AJC CEO Ted Deutch today praised President Biden's nomination of Jack Lew to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Israel.
Press Releases and Statements
Find American Jewish Committee's latest press releases, official statements, and noteworthy announcements below.
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American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch Praises Nomination of Jack Lew to be U.S. Ambassador to Israel
American Jewish Committee Delegation Led by CEO Ted Deutch Meets with Uruguay President, Longtime Friend of Israel
An American Jewish Committee delegation headed by AJC CEO Ted Deutch met with Uruguay President Luis Lacalle Pou, who leads a nation that has been a friend of Israel since the birth of the Jewish State. Deutch hailed the longstanding ties between Uruguay and Israel as a model to boost relations with other Latin American countries.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Uruguay President Hails 75 Years of His Nation’s Friendship with Israel at AJC Global Forum
Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou today said both his country and Israel have the “greatness of democracy and freedom” in common and called the ties between the two nations “historic and unbreakable.” In taped remarks delivered at American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Global Forum in Tel Aviv, Lacalle Pou also hailed the “shared history” between the two nations.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
American Jewish Committee Statement on the Formation of the New Israeli Government
American Jewish Committee, the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, congratulated incoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on forming a new government, following the Nov. 1 elections.
American Jewish Committee Applauds Azerbaijan Decision to Open Embassy in Israel
Jewish Committee (AJC) praised the Azerbaijan government announcement today that the Shi’ite majority country will open an embassy in the Jewish state. “Azerbaijan has long been a trendsetter in relations between Israel and the Muslim world. Opening an embassy in Israel reflects close and wide-ranging Azeri-Israeli ties spanning more than three decades,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. “It is another example of the expanding cooperation between Israel and the Muslim world, including the historic Abraham Accords normalization agreements of 2020.”
American Jewish Committee Congratulates Benjamin Netanyahu on Election Victory
American Jewish Committee (AJC), the leading global Jewish advocacy organization, congratulates Benjamin Netanyahu, head of the Likud Party, on his election victory. “AJC looks forward to again working closely with Mr. Netanyahu to strengthen Israel’s security and place in the world, enhance the deep bonds between Israel and diaspora Jewry, and amplify the shared values that unite Israel, the United States, and our democratic allies,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch.
American Jewish Committee Issues Statement on Israeli Election
Regardless of the composition of any governing coalition, we will continue to work with those in the Israeli government and in Israeli society who are committed to advancing democracy, inclusion, and peace, and to combating efforts to undermine these values.
AJC, Uruguay Jewish Community Sign Association Accord
Jewish Committee (AJC) has signed an association agreement with Comite Central Israelita de Uruguay, the main Jewish communal organization in Uruguay. It is AJC’s 38th association agreement with Jewish communities around the world, the 15th with communities in Latin America, Spain and Portugal.
American Jewish Committee, OAS Publish Handbook for Combating Antisemitism
The Organization of American States (OAS) and American Jewish Committee (AJC) have co-published a Handbook for the Practical Use of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism. The publication offers clear guidance and examples of how the definition is being used by law enforcement, the judiciary, educational institutions, and civil society.
Black College Presidents Arrive in Israel for Groundbreaking Trip as Part of AJC Project Interchange
| Project Interchange
A delegation of presidents from Historically Black Colleges and Universities has arrived in Israel, as part of a groundbreaking program to create new academic and research partnerships between American and Israeli universities and expand the research capacity of participant universities.
The six-day trip is hosted by AJC Project Interchange (PI), an educational institute of the American Jewish Committee, as part of new agreement with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which supports students and programs at HBCUs.
The six-day trip is hosted by AJC Project Interchange (PI), an educational institute of the American Jewish Committee, as part of new agreement with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which supports students and programs at HBCUs.