Update on Hamas-Israel War

Given the prevalence of misinformation on social media and the one-sided reports in news outlets, it’s not unreasonable for some people to think that Zionism—the belief that Jews have a right to self-determination in our ancestral homeland—is controversial among Jews and that anti-Israel attitudes are mainstream in the American Jewish community. Yet these Jews do not represent the vast majority of the Jewish community and they reside in small but loud echo chambers.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) is outraged by the revelations that twelve employees of UNRWA – the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East – were involved in the horrific October 7 terror attacks perpetrated by Hamas against Israel.

On October 7, 2023, the music industry suffered the deadliest event in its history when more than 400 people were brutally murdered and kidnapped at the Nova Music Festival in Israel. The event was billed as a celebration of “unity and love.” We should honor that spirit this weekend at The Grammys.

Amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, questions have been raised about UNRWA's ties with Hamas, and what function, if any, it would fulfill in a post-war Gaza. On January 26, the U.S. announced it would temporarily pause funding to UNRWA after Israel revealed that at least a dozen employees were allegedly involved in the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday declined to order Israel to cease its defensive military operation against the Hamas terror group. This decision dealt a major blow to South Africa’s outrageous and meritless case against Israel.

South Africa’s outrageous case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was dealt a major blow today, as the Court plainly rejected South Africa’s request for Israel to be ordered to cease its defensive military operation against Hamas in Gaza.

The International Court of Justice will hold its first hearings this week in a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) released new data showing how Hamas’ October 7 terror attack on Israel is affecting American Jews – they are feeling less safe.

US Law enforcement must rebuild trust by facing the menace of antisemitism and cultivating relationships with Jewish communities

Watch AJC Jerusalem Director Lt. Col. (Res.) Avital Leibovich explain the critical role of civilian guards who protect communities in and around Israel's borders. Leibovich honors the memory of seven civilian guards of Kfar Aza who died defending their beloved kibbutz from Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023.

Amid horrifying levels of denial about the Hamas massacre of Israelis on October 7, AJC Project Interchange led a delegation of social media influencers to see firsthand the atrocities of Hamas’ attack.

Four-year-old Abigail Mor Idan, the youngest U.S. citizen who was kidnapped and held by Hamas, returned home during a pause in fighting in November. Abigail’s great-aunt joins us to recount her family’s harrowing story and her relentless effort to bring the remaining captives home to their loved ones.

Amid the terrifying increase of antisemitic harassment, intimidation, and violence around the world in the wake of the October 7 Hamas terror attack against Israelis, many antisemitic phrases and terminology have been used at protests, on social media accounts, by celebrities, and even government officials, when criticizing Israel.

Although the October 7 Hamas massacre produced unprecedented devastation in Israel, it also gave rise to modern-day Maccabees. As we usher in Hanukkah at the darkest hour in recent memory for all of world Jewry, we recognize the courage of the following eight individuals — one for each night of Hanukkah. Some of them made the ultimate sacrifice. Others have survived against the greatest of odds. All of them are showing us the light.

This week, more than 110 Ibero-American and U.S. Jewish leaders unanimously endorsed American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Santiago Declaration, reaffirming their regional commitment to fight antisemitism, stand by Israel in its war against Hamas, support democratic values and human rights worldwide, and promote continued collaboration. The Strategic Forum for Leaders of Ibero-American Jewish Communities, convened December 3-5 by AJC's Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute for Latino and Latin American Affairs (BILLA) and hosted by the Jewish Community of Chile, brought together diplomats, political leaders, and representatives from civil society from 13 countries for discussions on current relations with Israel and rising global antisemitism, among other topics.

To commemorate two months since Hamas' massacre, AJC Jerusalem Director Lt. Col. (res.) tours the Nova Festival Commemoration memorial in Tel Aviv. On October 7, 2023, terrorists murdered more than 360 innocent civilians at the festival near Kibbutz Re'im.

Watch AJC CEO Ted Deutch address the increase in antisemitism since O‍ct‍obe‍r 7 at The Second Front conference hosted by The Jerusalem Post.

Since the Hamas attack on Israel, we have seen disturbing headlines, videos, and even arrests made on college campuses across the country due to an alarming surge in antisemitism. As we justifiably focus on how to ensure the safety of Jewish university students, we cannot forget the need to combat antisemitism in K-12 schools as well. 

Learn about the violent history behind the phrase “Globalize the Intifada,” and how it is being used today by people rallying in support of Palestinians for widespread violence against Jews in Israel and across the globe.

Here are five reasons why the use of the term genocide -- which has come up Macklemore’s "Hinds Hall" song-- in Israel's self-defense campaign is inaccurate, misleading, and dangerous.