How many American hostages are left in Gaza? Meet the six Americans still held hostage after thousands of Hamas terrorists breached the border between Israel and Gaza intent on terrifying and destroying the Jewish state.
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.
Meet the Five American Hostages Still Held By Hamas
This Often Forgotten 1929 Massacre is Key to Understanding the Current Israel-Palestinian Conflict
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. For journalist Yardena Schwartz, the massacre was a chilling echo of the 1929 Hebron Massacre—the brutal slaughter of nearly 70 Jews, incited by propaganda that Jews sought to seize the Al Aqsa Mosque. At the time, she was writing her first book, "Ghosts of a Holy War: The 1929 Massacre in Palestine That Ignited the Arab-Israeli Conflict". Yardena shares how history repeated itself, how the October 7 attack reshaped her book, and why understanding the past is essential to making sense of the present.
Who Are the Hostages Still Held By Hamas?
More than 18 months after Hamas' massacre of Israelis, Palestinian terror groups are still holding 59 men and women—including five Americans—captive in Gaza.
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.
AJC Letter to UN Members on Francesca Albanese Serving as Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Palestinian Territories
Simone Rodan-Benzaquen, Managing Director of AJC Europe, wrote to UN member states expressing concern about the possible reappointment of Francesca Albanese, to serve as UN Special Rapporteur regarding human rights in the Palestinian territories.
American Jewish Committee Letter to UN Human Rights Council Members Opposing Anti-Israel Resolutions
Since its establishment in 2006, the Human Rights Council has continually singled out and criticized Israel. No other country has been subjected to such scrutiny and systemic bias.
AJC CEO Ted Deutch Responds to Francesca Albanese's Attack On Our Israel Advocacy
UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, who has a long history of espousing vile antisemitism, attacked AJC a recent interview in Ireland. AJC CEO Ted Deutch responds to her outrageous claims.
AJC Project Interchange, U.S. Conference of Mayors, Host Annual Mayoral Delegation to Israel
| Project Interchange
A bipartisan group of mayors has returned from Israel as part of a joint delegation sponsored by American Jewish Committee (AJC) Project Interchange and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
The intensive program, which ran from March 17-22, enabled the mayors to gain first-hand knowledge of the situation in Israel at a time when the nation continues to confront ongoing terror attacks and threats from the Iranian regime and its proxies on multiple fronts and grapples with the fate of the 59 hostages still being held in Gaza by Hamas.
The intensive program, which ran from March 17-22, enabled the mayors to gain first-hand knowledge of the situation in Israel at a time when the nation continues to confront ongoing terror attacks and threats from the Iranian regime and its proxies on multiple fronts and grapples with the fate of the 59 hostages still being held in Gaza by Hamas.
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.
Held Hostage in Gaza: A Mother’s Fight for Freedom and Justice
Former Israeli hostage Shoshan Haran, abducted during the Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2023, shares her harrowing story of survival and resilience. Shoshan was abducted from her home in Kibbutz Be’eri alongside her family, including her son-in-law Tal Shoham, her daughter, and her young grandchildren. While she and the other women and children were released after 50 days in November 2023, Tal remained in Gaza for 505 days and was released in February 2025.
AJC’s Center for a New Middle East Presents Vision for a Path Forward
American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, brought together the Trump Administration, elected officials, diplomats, and thought leaders in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to introduce AJC’s Center for a New Middle East and present a vision for a new path forward in the Middle East in a post-October 7 world. As outlined in the Center’s policy recommendations for the Trump administration, released at tonight’s event, the Center’s work focuses on interconnected initiatives that deepen ties throughout the Middle East with a focus on diplomacy, business, and civil society.
AJC Center for a New Middle East: U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steven Witkoff in Conversation with Jason Isaacson
As part of AJC’s Center for a New Middle East introductory event in Washington, D.C., Jason Isaacson, AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer, and Steven Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East, hold a wide-ranging conversation on the importance of bringing every single hostage home, President Donald Trump’s priorities in the Middle East, expanding the Abraham Accords, and more pressing issues that matter to Israel and the Jewish people.
AJC Statement on the Return of Murdered Hostages
Following today's return of Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz, all murdered while in terrorist captivity in Gaza, American Jewish Committee (AJC) mourns with the families and all of Israel. AJC also anxiously awaits the return of Ariel and Kfir’s mother, Shiri, and the planned release of six living hostages on Saturday.
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.
Nearly 2,000 Sign MEAA, AJC Letter Urging Teachers' Union to Stop Anti-Israel Campaign
Massachusetts Educators Against Antisemitism (MEAA) and American Jewish Committee (AJC) New England have issued a public letter expressing concern about a year-long campaign by Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) leadership to demonize Israel and spread anti-Zionist propaganda into classrooms.
AJC Leadership Brings Message of Support to Israel
American Jewish Committee (AJC) CEO Ted Deutch, President Michael Tichnor, Board of Governors Chair Bobby Lapin, and members of the Board of Governors and other national leaders traveled to Israel this week to meet with government officials, released hostages, hostage families, and those affected by Iran and its proxies’ terror throughout the country.
AJC Welcomes Trump Affirmation of U.S.-Israel Alliance; Expresses Concern over Proposal for Gaza
AJC Welcomes Trump Affirmation of U.S.-Israel Alliance; Expresses Concern over Proposal for Gaza
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.
Featured Content:
- What Hamas is Hiding
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- 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
