Israel

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.

As we begin the 119th Congress and President Trump’s second term, I urge everyone to recognize the bipartisan work displayed between senior officials in the outgoing Biden Administration and the then-incoming Trump Administration to make a breakthrough in an agreement to secure the release of 33 of the remaining hostages brutally abducted from Israel during Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023. We cannot take for granted the unique power of senior officials from the Biden and Trump administrations working together.

What lessons can be drawn from the post-October 7 era? Amid growing isolation and antisemitism, where do opportunities for hope and resilience lie for the Jewish people? AJC CEO Ted Deutch and Bernard-Henri Lévy—renowned French philosopher, public intellectual, and author of Israel Alone—explore these critical questions.

The Syrian Civil War has reignited, with Islamist rebels seizing Aleppo and threatening Assad’s government, as his allies—Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah—face their own conflicts. This instability poses risks for Israel, including heightened security threats from radical groups near its border, while also impacting U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the region.

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.

AJC CEO Ted Deutch reacts to the heartbreaking news of six Israeli hostages found dead in Gaza, including one Israeli American. Ted emphasizes the ongoing threat posed by Hamas, a terrorist organization responsible for the deaths of over 35 Americans since October 7.

Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, and Morgan Ortagus, former Spokeswoman for the Department of State under the Trump administration, engaged in a debate on the 2024 presidential election and its impact on the global Jewish community, Israel, and the future of democracy-live on the AJC Global Forum 2024 stage.

Israel’s global standing has been greatly damaged since Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attack. With the expansion of the Israel Defense Force’s (IDF) counter-offensive against Hamas and the increasing death toll in Gaza, Israel has now become the object of severe international criticism. These condemnations sharply contrast with the past decade, which had largely been positive for Jerusalem on the global stage.

In the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas-led terrorist attack and massacre in Israel, American Jews were engulfed in a maelstrom of grief, anger and alienation. Now, five months into the Israel-Hamas war, Jewish New Yorkers stand at the forefront of an escalating societal crisis.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) is outraged by the revelations that twelve employees of UNRWA – the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East – were involved in the horrific October 7 terror attacks perpetrated by Hamas against Israel.

In the largest pro-Israel gathering in American history, an astounding 290,000-plus people descended upon the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to show their solidarity with Israel, demand the release of hostages held by the Iran-backed terror group Hamas, and call out surging antisemitism.

We stand in total solidarity with the people of Israel following a massive, unprovoked attack by Hamas.

Dozens of terrorists infiltrated Israel in the early hours of Saturday, storming communities and homes, kidnapping and murdering civilians.

At least 22 people have been killed, with hundreds more injured, many in critical condition.

More than 2,500 rockets were fired into southern and central Israel, putting millions of Israelis at risk.

All Israelis have been called up to defend their country, including AJC staff.

Israel has every right to defend itself against these deplorable attacks.

The Reasonableness Standard Bill adopted by the Knesset this week, with the support only of members of governing coalition parties, will – if it survives legal challenges – alter the balance of power between the judicial and executive and legislative branches of government. Elected officials will have fewer restraints on their actions. The High Court of Justice will retain other oversight tools, however. 

In July 2023, the majority of the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) began what many anticipate will be Israel’s judicial overhaul, passing legislation that would limit the Israeli Supreme Court’s ability to review the “reasonableness” of government decisions. This contentious legislation is part of a larger debate over Israel judicial reforms. Learn More.

In July 2023, the majority of the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) began what many anticipate will be Israel’s judicial overhaul, passing legislation that would limit the Israeli Supreme Court’s ability to review the “reasonableness” of government decisions.

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. 

Earlier this month, the Hezbollah terror group was busy stoking tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border. Here’s what you need to know about these provocations, who’s behind them, and why.

This week, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog made a historic trip to the United States, becoming only the second Israeli president to address a joint session of Congress as part of a celebration of Israel’s 75th anniversary.

Find answers to burning questions on the difficult issues and topics that matter to the Jewish people and Israel. Our goal is to provide accurate and detailed responses that will help educate, inform, and dispel misinformation.

Palestinian assailants carried out two terror attacks on Israeli civilians in Jerusalem.