✈️ The Aftermath of Netanyahu’s DC Visit: Prime Minister Netanyahu and Trump struck a celebratory tone as they dined in the White House, claiming success for their respective strikes on Iran. Netanyahu even recommended Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. But looming over the festivities was the ongoing devastation in Gaza, Trump’s failed promises to end the war and dark plans for potential mass displacement.

This Should Be the Week the Gaza War Ends: J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami writes, "If there’s one person who has the leverage to press Netanyahu to change course, it’s President Trump. So we’ll see this week if he’s willing to use the leverage he has post-Iran to make this nightmare end." Read here >>
Expert Analysis: J Street Policy Fellows Frank Lowenstein and Yael Patir unpacked the Netanyahu-Trump meeting at the White House and its aftermath. Did Trump hold firm on his commitment to end the war? Did Netanyahu manage to shift the blame and focus once again? Watch here >>
Dig Deeper: J Street Chief Policy Officer Ilan Goldenberg writes, “It is clear that Netanyahu will not offer an immediate big bold move to end the war in exchange for all of the hostages. It’s against his nature of leaving himself options and putting off decisions and it’s too risky politically. [...] But what is also clear is that Trump is hyper-focused in the aftermath of the war with Iran on getting deals. So Bibi needs to offer something. It appears that Netanyahu has convinced Trump and Witkoff that another temporary ceasefire is the best way to move forward.” Read more >>

Ilan was also interviewed by the BBC this week, where he discussed the status of ceasefire negotiations and the situation in Gaza. Watch here >>

🎙️ Brad Lander on Netanyahu, Mamdani and More: On Wednesday, Brad Lander – New York City’s Comptroller, long-time friend of J Street and ally of Zohran Mamdani – joined J Street president Jeremy Ben-Ami and Ilan Goldenberg on Word on The Street Live.

In a wide-ranging conversation, Brad tackled the complexities of holding nuanced and compassionate conversations about Israel-Palestine and how to sustain alliances between the progressive and Jewish communities. Watch here >>

🏛️ Our Advocacy Priorities on the Hill: J Street is continuing to call upon Congress to lead – whether to take its war powers back or press the Israeli government to allow in unfettered humanitarian aid into Gaza or hold extremist violent settlers accountable. This includes:

Urging members to co-sponsor H.Res.473, which presses for urgent delivery and distribution of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. The resolution now counts the names of over 100 Democrats across the spectrum in support.

Rallying for the West Bank Violence Prevention Act (H.R. 3045) led by Reps. Nadler, Himes and Smith, which codifies the Biden Administration’s Executive Order to sanction those who engage in violence and instability in the West Bank.
Ensuring there is broad Democratic support behind H.Con.Res.40, the House War Powers Resolution led by Ranking Members Meeks, Himes and Smith.

🎟️ Last Chance for 20% Off J Street Convention Tickets! Today is the last chance to claim 20% off general admission tickets to Convention using code 'INDEPENDENCE'. Sign up now for the largest gathering of the US pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy movement since 2022 >>

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📖 This Week’s Must-Reads and Listens:

How Netanyahu Prolonged the War in Gaza to Stay in Power [Gift Link 🎁]
"Now, at the cabinet meeting, Smotrich declared that he had heard rumors of a plan for a deal. The details disturbed him. 'I want you to know that if a surrender agreement like this is brought forward, you no longer have a government,' Smotrich said. 'The government is finished.' It was 5:44 p.m., according to minutes of the meeting. At that moment, the prime minister was forced to choose between the chance of a truce and his political survival – and Netanyahu opted for survival."

Knives, Bullets and Thieves: The Quest for Food in Gaza
Anas Baba writes, "What does it take to get food today in Gaza? It involves a perilous journey that I took myself. I faced Israeli military fire, private US contractors pointing laser beams at my forehead, crowds with knives fighting for rations, and masked thieves — to get food from a group supported by the US and Israel called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, or GHF."
Pod Save the World 7/9/25 [Audio 🎧]
The hosts lead this week's show by discussing Israel, Gaza, and the Trump-Bibi visit and then discuss the current discourse over antisemitism and antizionism. “You have to create a space where you can have an actual open discussion [about Israel], or else people are going to be like, ‘well wait a second, I’m not finding this here, maybe I can find it there.’ And that’s when you get into conspiracy theories and ethnonationalism.”

Can Gaza’s Humanitarian Catastrophe be Reversed? It’s Up to Trump
J Street Policy Fellow Larry Garber writes, "Whether Trump is willing to dedicate the necessary time and diplomatic and financial resources will go a long way to determining the prospects for diplomatic success and for long-term transformation of the Middle East region. I hope he will be. The daily reports of food seekers being killed or children dying of acute malnutrition are unbearable. We cannot come to accept them as simply a new status quo, and Trump should do everything in his power to ensure they don’t become one."
Israel's Real Enemies Are the Violent Jewish Militias Tormenting the Palestinians
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert writes, "At a time when the public's attention is justifiably focused on returning the hostages immediately and ending the war that risks their lives, the enemy, who is more dangerous than any of our external foes, is threatening Israel from the inside. This enemy is the same violent band of youths with beards, sidelocks and large kippot who roam the hills and ravines of the West Bank. They're equipped with weapons that in many cases were given them by their political patrons, knowing that they wouldn't be used to defend their communities as intended but for murderous attacks on Palestinians."

🗳️ Our Pro-Democracy To-Do List:

Tell Netanyahu to stop blocking aid >>

Five years after the passing of Congressman John Lewis, join a “Good Trouble Lives On” event on July 17. Find an event near you >>

Call your Member of Congress and tell them you oppose the Gaza war >>

Host a vigil for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers with HIAS >>

Find pro-Israel, pro-democracy, pro-peace candidates at JStreetPAC.org >>

Sign up for J Street’s 2026 National Convention >>

Until July 11, use code 'INDEPENDENCE' for 20% off any General Admission level ticket.

Check out and share the regularly updated Pro-Democracy To-Do List on our website >>

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J Street is the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans who want Israel to be secure, democratic and the national home of the Jewish people. Working in American politics and the Jewish community, we advocate policies that advance shared US and Israeli interests as well as Jewish and democratic values, leading to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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