Ilan Goldenberg

What happens after the bombs stop falling?

In a new analysis, J Street’s @ilangoldenberg.bsky.social examines the possible endgames of war with Iran – from a weakened but dangerous regime to state collapse.

A critical look at where things go from here: jstreetdotorg.substack.com/p/where-the-...

Where the War With Iran Goes From Here Scenarios for how the war ends and what it could mean for Iran, Israel, the region and U.S. strategy

Three scenarios for how this war ends and what means for the future of the Middle East.

open.substack.com/pub/jstreetd...

AIPAC isn’t defending American democracy. It’s undermining it.

@jenrubin.bsky.social

Federal agents are pulling over off duty cops based on the color of their skin.

This is not a serious operation to enforce immigration law. It’s a performative show of force and it’s gotten way out of hand.

The Democratic National Security Community Is Beginning to Debate the US-Israel Relationship A Serious and Thoughtful Debate has Begun Amongst People Who May Serve in National Security Positions in Future Administrations

A debate over the US-Israel relationship is happening inside the Democratic national security community – from the people who may staff the State Department, Pentagon and White House next.

✍️ @ilangoldenberg.bsky.social on competing strategies and the best path forward:

Trump and Netanyahu are set to meet at Mar-a-Lago tomorrow. Here’s what you need to know about what might be on the agenda from policy expert @ilangoldenberg.bsky.social: https://bit.ly/3N02hwg

What Trump Should Push Bibi on at Mar-a-Lago Another possible conflict with Iran and Phase 2 of the Gaza Peace Plan will be the main items on the agenda.

My latest in what to expect from the Trump-Bibi meeting next week. No war woth Iran and a push on ohase 2 of the Gaza peace plan. Hopefully…https://open.substack.com/pub/jstreetdotorg/p/what-trump-should-push-bibi-on-at?r=yqyjn&utm_medium=ios

Most American Jews have never seen what’s happening in the West Bank – the settlements, the displacement, the violence toward Palestinian families.

The evidence is clear. It’s time we face it – and act. 🧵

This ceasefire has ended the worst phase in Gaza, but it hasn’t meant safety for families and young children. It still can if we implement the full American peace plan, writes @ilangoldenberg.bsky.social:
jstreetdotorg.substack.com/p/the-ceasef...

ICYMI: @ilangoldenberg.bsky.social explains why we can’t settle for the new status quo in Gaza: Netanyahu holding half the Strip, Hamas claiming the other – exactly the outcome both prefer over real progress.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Full article:
jstreetdotorg.substack.com/p/hamas-and-...

11. Many members of congress, congressional candidates, and potential 2028 presidential candidates are already walking this walk. More should.

10. Don’t weaponize Islamophobia and antisemitism to target anti-Zionist candidates. Don’t use antisemitic tropes to target candidates who unconditionally support Israel. If you disagree, stick to criticism of the policy.

9. Stay away from divisive labels like genocide and arms embargo and focus on what matters ending the suffering of Palestinians and Israelis

8. Pledge to use US leadership and apply pressure on both sides to end this conflict once and for all. The US peace plan is a good start but we need to be clear-eyed about the ongoing suffering in Gaza and the fact that both Netanyahu and Hamas would like to see the plan fail.

7. Make clear that Israel is a friend but the blank check era is over. There must be expectations and accountability with American military support and consequences if those expectations aren’t met such as restrictions on offensive

6. Lead with humanity: Acknowledge the horrors of October 7 and the war in Gaza – and place responsibility where it belongs on Hamas and on Netanyahu.

5. What will work is neither of those extremes. A few key messages:

4. If they go hard left to anti-Zionist politics the message is: “I’m more concerned with out-of-touch intra-party fights than fighting for your needs.”

3. If candidates just go with the old playbook of unconditional support for Israel, the message is “I am of the establishment.”

2. The conflict is not going to rise to the same resonance as issues like affordability or healthcare. But in the aftermath of the war in Gaza it has entered the mainstream. And so what a candidate says about it reflects on their overall image.

The Old Playbook for Talking About the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Is Dead How Democrats Should Approach the Issue in the 2026 Elections

1. Democrats are going to need a new way to talk about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. open.substack.com/pub/jstreetd...

Hamas and Netanyahu Are Working Together Again They both prefer a terrible status quo to fully implementing the 20-point plan in Gaza

Hamas and Netnyahu have a historical symbiotic relationship. Both will do all they can to thawrt the 20 peace point plan and maintain the terrible status quo where both remain in power. open.substack.com/pub/jstreetd...

President Trump has a short-attention span, but I hope he uses his unique influence to build a better future following the ceasefire agreement.

@jstreetdotorg.bsky.social @jeremybenami.bsky.social @ilangoldenberg.bsky.social

The End of “Managing the Conflict” With the War Over, Israel Faces a Choice – Super Sparta or the 23-State Solution

Thankfully the war is over. What comes next? Conflict management is discredited. Israelis face a choice. An isolated militarized super-Sparta. Or a gradual move towards regional peace and a Palestinian state. open.substack.com/pub/jstreetd...

PEACE Hopefully...

We have a deal to end the war. My thoughts on what happens and what comes next. open.substack.com/pub/jstreetd...

I’ve spent nearly my entire adult life in the U.S Coast Guard taking on drug runners, human traffickers, and terrorists.

Now, I’m taking on a new mission: running for Congress to put Florida families over party politics.

Let’s get to work.

secure.actblue.com/donate/james-m…

“The biggest danger is that both Israel and Hamas say ‘yes’ in principle, but then insist on negotiating every detail,” J Street Chief Policy Officer Ilan Goldenberg (@ilangoldenberg.bsky.social) told Vox. Trump must “hold everyone’s feet to the fire,” before they get “bogged down in debates.” 👇

J Street welcomes growing international recognition of Palestinian statehood, a move that undermines extremists on both sides and affirms that the path forward is self-determination for both peoples, not endless war or permanent occupation.

Border Czar Tom Homan was caught by the FBI accepting bribes - on camera - to deliver government contracts in exchange for $50,000 in cash.

Pam Bondi knew.

Kash Patel knew.

Emil Bove knew.

And they made the investigation go away.

A corrupt attempt to conceal brazen graft.