History and Context: Israel-Hamas War

Belle Etra Yoeli, AJC Chief Advocacy Officer, sends a clear and unequivocal message: the accusation of genocide against Israel is not only baseless and meritless, but is deeply offensive.

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.

Last week, the world was forced to listen to South Africa’s outrageous claims accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

One hundred days after the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel, why do Jewish Americans feel unsafe? It’s because we’ve seen this before.

The International Court of Justice is currently hearing South Africa's case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Professor Geoffrey Corn from Texas Tech University joins us to explain how we got here, the case’s significance, and why the claims of genocide are baseless.

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.

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.

Since the horrific attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, journalists, pundits and some national leaders have pointed out, almost in passing, that Hamas is supported by Iran. Despite this fact, Iran seems to have escaped serious scrutiny and any measure of responsibility for the ongoing terror it has unleashed in Israel, Gaza and the region. That needs to change; Iran must be held accountable.

Two months after the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust, Israel’s well-documented reports of the atrocities of October 7 continue to be questioned and even outright rejected as falsehoods.

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.

What does “Globalize the Intifada” mean, how is it tied to past Palestinian activist violence against Israel, and how can it lead to targeting Jews today?

At first glance, the wars in Israel and Ukraine seem unrelated and bear little similarity. One is a rapid-response counterterrorism operation, the other a years-long, multi-front defensive action focused on reclaiming and protecting sovereign territory.

On November 29, 1947, the United Nations voted for the partition of the British Mandate of Palestine, calling for the formation of a Jewish state and an Arab state. The result? Jews accepted the deal, but Arabs rejected it. Now, 76 years later, here’s what you need to know about how the plan aimed for peace in the region.

The American Jewish community is reeling not just from the shock of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack but also from the explosion in domestic Jew hatred it has provoked. Antisemitic vandalism, harassment, intimidation, and violence, including an incident last week where Queens high school students rioted over a teacher attending a pro-Israel rally, have skyrocketed across the country. Personal relationships have been shattered by the realization that some friends support Hamas.

An agreement between Israel and the Palestinian terror group Hamas was reached on November 21 for the release of 50 Israeli hostages, who are among the over 200 taken by the terror group during the October 7 attack on Israel. While many have welcomed the deal, including AJC, it is important to make a clear distinction between the groups of people being exchanged.

On October 7th, Hamas killed, raped, tortured, and kidnapped Israeli civilians, including women and children. They take innocent Palestinians as human shields and prevent them from fleeing the combat zone. Hamas indiscriminately shoots rockets at Israeli civilian centers. All of these are clear war crimes and morally abhorrent acts and call into question how the international community could expect Hamas to adhere to a ceasefire.

Despite its dynamic democracy and thriving economy, Israel is perhaps the most misunderstood and mischaracterized country. As the world’s only Jewish state, it is unfairly singled out in global forums for condemnation over its policies and even mere existence. American Jewish Committee explores this in its tough questions series.