February 5, 2025 — Tel Aviv
American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, welcomed President Trump’s unreserved reaffirmation, in the White House press conference following his meeting Tuesday with Prime Minister Netanyahu, of U.S. support for Israel’s security, the release of all hostages held captive by terrorists in Gaza, an end to the Iranian regime’s support for terror and its dangerous quest for nuclear weapons capability, and Israel’s full integration in a peaceful and prosperous Middle East.
“In receiving the Prime Minister of Israel as the first international leader to meet with him at the start of his new administration, President Trump sent a powerful signal of American support for its one democratic ally in a region vital to U.S. national interests – an ally still recovering from the Hamas massacre and mass-kidnappings of October 7, 2023, and countering continued terror threats on seven fronts,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch.
"AJC welcomes the President’s reiteration of his support for the fulfillment of the ceasefire and hostage-release agreement achieved with his active engagement on the final full day of the Biden administration – an agreement that, in the last two weeks, has yielded the release of 18 hostages brutally held by Palestinian terrorists for nearly 16 months.
"At the same time, the President’s surprising, concerning, and confusing comments on an American plan to ‘take control’ and ‘own’ Gaza and the relocation of its population raise a wealth of questions – first among them the impact of the President’s announcement on the ongoing hostage-release agreement. The release of all remaining hostages, and the agreement’s ultimate fulfillment of the objective to rid Gaza of Hamas rule, must remain U.S. and Israeli priorities.
"AJC, long committed to advancing Israel’s integration in a peaceful and prosperous Middle East and to a pragmatic resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, equally has concerns about the impact of the President’s Gaza proposal on regional cooperation and stability. In the coming days, we will intensify our consultations with Israeli and regional partners on steps to ensure that the progress made under the Abraham Accords – a signal achievement of the first Trump administration – continues in the second," concluded Deutch.
AJC’s Board of Governors is currently on the ground in Israel, with further regional consultations scheduled in the coming days.
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.
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