Press Releases

December 6, 2021

To Ensure That The Summit For Democracy Succeeds, We Must Listen To The Voices Of Those Around The World Who Are Fighting For Their Democratic Rights

American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading global Jewish human rights organization, calls on the U.S. and the international community to pursue a true partnership with civil society in setting robust commitments at this week’s summit and throughout the year of action to follow. In advance of the Summit for Democracy, Robert Bank, President and CEO …

September 23, 2021

Resignation of Special Envoy to Haiti Must Serve as a Wake-Up Call to Biden Administration: Leading Global Human Rights Organization Calls on Administration to Reverse Course, Halt Deportations, and Listen to Haitian Civil Society

In response to the sudden resignation of the United States’ special envoy for Haiti, Ambassador Daniel Foote, and the devastating treatment of Haitian migrants at the US Southern border, Tracey Gurd, senior director of civil and political rights and advocacy at American Jewish World Service (AJWS), issued the below statement: “Ambassador Foote’s resignation as the …

August 17, 2021

Crisis in Haiti: The U.S. and the International Community Must Center Haitian Solutions for Haiti

July 15, 2021

Haiti Is at a Crossroads: The United States and International Community Must Ensure Haitians Can Determine Their Own Future

In response to the robust and fast-breaking debates over the future of Haiti since last week’s assassination of former president Jovenel Moïse, Robert Bank, President and CEO of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), which has worked with human rights activists in Haiti since 1999, issued this policy statement in support of Haitian democracy and civil …

July 1, 2021

Leading Jewish Human Rights Group Applauds House Appropriations Committee for Advancing Legislation That Promotes Global Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

American Jewish World Service Welcomes Increased Funding, the Repeal of the Global Gag Rule, and the Removal of Helms Amendment Background Today, the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations passed a bill that advances sexual and reproductive health and rights around the globe. The iscal ear 2022 (FY22) State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPs) bill …

June 28, 2021

300 Jewish Religious Leaders Call for Repeal of the Anti-Choice Hyde and Helms Amendments

Rabbis and cantors call on Congress on the anniversary of Whole Woman’s Health Decision to pass the EACH Act and the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act to protect abortion access at home and around the world Background Five years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, further cementing the right …

June 24, 2021

House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Holds Historic LGBTQI+ Rights Hearing

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) welcomes testimony from LGBTQI+ human rights defenders Background Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) will make history, holding its first-ever full committee hearing focused on LGBTQI+ rights titled “Advancing and Protecting LGBTQI+ Rights Abroad.” The hearing will provide an opportunity to elevate concerns around stigma, violence, and discrimination against …

June 23, 2021

American Jewish World Service Voluntarily Recognizes The AJWS Union

American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading global Jewish human rights organization, and the recently formed AJWS Union are pleased to jointly announce that AJWS management has formally and voluntarily recognized the AJWS Union, affiliated with OPEIU Local 153, to represent AJWS employees, effective June 23, 2021. Hannah Fajer, a spokesperson from the AJWS Union, …

June 9, 2021

Senators Markey, Shaheen and Merkley and Congresswoman Titus Introduce Legislation to Promote LGBTQI+ Rights Around the World

Leading Global Jewish Human Rights Organization calls on Congress to pass the GLOBE Act Background Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) people around the globe face stigma, legal discrimination, violence and even death simply because of who they are or whom they love. In 69 countries, engaging in same-sex sexual relations is illegal; …

June 1, 2021

President Biden’s Foreign Assistance Budget Request Recommits U.S. to Global Stage

Leading global Jewish human rights organization welcomes increased international funding and calls for policy changes Background The Biden administration unveiled its Fiscal Year 2022 budget request to Congress, which includes $58.4 billion in funding for the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development, including foreign assistance programs, a welcome increase from …