Jake was born and raised in the Massachusetts Fourth Congressional District he now represents, the son of a surgeon and a scientist. They taught him the values of curiosity and integrity. He and his older brother and sister grew up in the Jewish faith tradition and attended the Newton Public Schools. His 2nd-grade teacher saw he loved to read and gave him books on United States history. He was hooked.
Jake unequivocally supports military aid to Israel as negotiated in the Obama-era MOU and recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. As a Jew and as an American, he is committed to Israel’s security and prosperity.
Jake favors a two-state solution, recognizing that such a solution must be negotiated between involved actors and cannot be imposed by outsiders. The solution must result in a viable state for the Palestinians and security for Israelis.
America’s alliance with Israel is based on shared values and shared interests; Israel shares our commitment to free and fair elections, individual rights, free speech, a free press, and an independent judiciary. Israel does not always live up to its highest ideals — but it remains committed to democratic values despite decades of war and terrorism.
Jake believes that, in such a volatile region, a democratic partner with a strong military and similar long-term goals is in our strategic interest. America has vital interests in the region – for example, keeping nuclear arms out of the hands of bad actors, and preventing failed states from harboring terrorists. A strong Israel that serves as a close partner, that supports her moderate neighbors, that shares critical intelligence, and that deters war in the region is vital to our ability to manage fallout from aggressive actors and failed states.