Friends,
As we continue to rally our leaders to speak out about the horrors in Gaza, Netanyahu and his allies appear determined to continue plunging deeper into catastrophe.
Following a marathon nine-hour meeting last night, Israel’s security cabinet approved plans for the intensification of the war and the indefinite occupation of Gaza – including efforts to force nearly one million civilians out of Gaza City to make way for heavy strikes.
Trump is reportedly not opposed to the plan, though we know from experience that doubling down on what the IDF Chief himself called a “black hole” – a path of indefinite occupation – will only breed more horror.
We’re continuing to rally our community and our leaders in Washington to speak out as we do all we can to get this administration to wake up: The only way to bring this horror show to an end is to force Netanyahu into a war-ending hostage deal and to surge aid.
Here are the latest updates from Israel, Washington and around the world:
Global Jewish Diaspora Release Letter to Netanyahu: Thousands of Jews from Israel and around the world, including many prominent leaders and J Streeters, released an open letter calling for a war-ending hostage deal, a surge in aid and a crackdown on settler violence.
- The letter decried the “lasting damage” Netanyahu was doing to Israel and the Jewish people. “We do not remain silent in the face of Israel’s external threats, but nor will we remain silent when we believe the policies of Israel’s own government are wrong, and endangering the resilience, security and sustainability of both Israel and world Jewry.”
Former Israeli Security Leaders Slam Ongoing Escalation: In an unprecedented plea, a majority of the living former leaders of Israeli security agencies – from the IDF to the Shin Bet to Mossad – issued a public call to Netanyahu to end the war for the sake of Israel’s own security:
- It’s a “lie” and a “fantasy” that prolonging the war will free the hostages or defeat Hamas, instead it’s an agenda designed to satisfy “messianic zealots” in the government, said former heads of the Shin Bet and Mossad. Watch and share the video here.
- A separate group of 600 retired Israeli security officials also wrote to President Trump calling for more pressure on Netanyahu to end the war. "It is our professional judgement that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel," the officials wrote.
Germany Suspends Military Exports for Use in Gaza in Major Break with Post-War Policy: Germany’s decision today to halt arms exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza marks a significant milestone from one of Israel’s strongest backers in Western Europe.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz signalled deep concern that war aims had moved beyond the release of hostages. “The even harsher military action by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, approved by the Israeli cabinet last night, makes it increasingly difficult for the German government to see how these goals will be achieved,” he said.
Major Western Allies Pledge to Recognize Palestinian State: After pressing the Palestinian Authority to commit to a series of democratic, security and anti-corruption reforms, major pro-Israel American allies including Canada, the UK and France are setting the stage to formally recognize Palestinian statehood at the upcoming UN General Assembly.
- “There is a risk there will be no Palestine left to recognise if the international community [doesn’t] move to create that pathway to a two-state solution,” said Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
- J Street welcomes the move as a “clear demonstration of carefully calibrated leadership.” Irreversible steps toward recognizing the self-determination of both Israelis and Palestinians are “a direct challenge to extremists on either side who thrive on deadlock and seek the other side’s destruction.”
‘Israel is Fighting a War it Cannot Win’ Says Former Shin Bet Chief: Only greater international pressure and a path to a Palestinian State can stop the catastrophe in Gaza, wrote former Shin Bet Chief Ami Ayalon in Foreign Affairs, and the world must lead the way.
- Israel’s government is staying in Gaza, “even though its principal military objective – to dismantle Hamas’s terror infrastructure – has largely been achieved” for months. “Hamas’s power depends on hopelessness. It thrives on the absence of alternatives. But if a credible, internationally backed pathway to Palestinian statehood were offered, Hamas’s appeal would collapse.
J Street Leads Delegation of DC Policymakers to Israel and Palestine: The J Street Education Fund is continuing its work to bring congressional staff, foreign policy professionals and Members of the House and Senate on challenging, eye-opening trips to the region.
- Participants meet hostage families, Israeli security experts, Palestinian communities threatened by settler violence, peace advocates from both sides and both Israeli and Palestinian political leaders – often returning to be among the most committed, well-informed advocates for peace in Washington.
Friends – Silence is complicity. For the sake of families in Gaza, hostages held by Hamas, and the future of Israel and the soul of the Jewish people, we must continue to speak out.
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Thank you, sincerely, for giving voice to your values.
Sincerely,
Adina Vogel Ayalon
Vice President and Chief of Staff, J Street
