Israel and the War Updates

American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, welcomes the UN Secretary-General’s decision to blacklist Hamas for patterns of sexual violence in conflict in the recently released Report of the Secretary-General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence for 2024.

American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, strongly opposes the German government’s decision to impose a partial arms embargo on Israel and urges Berlin to reconsider.

AJC Statement on the Israeli Security Cabinet’s Approval of a Military Takeover of Gaza City

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.

Over the weekend, the Iranian regime launched a wave of missile and drone attacks on Israel resulting in at least 24 deaths, hundreds of injuries, and extensive damage.

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.

As Israel is increasingly demonized, it is imperative to examine the rhetoric being used—including Free Palestine and Globalize the Intifada—and to understand how, in certain contexts, it can escalate into real-world danger for Jews everywhere. 

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.

American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, is overjoyed to welcome Edan Alexander home after 584 days in Hamas captivity. AJC is dedicated to bringing home all the remaining hostages and will continue to support hostage families and those who have been rescued and released as they advocate for every single hostage until they are all reunited with their families or returned home for a proper burial.

At AJC Global Forum 2025, Steven Grinspoon, AJC Board of Governors, introduces a powerful lunch session, "Exposing Bias: The Truth Behind Media Coverage of Israel" featuring Matti Friedman. In the wake of October 7, 2023, the coverage of Israel’s self-defense efforts has been marked by distortion, misinformation, and bias.

Watch the full AJC Global Forum 2025 Opening Plenary from New York City.

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.

In a powerful message from Jerusalem, Israeli President Isaac Herzog addresses AJC Global Forum 2025, offering a heartfelt thank you to advocates for Israel and the Jewish people.

At AJC Global Forum 2025, three of Israel’s leading journalists—Nave Dromi, Asaf Liberman, and moderator Nurit Canetti—discuss what it’s like to report from the frontlines of trauma, war, and political upheaval.

Ruby and Hagit Chen, parents of 19-year-old American-Israeli hostage Itay Chen, delivered an emotional address at AJC Global Forum, honoring their son’s courage and calling for justice.

At AJC Global Forum, Yael and Adi Alexander—the parents of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander—shared their heartbreaking story and called for urgent international action to secure the release of all the hostages still held by Hamas.

In a deeply emotional speech to AJC Global Forum 2025, Israeli hostage Noa Argamani, who was rescued last year in a daring IDF operation, shared her harrowing story of survival and resilience.

At AJC Global Forum 2025, families of American-Israeli hostages held by Hamas, along with a former hostage, delivered powerful and deeply moving remarks that gripped the world and stirred global conscience.

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.