Friends,
There’s a term being shared in the Harris campaign right now about how many feel about the election tomorrow: Nauseous optimism.
I think I empathize.
None of us can know what will happen tomorrow, but I do know that today we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the entire J Street community. Together, we’ve left it all on the field – some of you will even be on volunteer shifts as you read this.
We’ve raised almost $15 million for pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy candidates up and down the ballot. We’ve raised more for the Harris-Walz campaign than any other Jewish group. Voter mobilization ads focused on reproductive freedom, launched by the J Street Action Fund, have reached more than 500,000 target voters.
Across the country, J Street staff have been embedded with campaigns in high-stakes races. Volunteers and J Street U students have been knocking on doors and making calls to turn out every last vote. We’ve supported a confident, compassionate approach to Israel-Palestine capable of speaking to the broadest possible swath of the Democratic coalition. We’ve written voting postcards, hosted phone banks, texted family and friends.
We’ve made the case in our community and beyond that Donald Trump and the MAGA movement pose an unacceptable threat to our democratic rights and freedoms. That he would be a catastrophe for our people, our country and our planet. That now is our chance to vanquish his toxic influence for good.
I’m incredibly proud of our entire community – and the truly impressive campaign Kamala Harris, Tim Walz and their entire team have run.
What Kamala Harris promises has proven tremendously energizing: A new generation of leadership in touch with Americans. A focus on working families, not billionaires. On shared priorities for the future, not personal grievances from the past.
On Israel-Palestine, the promise of leadership that rejects a binary approach and is ready to turn the page on endless blame games. The chance to elect a president who has voiced full-throated support for Palestinian rights to freedom, safety and self-determination alongside an absolutely ironclad commitment to Israel’s security – and done so to rapturous applause.
Finally, please also know that we are ready and determined to continue our work whatever happens tomorrow.
We’re in close contact with pro-democracy allies and the Harris campaign to ensure that every last vote is counted and to push back on Trump’s efforts to sow chaos and division.
After a result is known, we’re ready to double down on ending the war in Gaza, securing the release of hostages, and ensuring an urgent flood of aid to civilians in Gaza. To press for far stronger action from the Biden Administration in the transition period to secure this outcome, and to find a sustainable political solution to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict as well.
At the same time, we’ll be working to ensure a Harris Administration takes the opportunity for a renewed and refreshed approach to Israel-Palestine. Clear and confident leadership to end the war for good, bring hostages home, champion peacemakers, draw a red line against right-wing extremism and chart a path toward freedom, hope and peace for all.
And, in the event of a far more nauseating outcome, we have plans ready too.
To rally together to safeguard our democracy. To protect our community and join others in solidarity. To push for irreversible progress in the transition period. To fight like hell to block the MAGA agenda that threatens our freedoms, our values and everything we hold dear.
So, if you’re still feeling anxiety, let’s channel it into action. There’s still time to volunteer. To call and text family and friends. To make every minute count.
Together, we can win this. Thank you, sincerely, for your support.
Yours in hope,
Jeremy Ben-Ami
President, J Street
