J Street Policy Center

The J Street Policy Center is the “policy shop” of the pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy movement, producing original analysis and other resources to inform and educate elected officials, policymakers and advocates on issues related to US policy toward Israel, Palestine and the broader Middle East. A program of the 501(c)(3) J Street Education Fund, the Policy Center is committed to convening and amplifying the work of diverse experts who endeavor to drive forward, rather than merely describe the challenges to, diplomacy and conflict resolution in the region.

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Israeli-Arab Normalization and Advancing Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Resolution:
Symposium Report and Compendium

Drawing on insights from our September 2022 symposium’s participants, our new report includes a number of recommendations for harnessing the normalization process to create a better future for Israelis and Palestinians

READ THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

J Street Policy Positions

The Importance of Diplomacy-First Foreign Policy

A Negotiated Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Occupation, Annexation, and Settlements

Security

Borders

Refugees

Jerusalem

Mutual Recognition

The US-Israel Special Relationship

US Security Assistance to Israel

US Assistance Benefitting the Palestinians

Terrorism and Incitement

Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)

Palestinian Approaches to International Organizations

Palestinian Prisoner Payments

Gaza

Iran

Antisemitism, Racism and Xenophobia

Issue Briefs and Fact Sheets

Memo: It's Time To Revoke the "Pompeo Doctrine"

It is time to revoke the "Pompeo Doctrine" and make expressly clear that the United States sees settlements as inconsistent with international law -- just as it had for decades on a bipartisan basis prior to the last administration.
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Action Memo: Israeli Annexation & Anti-Democracy Moves

The J Street Policy Center has issued this Action Memo calling for the Biden Administration to press the Israeli government against major steps towards annexation.
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NETANYAHU’S ULTRA RIGHT-WING COALITION GOVERNMENT: A DOSSIER

The J Street Policy Center created this dossier on Netanyahu's new government, which has rewarded some of the most extreme figures in Israeli politics with key roles.
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ACTION MEMO: US MUST ACT NOW AGAINST FORCED RELOCATION OF PALESTINIANS IN MASAFER YATTA

The J Street Policy Center has just issued this Action Memo arguing that the Biden Administration should urgently press the Israeli government against carrying out a mass eviction of Palestinian communities in the Masafer Yatta area of the occupied West Bank.
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US MUST ACT NOW TO COUNTER EXTREMIST ISRAELI OFFICIALS & POLICY MOVES

As the most right-wing government in Israel’s history takes shape, it is becoming increasingly clear that some of the most radical figures in Israeli politics today are set to be rewarded with key roles and the enactment of extremist policies that are in direct conflict with US interests and values, and with the founding principles of Israeli democracy.
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EXPULSION BY OTHER MEANS: ISRAEL’S CAMPAIGN AGAINST PALESTINIANS IN MASAFER YATTA

The Israeli government is waging a campaign of harassment, deprivation, and property destruction against Palestinians in Masafer Yatta that is gradually making their lives unsustainable, with the apparent goal of making them opt to leave.
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ISRAELI FIRING ZONES AND DISPLACEMENT OF PALESTINIANS IN THE WEST BANK

In J Street's inaugural issue brief, Policy Director Dr. Debra Shushan explores "firing zones" and how they are used to displace Palestinians in the West Bank.

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US MEDIATION OF ISRAEL-LEBANON MARITIME DISPUTE NEARS AGREEMENT

Policy Director Dr. Debra Shushan breaks down the potential maritime agreement between Lebanon and Israel and looks at US efforts to mediate the process.
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Shushan Street
by Dr. Debra Shushan, Director of Policy

BEZALEL SMOTRICH’S WEST BANK TAKEOVER IS WHAT ANNEXATION LOOKS LIKE

The Netanyahu government’s transfer of responsibility for managing most aspects of civilian life in the occupied West Bank to an Israeli politician is a leap to extending Israeli sovereignty, de jure, into the West Bank.
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MEET THE ISRAELI ORGANIZATION BEHIND THE LEGISLATION TO SUBVERT ISRAELI DEMOCRACY, AND THE AMERICAN BILLIONAIRES THAT FUND IT

A handful of conservative American donors are playing a major role in the fight over Israel's democracy by financially underwriting a network of right-wing organizations that are quietly driving the Netanyahu government’s plan to reshape Israel’s judiciary.
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THE SETTLEMENT ENTERPRISE AND THE DEMISE OF ISRAEL’S POST-NETANYAHU GOVERNMENT

Fifty-five years after Israel began its occupation of the Palestinian territories during the 1967 Six-Day War, the occupation has precipitated the downfall of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s government.
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BIDEN TRIP APPRAISAL: FUTURE OF US AID TO ISRAEL AND ARAB-ISRAELI NORMALIZATION

Dr. Debra Shushan explains what we can learn from Biden's Mideast trip about the future of US security assistance to Israel and examine two speed bumps standing in the way of the Biden administration’s question to expand Arab-Israeli normalization

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J Street Expert Analysis

Biden needs to address the coming crisis between Israel and Palestine

By Jeremy Ben-Ami, J Street President

Ignoring the simmering tension, violence and injustice that dominate the Israeli and Palestinian reality will further the continuing deterioration of the status quo between the parties.

Norway, EU and the Oslo Accords: Who is the real hypocrite?

By Nadav Tamir, J Street Israel Executive Director

We are preventing the Palestinian civil society from operating and from promoting democracy. This action stands in stark contradiction to Israel’s claim that it is the only democracy in the Middle East.

Biden should bolster a Palestinian political horizon

By Nadav Tamir, J Street Israel Executive Director

Neglecting the Palestinian issue is much more dangerous for Israel than the military threats that our politicians and media love to highlight.

Congressional Resources Page

Check out our resources for congressional staff, including information on our delegations to the region, explainers, and relevant video content.

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Advisory Council

Mort Halperin, Chair
Joe Cirincione
Toby Gati
Jon Greenwald
Sylvia Kaplan
Anthony Lake
Frank Lowenstein
Dr. Daniel Serwer
Henry Steiner
Dr. Paula Stern
Jon Wolfsthal
Dr. Carol Winograd

Membership on the J Street Policy Center Advisory Council does not constitute endorsement or agreement with any policy or position of the center or of J Street by the member or any of the organizations with which they are employed or affiliated.