Mission & Principles

The Palestinian people, like the Jewish people, have the right to a democratic national home of their own, living alongside Israel in peace, freedom and security. They deserve full civil rights and an end to the systemic injustice of occupation.

J Street believes in a comprehensive regional agreement that ends the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and provides Israel full acceptance by 22 former Arab adversaries, global recognition of its borders, and comprehensive security and economic relationships with neighboring states. Such an agreement is only possible if it allows for Palestinians to achieve their rights through the creation of an independent, demilitarized state of Palestine with defined borders. A negotiated resolution to the conflict serves both American and Israeli interests and fulfills the legitimate national aspirations of both peoples.

We believe Palestinian and Israeli leaders should present good-faith proposals for resolving the conflict and demonstrate a willingness to make meaningful compromises. We urge both the US government and the international community to take urgent steps to help bring the parties together and advance meaningful negotiations that can achieve a lasting peace.

For too long, pro-Israel advocacy has framed the conflict as an “us versus them” battle in which there can be only one winner. In reality, Israel’s long-term security and survival as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people requires ending the occupation and fulfilling the Palestinian people’s aspiration for self-determination.

Israel faces a stark choice. It cannot simultaneously remain a democratic state, a Jewish homeland and maintain control over all the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. It can only have two of the three, and it must choose to remain a democratic Jewish homeland by enabling a viable Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza and striving toward peace.

We can and must distinguish between criticizing the policies of the government of Israel and questioning Israel’s fundamental right to exist as a Jewish homeland.

Criticism of Israeli policy does not threaten its legitimacy or security. In fact, criticism and open debate are a key element of any democratic society. By contrast, policies that entrench the occupation and promote annexation – and the silence of too many in the American Jewish establishment when vigorous protest of those policies is necessary – pose an existential threat to Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state. These policies must be firmly opposed by Israel’s supporters, just as we must challenge Palestinian actions that exacerbate conflict.

Endless settlement expansion, accelerated annexation and the extended occupation violate international law, trample on Palestinian rights and push Israel further down an undemocratic path of permanent conflict and injustice. These policies work to prevent the creation of an independent Palestinian state and undermine the prospects for a viable resolution of the conflict.

As Americans, we have the right and responsibility to speak up to shape our country’s foreign policy toward Israel and the region. We proudly promote strong, multilateral diplomacy to resolve conflicts, with the use of military force considered only as a last resort. We strongly oppose policies that violate the values at the heart of both our Jewish and American heritage.

We reject and oppose antisemitism in all its forms – whether it comes from the right or the left. The Jewish people have faced the scourge of antisemitism for thousands of years, and we are committed to leading the fight against it wherever we can.

As we fight antisemitism and other forms of hate with all our strength, we must also protect the fundamental pillars that have allowed Jewish life and American democracy to flourish, including civil rights protections and academic freedom. We condemn the cynical exploitation of legitimate Jewish fears of rising antisemitism to justify dismantling those pillars.

Key to combating the exploitation of antisemitism is remaining clear-eyed in distinguishing between genuine antisemitism and criticism of Israeli policies – even when we strongly disagree with that criticism and even find it outrageous or offensive.

Jewish history teaches us that when governments target vulnerable communities and strip away basic freedoms, Jewish safety is never far behind. That is why we are unwavering in our commitment to justice, civil rights and democracy – not only for ourselves, but for all who call this country home.

Strong and vibrant debate has long defined the Jewish tradition. As an organization guided by Jewish values, we believe it is vital to engage with – not shut out – those with whom we disagree.

We must not allow a small but loud minority in our community to narrow the bounds of acceptable speech within the Jewish community or in American politics.  Closing the doors of our community or of our government to those who question US or Israeli policy fuels polarization and undermines the open debate that is core to the democratic process and to our community.

We believe that vigorous, respectful debate about Israel and US policy will not only engage younger American Jews across the political spectrum but also strengthen dialogue and engagement across all generations. A community confident enough to host honest disagreement is a community that can grow, adapt and sustain its values and its future.

These values are central to who we are as a people: Treating others as we wish to be treated, basic notions of justice and freedom, protecting the stranger and tikkunolam – our responsibility to help make the world a better place.

We believe that we must work toward an Israel, a United States and a Jewish community that live up to the best of these values and traditions. It is in the spirit of these values that we work in multi-faith, multi-racial coalitions to fight against bigotry, inequality and injustice and to strengthen liberal democracy.