Here are five reasons why the use of the term genocide -- which has come up Macklemore’s "Hinds Hall" song -- in Israel's self-defense campaign is inaccurate, misleading, and dangerous.
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.
To find answers to your questions about Israel use the search bar below and check boxes on the left to view articles, videos, podcasts, columns, eBooks, and more. Don’t see an answer to your question about Israel? Click here to let us know.
5 Reasons Why the Events in Gaza Are Not “Genocide”
After the sirens: Returning to everyday life after an unexpected encounter with war
While I never wanted my children to experience that kind of fear, I’m deeply proud of how they handled it. Their connection to Israel—and to their Jewish identity—deepened in ways I could never have predicted. They understand, in their core, the courage and resilience that define our people. Israel is a thread woven into who they are— never hesitating when asked if they’d go back.
What Does “Globalize the Intifada” Mean and How Can it Lead to Targeting Jews with Violence?
What does “Globalize the Intifada” mean, how is it tied to past Palestinian activist violence against Israel, and how can it lead to targeting Jews today?
Humanitarian Aid in Gaza: What’s Really Happening
The current war in Gaza has been exceedingly painful. For Israelis, the 48 hostages being held by Hamas for over 22 months remains central, as does the near-daily loss of life of Israeli soldiers. For Palestinians, the loss of civilian lives and food security is a heartbreaking reminder of the horrors of war.
Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal: What You Need to Know
The Israeli government and Hamas have agreed to a hostage release deal after 467 days of captivity, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict. The deal, set to begin on January 20, 2025, includes the phased release of Israeli and American hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, alongside humanitarian measures and troop adjustments in Gaza. Negotiations are ongoing for subsequent phases to free remaining hostages, establish a ceasefire, and outline a plan for Gaza's future governance.
Four Takeaways from Israeli President Isaac Herzog
For the third year in a row, Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed AJC Global Forum, calling on all those attending to continue to stand strong in defending the right of Israelis to live in peace and security and to keep advocating for the rights of Jews around the world.
Understanding the Protests in Israel: Key Issues and What’s at Stake
Mass protests in Israel, initially sparked by judicial reforms, have escalated due to the Gaza war and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s attempts to remove top officials, including the attorney general and Shin Bet chief. Critics argue these moves threaten democracy and prioritize Netanyahu’s political survival over national security, while supporters see them as necessary to restore governance. As tensions rise, opposition leaders and legal experts warn of deepening political turmoil, with implications for Israel’s future stability and its war strategy.
MTA’s Anti-Israel Campaign Reflects its Extreme Political Commitments
The Massachusetts Teaches Association leadership appears committed to advancing an extreme political agenda that demonizes Israel and its supporters. This should be a matter of profound concern to Jewish teachers and families, and to all in Massachusetts who believe that educators should teach students how – not what – to think.
When We Do Not Know What to Say - On the Repatriation of Our Dead
Rabbi Noam Marans, AJC Director of Interreligious Affairs, delivers a nourishing prayer following the return of four murdered hostages by Hamas.
What is Trump’s Proposal for Gaza?
Donald Trump has proposed that the U.S. "take over" and "own" the Gaza Strip, envisioning long-term control and the relocation of Palestinians to neighboring countries. His plan includes rebuilding Gaza’s infrastructure while preventing Palestinians from returning, though Egypt and Jordan have firmly rejected the idea. This controversial proposal comes amid ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, raising concerns about its impact on regional stability and ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Letter to the Editor: Israel’s Right to Exist
As one of the American Jewish leaders who often feel the need to reaffirm and assert Israel’s right to exist, I can tell you that is because Israel is the only state whose right to exist is regularly challenged, not because I hold the country to a lesser standard.
Freed Israeli Hostages: What They Endured in Captivity and How They Survived
The January 2025 Israel-Hamas hostage agreement resulted in the release of multiple Israeli hostages after over 470 days of brutal captivity in Gaza, where they endured extreme conditions such as isolation, malnutrition, and untreated injuries. Survivors like Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher, and Romi Gonen shared shocking accounts of their time in Hamas tunnels, while recently freed soldiers Karina Ariev and Daniella Gilboa faced forced labor and severe psychological trauma. As Israel works to secure the return of the remaining hostages, global attention is focused on the ongoing humanitarian and geopolitical crisis in Gaza.
The Gaza-Auschwitz Comparison: A Moral Failure
Replacing the memory of the Holocaust with that of other struggles—even legitimate ones—poses a grave threat and betrays the spirit of "Never again," which was meant as a universal call for vigilance, not as a pretext for contemporary hostility toward Jews.
Who are the Palestinian Prisoners Freed in the Israel-Hamas Deal?
Israel releases names of 250 Palestinian security prisoners under the U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal. The swap includes Hamas, PIJ, Fatah, and PFLP members, while key figures like Marwan Barghouti remain excluded. Over 1,900 prisoners are set for exchange for 33 hostages as part of the 20-Point Peace Plan.
The Israeli Hostage Deal is a Moment for Relief, But Not Celebration
When word came that a deal had been reached that would provide a pathway for the release of the 98 hostages still held by terrorists in Gaza, I felt relieved, but I could not yet celebrate. Of course, I will enthusiastically welcome the return of the hostages and the end of the torture they have endured over the last 15 months. But until every hostage is returned home, we cannot rest.
What’s Next for Syria and What’s at Stake for Israel, America, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and More
Will Syria’s alliance of disparate rebel groups be able to ensure prosperity and peaceful coexistence in Syria and the surrounding region? Experts from AJC’s Center for a New Middle East in Washington D.C., AJC Jerusalem, and AJC Abu Dhabi shared what they see from their vantage points.
What to Know About the Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire, and What’s Next
On November 26, Israel’s security cabinet approved a U.S.-brokered 60-day ceasefire agreement that involves the Iranian-backed terror proxy Hezbollah that will go into effect on November 27 at 10 a.m. local time, marking a temporary halt to over a year of violent conflict. Here is what you need to know.
What to Know About Hezbollah’s Escalation Against Israel
Amid the Israel-Hamas War, fears of a wider conflict with Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed terror group in Lebanon, are increasing as cross-border fighting has intensified.
What to Know About President-Elect Trump on Antisemitism, Israel, and Iran Policy
Donald J. Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on November 5, 2024, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. His record includes strong support for Israel, highlighted by initiatives such as recognizing Jerusalem as its capital, advocating for expanded peace agreements like the Abraham Accords, and taking a firm stance on Iran with sanctions and military actions. Trump has pledged to make advancing the Abraham Accords a top priority and maintain a rigorous approach to countering Iranian influence in the region.
Update: Everything You Need to Know About Rafah, Its Importance to Hamas, and Protecting Its Civilian Population
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Hamas terrorists remaining in the southern Gaza city of Rafah will be the next objective of the war. As long as Hamas operates from Rafah, Israelis are in danger of rocket fire and a reoccurrence of October 7.
Featured Content:
- What Hamas is Hiding
- AJC's Tough Questions Series
- Timeline: Key Events In The Israel-Arab And Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
- Tough Questions About Gaza Answered
- Setting the Record Straight on Hezbollah: Full Report
- 10 Basic Facts About the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
- What You Need To Know About Israel’s Judicial Reforms
- The Abraham Accords, Explained
- Israel: A Nation Reborn
- 5 Things You Need to Know About Israel’s Iron Dome Defense System
- 8 Ways Some Anti-Israel Protests Have Spread Antisemitism
- 15 Israel-related Whoppers
- Tough Questions About Gaza Answered
