Everything You Need to Know About Israel

American Jewish Committee (AJC) works to set the record straight on Israel, calling out fact from fiction and standing up to those seeking to tear down and discriminate against the region’s only democratic nation and world’s only Jewish state.

AJC works every day, in the United States and around the world, to advocate for Israel through global diplomacy, political advocacy, coalition building, and strategic communications.

The resources below include facts and key insights into Israel-related topics, including the U.S.-Israel relationship, the Abraham Accords, Israel-diaspora relations, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a two state solution, Israeli democracy, the UN’s anti-Israel bias, Israeli Arabs, the connection between antisemitism and anti-Zionism, Hamas, Hezbollah, Gaza, the West Bank, Palestinians, and more.

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American Jewish Committee Calls for Hezbollah Accountability Following Renewal of UNIFIL Mandate
American Jewish Committee issued a statement following the renewal of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) by the UN Security Council.
"The UN Security Council today renewed UNIFIL’s mandate for another year. But UNIFIL cannot carry out its peacekeeping responsibilities when Hezbollah ignores UN resolutions, strengthens its military presence in southern Lebanon, prevents the Lebanese government from extending its authority over its entire territory, and receives illegal arms from Iran."
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American Jewish Committee Condemns BDS Vote by Anthropologists Group
The American Anthropological Association, an academic group, has voted to boycott Israeli academic institutions in support of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divest and Sanctions movement. American Jewish Committee issued a statement in response:
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AJC Statement on Israeli Reasonableness Standard Law
American Jewish Committee (AJC) today expressed profound disappointment over the passage of the Reasonableness Standard Law in Israel.

The new law was pushed through unilaterally by the governing coalition amid deepening divisions in Israeli society as evidenced by the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who have taken to the streets. Of particular concern to AJC, the continued effort to press forward on judicial reform rather than seeking compromise has sown discord within the Israeli Defense Forces at a time of elevated threats to the Jewish homeland and has strained the vital relationship between Israel and Diaspora Jewry. 
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American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch Praises President Herzog's Speech to Congress
AJC CEO Ted Deutch issued this statement following Israeli President Isaac Herzog's address to Congress this morning:

President Herzog’s address to Congress is a potent symbol of the ironclad partnership between the U.S. and Israel and how it has transformed the Middle East. It also underscores the president’s vital role as a bridge builder, one who offers pragmatic and actionable solutions to many of the issues that confront Israel. His voice is one we need to hear more. Israel has no better emissary. I know him personally as someone whose commitment and love for his nation knows no bounds. That passion was on full display today on Capitol Hill.
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American Jewish Committee Concerned Over New Measure Tied to Israeli Judicial Reform
American Jewish Committee (AJC) today expressed concern over the Knesset’s vote to advance a portion of the governing coalition's judicial reform effort, deepening existing divisions instead of resuming the compromise negotiations conducted by President Herzog.
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Leading College Presidents in Israel for AJC Project Interchange Trip | Project Interchange
A delegation of U.S. college presidents has arrived in Israel to exchange ideas with their counterparts in the Jewish State and forge partnerships with students and faculty from both nations, as part of a trip sponsored by Project Interchange, an educational institute of American Jewish Committee.
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AJC CEO Ted Deutch Lauds Appointment of Ambassador Dan Shapiro as Regional Integration Envoy
AJC CEO Ted Deutch today issued this statement following the appointment by Secretary of State Antony Blinken of Ambassador Dan Shapiro to be Senior Advisor for Regional Integration: Ambassador Dan Shapiro is an excellent choice to lead America’s efforts to expand the circle of peace in the Middle East, from strengthening the Abraham Accords to working to normalize relations between Israel and Arab and Muslim-majority countries.
About The Jews
American Jewish Committee Video for Arabic Speakers Explains What Connects Jews to Israel
American Jewish Committee has released a video, "What Ties Jews to Israel?" (“Ma allathi yarbut al-yahud bi-Isra’il?” in Arabic), the 11th installment in the organization’s Arabic-language educational video series, ‘An al-Yahud (“About the Jews”), which has received more than 45 million views worldwide. The video released today emphasizes that the unique connection between Jews and the land of Israel does not negate those shared by other religions and peoples. The video is also available in English.
Photo of members of the Sawaed family receiving the Moral Courage Award at AJC Global Forum 2023
Bedouin Tribe That Has Lost 18 Family Members Serving in Israeli Security Forces Given AJC Moral Courage Award
A Bedouin tribe that has been steadfast in its support for Israel and its security despite having 18 family members killed in the line of duty, was honored by American Jewish Committee (AJC) with its Moral Courage Award.
Photo of Isaac Herzog at AJC Global Forum 2023
Israeli President Herzog Touts New Israel Diaspora Project, Tells AJC Global Forum a Compromise on Judicial Reform is Possible
Israeli President Isaac Herzog told AJC Global Forum that Israel’s relations with Diaspora Jewry are crucial to the future of the only Jewish state.
AJC CEO Ted Deutch and Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid speaking at AJC Global Forum 2023
Yair Lapid Tells AJC Global Forum Israeli Democracy Alive and Well Despite Split on Judicial Reform, Says Diaspora Jewry Views Important to Israel
Speaking with Ted Deutch, CEO of American Jewish Committee (AJC) during the opening session of AJC Global Forum 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said the battle over a proposed overhaul of Israel’s judicial system, is proof that democracy in Israel remains vibrant and an example for the world.
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American Jewish Committee’s Transatlantic Friends of Israel Opens Italian Chapter
The Transatlantic Friends of Israel (TFI)—the interparliamentary, cross-party network spearheaded by the American Jewish Committee (AJC)—launched its Italian chapter to strengthen the ties between Europe, and specifically Italy, the United States, Canada, and Israel. TFI Italy Chair Senator Marco Scurria announced the launch in the Italian Senate with the support of 16 bicameral lawmakers from Fratelli d'Italia, Lega, Forza Italia, Noi Moderati, and Partito Democratico.
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David Harris, Who Led American Jewish Committee from 1990-2022, Honored by Japan
David Harris, who served as AJC CEO from 1990-2022, has received The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star from the government of Japan in recognition of his extensive work promoting strong ties and mutual understanding between Japan and the Jewish community.
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American Jewish Committee, Other Jewish Organizations Welcome Suspension of Israeli Judicial Overhaul Legislation
We welcome the Israeli government’s suspension of legislative consideration of judicial reform measures. The last three months have been painful to watch and yet a textbook case of democracy in action. We respect the political leaders, business executives, community activists, cultural figures, and ordinary Israelis who took to the streets, exercising their love of country, and their passion for democracy."
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American Jewish Committee Reacts to Unfolding Developments in Israel Tied to Proposed Judicial Reform
AJC believes in Israeli democracy and we believe in the Israeli people. We are concerned that continued internal turmoil could lead to violence and may leave Israel vulnerable to external threats. As stalwart friends and unwavering supporters of the democratic State of Israel, AJC urges Israeli leaders to put unity and security over politics and power.
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U.S. Mayors Visiting Israel with AJC Project Interchange to Explore, Strengthen Cooperation
A bipartisan group of U.S. mayors is visiting Israel this week with Project Interchange, an educational institute of American Jewish Committee (AJC), in partnership with The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM). The program’s intensive sessions and visits throughout the country will enable the mayors to gain a first-hand understanding of Israel’s vibrant democracy, innovative technologies, diverse society, and regional challenges. This is the fifth delegation of U.S. mayors to participate in this annual seminar.
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American Jewish Committee Commends President Herzog's Efforts to Reach Judicial Reform Compromise
AJC commends Israeli President Isaac Herzog's remarkable effort to reach a resolution for the good of the State of Israel. We believe all sides should expeditiously work to forge a compromise that preserves Israel’s vibrant democracy and the principle of judicial independence on fundamental issues. The final outcome of this process should reflect the broadest possible consensus – not what is politically expedient in the short term.
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Statement from AJC CEO Ted Deutch on Judicial Reform in Israel
In a call with American Jewish Committee (AJC) leaders from across the United States, AJC CEO Ted Deutch made remarks on judicial reform in Israel.
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AJC Praises Supreme Court Action Upholding Arkansas Anti-BDS Law
American Jewish Committee (AJC) welcomes the U.S. Supreme Court decision today declining to review Arkansas Times v. Waldrip, a case regarding an Arkansas law opposing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
“The Supreme Court has confirmed our view that state statutes opposing BDS are indeed constitutional,” said AJC General Counsel Marc Stern. “The primary aim of the BDS movement is to eliminate the State of Israel. The court’s action gives a boost to efforts to put a stop to the pernicious effort to isolate Israel economically and morally.”
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American Jewish Committee Salutes Opening of Chad Embassy in Israel
American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, welcomed today Chad President Mahamat Déby’s inauguration of his country’s embassy in Israel. “Chad’s opening of an embassy in Israel is a significant development. The continuing renewal of Israel’s diplomatic relations with African nations is vital for expanding mutually beneficial relationships that initially began decades ago,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. “Chad joins the growing number of African countries with a diplomatic presence in Israel that greatly contributes to the overall building of bilateral and regional relations with Africa.”

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How Many Americans Have Been Killed by Hamas, Before, On, and After October 7?
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AJC Presents Diplomatic Excellence Award to Board of Peace High Representative Nickolay Mladenov
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The Houthis, Explained: Why Iran-Backed Terror Group Are Threatening Global Trade
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A Rare Chance for Peace Between Israel and Lebanon Must Not Be Missed