Friend,
With Trump charging forward with his disgraceful “concept of a plan” for US-backed ethnic cleansing in Gaza, this week saw a powerful response from Congress: A letter slamming the proposal signed by over two-thirds of Democrats and a majority of Jewish members.
A massive thank you to everyone who signed our petition, worked the phones and pressed a total of 146 members to sign this letter – and to Representatives Sean Casten and Brad Sherman for leading the effort in Congress.
For more on our work, find our weekly recap below.
– Jen Abrahamson, Vice President of Communications
The Latest 👇
📣 J Street Leads Pushback Against Trump’s Gaza Plan: Together, we’ve rallied thousands of Jewish Americans – including clergy and community leaders – to speak out against Donald Trump’s abhorrent, unworkable plan to “take over” Gaza and force out two million Palestinians who call the land home.
💪 In coordination with our Congressional allies, our movement helped rally support for one of the most broadly signed J Street-backed congressional letters ever released.
- “The United States cannot promote forced displacement as a solution to this conflict,” the letter reads. The proposal is “morally indefensible” and “risks destabilizing the delicate ceasefire currently in place, endangering hostages still being held by Hamas, fueling extremist sentiments, and serving as a recruiting tool for terrorist organizations.”
- The Impact: While it might be addressed to Donald Trump, the letter sends a powerful message to regional allies and pro-peace Israelis and Palestinians that there is major dissent in the United States about this proposal. Read the letter and find the full list of signers here >>
- The Message: This is a clear rebuke of Trump’s ‘concept of a plan’ for Gaza – one which has already destabilized a delicate ceasefire, put hostages in more danger, and gifted a recruiting tool to terror groups. The White House should be laser focused on shoring up the hostage deal, not drawing up plans for Mar-a-Lago outposts in Gaza. We encourage you to use our statement as a resource when talking to your circles about Trump’s dangerous vision for Gaza. Find messaging here >>
- Dig Deeper: While Trump’s proposal has been met with rejection and disbelief in our community and across the world, we’re deeply concerned about its impact in Israel – where it’s strengthened the hand of right-wing extremists and been met with a disturbingly warm reception across the political spectrum. Read more in our latest Policy Center analysis >>
⚠️ A Fragile Ceasefire Hangs by a Thread: With Trump’s Gaza comments shaking the foundations of ceasefire negotiations – and reported violations of the agreement by both Hamas and the Netanyahu government – the brittle hostage deal was pushed to the brink of collapse this week.
- Thankfully, Hamas has recommitted to releasing hostages this Saturday after receiving assurances from intermediaries that more aid will enter Gaza. International partners have scrambled this past week to pressure both sides to stick with the deal.
- Despite Trump’s threats that he’s ready to “let all hell break out,” we’re continuing to make the clear case that a return to war would be catastrophic for all parties involved.
🔥 The Fight Against Fascism: MAGA isn’t hiding its ‘flood the zone’ strategy, and as J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami writes in his latest Substack, it’s on all of us to fight back.
- What We Can Do? Team Democracy: “Pick your battles. Work in community. Challenge friends to engage with you. Join organizations (like J Street) where there’s a shared sense of mission and purpose. Press organizations where you belong that aren’t doing enough.” Read, share and subscribe here >>
📚 Educational Bookshop: This week brought the disturbing news that Israeli police raided the Palestinian-owned Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem and arrested its owners, Mahmoud and Ahmad Muna. The bookstore has been a regular highlight of J Street's delegations to the region.
- J Street Israel Director Nadav Tamir in The Times of Israel: "Now is the time to visit the Educational Bookshop and send a message to the police that the public in Israel will not allow them to stifle freedom of opinion, will not allow them to burn books, and will not allow democracy to die." Read his piece here >>
- Weekend Read: In an urgent response in The Jewish Chronicle, former head of the Shin Bet Ami Ayalon writes that Trump’s “immoral” plan risks igniting the region by bringing down the ceasefire, sidelining constructive allies and dismissing the most fundamental rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people. Read here >>
🌍 Fighting for USAID: J Street joined over 130 development, human rights and peace organizations in a letter to Congress opposing efforts to shut down US foreign assistance, including USAID. The Trump/Musk effort to dismantle the organization undermines life-saving work that enhances US security and influence around the world.
- “The relatively small investments from USAID – less than 1% of the federal budget – pay significant dividends for Americans,” the letter reads. “Not only does this support prevent the conflicts and health emergencies of today from becoming the regional crises and pandemics of tomorrow, but they also protect people’s lives and livelihoods.”
Mark Your Calendar for Shabbat 📅
Solidarity Shabbats: Take a stand as Trump endangers the communities we care for most, and join J Street in standing shoulder to shoulder with the National Council of Jewish Women and HIAS, two organizations doing incredible work to fight the good fight.
- Get involved with Repro Shabbat on February 21-22. Host your own gathering or join a pre-planned event in your community. Find what suits you and honor the Jewish value of reproductive freedom. Learn more from NCJW >>
- One week later, join us for Refugee Shabbat on February 28-March 1. Register to join hundreds of communities around the world in standing up for refugees, asylum seekers and forcibly displaced people. Find out how you can participate >>
