American Jewish Committee

On Air

Ambassador Daniel Shapiro on Biden's Foreign Policy; Responding to the Attack on the Capitol
People of the Pod / 34-minute listen
Earlier this week, we spoke to former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro, who served alongside President-elect Joe Biden in the Obama administration and was an advisor to his presidential campaign. Ambassador Shapiro broke down what we can expect from the Biden administration when it comes to Israel, Iran, the Palestinians, and the Abraham Accords. Then, as our nation reels from Wednesday’s mob attack on the United States Capitol, AJC Director of Contemporary Jewish Life Dr. Laura Shaw Frank, Manya Brachear Pashman, and Seffi Kogen share their reactions to the riots on Shabbat Table Talk. Listen now

Must-reads

AJC Statement on Act of Sedition by Washington Insurrectionists
AJC.org / 2-minute read
AJC was appalled and deeply saddened by the events of January 6, which brought bloodshed, mayhem, and dishonor to the temple of American democracy. Those who committed crimes must be held accountable - as must those who encouraged and hoped to benefit from them. Read more

High Time to Stop Treating Israel Differently
The Times of Israel / 4-minute read
In this column for The Times of Israel, AJC CEO David Harris writes that the recent spate of annual anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations is a telling reminder that Israel is held to a totally different standard than all other countries in the international system. “Of course, Israel deserves attention and scrutiny as does every other nation,” Harris writes. "But it also merits equal treatment — nothing more, nothing less." Read more

Ten Pivotal Jewish Moments of 2020
AJC Global Voice / 4-minute read
Though 2020 was an especially trying year for us all, the world also witnessed unprecedented efforts to help those most impacted by the pandemic, burgeoning Muslim-Jewish ties, historic peace achieved in the Middle East and North Africa, and other important developments. Read more

Good to Know

Media Reports Malign Rumor that Israel Denies Vaccine to Palestinians
The Jerusalem Post / 2-minute read
Israel has led the world’s COVID-19 vaccination drive, reaching nearly 15% of the country’s 9.3 million population in about two weeks. But some mainstream media outlets including The Guardian and LA Times are promoting the false narrative that Israel is somehow barring Palestinians from getting vaccinated against coronavirus. AJC CEO David Harris tweeted: "Malicious! Palestinians aren't 'excluded from Israeli Covid vaccine rollout.' -They rejected Covid cooperation w/ Israel -They're in charge of own health care under Oslo Accords -They spurned UAE's Covid aid -They're awaiting millions of doses of Russian vaccine An apology?" Read more

Greece Green Lights Defense Deal with Israel
The Times of Israel / 2-minute read
Days after Israel delivered the second of two Iron Dome defense system batteries to the U.S. Army, Israel’s Defense Ministry announced that the Greek government has approved a $1.68 billion agreement to purchase training aircraft from Israel. An Israeli defense contractor also will establish a flight school for Greece’s air force. AJC CEO David Harris tweeted: “Welcome news! #Greece & #Israel take another big step in deepening their strategic links. -2 democracies -2 anchors of regional stability in the Eastern Med -2 ancient/modern civilizations -2 US allies. As a longtime friend of Greece and Israel, I salute this bilateral relationship.” Read more

Meet Jon Ossoff, the Newest Democratic Senator
JTA / 4-minute read
The Georgia runoff victories of Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock this week are notable in that they give control of Congress to the Democrats. Ossoff becomes the first Jewish Senator from the Deep South since the 19th century. Meanwhile, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York could become the first Jewish Majority Leader of the Senate. Listen to AJC Atlanta Regional Director Dov Wilker weigh in on the importance of Georgia’s runoff election on a previous episode of People of the Pod: "As an optimist, I'm looking at the days after the election to see how we can bring Democrats and Republicans together." Read more

AJC Shabbat Table

This week, in AJC’s Shabbat Table, we reflect on the quintessentially Jewish story of biblical midwives Shifra and Puah and how it can inspire us to be agents of hope as we close the door on 2020 and embark on a new year. We mourn the loss of Joan Micklin Silver, the Jewish-American filmmaker behind Jewish classics such as “Crossing Delancey” and “Hester Street.” We then open a discussion about rebuilding American democracy after the terrifying siege at the U.S. Capitol this week. Read more

Tidings

World War II Warehouse of Nazi Art (The New Yorker)
Holocaust Stole My Youth (NYT)
Jewish Ethics of Vaccine Triage (Tablet magazine)

The articles featured here do not necessarily reflect AJC’s positions.

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