Trump and Musk’s decision to put a hold on America’s aid and security commitments has shut down life-saving programs and devastated families across the globe – and it’s shaking two fragile ceasefires in the Middle East.
On February 20, J Street was joined by former West Bank and Gaza USAID Mission Director Larry Garber and Co-Director of Israeli grassroots peacebuilding movement Women Wage Peace Dr. Yael Braudo-Bahat for an on-the-ground perspective on Trump and Musk’s efforts to dismantle USAID.
“USAID has been recognized for the last thirty, forty years as a critical element of our national security, together with defense and diplomacy,” Garber said. Trump and Musk’s efforts to dismantle USAID “is a disaster for the United States, and it’s a disaster for Israel’s future prospects in the region.”
Dr. Braudo-Bahat told us “[We need you] to talk to your representatives in the Capitol and also help us in the meantime find the funding we need to survive, because many organizations might shut down.” “Israel will not survive without civil society. Israel will not survive without peace.”
Watch the full briefing below: