Jeremy Ben-Ami

J Street is deeply proud of the 27 Senators who stood for American interests and values – and more importantly for morality and human decency.

Hamas is an evil terrorist group that can have no role in the leadership of the future of Palestine, but the United States cannot be a party to mass starvation and collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

The Netanyahu government’s conduct of the war in Gaza is beyond the bounds of international law, human decency and Jewish morality.

J Street Welcomes Over Half of Democratic Caucus in the Senate Sending Vital Message of Disapproval to Netanyahu - J Street We commend those senators who have taken a difficult vote in order to say that it is not ‘pro-Israel’ to enable this government’s disastrous path.

Tonight’s vote in the Senate to disapprove selling certain offensive arms to Israel was an historic milestone. Over half the Democratic caucus agreed with the premise that support for Israel’s defense and security cannot be provided in the form of a blank check. jstreet.org/press-releas...

Two young Palestinians – including a Palestinian-American – were just killed in a settler attack. This violence must stop.

Tell your member of Congress to support the West Bank Violence Prevent Act by signing and sharing this @jstreetdotorg petition: act.jstreet.org/sign/congres...

This week, I shared my two cents on Zohran Mamdani’s primary victory in NYC. I argue that not only do we need to engage with those with whom we disagree, but we also have to stand up for one another – Jews, Muslims and everyone alike. jeremybenami.substack.com/p/a-progress...

For over a decade, a driving focus of J Street’s mission has been preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

We have some thoughts on where to go from here – now we’ve seen where diplomacy gets us, and where military strikes get us 🧵

Following the American military attack on Iranian nuclear facilities Saturday, @jstreetdotorg.bsky.social President @jeremybenami.bsky.social and NJN President and CEO @hadarsusskind.bsky.social issued the following statement:

J Street and Members of the Progressive Israel Network Statement Following US Attack on Iran - J Street We fear that the Trump Administration’s unauthorized attack on Iran on Saturday risks a dangerous escalation into a new, broader Middle East war of choice. We hope that this war can be swiftly brought...

Restrained, sober, and on the money: jstreet.org/press-releas... @jeremybenami.bsky.social

Now What? President Trump attacked. Iran’s nuclear program is in shambles. Are we better off today than we were last week? Only time will tell.

There’s rarely a moment when military action looks better than in the first 24 hours. The real test of the wisdom of a decision is what happens next. Here are my thoughts on where we could be headed following yesterday’s attacks. open.substack.com/pub/jeremybe...

The Blogs: Is it time for compassionate Judaism to split with vengeful, racist Judaism? I wonder how my synagogue, day school, and summer camp can be part of the same movement as people who joyfully sing 'Death to the Arabs'

Thought-provoking by @esthersperber.bsky.social. Picks up on some of the thoughts expressed by @ericalterman.bsky.social about the divides in the Jewish community that radical right nationalism is forcing on global Jewry. blogs.timesofisrael.com/is-it-time-f...

1938 Vienna, Antisemitism and Palestine I’m just back from a family vacation that ended with three days of ‘roots’ exploration in Vienna, where four generations on my mother’s side lived in the decades leading to 1938.

Reflections on traveling to Vienna with my family to explore our family history. Thoughts in the post on antisemitism, Palestinian loss and more. Great to hear from those who share these roots. open.substack.com/pub/jeremybe...

On Unity: An Open Letter to the American Jewish Establishment Don’t Allow Calls for Unity to Shut Down Dissent and Debate

An Open Letter to leaders of the American Jewish establishment: Calls for unity should not become excuses to stifle debate and dissent. Dissent from Israel's government has never been more vital. open.substack.com/pub/jeremybe...

Rededicating ourselves to the cause of peace and conflict resolution is the only way to give meaning to the new wave of horror and loss we feel today, and have been grappling with for far too many years now. 10/10

This is a terrible event growing out of terrible circumstances, and all of it makes the work we do to find a pathway out of perpetual violence, terror and bloodshed that much more relevant and important. 9/10

At J Street, our work will go on, including continued pressure on Congress and the Trump Administration to ensure the Nonprofit Security Grant Program is fully funded so synagogues, Jewish schools and other places that Jews gather in the United States are properly protected. 8/10

I’m dismayed, though hardly surprised, to see some political agitators already seeking to exploit this tragedy for their own causes. We must refuse to accept this, and we must respect the victims, their families and the broader community in this difficult time. 7/10

Nor do such acts further the pro-Palestinian cause. Fears of anti-Israel political violence on the left are real, and last night that threat became deadly. We urge those in the pro-Palestine movement to take stock of this moment and recognize the danger of extreme rhetoric. 6/10

Let’s be clear: There can be legitimate opposition to the government of Israel and deep anguish over the suffering of innocents in Gaza – indeed, most in our community share these views – but nothing can justify the targeting of Jews, Israelis or Jewish institutions. 5/10

We recognize also that this was not just an attack on two individuals – it was an act of political terror and antisemitic violence that strikes fear into a deeply shaken community. 4/10

The killing of young idealists who shared a commitment to the cause of diplomacy, peace and coexistence – and following an American Jewish Committee event with a focus on humanitarian aid – is especially shocking and painful. 3/10

This terrifying, anti-Israel attack claimed the lives of a spectacular, public-spirited young couple – Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky – who should have been celebrating their engagement next week in Jerusalem. Our hearts go out to their families, friends and colleagues. 2/10

All of us at J Street are horrified and heartbroken. This morning, we woke up to the devastating news that a gunman shouting “free Palestine” had shot and killed two young Israeli Embassy staff at the Capital Jewish Museum, not far from our office. 1/10

Opinion | I’m a rabbi. Starving Gaza is immoral. A just war must be fought by just means.

“I’m a rabbi. Cutting off aid to Palestinians violates our Jewish values.” URJ President Rick Jacobs today in The Washington Post

Excerpts below...👇

1. As Trump heads to the region, Israel faces a massive bipartisan crisis in its relationship with the U.S. There is a way out, but it requires ending the war, getting the hostages out, pursuing normalization and a Palestinian state. Short of that, the relationship may never be the same.

The Blogs: Why I, an Israeli, Work for J Street From the blog of Gal Peleg Laniado at The Times of Israel

'Why I, an Israeli, Work for J Street’
By Gal Peled
@jstreetdotorg.bsky.social
@jeremybenami.bsky.social
🧵

Overwhelming US Public Support for New Nuclear Deal with Iran By 5 to 1, Americans support J Street's long-standing preference for diplomacy to limit Iran's nuclear program over military action.

By five to one, Americans support diplomacy with Iran to limit its nuclear program to peaceful ends over military action. In 2018, AIPAC, Bibi and Republican Hawks urged Trump to blow up the JCPOA. In 2025, J Street is urging him to enter a strong new deal. open.substack.com/pub/jeremybe...

Over 500 rabbis sign letter rejecting Trump’s antisemitism agenda The letter was organized by two progressive Jewish groups — the Israel lobby J Street and rabbinic group T’ruah.

Thanks to the nearly 600 rabbis and cantors calling out the Trump administration’s use of the vital fight against antisemitism as a cover for attacks on core elements of what actually makes America great - our democracy in particular.

www.jpost.com/diaspora/ant...

Never Again isn't just a slogan. It's a call to action. Let us honor the memories of those we lost by standing up for the safety of Jews and targeted minorities around the world. Together, we must stand up to authoritarianism and tyranny to create a safe and free future for all.

Tonight marks Yom HaShoah. A day for remembering the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis. A day for quiet reflection on the lessons of the Holocaust and to recommit to our pledge of #NeverAgain.