News Roundup for September 15, 2025

September 15, 2025
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J Street In the News

J Street Announces Endorsement of Full House Democratic Leadership, J Street
“J Street endorsees now comprise 60% of the Democratic Members of the House and Senate. For the first time, every top-ranking House Democrat is endorsed by the pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy organization.”

Enough of Blood and Tears – Again, Substack
J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami writes, “Ignorance, prejudice, hate, extremism — these have always been with us, as has mental illness. What’s different now is the accelerant. Conspiracy theories and half-truths circle the globe in seconds. Social media platforms give the loudest and most toxic voices instant reach to tens of millions. Images — often manipulated, sometimes entirely fabricated — spread faster than any sober correction ever could.”

Top News and Analysis

Israel Strikes High-Rises in Gaza City, Ahead of Cabinet Meeting to Discuss Risk of Ground Operation to Hostages, CNN
“Two Israeli officials told CNN on Sunday that the Israeli military ground operation into Gaza City is set to start in the coming days. ‘It’s getting very close,’ one of the officials said, while the second said it could begin as soon as Monday. At least 10 United Nations buildings have been hit in Gaza City in the past 4 days.”

Little Daylight Between US and Israel Evident as Rubio and Netanyahu Meet, AP
“Both Netanyahu and Rubio said they agreed that the only way to end the conflict in Gaza is through the elimination of Hamas and the release of all hostages, setting aside calls for an interim ceasefire in favor of an immediate end to the conflict.”

News

Netanyahu Is Only Obstacle to Bringing Hostages Home, Families Say, BBC
“Families of Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas have said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the ‘one obstacle’ preventing their return and reaching a peace deal. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum wrote on social media that Israel’s strike on Qatar last week shows ‘every time a deal approaches, Netanyahu sabotages it.’”

Oscar-Winning Palestinian Director Basel Adra Says His Home in West Bank Raided by Israeli Soldiers, AP
“Israeli settlers attacked his village, injuring two of his brothers and one cousin, Adra told The Associated Press. He accompanied them to the hospital. While there, he said that he heard from family in the village that nine Israeli soldiers had stormed his home. The soldiers asked his wife, Suha, for his whereabouts and went through her phone while his 9-month-old daughter was home.”

Qatar Hosts Arab-Islamic Emergency Summit Over Israeli Strike on Doha, BBC
“An emergency meeting of Arab and Islamic states is taking place in Qatar in response to Israel’s air strike on Hamas leaders in Doha last week. A draft resolution seen by the Reuters news agency condemns what it calls Israel’s ‘hostile acts including genocide, ethnic cleansing, [and] starvation.’”

Opinion and Analysis

Explainer: Palestinian Authority Reform, J Street Policy Center
J Street Policy Fellow Larry Garber writes, “A principal concern for Palestinians has been the absence of regular elections, which has left political leaders largely unaccountable.”

Don’t Just Sit There and Kvetch – Do Something, The Times of Israel
Tova Herzl writes, “Anyone who has the ability to act against this government and does not do so, in effect enables it to continue on its path of destruction, and becomes complicit in its deeds. Think about that, act on it, before it is too late.”


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