Hi Friends,
I wanted to reach out following my return from our Congressional delegation to Israel and the West Bank last week. Our educational travel program to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory -- named the Len Hill Education Program in honor and memory of its longtime advocate and supporter -- is a cornerstone of J Street’s work to inject nuance and insight into a debate that is too often marked by ideology and absolutism.
Bringing members of Congress to see the reality on the ground for themselves, especially now, is one of the most valuable tools that we have to shape foreign policy and promote our values.
From meeting with a family member of one of the deceased hostages whose body was returned to Israel just a few days later to visiting a West Bank community that saw someone’s home demolished the previous day, it was an incredibly emotional visit for everyone.
Our trip was the subject of Jeremy's Word on the Street Substack entry from last week. You can read more about our experience in the post, which I've copied below.
Best,
Cooper Boyar
Director of Public Affairs, J Street
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Forks in the Road
I’m fresh off a week with a J Street delegation, including meetings and briefings with Israeli, Palestinian and regional leaders as well as emotional visits to the Gaza envelope and to occupied territory.
As tensions rise in the region, critical decisions loom on the horizon. Will ceasefire negotiations progress to phase two, or will conflict reignite? Can Hamas be removed through military or political means?
With Netanyahu facing growing political pressure, the Palestinian Authority attempting reform, and the future of Israel’s democracy at stake, the choices made in the coming weeks could reshape the region for generations. Meanwhile, Trump’s unpredictable role in the process raises even more uncertainty.
Read More on My Substack >>
