Press Releases and Statements

American Jewish Committee (AJC) today established an award to honor Ofir Libshtein, a beloved kibbutz leader and Israeli advocate for stronger ties with the Jewish Diaspora community, who was murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7.

The majority of American Jews are not running from, but rather embracing their Jewish identity and support for Israel. That is one of the key overarching takeaways from American Jewish Committee's (AJC) 2024 Survey of American Jewish Opinion. Despite – or perhaps due to– record levels of antisemitic hate in the U.S., the survey found deepening connections between American Jews, their Jewish identity, and the State of Israel.

Today’s International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) order on provisional measures is outrageous. It does nothing more than promote South Africa’s slanderous and dangerous narrative that Israel is targeting Palestinian civilians in its military operation in Gaza, masked in the language of international law.

The decision by Norway, Ireland, and Spain to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state sends a troubling signal in the aftermath of October 7 – that violence, murder, torture, rape, and kidnapping are effective tactics to achieve a political goal.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) is appalled by the decision of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, to request arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) is deeply disappointed by the adoption today of a UN General Assembly resolution granting the purported Palestinian state additional rights and privileges within the UN system. This unwise resolution violates existing Israeli-Palestinian agreements and further complicates efforts to resume the peace process.

A bipartisan group of U.S. mayors just returned from Israel after spending last week in the country as part of a joint American Jewish Committee (AJC) Project Interchange – U.S. Conference of Mayors delegation. The delegation concluded on Friday, April 12, before Iran’s attack on Israel on Saturday, April 13.

Six months ago, Hamas brutally attacked Israel, murdering 1,200 women, men, children, and babies, many suffering the most heinous atrocities, and taking 254 people hostage. Israel’s war of self-defense continues for two clear reasons: 134 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, and Israel has yet to fully eliminate the threats posed by Hamas’ military capabilities.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) leadership this week traveled to Israel on the organization’s third such mission in solidarity with the people of Israel in the wake of Hamas’ October 7 terror attack.

Israel’s fight against Hamas is part of a larger battle that affects us all. Hamas is supported by Iran and is protected in international fora by Russia and China. Today, Russia and China defended Hamas’ interests at the UN Security Council. Those demanding an immediate, unconditional ceasefire willfully ignore that it is Hamas terrorists who stand in the way of an end to the war.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) appreciates U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s continual and passionate defense of Israel and the Jewish people, but we do not believe it is appropriate for U.S. officials to try to dictate the electoral future of any ally. Israel is a sovereign democracy in the midst of a war of self-defense against a terrorist organization bent on massacring Jews and destroying Israel. The Israeli people will decide their own political path.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) today applauded both President Joe Biden and a bipartisan group of members of Congress for reaffirming the United States’ commitment to bringing all the hostages home from Gaza and sharing the stories of those still being held in captivity by Hamas.

Japan and South Korea’s support of Israel following the Oct. 7 terror attack by Hamas is a reflection of a strong bond between the two nations forged by an unstinting commitment to democracy and economic ties that have propelled both nations’ growth, American Jewish Committee (AJC) CEO Ted Deutch said following a mission last week to Japan and South Korea.

South Africa’s outrageous case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was dealt a major blow today, as the Court plainly rejected South Africa’s request for Israel to be ordered to cease its defensive military operation against Hamas in Gaza.

For the past two days, the world has been forced to listen to the hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the outrageous case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

This week, more than 110 Ibero-American and U.S. Jewish leaders unanimously endorsed American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Santiago Declaration, reaffirming their regional commitment to fight antisemitism, stand by Israel in its war against Hamas, support democratic values and human rights worldwide, and promote continued collaboration. The Strategic Forum for Leaders of Ibero-American Jewish Communities, convened December 3-5 by AJC's Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute for Latino and Latin American Affairs (BILLA) and hosted by the Jewish Community of Chile, brought together diplomats, political leaders, and representatives from civil society from 13 countries for discussions on current relations with Israel and rising global antisemitism, among other topics.

Following last month’s historic March for Israel that brought nearly 300,000 people to the National Mall, the nation’s most prominent American Jewish organizations have today joined forces to launch The 10/7 Project — a new centralized communications operation. The 10/7 Project is designed to promote continued U.S. bipartisan support for Israel by working to ensure more complete and accurate information about the Israel-Hamas war in real time for policymakers and the American public.

Since the Hamas attack on Israel, we have seen disturbing headlines, videos, and even arrests made on college campuses across the country due to an alarming surge in antisemitism. As we justifiably focus on how to ensure the safety of Jewish university students, we cannot forget the need to combat antisemitism in K-12 schools as well. 

American Jewish Committee today welcomed the U.S. House of Representatives’ unanimous passage of a bipartisan resolution condemning the Hamas terror attack on Oct. 7 and demanding that Hamas immediately release all hostages and allow for their safe return home.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) welcomes today’s announcement of an agreement brokered by the United States, with assistance from Qatar, for the release of 50 of the hostages abducted by Hamas and other terrorists from southern Israel on October 7.