J Street Welcomes and Congratulates Israel’s Newly-Formed Government

June 14, 2021

J Street welcomes the successful formation of Israel’s new government. We congratulate new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and all of the party leaders on their achievement in negotiating the formation of an ideologically diverse coalition in the face of tremendously aggressive and intense political pressure tactics.

The election of a new government does not mean an automatic change in policy or ideology when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or a number of important issues. What it does mean is that — for the first time in many years — Israeli leaders and society have a very welcome opportunity to change course on critical questions, including the occupation and Israel’s future as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people.

As this new government finds its feet and seeks to craft a policy agenda, we at J Street will do all that we can to stand with and strengthen our Israeli allies who continue to advocate for the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to freedom, security, equality and self-determination — both those who now have a foothold in government as well as the advocates and activists working outside the Knesset.

We will strive to make clear to both Israeli and American leaders that the overwhelming majority of American Jews share our movement’s support for Israel’s security and a lasting peace agreement, our opposition to settlement expansion and occupation, and our commitment to democratic institutions and values.