Friends,
It’s been a rollercoaster ride, but we enter this weekend more energized than ever.
We have a fresh, electrifying nominee who’s spoken directly to our pro-Israel, pro-democracy, pro-peace values. Top Democratic leaders have repudiated Netanyahu’s divisive partisanship. And the Prime Minister is reportedly embittered that Vice President Harris has said she “will not be silent” about the civilian toll in Gaza nor the urgent need for a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
I want to give a major thank you to J Street supporters – and our amazing staff – for standing up so loudly and proudly for our values at such a pivotal moment. For bringing the voices of our community, of our Israeli allies, and of the families of hostages, to national attention.
Together, we broke fundraising records, shaped the debate, and drove renewed urgency on the need for a lasting ceasefire and immediate hostage release deal.
For a recap of the last week, our work and developments you may have missed, please scan our update below. To support our work, please consider a contribution of $18, $36 or $90 or any other amount here >>
Yours in Hope.
– Jeremy Ben-Ami, J Street President
J Street Recap
J Street Breaks Fundraising Record with Kamala Harris Endorsement
This Monday, J Street was thrilled to announce our endorsement of Kamala Harris for President – and together, we very swiftly broke our one-day political fundraising record.
We were proud to back the Biden-Harris ticket in 2020 and again this year. On Sunday, we lauded President Biden’s selfless, patriotic decision to step back from the race. Now, our movement is rallying like never before to donate to the Harris campaign via our political fundraising arm, JStreetPAC, which helps our supporters get more bang for their political buck.
As the Vice President says in her energizing opening campaign ad, in this election we each face a question, “What kind of country do we want to live in?” While some choose a future of chaos, fear and hate – we choose freedom. “We believe in the promise of America and we’re ready to fight for it,” she says. “Because when we fight, we win.”
You can watch the Harris campaign’s blockbuster debut ad, and learn more about how JStreetPAC can amplify your support for Harris, at the JStreetPAC website. Watch the ad and learn more here >>
Harris Says She “Will Not Be Silent” Following Netanyahu Meeting
Vice President Harris has been a powerful advocate for J Street’s values in the White House. She’s been a steadfast supporter of hostage families and Israel’s security, while being a leading voice for the protection of Palestinian civilians and the need to secure an urgent ceasefire.
Following a “frank” and “constructive” meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu yesterday, Harris again made her position clear: “Israel has a right to defend itself, and how it does so matters,” she said, reciting the names of the American hostages taken on October 7.
“I also expressed with the Prime Minister my serious concern about the scale of human suffering in Gaza, including the death of far too many innocent civilians,” she said, speaking of the horrific images of the humanitarian catastrophe. “We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering, and I will not be silent.”
“It is time to get this deal done,” she said. “To everyone who has been calling for a ceasefire, and to everyone who yearns for peace, I see you and I hear you.” The day before, Harris rightly drew a distinction between peaceful protesters and those engaged in vandalism, antisemitism and pro-Hamas propaganda (as did J Street).
J Street continues to press Congress and the Biden Administration to show stronger leadership toward an urgent ceasefire and hostage release deal. Support J Street’s White House advocacy with a contribution today >>
Hostage Families Bring Lawmakers to Tears In Powerful Pre-Speech Event
On the day of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech, J Street was proud to support a major event on Capitol Hill joined by almost 100 Members of the House and Senate which gave several families of Israeli hostages the opportunity to address lawmakers directly – bringing a number of Members to tears.
To a packed room, the families shared personal stories of loved ones taken hostage and searing criticism of the Netanyahu government’s failure to secure a deal to release their relatives and end the devastation in Gaza.
“The Hostage Family Forum urged Netanyahu not to come and give this speech now, at a time when a deal is so close, because by coming here he risks making himself the issue, turning the humanitarian issue of the hostages into a political one and shifting the conversation. We are here to ask you not to let him,” Maya Roman, whose cousin was held hostage, told lawmakers.
“I am asking you to focus on the people on the ground, our families and the Palestinian people suffering in Gaza,” Maya added.
The event – covered by CNN, the Washington Post, the LA Times and others – was hosted by Representatives James Clyburn, Rosa DeLauro, Jim McGovern, Jamie Raskin and Mark Takano. “Let’s hope that Netanyahu opens his eyes,” Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, thanking the hostages for their courage in comments reported by the Times of Israel.
For more, including quotes from lawmakers and hostage families, read and share our full statement. You can find the statement here >>
Our Response to Netanyahu’s Divisive, Narcissistic and Inflammatory Speech
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech to Congress was as self-serving, divisive and inflammatory as many of us feared. While MAGA Members of Congress rose to their feet for ovation after ovation, hostage families wearing “seal the deal” shirts were arrested inside the Capitol.
It was “the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary” invited to address Congress “by far” tweeted former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
While Jewish and Israeli protesters were outside calling for a hostage release deal, Netanyahu was pushing any kind of ceasefire further from reach. Rather than calm divisions in our country, he stoked them by vilifying all protesters as Hamas supporters. Rather than outline a plan for peace, he seemed to call for endless war on more and more fronts.
“He failed to offer an actual plan for ending the war and bringing real security and peace to the region,” I told the New York Times. “His empty calls for ‘total victory’ are simply an illusion, as there is no military solution to the underlying conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.”
In a briefing document circulated widely on Capitol Hill, we made clear to representatives the partisan political nature of Netanyahu’s speech, and his historically poor support in Israel.
Together, thousands of J Streeters across the country sent a message to Congress: Netanyahu doesn’t speak for us. Sign the petition here >>
J Streeters Join Pro-Israel, Pro-Peace, Pro-Democracy Rallies Across DC
Prior to Netanyahu’s speech, J Street supporters joined pro-Israel, pro-peace events across Washington – with our organization supporting a number of hostage families campaigning for the Prime Minister to seal a deal that brings their loved ones home and ends the war in Gaza.
We were proud to support rallies held by our pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-demcoracy allies, including The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, T’ruah, UnXeptable, and US branches of Standing Together and Combatants for Peace.
Our friends at the The Hostages and Missing Families Forum brought towering photographs showcasing heartwarming reunions from the previous hostage release deal that brought home over 100 captives, sharing a clear message: A deal brought them home before, it’ll bring them home again.
“There's only one thing right now that [Netanyahu] needs to care about,” one campaigner told NBC. “The hostages must come first.”
Following Netanyahu’s address, J Street held a briefing featuring Congressman Sean Casten, hostage advocate Ifat Kalderon – whose cousin Ofer is held by Hamas – and J Street Israel Director Nadav Tamir. Watch and share the briefing here >>
