AJC’s July 1, 2024, Log of Jewish News Developments in U.S., Israel, and Globally

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Here are American Jewish Committee’s top stories and resources of the day to help you stay informed, share the facts, and rally your networks to take action in support of Israel and against Hamas’ war crimes. Due to the upcoming July 4 holiday, you can expect to receive the next update on Monday, July 8.

  1. Day 269 Hostages Update: The Biden Administration Rewords Hostage Deal; 40,000 Attend Nova Healing Concert
    On Saturday, a senior Biden administration official said the U.S. had revised the text of the latest three-phase hostage deal in an attempt to revive negotiations between Israel and Hamas. On Thursday, more than 40,000 people gathered in a park in Tel Aviv for a “healing concert” hosted by the Tribe of Nova, an organization created by the producers of the 10/7 Nova music festival to provide assistance to those impacted by Hamas’ massacre. The crowd included freed hostages, the loved ones of those murdered on 10/7, survivors, and tens of thousands of supporters. Released hostage, Mia Schem, told the audience: “We cannot lose faith, [the hostages] will return, and we won’t stop fighting for them.” On Sunday, The Hostage Families Forum released a video message from rescued captive Noa Argamani. In the video, Argamani thanks those who helped free her from Gaza. She also calls attention to the 120 remaining hostages in Gaza, including her partner Avinatan Or, saying, “We cannot forget the hostages who are still in Hamas captivity… We must do everything possible to return them back home.”
  2. AJC Explainer: What to Know About the Pro-Hamas Antisemitic Group “Within Our Lifetime”
    Within Our Lifetime – United for Palestine (WOL) is the anti-Israel group that hasn’t been afraid to call for the death of Jews. WOL has openly expressed its support for Hamas’ terror attack on October 7, saying it supports Palestinian resistance “in all its forms. By any means necessary. With no exceptions.” AJC’s newest explainer answers all your questions about WOL.
  3. Campus Update: Harvard Must Take Action to Address Antisemitism, According to Report
    On Wednesday, two Harvard University presidential task forces on antisemitism and anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian activity released preliminary reports. The reports urge the school to take concrete action to curb the sharp rise in hateful speech and activity against Jews, Muslims, Palestinians, and Arabs since October 7. The report on combating antisemitism also stated that complaints about anti-Jewish incidents had gone largely unheard, and the university had failed to take meaningful action to protect Jewish and Israeli students.

    • AJC’s People of the Pod: In the latest episode, Doug Seserman, CEO of Americans for Ben-Gurion University (BGU), joins us to discuss the impact of Hamas’ massacre on BGU and Israel’s Negev region. The episode underscores the strength of the BGU community and the importance of global support in rebuilding and healing. Listen now.
  4. What French Elections Mean for the Jewish Community
    In the first round of French legislative elections, Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) became the leading political force in the country, with The New Popular Front (NFP)—a disparate coalition of left-wing parties—receiving the second most votes. The RN, originally founded in 1972 by former members of the Nazi Party, has recently made an attempt to appeal to French Jews and show support for Israel. The NFP coalition includes the radical left party “La France Insoumise,” which has a recent history of anti-Republican, authoritarian, and antisemitic stances. The second round of the election will take place on July 7.
  5. War Update: PIJ Fires 20 Rockets at Border; 18 IDF Soldiers Injured in Hezbollah Drone Attack
    Over the past day, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorists in Gaza have launched at least 20 rockets at Israeli border communities, the largest barrage in at least seven months. On Friday, Staff Sergeant Yair Avitan, 20, and Sergeant First Class (Res.) Yakir Shmuel Tatelbaum, 21, were killed during fighting in Shejaiya in northern Gaza. In Rafah, IDF Sergeant Ori Itzchak Hadad, 21, was killed by an explosion. In the West Bank, Sergeant-Major (Res.) Yehuda Geto, 22, was killed by a homemade explosive device. May their memories be a blessing. On Sunday in northern Israel, 18 soldiers were injured in a Hezbollah drone attack, one seriously. In central Gaza, the IDF destroyed a kilometer-long terror tunnel.
 

Stat of the Day: 81%

Preceding provided by the American Jewish Committee