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500+ Rabbis Demand Israeli Ambassador Apologize for “Cancer” Remark

5/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Over 500 rabbis and Jewish leaders signed a letter urging Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter to rescind and apologize for calling J Street a “cancer in the Jewish community.”
Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter’s May 19, 2026 Washington, D.C. “cancer” remark prompted J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami to say it harms U.S.–Israel relations and Jewish ties.
Signatories include Rep. Jerrold Nadler, former ambassadors Daniel Kurtzer and Tom Nides, and Reform Judaism leaders.

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Story summary

Over 500 rabbis and Jewish leaders signed a letter urging Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter to rescind and apologize for calling J Street a “cancer in the Jewish community.”
Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter’s May 19, 2026 Washington, D.C. “cancer” remark prompted J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami to say it harms U.S.–Israel relations and Jewish ties.
Signatories include Rep. Jerrold Nadler, former ambassadors Daniel Kurtzer and Tom Nides, and Reform Judaism leaders.