AJC Dispatch

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Dear AJC Friend, Shabbat Shalom. Welcome to the latest edition of AJC Dispatch, bringing you everything you need to know about Israel and the Jewish world from the past week.

If you like what you see, forward it to your friends! They can sign up at AJC.org/Dispatch.

This week, American Jewish Committee (AJC) continued to show its solidarity with Israel by combating misinformation and showing the reality on the ground there. Meanwhile, as the conflict between Israel and terrorists from Hamas-controlled Gaza sparked displays of antisemitism around the globe, President Biden signed a new law, long supported by AJC, that will better track antisemitic and other hate crimes in the U.S.

People of the Pod

AJC’s weekly podcast analyzing global affairs through a Jewish lens

The CEO and the Congresswoman on Violence in Israel

This week, we speak with U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) about the importance of Congressional bipartisan support for Israel and we mark Jewish American Heritage Month with a salute to another trailblazing Jewish congresswoman, Bella Abzug. Then we hear from AJC CEO David Harris on the immense challenges Israel confronted over the past two weeks in its conflict with terrorists in Hamas-ruled Gaza and the need for solidarity with the Jewish state. LISTEN NOW

The Times of Israel | 3-minute read

A tentative truce brokered by Egypt between Israel and terrorists in Hamas-ruled Gaza went into effect at 2 a.m. Israel time Friday. Just minutes before the deadline, terrorists in Gaza launched rocket and mortar fire at Israeli neighborhoods. READ MORE

Hamas-Ruled Gaza: No Easy Answers

The Times of Israel | 5-minute read

In two powerful columns in The Times of Israel, AJC CEO David Harris says when the Jewish state retaliates against Hamas rockets, it aims to send a message about Israeli will, resilience, intelligence, and deterrence. Hamas aims to kill, even putting residents of Gaza in the line of fire. Harris admonishes U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) for turning a blind eye to this evil when he calls for “an even-handed approach” to the conflict. READ MORE

Live from Ashkelon: “This is what life has been like for Israelis over the last week. At a moment's notice, their livelihood can be destroyed. We must speak out against Hamas terrorism.” (Watch on Twitter)

For Peace to Stand a Chance, Hamas Must Cease Its Aggression

The Telegraph | 4-minute read

Israel is being vilified not only for defending its population against genocidal terrorists, but for even existing as a sovereign nation in the ancient homeland of the Jews. AJC Director of Social Media Julie Lenarz writes that the moral double standards, deliberate manipulation of facts, and complete distortion of reality that we see every day on television news and read in papers and on social media platforms are despicable. READ MORE

AJC on ABC: AJC Managing Director of Global Communications Avi Mayer discussed the ongoing violence in the Middle East on ABC News last week: “It was over a month ago that Hamas said they were going to encourage violence in Jerusalem.” (Watch on Twitter)

More News

How Many Jews Need to Be Attacked Before Progressives Speak Up?

Newsweek | 4-minute read

In this forceful column, AJC Global Director of Young Leadership Seffi Kogen points out that Jewish American Heritage Month has been marked by violent attacks, vicious insults, and utter disregard as Jews cry out for support, which seems to be a consistent theme of Jewish heritage. Where is the outrage? READ MORE

Anti-Israel Protests Around Globe Spread Antisemitism

AJC Global Voice | 3-minute read

As thousands of Israeli families headed for bomb shelters, chilling cries of “Long live intifada” and “From the River to the Sea” rang out across North America, Europe, and Chile as demonstrators called for the destruction of the Jewish state. Meanwhile, Jews in California and New York were assaulted in the streets. READ MORE

AJC responds: “To those who still believe there is a dividing line between hatred of Israel and antisemitism: open your eyes.” (Share on Twitter)

Standing by Israel: “As friends of Israel, it’s important for us to be aware of and thank those who have chosen to stand by Israel during the current crisis. In this important message, AJC CEO David Harris thanks the countries that have stood by the Jewish state.” (Watch on Twitter)

President Biden Signs Jabara Heyer NO HATE Act

AJC.org | 3-minute read

Jews remain the most targeted victims of religiously motivated hate crimes in the FBI reports. AJC applauds this week’s adoption of the Khalid Jabara and Heather Heyer National Opposition to Hate, Assaults, and Threats to Equality (NO HATE) Act. READ MORE

AJC responds: “Thank you, @POTUS, for signing into law the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act. This critical legislation, long advocated by AJC, is an important milestone in improving national hate crimes reporting and making the United States a safer country for all.” (Share on Twitter)

Backstory: The story of how this bipartisan bill came to pass starts three years ago when the Muslim Jewish Advisory Council – co-convened by AJC and the Islamic Society of North America—sought an advocacy target that would protect the most vulnerable. (Read on AJC.org)

What’s happening next week? (And what you may have missed this week!)

Advocacy Anywhere is AJC’s online platform bringing you top-quality content during the pandemic. View the Advocacy Anywhere page for information on past and future programs:

Monday, May 24 at Noon ET: High Stakes: What’s Next for U.S. Policy on Iran?
In a special live recording of People of the Pod, co-host Seffi Kogen interviews AJC Jerusalem Director Avital Leibovich, AJC Transatlantic Institute Director Daniel Schwammenthal, and AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson on what the next few months could mean for relations with Iran. Register

Did you miss...

The View from Pew: American Jews and Israel
AJC and experts from Pew Research Center took a deep dive into a new study of the American Jewish community’s relationship to Israel. Watch
Urgent Briefing on the Situation in Israel
AJC Jerusalem Director Avital Leibovich and AJC CEO David Harris give an update from the ground in Israel and from the front lines of Israel advocacy. Watch

Tidings

Anonymous No More (The New York Times)
White Nationalists Coopt Israel-Hamas Conflict (The Forward)
Truth Telling in War Zones (Tablet Magazine)

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*The articles highlighted above do not necessarily reflect AJC’s positions.

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