for Ramadan, shopping for essential household goods and food, some lamented harsh living conditions and economic hardships, but also said they rely on their faith in God to provide for them. ‘I used to help people. … Today, I can’t help myself,’ said Nasser Shoueikh. ‘My situation, thank God, used to be better and I wasn’t in need for anything. … We ask God to stand by us.’”
Making Hope: A People’s Summit for Peace in Jerusalem – Opinion, The Jerusalem Post
Maoz Inon writes, “Now, while our failed leaders from both sides are thriving on dehumanization, fear, and polarization, the Israeli-Palestinian peace camp is a beacon of light and hope. For the first time, we have created a coalition of more than 50 organizations. For the first time in many years, we have entered the field that, for too long, we left for the extremists to play in front of an empty goal – the field of dreams. Yes, we have a dream where both peoples live in equality, dignity, security, and safety.”