Jewish, Pro-Israel Organizations Have Mixed Reactions to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal

Jewish and pro-Israel organizations reacted to the ceasefire deal reached between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday to halt fighting in Gaza, expressing both joy that hostages will be released and concern that it could leave Hamas in power and release thousands of terrorists from Israeli jails.

The deal comes after 15 months of fighting between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization, which rules the Gaza Strip. The war started when Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages during its invasion of southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. In response, Israel launched a military campaign aimed at returning the hostages and dismantling Hamas’s military and governing capabilities in Gaza.

While there have been final obstacles to be ironed out, Israeli officials said on Thursday that the ceasefire and hostage-release deal will be implemented this weekend.

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) wrote in a statement that it “welcomes the first stage of an agreement that will facilitate the release of 33 of the remaining hostages brutally abducted from Israel during Hamas’ attack.”

“While we await the final announcement from the Israeli government, AJC is grateful to the Biden administration, the incoming Trump Administration, and other global partners for working together to secure the first stage of the agreement,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. “We cannot wait to see the first hostages come home to their families, but the critical work to free every hostage — regardless of age, gender, or nationality — must continue. The international community must persist in its efforts to ensure that every hostage is reunited with their loved ones.”

Both the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) and Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) celebrated the news, although the former attributed the agreement to US President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and the latter gave credit to incoming US President Donald Trump, a Republican who is set to be inaugurated on Monday.

“Since Oct. 7, 2023, we have shared in the anguish of the hostage families as they awaited the return of their loved ones held in Gaza by Hamas,” JDCA’s chief executive, Halie Soifer, and chair, Susie Stern, said in a statement. “Today, we are relieved and hopeful that the hostages will soon be reunited with their loved ones, and … we also stand with the families whose loved ones are still being held in Gaza, mourn those lost at the hands of Hamas, and will not rest until every hostage is returned.”

Soifer and Stern continued, writing, “We thank President Biden, Vice President [Kamala] Harris, and their team for their determined and enduring leadership and support of Israel and for their commitment to ensuring the hostages’ release.” They also urged the incoming Trump administration to “follow through on the measurable progress made by President Biden to end the war in Gaza and ensure that all parties honor their commitments.”

Meanwhile, the RJC said it “cautiously welcomes news that a ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas that will bring the release of hostages.”

It explained, “The excruciatingly difficult calculations for Israel around getting the hostages back, releasing terrorist prisoners, and other potential details of a ceasefire agreement are matters best left to the Israeli government.”

RCJ thanked “President-elect Donald Trump and his team for helping to move this process forward and for their unwavering support for Israel’s security” and argued that Trump’s promise there will be “hell to pay” if Hamas does not release the hostages by his inauguration “clearly had a significant impact on closing the gaps to reach this deal.”

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) wrote in a statement that it welcomes “the announcement of the deal to release the hostages who have been brutally held captive by Hamas in violation of both international law and basic humanity.”

“We are grateful these hostages are coming home, yet it is unconscionable that all those held by the terrorists have not yet been released, including US citizens,” AIPAC continued. “American and world leaders must increase the pressure on Hamas and its allies to ensure the terror group adheres to this deal and finally releases all the remaining hostages.”

On the other side, the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) opposed the deal, saying it was “appalled at recent reports regarding a final draft hostage deal’s alleged terms.”

It argued that “the reported final draft deal would be a huge mistake. It would mean that many more innocent Jews will be murdered and kidnapped by these released terrorists. It would mean more October 7ths. It would be an Israeli surrender, and a victory for the Hamas and Palestinian Authority terrorists.”

Jewish religious denominations also reacted to the deal. The Orthodox Union, in a statement titled “Mixed Emotions,” said, “We rejoice with the hostages who are being released, and we weep with those remaining in the hands of the Hamas monsters …We rejoice with the soldiers able to return to their families, homes, and daily lives, and we weep for those who will not.”

It continued, “We rejoice with those whose heroic sacrifices have brought Israel outstanding successes, and we share the frustration of many of them that their mission remains incomplete … We are infuriated by the trading of monstrous terrorists for innocent hostages, and we are fearful of the evil those monsters seek to unleash.”

The statement concluded, “We are grateful to President Trump for moving quickly to bring freedom to many, but we will not forget for even a moment the many who remain. There should still be hell to pay.”

The Union for Reform Judaism approached the deal with more optimism. It wrote, “Today is a moment we have prayed to see for more than 15 months. We welcome today’s news of a ceasefire and hostage agreement with bittersweet joy: with open arms to embrace and welcome home the hostages, with hearts filled with deep appreciation for all those who made this ceasefire possible, and with heartfelt prayers that, from the ashes of this enormous tragedy, a process might finally emerge that leads to true and lasting peace with security for all.”

It emphasized the Jewish imperative to redeem captives and added that “to prevent further suffering and death of additional IDF soldiers, hostages, and innocent Gazans — now is the time for those who have consistently blocked this agreement, especially Hamas, to steadfastly uphold this accord.”

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