Friends,
We’re seeing a clear and significant shift in Washington, DC, as pressure mounts to end this horrific war, get hostages home and surge aid into Gaza.
Our advocacy teams in Washington and across the country – supported by your grassroots activism – have been working overtime to press for action and to end the silence.
As Jeremy said before, it’s not just Israel’s future but the very soul of the Jewish people that’s at stake – and we can’t afford to stay quiet or let others speak in our name.
Here’s what we’ve seen in DC this past week:
Senators Vote on Joint Resolution of Disapproval: Last night, an unprecedented majority of Democratic senators voted to disapprove of two offensive weapons transfers, sending a strong message of opposition to Netanyahu’s pursuit of endless war and disastrous policies leading to further devastation in Gaza and abandoning the hostages.
- The fact that 27 senators – all long-time supporters of Israel – took such a tough vote is a sobering and significant milestone. These were votes of courage and conscience which have already prompted a wave of right-wing attacks and disinformation. J Street is committed to defending and supporting these senators going forward.
Overwhelming Majority of Senate Democrats Join Gaza Outcry: A total of 44 Senate Democrats, led by Senators Adam Schiff, Brian Schatz, Chuck Schumer and Jacky Rosen – have called for urgent US pressure to end the war, surge aid into Gaza, get hostages out and draw a red line against forced displacement.
- The letter is significant for spanning the breadth of the ideological spectrum in the Democratic Party and including top leadership and pro-Israel stalwarts.
House and Senate Democrats Demand Action on Humanitarian Aid: J Street champions in the House and Senate have led demands for action on humanitarian aid, including calling for funding to be restored to international aid agencies and requesting investigations into the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
- Representative Sean Casten led over 90 representatives in demanding an investigation into the GHF – the shadowy private, US-backed aid organization at the center of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- Senators Peter Welch and Chris Van Hollen led 21 senators in a call to end US funding for GHF and restore funding for existing United Nations aid distribution mechanisms.
West Bank Violence Prevention Act Reaches 48 Cosponsors: J Street is continuing to urge representatives to support the legislation to codify Biden-era sanctions and provide a measure of justice and deterrence in the West Bank.
- This comes following the death of Awdah Hathaleen, who was shot and killed by Yinon Levi, an extremist settler previously sanctioned under the Biden Administration for his role in attacks against Palestinians.
We’re seeing real progress on Capitol Hill, and it matters both now and into the future.
Together, we’re making clear to the next generation of leadership that the politics has shifted and we can’t return to the status quo.
Friends: If you have a moment, can you call Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton's office and leave them a message? Every representative needs to be hearing from us.
Representative Holmes Norton's Office: 202-225-8050
Message Guide:
- I’m a constituent from [town/city] and I want you to relay this message.
- I count myself as proudly Jewish / pro-Israel and I strongly oppose the Netanyahu government and am horrified by the situation in Gaza;
- I want to see an immediate end to this war, I want all of the hostages home, and the Netanyahu government needs to allow a surge of international aid into Gaza;
- As my representative, I want you to show strong leadership and use every point of leverage we have. I want you to know that if you do that, we have your back.
Friends – If you made a call, click here to confirm you left a message so we can track our advocacy impact. Confirm your call here >>
When we speak out together, we can make a difference.
Hannah Morris
Vice President of Government Affairs
