Forty-nine of the 50 U.S. Jewish organizations that are part of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations released a “unity statement” joining “together in a profound moment of gratitude and renewed purpose following the release of the surviving hostages from Gaza,” the umbrella group stated on Monday.
New Jewish Narrative, whose mission states that “peace and justice are the birthright of Israelis, of Palestinians and of all people,” was the only member organization not to sign the statement. The unity statement thanks U.S. President Donald Trump, among others.
“The Conference of Presidents’ unity statement reflects an extraordinary moment of communal solidarity,” William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents, told JNS.
“Forty-nine of our fifty member organizations, representing the broad mainstream of American Jewry, came together with one voice to express gratitude, faith and resolve,” Daroff said. “The Jewish people are strongest when we are united, and this statement embodies that truth. At a time when our people have endured such pain and loss, standing together in purpose and principle affirms not only our bond with Israel, but our shared responsibility for the Jewish future.”
The unity statement expressed “profound gratitude to the Almighty for bringing us to this day of relief and renewal.”
“We are deeply grateful to President Trump and his administration for their leadership and resolve in achieving this historic breakthrough,” the 49 organizations stated. “We applaud the members of Congress, from both parties, who resolutely stood with Israel throughout this war. The progress achieved reflects the enduring strength of the United States-Israel relationship, an alliance grounded in shared values, common interests and mutual trust.”
The statement celebrated “the return of those released alive” and called “for the immediate repatriation, under the terms of the agreement, of the bodies of those killed in captivity, so their families may find peace and closure.” (Hamas has said that it only plans to return four of the 28 bodies of hostages that it holds.)
“The journey to this moment was marked by profound loss and anguish. Yet throughout, the American Jewish community remained united in its core commitments: to Israel’s security, to the safe return of the hostages, and to our concern, love and care for our Israeli brothers and sisters,” the Conference of Presidents stated.
“We honor the courage and resilience of the Israeli people, whose steadfast spirit strengthened and sustained us throughout this ordeal,” it said. “Moments such as this remind us that the strength of the Jewish people lies in our unity, our compassion and our unshakable commitment to one another.”
The Conference of Presidents stated that it looks ahead with “cautious optimism and a shared sense of responsibility.”
“Full implementation must be verified, and accountability must be ensured. Israel must retain the ability to defend itself and deter aggression, including against the threat of ballistic missiles and terror infrastructure,” it said. “Hostage-taking must never again be tolerated or used as a tool of negotiation. Hamas must be fully disarmed and removed from power.”
There must also be a turning point for Palestinian leaders, who must “renounce terror, end the ‘pay-to-slay’ system and begin the hard work of building a future grounded in peace, accountability and cooperation,” it said.
“We also recognize the suffering of civilians in Gaza who have endured hardship under Hamas’s brutal rule and two years of war, as additional aid begins to flow under the terms of the agreement now being implemented,” the group said. “We pray that their future will be one of hope and security, free from the grip of terror.”
