1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters & Reports
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

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New FMEP podcasts:

• 10/1/26: “The Elimination Project:” Israel’s Effort to Systematically Dismantle Palestinian Collective Life – ft. FMEP fellow Ahmed Moor speaking with B’Tselem Executive Director Yuli Novak about B’Tselem’s newest report, “The Elimination Project,” which “looks at the current reality not as a collection of isolated incidents or specific harms, but as part of a comprehensive mechanism of elimination that works to dismantle the conditions for continued Palestinian existence in the West Bank, while deepening Jewish control and supremacy in an irreversible manner.”

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1. Bills & Resolutions

WE NEED ANSWERS RE: WEST BANK VIOLENCE) S. Res. 852 [resolution text]: Introduced 9/14/26 by Van Hollen (D-MD) and having 25 cosponsors (24 Democrats plus Sanders, I-VT), “A resolution requesting information on Israel’s human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.”  Rejected on the Senate floor 9/29/26 by a vote of 47-51, with all Democrats but Fetterman (D-VA) voting YES, and all Republicans but Paul (R-KY) voting NO [note that this was a procedural vote – a vote to discharge the resolution from the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations – that in the case was, in effect, an up-down vote on the underlying resolution]. Also see:

• Floor consideration [statements pro and con] [see members’ websites and social media accounts for additional statements]
• Van Hollen (D-MD) 9/29/26: VAN HOLLEN STATEMENT ON SENATE VOTE ON PRIVILEGED RESOLUTION SEEKING ANSWERS ON WEST BANK VIOLENCE
• Media: Democrats in Congress Embrace a More Punitive Posture Toward Israel (New York Times 9/29/26); Nearly all Democrats vote for resolution demanding report on Israeli violence in the West Bank (Jewish Insider 9/29/26); US Senate blocks resolution on Judea and Samaria rights report (Jewish News Syndicate 9/30/26)

(FAR-REACHING, MANDATORY SANCTIONS ON ISRAEL FOR SETTLEMENT ACTIVITY) HR XXXX [bill text]: On 9/30/26, Rep. Castro (D-CA) issues a press release – Castro, Dean, Beyer, Casar, Jacobs, Escobar to Introduce Sanctions on Drivers of Settlement Expansion. As of this writing, the bill does not yet show up in the Congressional Record.  Per the press release, the bill has at least 41 cosponsors (listed by name), and is being supported by: J Street; New Jewish Narrative; IMEU; American Committee for Middle East Rights; A New Policy; Center for International Policy; Friends Committee on National Legislation; Refugees International; and Win Without War. Also see: one-pager explaining the bill. See sponsoring members’ websites and social media accounts for statements.

(AMCITS KILLED BY HAMAS ON 10/7/23) S. Res. 938 [resolution text]: Introduced 9/30/27 by Scott (R-FL) and Rosen (D-NV), “A resolution to honor the Americans killed by Hamas terrorists and their affiliates on and after October 7, 2023, to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to seek legal justice on behalf of their families, and for other purposes.” Considered and agreed to in the Senate 9/30/26 by Unanimous Consent. Also see: press release – Sens. Rick Scott, Jacky Rosen Resolution Remembering Americans Murdered by Hamas in October 7th Terrorist Attacks Unanimously Passes Senate

(NO AID TO THE PA OR OTHER PALESTINIAN GOVERNING ENTITIES) S.  5589: Introduced 9/29/26 by Paul (R-KY), “A bill to prohibit United States foreign assistance to the Palestinian Authority and other Palestinian governing entities in the West Bank and Gaza unless certain conditions are met, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. NOTE: No text of this bill is available as of this writing. That said, U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority is already prohibited under U.S. law (the Taylor Force Act, as well as annual appropriations law), which raises the question: is this legislation seeking to also bar U.S. assistance to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG)? [NCAG is the “temporary” body established by Trump’s Board of Peace to manage Gaza according to the will of Israel and the Trump Administration — scare quotes are because “temporary” things often become permanent in this context]

(LEGISLATING IRS GRACE FOR AMERICANS HELD HOSTAGE) HR 9496: Introduced 6/29/26 by Tenney (R-NY) and 2 cosponsors (both Democrats), the “End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act.” Passed by the House 9/15/96 by Voice Vote; passed by the Senate 9/30/26 by Unanimous Consent. As noted in the 9/11/26 edition of the Round-Up: This legislation was first introduced after the 10/7/23 Hamas attacks and hostage-taking. Since then, the IRS has repeatedly implemented special tax relief for the broad categories of “taxpayers affected by terroristic action in the State of Israel throughout 2024 and 2025,” “taxpayers affected by the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks in Israel” and “taxpayers affected by terroristic action in Israel throughout 2023 and 2024.” Taken together, these policies have (so far) postponed tax payments/filings for affected individuals (going well beyond those taken hostage to include potentially a huge number of Israelis) for three years.

2. Letters & Reports

• (TARGETING CIVIL SOCIETY SUPPORT FOR PALESTINIANS) 9/28/26: Ways & Means Republicans Move to Strip Tax-Exempt Status from Nonprofit with Suspected Terrorism Ties [letter text]. The target of the attack is the U.S. 501(c)(3) organization Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA). Also see: House Republicans press IRS to strip Middle East Children’s Alliance of tax-exempt status (Fox News 9/28). As a reminder, Congress has no legal authority either to strip the tax exempt status of a U.S. organization or to designate a U.S. tax-exempt organization as a tied to terrorism. Also note: this is just the latest effort of Republicans in Congress to target the tax-exempt status of organizations that support Palestinian lives/rights over alleged ties to terror. Previous attacks include— Chairman Smith Calls On IRS to Crack Down on Tax-Exempt Groups Tied to Terrorism & Political Violence (10/6/25) [targeting: Americans for Justice in Palestine Educational Foundation, American Muslims for Palestine, Islamic Relief USA, Alliance for Global Justice, WESPAC Foundation, Tides Foundation, Peoples Media Project (also known as The Palestine Chronicle), and The People’s Forum]; Cotton to IRS: Investigate Palestinian Youth Movement’s Funding and Ties to Terrorism (8/22/25); Ways and Means Chairman Smith Demands IRS Revoke Tax-Exempt Status of Organizations Fueling Chaos, Illegal Conduct, and Antisemitic Activity in U.S., Including those with Possible Ties to Terrorist Networks (9/24/24) [targeting: American Muslims for Palestine; Alliance for Global Justice; Islamic Relief USA; Jewish Voice for Peace; The People’s Forum; the Tides Foundation; United Hands Relief Inc.; and Westchester Peace Action Committee Foundation; Chairman Smith Calls for States to Investigate Nonprofits Engaged in Antisemitic and Illegal Activity, including Supporting Terrorism (10/29/24) [targeting: The People’s Forum; Westchester People’s Action Coalition; The People Media Project, also known as The Palestine Chronicle; Americans for Justice in Palestine Educational Organization; American Muslims for Palestine; The Alliance for Global Justice; Jewish Voice for Peace; Tides Foundation; United Hands Relief]; Chairman Smith Demands Revocation of Tax-Exempt Status for U.S.-Based Media Organization Employing Hostage-Taker in Gaza (6/10/24); Chairman Smith: Ending Taxpayer Subsidies for Terrorist Organizations Shouldn’t Be Hard (11/20/24) [targeting the Alliance for Global Justice]
• (TRUMP ADMIN-IRAN LINKS) 9/28/26: Blumenthal Releases PSI Report Detailing how Lutnick-Linked Crypto Firm Tether Props Up Iran’s Shadow Banking System [includes letters sent to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Attorney General Todd Blanche, in which Blumenthal referred PSI’s findings to the Departments and called for thorough investigations into Tether’s anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance practices.]
• (CONCERN FOR PALESTINIAN HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL) 9/24/26: Pocan Facebook post – “Rep. Quigley and I led a letter signed by 41 members of Congress calling on Secretary Rubio to work with Israel to ensure the release of Palestinian healthcare workers. They are arbitrarily being detained without formal charges or due process. The ongoing detention of Palestinian medical workers does further harm to Gaza’s already devastated healthcare, further eroding access to care in the West Bank. The doctors and healthcare workers are being held in deplorable conditions which threatens their own health and safety. Release these Palestinian medics now!” [pdf of letter embedded in FB post]. Also see: U.S. Reps. Pocan, Quigley: Lead 41 members calling for the release of detained Palestinian physicians and healthcare workers (WisPolitics 9/25/26)

3. Hearings & Markups

Jewish Insider 9/30/26: Senate Judiciary Committee cancels planned markup of buffer zone bill

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters & Reports
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

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New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast & FMEP on other podcasts:

• 9/16/26: How the Media Manufactured Consent for Genocide. ft. FMEP President Lara Friedman in conversation with with historian and author Dr. Assal Rad about the media’s role in the Gaza genocide, and about her newly-published book on this topic, Don’t Say Palestine: How the Media Manufactured Consent for Genocide (Vintage, 2026).
• 9/15/26: What Will Sanctions on Israel do? ft. FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart in conversation with international lawyer Itay Epshtain about the recent decision by 12 countries, led by the UK and France and including Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, to UK, to impose sanctions on Israel, including import bans on goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
• 9/15/26: Quashing Free Speech on US Campuses and Beyond: Debra Shushan & Lara Friedman on Anti-BDS Legislation (recorded 9/11/26), ft. Debra Shushan in conversation with FMEP’s Lara Friedman on “The DeBrief with Debra Shushan”

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(WE NEED ANSWERS RE: WEST BANK VIOLENCE) S. Res. 852 [resolution text]: Introduced 9/14/26 by Van Hollen (D-MD) and 21 cosponsors (20 Democrats plus Sanders, I-VT), “A resolution requesting information on Israel’s human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.”  Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (All Actions). Also see: press release 9/15/26 – Van Hollen, Kaine, Sanders Lead 20 Senators in Introducing Privileged Resolution Seeking Answers on West Bank Violence

(POSING AS A DEFENDER OF RIGHTS TO SHAMELESSLY MISREPRESENT & MILK ISOLATED INCIDENT OF PROTEST AGAINST ISRAEL’S GAZA GENOCIDE) HR 10363: Introduced 9/14/26 by Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Moskowitz (D-FL), “To prohibit discrimination in coffee shops, cafés, tea houses, or other informal dining establishments on the ground of religion, race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status, and for other purposes,” aka the “No Grounds for Discrimination Act.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. NOTE: The appears to be the bill that Gottheimer told the press back he was introducing 6/24/26 (but did not actually introduce at that time) in response to the 6/21/26 incident in which a cafe owner in New York posted on Instagram that Rep Goldman (R-NY) – who had visited the cafe that day – was not welcome there, noting “We don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers or anyone in between. Too bad we didn’t recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away.” Defenders of Israel, including Gottheimer, immediately sought to portray this as illegal discrimination based on Goldman’s identity (i.e., Goldman’s identity as a Jew), as opposed to legitimate objections to Goldman’s political views and actions as a member of Congress in support of those views with respect to Israel and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The fact that this bill is being introduced now — the same week that Robert Kraft and friends,  applauded and supported by pro-Israel members of Congress and legacy Jewish community organizations like the ADL, used the threat of cutting off access to concert venues to successfully pressure Ed Sheeran into cutting Macklemore from his tour, as punishment for Mackelmore’s pro-Palestinian/anti-genocide views/speech — is just the cherry on this “you’ve to go be kidding me” self-righteous sundae [about which Gottheimer posted on X: “Macklemore didn’t get censored — he got dropped. Actions have consequences. A record of antisemitism and disinformation from the stage made him a liability, and the venues made the right call.” — so apparently “consequences for thee who criticize Israel/object to genocide, but not for me and others who defend Israel and genocide!”] Also see: Rep. Gottheimer’s Fix for Discrimination Against Jews and Israel Supporters Doesn’t Help Jews or Israel Supporters (Haaretz 9/17/26)

(WAR POWERS ACT – REMOVING US FROM WAR WITH IRAN) H. Con. Res. 93: Introduced 4/28/26 by Moulton (D-MA) and currently having 14 cosponsors (all Democrats), “Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.” On 9/14/26, the House agreed, by unanimous consent, that “it be in order at any time to consider H. Con. Res. 93 in the House if called up by the chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs or his designee, that the concurrent resolution be considered as read, and that the previous question be considered as ordered on the concurrent resolution to adoption without intervening motion except for 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by Representative Mast of Florida and Representative Moulton of Massachusetts or their respective designees.” Based on that, on 9/15/26 Mast called up H. Con. Res. 93 (floor consideration is here), after which the House passed the H. Con. Res. 93 by a vote of 220-204 [with all Democrats plus 7 Republicans voting YES]. Also see: House passes Iran war powers resolution with record seven Republican supporters (Jewish Insider 9/16/26); House Directs Trump to Halt War With Iran or Secure Congress’s Approval (New York Times 9/15/26); Meeks (D-NY) statement 9/15/26: ““We are nearly 200 days into this illegal and unauthorized war, and what do the American people have to show for it? Soaring gas prices, rising mortgage rates and inflation, tens of billions of dollars in taxpayer dollars wasted, 19 U.S. service members killed and more than 750 more wounded. Despite all the costs, none of the administration’s stated objectives with Iran have been achieved. Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program remains intact, and it continues to demonstrate leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, which was open before Trump started this war. This is now the third War Powers Resolution that has passed the House to end this war, including my own resolution which passed both chambers. The president must end this failed war and appoint real diplomats, not real estate developers, to work multilaterally on a diplomatic solution that opens the Strait and reduces tensions. The American people have made it clear that they do not support this war, and the Constitution does not grant Trump the authority to wage it without the consent of the people and their representatives.” Also see: House Passes Moulton’s War Powers Resolution to Reclaim Congressional Authority to Declare War

(IRAN & RUSSIA SANCTIONS) HR 5334: Introduced 9/11/25 by Panetta (D-CA) and having 23 cosponsors as the “Supporting Early-childhood Educators’ Deductions Act of 2025” or the “SEED Act of 2025.” Passed by the House (as the SEED Act) 4/27/26 by Voice Vote and sent to the Senate. Passed by the Senate 8/7/26 by a vote of 86-11, after first deleting the entire House-passed text and repurposing the bill into a vehicle for a completely different piece of legislation, offered by Darline Graham (R-SC), subsequently entitled the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.” That new bill was then referred to the House, which on 9/16/26 passed (this hugely consequential foreign policy legislation — without any hearings or normal floor consideration) — under suspension of the rules, by a vote of 262-159 (58 Democrats votes YES, 7 Republicans voted NO). Also see:

• Media: House passes Russia sanctions bill (Axios 9/16/26); House Democrats face divisions on Russian sanctions bill (Axios 9/15/26); House passes Iran, Russia sanctions bill, over objections from leading Democrats (Jewish Insider 9/16/26)
• Statement from House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Meeks (D-NY) about the bill: “I am committed to stopping Russia’s brutality against Ukraine. So, from the beginning, I have said that I would have supported a version of this bill that forced Donald Trump to actually place more sanctions on Russia and prevented him from using fresh tariff authorities to go after our partners and allies. It is regrettable that House Republicans and the Senate refused to engage and improve the bill, place more guardrails on its tariff authorities, or mandate sanctions in the bill to be implemented. What passed the House today will give President Trump sweeping new tariff authorities he can abuse, as he has done before, to bring yet more economic harm on the American people. President Trump already has all the authorities to impose the Russia sanctions in this bill, but he has refused to do so—and has even lifted existing Russia sanctions as recently as this morning. Given his actions, there is no reason to believe this bill will do anything to help Ukraine, and every reason to believe it will result in more Trump trade wars. I want nothing more than to be proven wrong and see President Trump implement this bill as its proponents intend. But, in the likely event he doesn’t, I will do everything in my power to make sure Congress holds him to account, the American people do not get further crushed by his inflationary tariffs, and that Ukraine receives real support.”
• AIPAC 9/16/26: X-post – “AIPAC applauds Congress for passing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which includes a five-year extension of the Iran Sanctions Act. The Iran Sanctions Act underpins most sanctions on the Iranian regime and was set to expire this year. We thank the Republican and Democratic leaders in the House and Senate for including this critical provision, which is essential to maintaining the economic pressure on Iran. We encourage Congress to build on this momentum now by quickly passing the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act, which cleared the House in March with broad support, so the United States maintains every economic tool available to counter the Iranian regime.” Comment on AIPAC X-post from CIP’s Dylan Williams: ” You lobbied to break the Iran Deal, impose ever-increasing sanctions and start a war. Now 18 US servicemembers are dead and hundreds wounded. Iran chokes oil supplies as Americans go into debt for gas and groceries. And you have the temerity to demand more sanctions and bombs?”

(SAUDI NUCLEAR PROGRAM) H. J. Res. 217: Introduced 9/16/26 by Meeks (D-NY) and 3 cosponsors (all Democrats), “Disapproving the proposed civilian nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia submitted to the Congress on September 14, 2026.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: press release – Meeks, Sherman, Garamendi & Beyer Announce JRD on U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Agreement; House Dems introduce resolution to disapprove Saudi nuclear deal (Jewish News Syndicate 9/17/26)

(REMOVING THE US FROM HOSTILITIES WITHIN OR AGAINST OMAN) S. J. Res. 215: Introduced 9/16/26 by Kaine (D-VA) and Schiff (D-CA), “A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Sultanate of Oman that have not been authorized by Congress.“  Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: press release – Kaine & Schiff File Oman War Powers Resolution

(DISAPPROVING OF MILITARY SALES TO SAUDI ARABIA) S. J. Res. 216: Introduced 9/16/26 by Markey (D-MA), Sanders (I-VT) and and Merkley (D-OR), “A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Saudi Arabia of certain defense articles and services.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

(WAR POWERS ACT – REMOVING US FROM WAR WITH IRAN) H. Con. Res. 117: Introduced 9/15/26 by Houlahan (D-PA), “Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

(SANCTION THE HOUTHIS, TARGETING IRAN!) HR 10354: Introduced 9/14/26 by Wilson (R-SC), “To impose targeted sanctions on the Houthi terrorists and their supporters, and to support the internationally recognized Government of Yemen in their fight against Houthi terrorists,” aka the “Free Yemen from Iran Act.”  Referred to the Committees on: Foreign Affairs; the Judiciary; and Armed Services. Also see: Wilson X-post announcing the bill – “The Houthis are a foreign Iranian puppet that have nothing to do with the indigenous people of Yemen. The creation of a new Iranian terrorist colony on the Gulf of Aden will not be permitted. The Free Yemen from Iran Act will support the people of Yemen’s efforts to liberate their own country including through security assistance to Yemen’s government & new biting secondary sanctions on middle men, financiers and foreign countries facilitating Houthi activity. The cowardly Houthis hate the people of Yemen and are hated by the people of Yemen. They will go to the trashcan of history like brutal Assad. Free Yemen from Iran”. Media: Wilson’s ‘Free Yemen from Iran Act’ Proposes $300 Million in Aid and Sweeping Houthi Sanctions (Sheba Intelligence 9/15/26); U.S. Lawmaker Unveils ‘Liberating Yemen from Iran Act’ to Support Government (Yemen Monitor 9/15/26)

(LEGISLATING IRS GRACE FOR AMERICANS HELD HOSTAGE – WHICH–at least as relates to Israelis–THEY ARE ALREADY GETTING, PLUS MUCH MORE, FROM THE IRS) HR 9496: Introduced 6/29/26 by Tenney (R-NY) and 2 cosponsors (both Democrats), the “End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act.” Passed by the House Ways and Means Committee 7/1/26 by a vote of 40-0; reported out of committee 9/8/26 (Report #119-797) and placed on the Union Calendar (meaning it can come up for a vote anytime). NOTE: This legislation was first introduced after the 10/7/23 Hamas attacks and hostage-taking. Since then, the IRS has repeatedly implemented special tax relief for the broad categories of “taxpayers affected by terroristic action in the State of Israel throughout 2024 and 2025,” “taxpayers affected by the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks in Israel” and “taxpayers affected by terroristic action in Israel throughout 2023 and 2024.” Taken together, these policies have (so far) postponed tax payments/filings for affected individuals (going well beyond those taken hostage to include potentially a huge number of Israelis) for three years. UPDATE: Passed 9/15/26 under suspension of the Rules by a Voice Vote.

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Reporting/posts on previously-introduced legislation

• (Re: Places of worship buffer zones legislation – HR 10052 // S. 5289) Suozzi (D-NY) 9/16/26: Suozzi (D-NY), Knott (R-NC), and over a Dozen National Religious Organizations Urge Passage of Bipartisan, Bicameral Right to Worship Act; Capitol Hill Lawmakers Rally Bipartisan Support for ‘Right to Worship Act’ Amid Rise in Antisemitism (Combat Antisemitism Movement 9/16/26); Faith groups urge passage of bipartisan bill that would protect houses of worship from protest (Jewish New Syndicate 9/16/26); Suozzi, Knott, Jewish groups rally for Right to Worship Act (Jewish Insider 9/16/26)
• Khanna (D-CA) 9/14/26: X-post w/ video clip – “@RepThomasMassie and I led the fight against US-Israel military integration in the House. Now, we are continuing the fight to remove Section 219 from the National Defense Authorization Act. We must protect American sovereignty.”
• (Re: HR 4795 – Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026)The Hill 9/14/26: Punishing Israel-boycotters is even worse than boycotting Israel

2. Letters & Reports

• [TELL AMERICANS TRUE COSTS OF IRAN WAR] 9/17/26: Slotkin Leads Senate Democrats in Demanding Answers from Hegseth on Cost of Iran War [letter text]
• [TARGETING ABDUL EL-SAYED] 9/16/26: Facebook post by Self (R-TX) – “The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) reportedly engaged in prohibited activity on behalf of Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. I sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent requesting the IRS investigate and complete a full review of ISNA’s tax-exempt status. Taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize a nonprofit acting like a campaign committee for the Red-Green Alliance.” [Letter text – page 1, page 2]. Also see Self’s post on X. Also see: Islamic Society of North America illegally supported Muslim candidate’s campaign, congressman says (Blaze Media 9/16/26); Congressman Asks IRS to Investigate Muslim Brotherhood Group Following MEF Report on Abdul El-Sayed Campaign (Middle East Forum 9/17/26)
• [RELEASE ALL DOCS RE: SAUDI NUCLEAR DEAL] 9/16/26: Markey, Merkley, Bipartisan Group of Senators: Trump Administration Must Release All Documents from U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal [letter text]. Also see: Senators urge administration to declassify information on Saudi nuclear deal (Jewish Insider 9/16/26)

3. Hearings & Markups

September 15, 2026: The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing entitled, Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (video). The sole witness was FBI Director Kash Patel (testimony). Also see: Cruz calls on Trump administration to designate CAIR as a terrorist organization [“At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency ‘was taking a very hard look at organizations with documented ties to terror financing’“] (Jewish Insider 9/15/26)

Israel/AIPAC (and more PIKER-MANIA) in US elex & politics – GENERAL

• The New Arab 9/17/26: The Democrats’ divide over Israel comes to the House Foreign Affairs Committee
• Truthout 9/16/26: AIPAC’s Network Has Already Spent $67.2 Million to Shape the Midterm Elections
• Haaretz 9/16/26: Top Democrat Places Hold on $2.8 Billion Weapons Sale to Israel [“Rep. Gregory Meeks put major procedural hurdles to block the widely contested sale, saying the Trump administration failed to assure Congress that Israel would use the weapons in accordance with U.S. law and with adequate protections for civilians”]
• Jewish Insider 9/16/26: Democrats push back on White House’s planned $2.8 billion sale of bombs to Israel
• Jewish Insider 9/16/26: Suozzi says he won’t bend on Israel as Democratic colleagues shift
• Rolling Stone 9/15/26: AOC Says Robert Kraft Lined Up Stadiums to Censor Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ Comments
• NBC News 9/15/26: Vance tells Republicans running against Democrats who are ‘not that crazy’ to bring up Abdul El-Sayed, instead
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/14/26: The suicide of American Jewish leadership
• The Forward 9/13/26: J Street goes on the offensive against AIPAC-backed candidates
• Times of Israel 9/13/26: When Israel Became a Test of Black–Jewish Solidarity
• The Hill 9/12/26: For many Democrats this cycle, the tipping point between victory and defeat is Israel 
• Jewish Insider 9/11/26: GOP Reps. Kustoff, Goldman say Republicans want to see U.S. aid to Israel continue

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Delaware

• The Forward 9/15/26: Staunch Israel supporter Coons expected to win Delaware Democratic Senate primary handily [headline later updated to read: Staunch Israel supporter Chris Coons dominates Delaware Democratic Senate primary]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Florida

• Jewish News Syndicate 9/15/26: ‘Never Again’ means ‘now,’ Florida Jewish Dem says in new ad
• Jewish Insider 9/14/26: Moskowitz leans into work combating antisemitism as he launches general election campaign

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

• New York Times 9/17/26: Jewish Leaders in Michigan Urge Support for El-Sayed’s Senate Bid
• Jewish Insider 9/17/26: El-Sayed met with Temple Israel rabbis in closed-door sit-down [“The previously unreported Jewish outreach comes as Democrats worry about El-Sayed’s struggles to expand support beyond his base“]
• Washington Post 9/16/26: Former congressman Sander Levin endorses El-Sayed for U.S. Senate in Michigan
• Fox News 9/16/26: El-Sayed grilled on Piker, Israel and socialist ties after Mike Rogers skips Senate debate
• HITC 9/16/26: AOC calls out New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and NFL owners over Macklemore controversy
• The Forward 9/16/26: What Black voters can teach Michigan Jews about Abdul El-Sayed
• Semaphor 9/15/26: Slotkin, Peters urge fellow Democrats to help El-Sayed
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/15/26: Pro-Israel Michigan Dem says she was ‘harassed, followed’ over her Zionist views
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/14/26: Michigan Jews don’t need Peter Beinart to explain their fears to them
• Washington Post 9/11/26: Al Franken, other Jewish Americans endorse El-Sayed in Michigan Senate race

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New York

• Jewish News Syndicate 9/17/26: AOC fundraises off Macklemore boycott
• Jewish Insider 9/15/26: Local Democratic official endorses Lawler, citing record on antisemitism, Israel
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/14/26: Anti-Israel, dem socialist denies report she, fellow candidate for Congress trying to block federal anti-terror funding for NY
• New York Post 9/13/26: Mamdani-backed socialist House candidates scheme to block $215M in crucial NYC terror funding: sources

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Ohio

• Tiffin Ohio 9/14/26: AIPAC backed Jon Husted with nearly $550K; Sherrod Brown got none [“More than $538,000 in individual donations were routed to Husted through AIPAC’s fundraising network, while AIPAC’s PAC gave him another $5,000. Federal records reviewed for Brown show no comparable AIPAC money.“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Texas

• Jewish Insider 9/15/26: Cuellar becomes first Texas Democrat to criticize upcoming Piker speech at UT
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/14/26: Piker’s scheduled appearance at UT Austin ‘deeply concerning,’ Dem congressman says

Saudi Arabia

• Middle East Eye 9/16/26: Trump picks anti-Islam, pro-Israel Republican Wesley Hunt as next ambassador to Saudi Arabia [“Trump’s nominee has called Israel America’s ‘one true ally’ in the Middle East, and warned that even Abraham Accords signatories can’t be trusted”]
• Jewish Insider 9/15/26: Senate Republicans urge Saudi response to Houthi attacks
• Jewish Insider 9/14/26: Trump taps Rep. Wesley Hunt as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia
• Times of Israel 9/14/26: Lindsey Graham’s white whale [“The late US senator thought Saudi-Israel normalization was within reach. He misread Netanyahu on Palestinian statehood“]

Other stuff

• The Hill 9/15/26: Pentagon tells Congress Iran war cost at least $42B
• Iran International 9/15/26: US lawmaker urges Turkey, Pakistan to act against Iran-backed Houthis

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters & Reports
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

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New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 9/8/26: Six Months into the Iran War, ft. FMEP fellow Peter Beinart in conversation with Negar Mortazavi about the developments & dynamics around the now six-month old war in Iran. They discuss what the U.S. got wrong in its expectations for the war, why the MOU between the U.S. & Iran broke down, and how the economic warfare of sanctions is working. They also look at what is happening on the ground in Iran, including with the possibility of real opposition to the regime, and how the Iranian diaspora is navigating the war, opposition to the regime, and divisions in the diaspora.
• 9/4/26: The Jewish Vote in Michigan, Florida, and Beyond, ft. FMEP fellow Ahmed Moor in conversation with journalist Alex Kane (Jewish Currents) about the role that Palestine/Israel is playing in different elections around the country, the Jewish vote in Michigan and Florida, and how to think about the differences, similarities, and impacts of AIPAC versus J Street.

Also see: Look for Lara Friedman on Debra Shushan’s podcast, The Debrief — 9/11/26: Efforts to Quash Dissent on US Campuses and Beyond [to be published 9/13/26]

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(PROTECTING HIGHER ED FROM IRS TARGETING) HR 10330 [bill text]: Introduced 9/10/26 by Hernandez (D-NC) and 17 cosponsors (all Democrats), the “Higher Education Oversight for Nonprofits Ensuring Standards and Transparency Act (HONEST Act).” Referred to the  House Committee on Ways and Means. Also see: Press release 9/10/26: Reps. Adams, Raskin Introduce HONEST Act to Protect Colleges from Politically Motivated IRS Investigations; One-pager explaining the bill:

(PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM FOREIGN CENSORSHIP LAWS) HR 10309: Introduced 9/8/26 by Davidson (R-OH) and 4 cosponsors (all Republicans), “To amend title 28, United States Code, to limit the recognition and enforcement of foreign censorship laws in the United States, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Also see:  press release 9/8/26: Davidson Introduces Bill to Block Enforcement of Foreign Censorship Orders Against Americans. NOTE: This bill is clearly focused on the UK, but potentially has implications for Israel, which maintains strict military censorship over media – see: Under the radar: Israel steps up censorship and suppression of independent reporting (Committee for Protection of Journalists 12/11/25)]. Also see: Davidson X-post 9/8/26: “Foreign governments are threatening Americans with fines for speech our Constitution protects. They have no business policing what Americans say. I introduced the HOMEFRONT Act today to bar our government from helping enforce their censorship orders. It also gives Americans the right to fight back by suing foreign censors for damages in U.S. courts.”

(LEGISLATING IRS GRACE FOR AMERICANS HELD HOSTAGE) HR 9496: Introduced 6/29/26 by Tenney (R-NY) and 2 cosponsors (both Democrats), the “End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act.” Passed by the House Ways and Means Committee 7/1/26 by a vote of 40-0; reported out of committee 9/8/26 (Report #119-797) and placed on the Union Calendar (meaning it can come up for a vote anytime). NOTE: This legislation was first introduced after the 10/7/23 Hamas attacks and hostage-taking. Since then, the IRS has repeatedly implemented special tax relief for the broad categories of “taxpayers affected by terroristic action in the State of Israel throughout 2024 and 2025,” “taxpayers affected by the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks in Israel” and “taxpayers affected by terroristic action in Israel throughout 2023 and 2024.” Taken together, these policies have (so far) postponed tax payments/filings for affected individuals (going well beyond those taken hostage to include potentially a huge number of Israelis) for three years.

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Reporting/posts on previously-introduced legislation

HR 4795 – Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026 [which was passed by the House on 9/3/26 by a vote of 237-169; see last week’s Round-Up for details]

• Floor consideration of the bill 9/3/26 – including statements for and against the measure – is here.
• Franklin (R-FL) 9/10/26: X-post – “Antisemitism has no place on our college campuses. They should be places of learning, not hatred or discrimination. Last week, I voted for @virginiafoxx’s Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act to hold federally funded universities accountable, protect academic freedom and stand with Israel.”
• Khanna (D-CA) 9/9/26: X-post w/ video clip – “237 House members, including 33 Democrats, voted to strip federal funding from universities where students speak out against the Israeli government. This is an assault on the First Amendment. We need to stand with students with the courage to call out the genocide in Gaza.”
• Edwards (R-NC) 9/9/26: X-post – “Antisemitic incidents on college campuses are nearly three times higher than they were in 2021, and a 2026 survey found 42% of Jewish college students report experiencing antisemitism firsthand. I voted in support of H.R. 4795, which says colleges that turn anti-Israel activism into official policy, commercial boycotts of Israel, blacklisting Israeli students and scholars, risk losing federal student aid eligibility. This isn’t about campus debate or free speech. It’s about taxpayer dollars not subsidizing institutional discrimination.”
• Tlaib (D-MI) 9/8/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Congress voted to punish students who are boycotting a foreign government, Israel, by cutting federal student aid. Students should be able to boycott genocides, wars and apartheid regimes.”
• South Florida Sun Sentinel 9/8/26: US House passes bill stripping federal funds from universities that boycott Israel
• Algemeiner 9/8/26: Jewish Groups Praise US House for Passing Bill to Cut Aid From Colleges Promoting BDS, Antisemitism
• FIRE 9/4/26: X-thread – “Yesterday, the U.S. House passed H.R. 4795, which seeks to crackdown on boycotts of Israel by prohibiting colleges receiving federal funding from boycotting Israel or Israeli entities—threatening First Amendment rights. FIRE strongly opposes this bill. Political boycotts sit at the intersection of speech, petition, assembly, and association. On campus, vendor, contract, or investment decisions often flow from protected student and faculty advocacy, as well as institutional expression and association. Calling these disputes “nonexpressive commercial boycotts” does not fix the problem. Campus boycott debates are rarely just procurement fights. They often involve political advocacy, faculty governance, public criticism, and institutional expression. The bill also addresses student and faculty participation in academic programs involving Israeli institutions. FIRE supports the academic freedom rights of students and faculty to engage in educational activities across borders. But protecting students and faculty only against boycotts of Israeli institutions, and not institutions in any other country, raises its own First Amendment concerns. Congress should protect academic freedom without singling out one political dispute. FIRE is watching this bill closely. The Senate must not pass this bill in its current form.”
• Davidson (R-OH) 9/4/26: X-post – “I strongly disagree with efforts to boycott, divest, or sanction Israel.” said Rep. Davidson. “Nevertheless, the 1st Amendment protects freedom of association, including the right to make lawful decisions people find personally offensive. We can’t restore a government small enough to fit within the Constitution by ignoring the Constitution.”
• Columbia Spectator 9/4/26: House passes bill to withhold funding from universities that boycott Israel after Columbia rejected divestment proposals
• Davidson (R-OH) 9/4/26: X-post – “‘I strongly disagree with efforts to boycott, divest, or sanction Israel.’ said Rep. Davidson. ‘Nevertheless, the 1st Amendment protects freedom of association, including the right to make lawful decisions people find personally offensive. We can’t restore a government small enough to fit within the Constitution by ignoring the Constitution.’”
• Omar (D-MN) 9/4/26: X-post – “This week I voted NO on a bill to block universities who boycott Israel from receiving federal funding. No university or student should be punished for refusing to support a foreign nation and a genocide.”
• NewsGram 9/4/26: 33 Dems Help Pass House Bill That Would Strip Funds From Colleges That Boycott Israel
• Reason 9/3/26: Congress Is Trying (Again) To Ban Boycotting Israel [“The bipartisan bill, which passed the House, takes aim at university boycotts of any ‘major strategic partner.‘”]
• Responsible Statecraft 9/3/26: House to universities: Don’t you dare boycott Israel
• Common Dreams 9/3/26: 33 Dems Help Pass House Bill That Would Strip Funds From Colleges That Boycott Israel
• Ground News 9/3/26: US House passes bill to crack down on university boycotts of Israel
• Mondoweiss 9/3/26: The Shift: House passes bill blocking schools from boycotting Israel
• Jewish Insider 9/3/26: House passes anti-BDS measure, even as most Democrats voted against it
• AIPAC X-post 9/3/26: “Thank you @RepJoshG and @virginiafoxx for leading this important bipartisan effort to counter the dangerous BDS campaign and safeguard academic engagement with Israel. This legislation helps protect pro-Israel students from discriminatory boycotts and efforts to deny them the ability to study in Israel or learn from Israeli professors, while fully protecting First Amendment rights. We urge the Senate to take up and pass this bipartisan bill when it returns from recess.”
• Massie (R-KY) 9/3/26: X-post – “Congress did one and only one thing today. The House passed a bill to withhold money from universities if they don’t play nice with Israel. I voted No. It’s not proper for our federal government to coerce universities into engaging with any particular foreign country.”
• Foushee (D-NC) 9/3/26: X-post – “I voted against the bill to block universities from receiving funds if they are engaging in boycotts of Israel. Refusing to support a genocide, or refusing to support a foreign nation, should not result in the loss of federal funding for a university.”
• Castro (D-TX) 9/3/26: X-post – “Israeli settlers are committing record levels of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Instead of confronting them, the House of Representatives just passed a bill that would threaten the education of American citizen’s to protect Israeli settlements. I voted No.” Also see video clip.
• Foxx (R-NC) 9/3/26: X-post – “The House just passed my bipartisan bill, the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, that takes a strong stand against the BDS movement on college campuses across the nation. Thank you, @RepJoshG, for your partnership in helping lead this legislation alongside me. This legislation has true teeth and completely severs any possible taxpayer support of these concrete campaigns of antisemitism in the form of BDS and academic boycotts of Israel. The Senate should take it up immediately!”
• McClain (R-MI) 9/3/26: X-post – “This House just passed the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act — and it’s about time. Taxpayers should NOT fund schools that single out Israel or shut students out of academic opportunities for political reasons. Colleges and universities should be places where ideas are debated, not where discrimination becomes institutional policy.”
• Harris (R-NC) 9/3/26: X-post – “Amid the rise of antisemitism, we must protect Jewish students and ensure taxpayer dollars don’t reward colleges hostile to Israel. Our campuses must remain a place where EVERY student’s right to free speech and discrimination-free learning is protected.”
• Haaretz 9/3/26: House Passes Bill to Restrict University Boycotts of Israel
• The Guardian 9/3/26: US House passes bill penalizing universities that participate in boycott of Israel

Other stuff:

• [HR 9211] Goldman (D-NY) 9/3/26: X-post – “My bipartisan, bicameral Jewish American Security Act would increase the non-profit security grant program to $1 billion — and it is available to any non-profits with security concerns. It also provides guidance, processes and training for educational institutions to combat antisemitism, and requires transparency from social media companies about antisemitism online. Let’s pass this narrowly targeted bill before year-end.”
• [HR 8800 // S. 4784] Reuters 9/3/26: Rights groups urge US lawmakers to drop provision to deepen defense ties with Israel

2. Letters & Reports

• (SAVE THE WEST BANK ECONOMY & THE PA FROM COLLAPSE DUE TO ISRAELI POLICIES LITERALLY DESIGNED TO DESTROY THEM) 9/9/26: Schneider, Goldman Lead Bipartisan Effort Urging Secretaries Rubio and Bessent to Prevent Further Middle Eastern Instability by Protecting the West Bank Economy [letter text]. Also see: Bipartisan House group warns PA fiscal collapse could strengthen Hamas, Iran-backed groups (Jerusalem Post 9/9/26)
• (SANCTION UK & OTHERS FOR SANCTIONING ISRAEL] 9/9/26: Congresswoman Tenney Urges Treasury Review of UK-Led Israel Boycott Under U.S. Anti-Boycott Law [letter text].  Also see: Tenney calls on Treasury to weigh anti-boycott penalties for U.K., countries sanctioning Israeli settlements (Jewish Insider 9/9/26); US Lawmaker Urges Trump Administration to Take Stand Against British Sanctions on Israeli Settlements (Algemeiner 9/10/26)
• (US MUST HELP DR HUSSAM ABU SAFIYA) 9/8/26: Dexter, Ruiz Condemn Lack of Due Process for Imprisoned Palestinian Pediatrician Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and Demand His Release by Netanyahu’s Government [letter text]. Also see: Quigley (D-IL) 9/10/26: X-post – “Dr. Abu Safiya is a Palestinian pediatrician and longtime director of a Gaza hospital. Nearly two years ago, Israeli authorities detained him without charge or trial. Now, his lawyer says his physical condition is ‘near death.’ I’m joining @RepDexterOR and nearly 70 of our colleagues in demanding Marco Rubio and the Trump administration do everything they can to free Dr. Abu Safiya before he dies in custody.” 69 members of Congress call on Rubio to help secure release of prominent Palestinian doctor (ABC News)
• (SUDAN SANCTIONS, INCLUDING RE: UAE) 9/4/26: Murphy, 7 Democrats Call On Security Council to Pass Sanctions on Sudan to Cut Off Conflict Cash Flows [letter text]

3. Hearings & Markups

None.

Israel/AIPAC (and more PIKER-MANIA) in US elex & politics – GENERAL

• Arab Center Washington DC 9/11/26: The Democrats’ Divide Over Israel Comes to the House Foreign Affairs Committee
• Haaretz 9/11/26: At Two Jewish Conferences, Speakers Turn Fears of Antisemitism Into Attacks on Islam
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 9/11/26: J Street goes on the offensive against AIPAC-backed candidates
• Mondoweiss 9/11/26: Democrats are in a ‘death match’ with the Left over Israel. How will it impact the midterms?
• Washington Post 9/10/26: Rival pro-Israel group to spend millions to target AIPAC-backed candidates [“The super PAC of J Street, a liberal pro-Israel group, is spending $3 million on ads against Republicans backed by AIPAC.“]
• Politico 9/10/26: ‘Waste of energy’: Senate Democrats are sitting out the John Fetterman pile-on
• Axios 9/9/26: Scoop: J Street super PAC spends $3M to defeat AIPAC-backed Republicans
• The Hill 9/9/26: Why conservatives have shifted on Israel
• Afkar (Qatar) 9/9/26: Will AIPAC’s Declining Electoral Influence Shift U.S. Foreign Policy? [“Will the defeats of candidates backed by the pro-Israel lobby in the U.S. begin to influence and reshape Washington’s foreign policy—particularly regarding Palestine, Iran, and Gulf security?“]
• Jewish Insider 9/8/26: Rep. Jared Moskowitz: Pro-Israel Democrats are being ‘ostracized’ in the Democratic Party  [Matt Duss (CIP) X-post 9/9/26: “What do you do after you’ve just been handed leadership of a key foreign affairs subcommittee? Obviously, run to the nearest reporter and complain that your views are being ‘ostracized.’”]
• KQED 9/8/26: AIPAC Is Spending Millions to Reshape the Democratic Party. Is It Working? [“AIPAC is pouring millions into this year’s midterm elections, attempting to shape the Democratic Party.“]
• Jewish Insider 9/8/26: Sen. Rick Scott urges Trump to pave pathway for Canadian Jews to emigrate to U.S. [“The Florida Republican cited rising antisemitism in Canada as reason for the emergency measure”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/9/26: Even as Democrats nominate anti-Israel candidates, poll suggests 67% of Jewish voters plan to cast ballots for Dems in November
• Voz Iz Neias News 9/9/26: Stefanik, Gottheimer Launch Bipartisan Caucus To Combat Campus Antisemitism
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/8/26: Stefanik, Gottheimer announced bipartisan congressional caucus to tackle Jew-hatred on campus
• NBC News 9/7/26: Jewish voters have long backed Democrats. Key midterm races are testing that support.
• Arutz Sheva (Israel) 9/6/26: Why is the Democratic Party condoning antisemitism? How can the Democrat Party be so blatantly ant-Israel? Opinion
• Financial Times 9/5/26: Pro-Israel groups fight to help Republicans keep control of Congress
• Jerusalem Post 9/5/26: Are we seeing the end of Jewish politicians in the Democratic Party? – opinion
• Zeteo 9/4/26: First Draft: Will Republicans Be Asked to Disavow Elon Musk Over His Latest Creepy Antisemitic Post? [“Amid the never-ending frenzy over Hasan Piker, the GOP’s top donor just posted a bizarre pseudoscientific statement about Jews, DNA, and white identity. Plus: Congress says you have to like Israel.”]
• Scheerpost 9/4/26: Democratic Voters Say They Want Change, But the Party Just Elevated More Hawks
• Judge Street Journal; 9/4/26: Six Rabbis and a Republican Walk into the Oval Office
• The Donor Class 9/4/26: SCOOP: Longtime Democratic donors hold New York fundraisers for Republican candidates [“Dem donors are quietly organizing for MI Sen. Candidate Mike Rogers, soon after fundraising for NY Gov candidate Bruce Blakeman – a growing backlash to Abdul El-Sayed & Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s policies”]
• The Nation 9/4/26: Hasan Piker and the Democrats’ Edgelord Dilemma [comparing Piker to Hitler: “Piker was not in any way threatening Jews himself; he was warning Zionist Jews that their views would provoke people who would. But his broadside gave new life to the age-old trope that Jews bring their own oppression on themselves. Variations of it have come from Richard Wagner, Father Charles Coughlin, Hitler, FDR, and Roald Dahl.”]
• Truthout 9/3/26: Democratic Voters Say They Want Change, But the Party Just Elevated More Hawks
• Wall Street Journal 9/3/26: Behind Closed Doors, John Fetterman Shows Little Interest in the Work of a Senator [“Poised to be a possible swing vote in a divided Congress, he churns through staff as he dodges constituents, alienates fellow Democrats and courts Israel lobby“]
• The Atlantic 9/3/26: The Hasan Piker Question
• Times of Israel (blog) 9/3/26: J Street is fueling anti-Israel extremists
• Haaretz 9/3/26: Top Democratic Senator Slams ‘Confirmed’ Israeli Plan to Ethnically Cleanse Gaza [“Senator Chris van Hollen criticized Israeli Defense Minister Katz’s recent comments on the transfer of Palestinians from Gaza, calling it a confirmation of his report from last year on Israel’s ‘Plan to Ethnically Cleanse Gaza of Palestinians’”]
• Zeteo 9/2/26: Why Won’t Mainstream Media Talk to Hasan Piker?

Settlement-Related Boycotts

• Common Dreams 9/9/26: Progressive Democrats Urge US to Join Ban on Products From Illegal Israeli Settlements
• Washington Reporter 9/9/26: SCOOP: Top lawmakers condemn anti-Semitic boycotts of Israel by United Kingdom, France, Canada, and other western countries
• Jerusalem Post 9/8/26: UK’s Israel boycott could cost British businesses billions, Florida Congressman Randy Fine warns

Free Speech/Right to Protest

• Jewish Insider 9/3/26: Liberal leaders who protested Mahdawi’s deportation silent about his antisemitic, pro-terror posts [Excellent commentary from X account @rach3lburn3tt: “when deportation becomes acceptable for speech one finds offensive, whether supporting palestinian rights or expressing genuine bigotry, we enter into dark, mccarthyist territory. civil liberties must be for everyone, unconditionally, or eventually they will protect no one. stories like these are exactly why i felt so torn up about the way that so much of the defense for mohsen’s civil liberties centered around his work as a peace activist, his thoughtfulness, and his compassion. because on the one hand that is truly the way in which he moves through the world, and it hurts to see someone you know being abused by this cruel administration. but on the other hand, this fight should never have been about putting his character on trial. as one of the ACLU lawyers wrote on skokie: ‘if the government can prevent lawful speech because it is offensive and hateful, then it can prevent any speech that it dislikes. in other words, the power to censor nazis includes the power to censor protesters of all stripes…’ while i appreciate everyone who has spoken out against this miscarriage of justice because it is happening to someone who exudes compassion for all, we need to be prepared to stand up for the principles of liberal democracy and civil rights protections for all, no matter what.”

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Florida

• Washington Reporter 9/6/26: INTERVIEW: Scott Singer explains why Rep. Jared Moskowitz needs to go

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Georgia

• Punchbowl News 9/8/26: Mike Collins targets Jon Ossoff, and mail-in ballot battle ignites

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

• Jewish News Syndicate 9/9/26: “Non-negotiables” unveiled by progressive Jewish leaders as they push El-Sayed to stop throwing flames
• YNet (Israel) 9/8/26: Michigan rabbis tell El-Sayed to change Israel rhetoric, warn Jews don’t feel safe
• Jewish Insider 9/8/26: Coalition of Michigan Jewish leaders sets out ‘nonnegotiable’ demands for El-Sayed, Democrats [“The group called for Democratic candidates to affirm principles including Jewish safety, the Jewish right to sovereignty in Israel and the right of all Jews to participate in the political process”]
• New York Times 9/8/26: Read the “Nonnegotiable” petition [“A coalition of Michigan rabbis and Jewish leaders is launching a petition drive aimed at Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Senate nominee”]
• Jewish Insider 9/3/26: ‘Jews for Abdul’ co-founder acknowledges El-Sayed’s weaknesses with Jewish voters

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New Hampshire

• Jewish News Syndicate 9/9/26: New Hampshire Dems with AIPAC backing easily win primaries against far-left candidates
• YNet (Israel) 9/9/26: AIPAC, Netanyahu and Israel take center stage in New Hampshire Democratic primaries
• Punchbowl News 9/9/26: Stefany Shaheen tops Maura Sullivan after nasty NH primary
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 9/8/26: New Hampshire congressional candidates compete to out-criticize one another on Israel, AIPAC
• The Hill 9/8/26: Shaheen wins Democratic primary for New Hampshire House seat left open by Pappas
• Jewish Insider 9/6/26: Stefany Shaheen’s anti-AIPAC attacks haven’t boosted her fortunes in New Hampshire
• Jewish Insider 9/6/26: Pappas leads, but faces an unexpectedly competitive race in New Hampshire Senate primary
• New Hampshire Public Radio 9/4/26: Outside money pours into NH’s 1st District Democratic race, fueling bitter attacks

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Texas

• The Mary Sue 9/10/26: Texas senate race takes a stunning turn as Dem Star candidate James Talarico surges ahead without AIPAC money

Other stuff

• Jewish Insider 9/10/26: Mast ‘likely’ to support administration’s nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia
• Daily Signal 9/3/26: GOP Congressman to Introduce Resolution Condemning Sharia Law, Wants House Vote Before Midterms

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters & Reports
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

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New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 9/1/26: Navigating Bad-faith Accusations of Antisemitism, featuring FMEP fellow Peter Beinart in conversation with Ben Lorber, Senior Research Analyst at Political Research Associates, about the “bad-faith disinfo[rmation] attacks” against Hasan Piker and others, which cast critiques of Israel as antisemitism.

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(UNIVERSITIES MUST COOPERATE WITH GREATER ISRAEL – OR ELSE!) HR 4795: Introduced 7/29/25 by Foxx (R-NC) and Gottheimer (D-NJ), “To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit an institution that participates in a nonexpressive commercial boycott of Israel from being eligible for certain funds under that Act, to require an institution that participates in certain programs under that Act to certify that students are not unreasonably obstructed from participating in academic programs in Israel, and for other purposes.” As previously reported in the Round-Up, HR 4795 was passed by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce 6/25/26, and reported out of the Committee on Education and Workforce on 8/27/26 with a report – H. Rept. 119-780. PASSED BY THE HOUSE 9/3/26 by a roll call vote of 237-169, with 33 Democrats voting YES and 2 Republicans voting NO. 

• Foxx (R-NC) X-post celebrating passage of the bill 9/3/26: “The House just passed my bipartisan bill, the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, that takes a strong stand against the BDS movement on college campuses across the nation. Thank you, @RepJoshG, for your partnership in helping lead this legislation alongside me. This legislation has true teeth and completely severs any possible taxpayer support of these concrete campaigns of antisemitism in the form of BDS and academic boycotts of Israel. The Senate should take it up immediately!”
• Gottheimer press release celebrating passage of the bill: House Passes Gottheimer, Foxx Bipartisan Bill to Hold Higher Education Accountable for Hate-Driven BDS Activity that Targets Jewish Students and Professors — BDS Attacks Academic Freedom; Legislation Protects Free Speech
• Republican Jewish Coalition X-post celebrating passage of HR 4795: “We commend the Republican-led House of Representatives for passing @virginiafoxx’s H.R. 4795, the Protecting Academic Freedom Act of 2026. For years, the “Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions” (BDS) movement has singled out and targeted Israeli products and Israeli academics in an antisemitic effort to vilify and ultimately destroy the world’s only Jewish State. With this vote, the House affirmed that no taxpayer dollars should support colleges that boycott Israel.  Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of Democrats in the House chose to stand with the haters of Jews and Israel, and opposed H.R. 4795. This is yet another reminder that the Republican Party is the ONLY party that unequivocally stands with the American Jewish community and Jewish students who seek higher education free from antisemitic hate.”
• My short comment on passage of this bill: “…The road to erasing US right to free speech/protest of ANYTHING in the US is quite literally being paved with laws to protect/promote Greater Israel/Israeli impunity.”

What’s the big deal about HR 4795?

As reported in the 8/1/25 edition of the Round-Up, under this bill, US universities MUST work with Israel/settlements or they will be punished for boycotting, even if they do not have a policy of boycotting.  To review:

• Forcing Universities to Normalize West Bank Settlements: This language of this legislation – which mirrors language developed in connection with state-level anti-BDS legislation – is clearly designed to apply not only to Israel but also to Israeli entities in settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights (and perhaps some day in Gaza, when Israel starts re-settling there). This is accomplished via the language defining the term “a major strategic partner” to include not only key countries but “an entity licensed or regulated by, or organized under the laws of, such a country.“
• Forcing Universities to Prove a Negative: This legislation sets up an situation in which the alleged absence of engagement with any Israeli partner/party, including in settlements, will become the basis for an accusation of boycott, putting universities in the position where, if they universities want to avoid being accused of boycotting Israel/settlements, they will need to adopt an affirmative policy of prioritizing maximal engagement/partnership with Israeli entities (including in settlements).
• Setting Up a Cause for Legal Action: The requirement that universities certify they are not boycotting Israel/settlements leaves universities vulnerable to attacks by ideologically motivated private parties using the False Claims Act [i.e., those parties will search for and point to the absence of some relations with Israel to allege that a university lied in that certification, with the potential for massive financial judgments against the schools, of which they will receive a substantial portion].
• Cementing in law the dismantlement of any US right to boycott: The Report published by the committee explicitly uses, as the anchor for its logic, a previous ruling on an anti-BDS law. This is the 2022 ruling by the 8th Circuit (en banc), which holds that while the First Amendment protects “expressive” elements of boycott (e.g., calling for boycotts, holding up or posting signs in support of boycotts, stating that one supports boycotts), the actual ACT of boycotting constitutes “non-expressive” conduct that is NOT protected by the First Amendment. Under this ruling — which was celebrated as a victory for Israel and largely overlooked by anyone not focused on Israel/BDS — Americans’ right to boycott ANYTHING based on their deeply held views is dismantled. As I wrote in an analysis for the University of the Pacific’s Law Review: this ruling “is based on an alarming and novel interpretation of the Supreme Court’s prior decisions upholding the right to boycott. According to this interpretation, the Constitution protects a right to call for or express support for boycotts but does not protect the right to actually boycott anything, viewing the act of boycotting not as expressive political speech but as an unprotected economic action. This re-interpretation of Supreme Court precedent, in effect, renders the whole notion of a ‘right to boycott’ meaningless, with alarming implications going far beyond Israel-Palestine issues.”  This dismantling of a core free speech right — undoing what until the 8th Circuit’s 2022 ruling was, since the civil rights era, considered settled law that boycotts are protected free speech — is the foundational justification for HR 4795, and it is the legal principle that HR 4795 is now seeking to cement in U.S. law.

What’s Interesting About the Way HR 4795 Got to the Floor for a Vote?

On 8/28/26, the House Majority Leader published the House schedule for the week of 8/1/26; and included on it a list of measures, including HR 4795, to be considered under suspension of the Rules [reminder: passage of legislation on by the House under suspension of the Rules requires a 2/3 majority]. But then things got even more interesting: on 8/31/26, the House Rules Committee passed H. Res. 1499 – a Rule that to bring HR 4795 (as well as other measures, including a resolution denouncing the DSA) to the floor for votes under normal order (enabling their passage via a simple majority). Republican leaders then brought H. Res. 1499 to the floor, where–in a political shocker that calls into question the current Democratic leadership’s ability to lead–it passed 9/1/26 by a vote of 210-208, thanks to two Democrats, Golden (D-ME) and Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) voting against their party to support the Republican rule (votes that were decisive because 5 Republicans voted “no”).

With the passage of H. Res. 1499, only a simple majority was now required to pass HR 4795 (and the other measures covered by the Rule). This is a very big deal, given that the final vote of HR 4795 was 237-169 — meaning that if the bill had been brought to the floor under suspension of the Rules, it would have FAILED (a 2/3 majority would have meant it needed 270 votes to pass).

And to be clear: the decision of two Democrats to vote with Republicans on this Rule — thereby enabling the Rule to pass, thereby enabling the GOP to pass several pieces of highly controversial legislation — is both highly unusual and a Very Big Deal. As a reminder, the House is a majoritarian body, and House leadership runs the House through the Rules Committee. Membership of the Rules Committee is sufficiently lopsided to guarantee that whatever comes out of the Committee reflects the will/strategy/judgement of House leadership (the Rules Committee is currently composed of 9 Republicans and 4 Democrats). The Rules Committee holds a hearing on the bill and then votes on/approves a RULE governing how the bill will be dealt with on the House floor. The Rule covers things like: which amendments will be considered on the floor; how debate time will be divided; and pretty much anything else the House leadership, working through the Committee, wants to try to get away with. Once this Rule is adopted by the Committee, it is turned into a resolution (an H. Res. XXX), which is then brought to the House floor for a vote. No further action on the underlying legislation is possible until the Rule is passed. Members of the minority are NEVER presumed or expected to support a rule (that just isn’t how the House works). Party-line votes are common on Rules brought to the floor. A speaker who can’t pass a rule on the House floor (meaning he/she cannot corral his/her own caucus to support his/her decisions) can’t run the House.

(Belated) Opposition to HR 4795

The Report that accompanied the bill makes absolutely explicit the intent of the bill (which to be fair was clear already). Notably, while the Minority views (i.e., the views of Democrats on the Committee) included at the end of the report take a strong position on free speech/First Amendment rights, those views also boil down to the complaint that Republicans didn’t work with Democrats to ensure that the bill was formulated in a way that could have gotten bipartisan support [i.e., a formulation that does not so blatantly violate the First Amendment]. Also notably, the Minority views don’t even mention the bill’s conflation of Israel and the West Bank.

As it became clear that HR 4795 was coming to the floor for a vote, opposition to the bill belatedly began to ramp up. This includes from outside groups (including A New Jewish Narrative; MPAC & A New Policy; J Street, CAIR); Democratic Members of the House Education and Workforce Committee; and Rep. Nadler (D-NY). Read Nadler’s 9/2/26 X-post; Nadler’s full statement below. In the end, it was not enough to prevent passage (which was a foregone conclusion once the Rule was passed).

Nadler statement:

“When the House votes on H.R. 4795, I will vote no. H.R. 4795, the so-called Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, prohibits universities from engaging in ‘non-expressive commercial boycotts,’ and requires institutions of higher education to certify they are not boycotting Israel in order to access certain federal funds.

“I strongly oppose the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and I ardently oppose BDS as a strategy to secure change in the Middle East. I also recognize that those who advocate for BDS can veer into antisemitism if they should use antisemitic tropes or stereotypes, hold Jews collectively responsible for Israel’s actions, target or exclude Jews because they are Jewish, use opposition to Israel or Zionism as a proxy for hostility toward Jews, or advance an eliminationist vision that denies Jews in Israel equal rights, physical safety, or the ability to remain in the country as equals.

“But no matter how strongly I oppose the BDS movement, I also believe that those who engage in BDS have a First Amendment right to do so. The First Amendment right to free speech does not apply only to agreeable speech. No matter how much I may disagree with BDS, and find it strategically stupid and morally repugnant, I will always fight to protect Americans’ right to speech with which I disagree. It is the only way to ensure speech I do agree with is equally protected.

“In my view, H.R. 4795 is a direct and gross violation of the First Amendment. The proponents of this bill hide behind an inadequately defined term of ‘non-expressive commercial boycotts,’ but, as the ACLU wrote in a letter to Congress, ‘Many of those engaged in boycotts of Israel do so not for commercial reasons, but because they wish to express their political opposition to the policies of the Israeli government – matters of overwhelming public concern and debate in the present moment. HR 4795’s labeling such boycotts as ‘non-expressive’ does nothing to change this reality.’ Moreover, as the Supreme Court has noted in Chiles v. Salazar, ‘the First Amendment is no word game. And the rights it protects cannot be renamed away or their protections nullified by ‘mere labels.’’

“Additionally, the language in H.R. 4795 treats the entire West Bank as part of Israel, erasing the Green Line and undermining efforts to promote a two-state solution. The United States and Congress must recognize the difference between the State of Israel and the territory it occupies beyond the Green Line. Imposing penalties on institutions of higher education for opposing activities that advance annexation, blur that crucially important distinction, and undermine prospects for a two-state solution would establish a deeply troubling precedent.

“H.R. 4795 is the latest assault by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans on American colleges and universities. Supporting this bill does nothing to support students on campus, prevent hate, or improve the reality in the Middle East. Instead, it feeds the political arson being committed by the Trump Administration against institutions of higher education and endeavors to limit Americans’ First Amendment freedoms in service of Republicans’ partisan political agenda.”

2. Letters & Reports

• [TARGETING MAX BLUMENTHAL — AKA, TIME TO STOP ASKING WHETHER THE RED SCARE IS BACK. IT IS. AND FOLKS SHOULD RECALL HOW THAT WENT] On 8/29/26, Laura Loomer published a long post on X, opening with: “GOP Members of Congress call for State Department and DOJ to investigate Radical Left Islamic Terror Sympathizer Max Blumenthal Following His Return From Iran.” The post includes gifs (page 1, page 2) of a letter, dated 8/28/26, sent to Secretary of State Rubio and Attorney General Blanche by Reps. Fine (R-FL), Self (R-TX), and Weber (R-TX). The letter urges the Trump Administration to investigate an American journalist, Max Blumenthal, for “participating in Ali Khameni’s funeral in Iran.” The letter goes on to enumerate Blumenthal’s alleged grievous sins, including criticism of Israel and being the son of Sid Blumenthal. It concludes by characterizing Blumenthal as someone who “sympathizes with America’s enemies and is a threat to United States national security.” The letter asks the Trump officials to “promptly investigate” Blumenthal to “ensure the American public is safe from this traitor.” As a reminder: the U.S. law regarding “treason”: “Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.” [See also: Sacco and Vanzetti; Julius and Ethel Rosenberg]. Also see: response from Max Blumenthal on X: “A federal judge has clearly stated that my Fourth Amendment rights were violated through the seizure of my phones. She framed the DHS action as an attack on my First Amendment rights as well, situating it within the Trump administration’s wider assault on press freedom. Loomer and a trio of Israel First backbenchers have responded by escalating their attack on my First Amendment rights. It’s a desperate bid to silence me and The Grayzone – not for breaking any laws, but for journalism which exposes wanton corruption and war crimes. They are particularly incensed by my reporting on the crimes of a certain foreign apartheid state whose lobbying proxies guide their careers. Indeed, their letter is packed with hysterical complaints about my journalism, demanding that I be “investigated” for producing a documentary on Iran’s Jewish community and for clinically exposing official Israeli deceptions about October 7 designed to generate public support for genocide in Gaza. The letter also contains blatantly false, libelous statements. For instance, its authors claim I was “cultivated by an agent of influence by an FTO and current military adversary.” This is textbook defamation, and I don’t think it’s protected by congressional immunity. Finally, it’s impossible to ignore the irony of Randy Fine falsely accusing an American journalist of unspecified crimes just days after Fine was filmed rummaging through a private citizen’s mailbox while he was campaigning for reelection. Breaking into a mailbox is a federal crime. Journalism is not.”; House Republicans Demand Investigation Into Liberal Activist Who Attended Ayatollah’s Funeral (Daily Wire 8/29/26); Republicans Want Probe of Journalist Attending Ayatollah’s Funeral (American Faith 8/31/26); Paid by Hostile Regimes? The Foreign Funding Trail That Should Force Max Blumenthal Onto The FARA Registry (Loomered 8/31/26); MAGA trio’s new probe into journalist gets blistering response: ‘Desperate to silence me’ (Raw Story 8/29/26); The Totalitarian Israel Lobby Comes For Max Blumenthal. (The Dissident 8/29/26);

3. Hearings & Markups

September 1, 2026: The House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa held a hearing entitled, Countering Houthi Terrorism: Protecting U.S. Interests and Security in the Red Sea. Witnesses were: Nadwa Al-Dawsari, Middle East Institute (statement); and Allison Minor, Atlantic Council (statement).

Israel/AIPAC (and more PIKER-MANIA) in US elex & politics – GENERAL

• The Intercept 9/3/26: “Board of Peace” Billionaire Backs AIPAC Fund Targeting Pro-Palestine Candidates [“Marc Rowan, a Trump appointee overseeing Gaza’s redevelopment, has given $1.5 million to AIPAC’s super PAC this cycle.”]
• The Nation 9/3/26: Is the Israel Lobby Doomed? [“Pro-Israel influence over US politics is weaker than ever—but that doesn’t mean the lobby’s demise is inevitable.”]
• [NOT FROM THE ONION] FS View 9/3/26: The minuscule effect of lobbying [“Lobbying groups such as AIPAC are supporting pro-Israel candidates, not threatening anti-Israel candidates. This is where people tend to assume influence comes from.”] [worth reading just for the delicious pancake lobby analogy!]
• Counter Currents 9/3/26: The Establishment’s Panic: Why AIPAC, Republican and Democratic Party Elites Are Targeting the Democratic Socialist Movement
• Harvard Political Review 9/2/26: Democratic Socialism as Successful Campaign Strategy
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/2/26: Former aide to Bernie Sanders warns of growing Jew-hatred on the left
• Zeteo 9/2/26: Why Won’t Mainstream Media Talk to Hasan Piker?
• Jerusalem Post 9/2/26: Pro-Israel Dem. Haley Stevens says anti-Zionism has become a hate movement in America -interview
• Prospect Magazine (UK) 9/2/26: How Israel lost America [“Once-solid bipartisan US support for the Jewish state is no more. The consequences for Israel will be enormous“]
• Al Quds 9/2/26: The Jeffries-Kushner Meeting and the Battle for the Democratic Party
• Bloomberg 9/2/26: Florida Lawmaker Asks Whether Democrats’ Big Tent Still Includes Pro-Israel Jews
• Arab Weekly 9/2/26: Undaunted by pro-Israel financing,US progressives seek to win over black voters
• Rolling Stone 9/2/26: Rahm Emanuel: ‘You Don’t Like My Ideas? Show Me Yours’
• Haaretz 9/2/26: U.S. Senator Calls Ben-Gvir ‘Piece of Shit,’ Urges U.S. Ban After Emaciated Prisoner Video [“The since-deleted video by the far-right national security minister shows overweight Palestinian prisoners entering an Israeli jail and emerging emaciated and in tears, drawing accusations that it invokes concentration camp imagery“]
• Vox 9/2/26: Moderates have one goal: Make Hasan Piker a 2028 liability
• Alex Jones Live 9/2/26: VIDEO: Israeli Operative Randy Fine Brags “We Kicked His Ass” About Thomas Massie, When Massie Is Introducing The Epstein Transparency Act II
• New York Magazine 9/2/26: The Establishment Strikes Back – Neera Tanden returned to CAP to fight Trump. She’s spent much of her time fighting her left flank instead.
• Jacobin 9/1/26: The Israel Lobby Is Out of Control
• Joe Write 9/1/26: Reactionary Centrists Sabotage Abdul El-Sayed
• UnHerd 9/1/26: The Right’s attacks on Abdul El-Sayed reek of desperation
• Ken Klippenstein 9/1/26: What the Hasan Piker Freakout Is Really About
• Jewish Insider 9/1/26: Sheehy warns of ‘red-green alliance of convenience’ between left and Islamists
• Inside Telecom 9/1/26: AIPAC Spending Tests US-Israel Influence in Political Technology 
• Fox News 9/1/26: Democratic Socialists of America backs ‘our Twitch streamer’ Hasan Piker, rips anti-socialism House resolution
• Jewish Insider 9/1/26: Rahm Emanuel demands Democrats stop hedging on Hasan Piker’s antisemitism [“‘I can give him a two-by-four upside his head because of what he said,’ Emanuel said in a CNN interview on Monday…”]
• Forbes 8/31/26: El-Sayed Explains Why He Hasn’t Condemned Hasan Piker: ‘We Gotta Stop With The Cancel Culture’
• Fox News 8/31/26: Far-left streamer Hasan Piker equates Israel’s ‘right to exist’ to Nazi Germany
• Washington Post 8/31/26: The politics of the company you keep
• The Forward 8/31/26: Randy Fine denounces ‘rise of Islam in America’ in address to Republican Jewish confab
• Jewish Insider 8/31/26: Michigan AG Nessel tells Jewish Democrats to put ‘needs of world’ ahead of ‘our own survival’
• Yahoo News 8/31/26: El-Sayed: Criticism of Israel Isn’t Criticism of Jews, I’ll Be the “Loudest Critic of the Egyptian Government”
• Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 8/30/26: Abdul El-Sayed and Jamie Raskin sidestep Hasan Piker, and Israel, in Michigan campaign stops
• Washington Examiner 8/30/26: Chuck Schumer’s many compromises to maintain political power
• Jacobin 8/29/26: Centrist Dems Are at War With Their Own Voters on Israel
• Zeteo 8/29/26: Elected Democrats Are Busy Condemning Hasan Piker While Giving Right-Wing Extremists and Islamophobes a Pass. We Have the Receipts
• Mediaite 8/29/26: Dem AG Warns Jewish Democrats Are Being Pushed Out of the Party: ‘Off Putting and Offensive’
• Jerusalem Post 8/29/26: Hasan Piker incites millions against Jews, and the silence is deafening

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – California

• Mercury News 8/29/26: Democratic leader condemns AIPAC-linked ads and party opposition to Wahab

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Florida

• Bloomberg 9/2/26: Why Florida Rep. Moskowitz Isn’t Running Away From AIPAC
• Bloomberg 9/2/26: Rep. Moskowitz on What the DSA Gets “Dramatically Wrong”

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Georgia

• Jewish Insider 8/31/26: Rep. Mike Collins calls former staffers’ antisemitic views ‘abhorrent,’ offers no vetting changes

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Massachusetts

• The Foward 9/2/26: Sen. Markey, a progressive critic of Israel, projected to win Massachusetts Democratic primary in a landslide
• The Algemeiner 9/2/26: Anti-Israel Insurgents Fall Flat in Massachusetts Democratic Primaries
• Jewish Insider 9/2/26: Markey’s victory caps strong night for Massachusetts progressives
• Fox News 9/1/26: House Democrat survives left-flank challenge as Bernie volunteer mounts insurgent bid
• The Atlantic 9/1/26: The Guard That Won’t Be Changing – Massachusetts Democrats chose progressivism over relative youth.
• WFMD 9/1/26: Top Democrat survives double-barreled challenge as party’s Israel divide hits home
• Fox News 9/1/26: Top Democrat survives double-barreled challenge as party’s Israel divide hits home
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 9/1/26: Markey wins Massachusetts Democratic primary, calls to stop Gaza bombing
• Semafor 9/1/26: Markey leads incumbent sweep in Massachusetts
• The Forward 9/1/26: Massachusetts progressive Markey, a longtime Israel critic, expected to rout centrist challenger
• Legis1 9/1/26: Will Massachusetts Dems Choose Generational Change?
• Working Mass 8/30/26: Tram Nguyen Gets $500K in AIPAC-Linked Ad Money as TrackAIPAC Faces Scrutiny in Record MA-6 Race
• The Marblehead Independent 8/30/26: Democrats close ranks behind Nguyen as PAC spends $500K in her favor

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

• Crains Detroit 9/2/26: Democratic donors break with party to back Rogers over El-Sayed in Senate race
• Fox News 9/2/26: Jewish Democrats abandon El-Sayed for GOP rival in all-important battleground state
• Bloomberg 9/2/26: El-Sayed Should Pull an Obama to Repel Republican Attacks
• Jewish Currents 9/1/26: Could Jewish Democrats Actually Cost Abdul El-Sayed a Senate Seat?
• The Bulwark 9/1/26: 10 Jews, 1,000 Opinions, 1 Abdul El-Sayed [“How the Michigan progressive is trying to forge a relationship with the state’s Jewish Democrats, and what it means for the future of the party.”]
• So What/Chris Cillizza 9/1/26: What the *hell* is Abdul El-Sayed doing? The Hasan Piker problem
• Politico 9/1/26: Bernie Sanders: Some Dems would rather lose the Senate than support El-Sayed
• Politico 9/1/26: Dems push back on Sanders’ comments that ‘a few’ want El-Sayed to lose
• Wall Street Journal 8/31/26: Chuck Schumer and Hasan Piker [“Abdul El-Sayed’s pal may cost Democrats a Senate seat. Any thoughts, Senator?“]
• The Forward 8/31/26: Republican Mike Rogers is the Senate candidate Democrats need to save their party
• Axios 8/31/26: El-Sayed courts Jewish Democrats but won’t dump Piker
• Jewish Journal 8/31/26: Michigan Rabbi Says El-Sayed’s Apology is a Non-Apology
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/31/26: What happened in the room where El-Sayed spoke to Jewish Michigan Dems
• Jewish Insider 8/31/26: Vance slams Senate hopeful El-Sayed as ‘very, very evil’ at Michigan rally
• New York Times 8/31/26: How El-Sayed Could Dispatch His Hasan Piker Problem
• The Forward 8/31/26: ‘All of us have to bring down violence wherever we see it,’ El-Sayed says following address to Jewish Democrats
• Jewish Insider 8/30/26: El-Sayed’s apology to Jewish Democrats draws mixed response
• Politico 8/30/26: Trump won the heart of Michigan’s Arab American community. They’re moving away from Mike Rogers.
• i24 News (Israel) 8/30/26: ‘Hurt people hurt people’: El-Sayed apologizes for offering ‘broader perspective’ on attack targeting Jews
• New York Times 8/29/26: ‘I Made a Mistake’: El-Sayed Apologizes for Comment About Synagogue Attack
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/28/26: El-Sayed’s antisemitism is the issue; not Hasan Piker
• The Atlantic (Jonthan Chait) 8/28/26: The Crisis for Democrats in Michigan [“In Michigan, Democrats are trying to avoid handing Republicans their first Senate win in the state in more than three decades. But if El-Sayed wins, he would throw open the doors of the party to a strain of militant politics that many Jews justifiably consider dangerous. The Democratic Party is now divided between those who are trying to force El-Sayed to stop encouraging left-wing anti-Semites and those who give him their unconditional support.” And concluding with: “It is true that losing elections is hard. Losing your moral principles, on the other hand, can be surprisingly easy.“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New Hampshire

• Monadnock Ledger-Transcript 9/3/26: Democratic candidates for Congress highlight affordability, new approach to Israel in NH’s second district
• Roll Call 9/2/26: Democratic race for Pappas seat in New Hampshire grows increasingly bitter
• New York Times 9/2/26: Will the Nepo-Baby Attack Work in the Midterms?
• New Hampshire Journal 8/31/26: Dodging AIPAC, Embracing Harris, Pappas Scrambles as Manzur Gains

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New York

• Washington Examiner 9/3/26: Brad Lander thought he was an ally. The mob just saw a Jew
• Jewish Insider 8/31/26: Lander ‘honored to be invited’ to rally where he got heckled as a Zionist
• Jerusalem Post 8/30/26: ‘Ballsack Zionist’: Jewish politician Lander insulted while protesting NYC Hindu nationalist event

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Ohio

• Jewish Insider 8/31/26: As Brian Poindexter surges against Miller in Ohio, his Israel stance remains unclear

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Big Changes on HFAC
3. Letters & Reports
4. PIKER-MANIA is BAAAAAACK
5. Hearings & Markups
6. Selected Members on the Record
7. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(ISRAEL HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES) S. Res. XXX [resolution text]: On 8/27/26 Sen. Van Hollen (D-MD) issued a press release – Van Hollen, Kaine, Sanders Announce Privileged Resolution Seeking Answers on West Bank Violence. Additional original cosponsors are: Merkley (D-OR), Hirono (D-HI), Heinrich (D-NM), Warren (D-MA), Markey (D-MA), Smith (D-MN), Luján (D-NM), and Welch (D-VT). Also see: Democrats to Force Senate Vote on Israel’s Human Rights Practices (New York Times 8/27/26); Senate Resolution Will Demand Answers on Extremist Israeli Settler Violence Against US Citizens (C0mmon Dreams 8/27/26); Senators Look to Compel Vote to Get Report on West Bank Violence (Bloomberg 8/27/26); Van Hollen, Kaine, Sanders to introduce resolution on ‘violent Israeli settlers’ (Jewish News Syndicate 8/27/26); Van Hollen (D-MD) 8/27/26: X-post w/ video clip – “In just over 4 years, 9 Americans have been killed in the West Bank with 0 accountability. It’s past time we get answers about their deaths & the constant injustices Palestinians face from the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. I’m introducing a resolution requiring the State Dept to begin to answer these questions & I’ll be bringing it to a vote when Congress returns.”; Fine (R-FL) 8/27/26: X-post – “Democrats care more about protecting Hamas terrorists than putting the American people first. They should be ashamed of themselves.”

(TARGETING FOREIGN INFLUENCE ON US SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS) HR 10166 [bill text]: Introduced 8/27/26 by Luna (R-FL) and 15 cosponsors [13 Republicans plus Moskowitz, D-FL, and Gonzales (D-TX)]. “To amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act to require social media influencers to submit registration statements, and for other purposes,” ake that “Foreign Propaganda Disclosure Act.” The bill defines a “social media influencer” as any person who has a monetized social media account on a social media platform.  Also see:

• Luna press release 8/21/26 – Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Introduces Bipartisan Bill Requiring Influencers to Disclose Payments by Foreign Governments; Luna (R-FL) 8/27/26: X-post – “It doesn’t matter who is paying or what message they’re pushing, if a foreign government is buying off influencers to manipulate Americans, it needs to be DISCLOSED. This is happening on BOTH SIDES and it needs to STOP.”
• Luna’s influence operation;  (Politico 8/21/26); Bipartisan group introduces bill to make influencers register under FARA (Jewish Insider 8/24/26); Congress Moves To Crack Down On Influencers Selling Out To Foreign Countries (Daily Wire 8/24/26); Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Hit With AIPAC Questions Over Foreign Influence Bill: ‘She Should Stop Taking AIPAC Money First’ (Nerd Stash 8/28/26);

(UNIVERSITIES MUST COOPERATE WITH ISRAEL – OR ELSE!) HR 4795: Introduced 7/29/25 by Foxx (R-NC) and Gottheimer (D-NJ) and passed by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce 6/25/26, the “Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act” aka “To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit an institution that participates in a nonexpressive commercial boycott of Israel from being eligible for certain funds under that Act, to require an institution that participates in certain programs under that Act to certify that students are not unreasonably obstructed from participating in academic programs in Israel, and for other purposes.” As reported in the 8/1/25 edition of the Round-Up, under this bill, US universities MUST work with Israel/settlements or they will be punished for boycotting, even if they do not have a policy of boycotting. On 8/27/26, HR 4795 was reported out of the Committee on Education and Workforce with a report – H. Rept. 119-780 [not online yet as of 9am 8/28/26; will eventually show up here), and placed on the Union Calendar (meaning it can be brought to the floor for a vote at any time).

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Reporting/posts on previously-introduced legislation:

• Fine (R-FL) 8/26/26: X-post – “I have a bill to tackle the rise of Sharia Law in America, President @realDonaldTrump. My No Sharia Act would ensure that no U.S. court, public agency, or legal institution can ever enforce or legitimize Sharia law in our country.”
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/26/26: Gottheimer asks House leaders to sign onto bipartisan measure decrying Jew-hatred in both parties
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 8/25/26: X-post – “In April, @RepMikeLawler and I introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning antisemitic rhetoric from online personalities like Hasan Piker and Candace Owens. Piker just proved exactly why we need it. Telling millions of Americans that Jews who support the US-Israel relationship bring violence on themselves is sick, wrong, and straight out of the Nazi playbook. Republican leadership should to bring our resolution to the floor for a vote next week!” Also see Gottheimer press release – Gottheimer Calls on Republican Leadership to Bring Bipartisan Resolution to Floor Next Week Condemning Bigot Streamers Hasan Piker & Candace Owens
• Jerusalem Post 8/25/26: Fringe rabbis recruit Jewish clergy to lobby against US military aid to Israel, halt weapons sales
• Cruz (R-TX) 8/23/26: X-post – “The First Amendment guarantees every American the right to freely exercise their faith, and Congress has a duty to ensure that guarantee is met. In recent years, we have seen organized acts of hate meant to disrupt and deny that right, which have been untenably defended as speech. That is why I am introducing the Right to Worship Act, and I urge my colleagues to support it.” Boosting 8/22/26 op-ed in the Hill be the ADL’s Jonathan Greenblatt: The right to worship shall not be infringed — an op-ed supporting new legislation to create protest-free buffer zones around houses of worship to prevent the disruption/obstruction of worship (which the ADL’s press release on introduction of the bill make clear is intended to be interpreted so broadly as to block protests over wholly non-religious events — like mid-week settlement real estate sales held in synagogues). For more details see the 8/7/26 edition of the Round-Up. Also see: Seven Arizonans advocate for legislation combating antisemitism in Washington, D.C. (Arizona Jewish News 8/27/26)

2. Big Changes on HFAC

On 8/25/26, House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Minority Member Meeks (D-NY) announced changes on the Committee. Most important, Democratic House leaders have made AIPAC-supported/aligned Moskowitz (D-FL) — arguably the House Democrat who is the most hardline pro-Israel, the most hostile to Palestinians, and the most hawkish on Iran (and pro-Iran War) — the new Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee.

This means that, in the event that Democrats win back the House in midterms, Moskowitz will become chairman of the key House decision-making body dealing with Israel/Palestine/Iran.

And in that same vein, Meeks announced that two other strongly pro-Israel/AIPAC-aligned Democrats were being added to the committee: Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Bell (D-MO). Also joining the Committee is Pocan (D-WI), who is a strong defender of Palestinian rights. Meeks also named Jackson (D-IL) as Ranking Member of the Oversight and Intelligence Subcommittee. Also see:

Media & journalists coverage/comments:

• Florida Sun Sentinel 8/28/26: Democratic leaders give Moskowitz role in Middle East policy — and potential election-season boost among Jewish voters
• New Y0rk Times 8/27/26: Progressives Condemn Pick of Pro-Israel Democrat Atop House Panel [“Outrage over making Representative Jared Moskowitz, who is vocally pro-Israel, the top Democrat on a Middle East policy subcommittee reflected the party’s rift over Israel.“]
• Re-Thinking Foreign Policy 8/27/26: Democrats Appoint Three AIPAC Shills To HFAC. What Does That Mean For Progressives?
• Prem Thakker/Zeteo 8/26/26: X-post – “After new polling shows Democrats in all six of the first 2028 primary states overwhelmingly in support of sanctioning & cutting weapons to Israel, Hakeem Jeffries elevates one of the most pro-Israel Democrats in Congress to lead the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee:”
• The Tennessee Holler 8/26/26: X-post – “So as Democratic voters completely oppose the war and aiding Israel, @HouseDemocrats are putting AIPAC-backed @RepMoskowitz — who is ‘to the right’ of Vance on the war and Israel, in a key position. And they wonder why the DSA is gaining steam?”
• The Tennessee Holler 8/26/26: X-post – “In naming @RepMoskowitz ranking member of this subcommittee the @HouseDemocrats are again showing they don’t care that their voter base is overwhelmingly done supporting Israel’s genocide”
• The Hill 8/26/26: House Foreign Affairs Committee adds pro-Israel Democrats
• House Dems’ pro-Israel wing gains power on key panel (Axios 8/25/26) [“A trio of vocally pro-Israel House Democrats were given powerful posts on the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday, with one taking the reins of the subcommittee that oversees U.S.-Middle East policy. Why it matters: It is a substantial win for the party’s pro-Israel wing despite growing pro-Palestinian sentiment among the party’s grassroots. And it could have global ramifications, with Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) indicating that, if he becomes chair of the Middle East and North Africa subcommittee next year, he will use the position to shore up U.S. support for Israel. ‘If Democrats take control of the House, I’ll be in a position to help steer U.S. policy on Israel and the Middle East,’ he told Axios.”]
• Florida Politics 8/25/26: Jared Moskowitz named Ranking Democrat on House Middle East Subcommittee [“I will use this position to strengthen the unbreakable relationship between the United States and Israel.”]
• Common Dreams 8/25/26: ‘Political Malpractice’: Israel Hawk Moskowitz Picked for Key House Mideast Post [“‘How much damage will Democratic leaders cause to their own brand and party for AIPAC money?’ asked one critic.“]
• Moskowitz to take over as top Democrat on Middle East subcommittee [“The move strengthens the pro-Israel presence within the Democratic Party, and helps Moskowitz make the case for reelection in a GOP-leaning district“] (Jewish Insider 8/25/26)
• Washington Examiner 8/25/26: Progressives rage after Democrats tap pro-Israel Moskowitz for key Middle East post
• Vos Iz Neias New 8/25/26: Two Pro-Israel Florida Democrats Take New House Foreign Affairs Roles

• Prem Thakker (Zeteo) 8/25/26: X-post – “After new polling shows Democrats in all six of the first 2028 primary states overwhelmingly in support of sanctioning & cutting weapons to Israel, Hakeem Jeffries elevates one of the most pro-Israel Democrats in Congress to lead the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee”
• Ali Harb 8/25/26: X-post – “If Dems retake the House, a congressman who proclaims himself to be the right of JD Vance and Steve Witkoff on Iran, will chair the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East. He immediately promised ‘to strengthen America’s relationships with Israel.’”
• DropSite News 8/25/26: X-post – “Democratic Party chooses bench to oversee genocide in Gaza — House Democrats are stacking key foreign-policy posts in Congress with some of the most reliable defenders of Israel’s genocidal project in Palestine and the broader region. On Tuesday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee named Jared Moskowitz its top Democrat on the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, succeeding longtime Israel hawk Brad Sherman. Meanwhile, Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Wesley Bell newly joined the full committee. Moskowitz backs continued unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel; Wasserman Schultz has called her support “unwavering” and pledged to keep using U.S. taxpayer funds to arm Israel’s military. Bell reached Congress after AIPAC’s super PAC spent a massive $8.5 million to defeat ceasefire advocate Cori Bush in 2024, the most expensive primary ever at the time.”
• Akbar Shahid Ahmed 8/25/26: X-post – “Notable on Dem leadership from a key voice in conversations about the party’s foreign policy. Moskowitz’s appointment reflects the sense among some power players a return to old Isr-Pal policy is possible. But fierce+ crucially open pushback reflects a serious, organized bid to avoid the experience of Trump 1 into Biden: traditional tendencies (fear of being seen as “weak” or “radical”) driving policy. Biden echoed Trump on I/P—to disastrous results there+domestically. Also reflected: continued establishment refusal to see Gaza sentiment as serious.”

Members of Congress comment:

• Moskowitz (D-FL) 8/25/26: X-post – “I’m honored to be named Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa. At a moment of enormous change across the region, I’ll work to strengthen America’s relationships with Israel and our Gulf allies, expand regional peace, advance American diplomacy, and ensure our foreign policy is grounded in strength, security, and reality. I’m ready to get to work” Commenting on Moskowitz’s post, Jamal Abdi (NIAC) 8/26/26: X-post – “Why do so many people believe that Democrats winning back Congress will change nothing?”
• Lawler (R-NY) 8/25/26: X-post – “Congratulations to my friend @RepMoskowitz on his appointment as Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa. As Chair, I look forward to partnering with him to protect America’s interests in the region, combat Iran and its malign influence and terror proxy network, and stand resolute in support of a strong US-Israel relationship.”
• Sherman (D-CA) 8/25/26: X-post – “I know that Jared will do an excellent job on the Subcommittee this year and in the years to come.”

Other statements/commentary:

• Justice Democrats 8/26/26: X-post – “Democratic voters: Please stop giving our tax dollars to Israel | Democratic leadership: What if we give three AIPAC Democrats more power over our foreign policy instead?”
• CAIR 8/26/26: press release – CAIR Calls House Democrats’ Appointment of Israel’s ‘Most Committed Enablers’ to Foreign Affairs Committee an Insult to Voters and Desperate Attempt to Shield Israel from Accountability
• Ted Deutch/American Jewish Committee 8/25/26: X-post – “Congratulations to my friend and fellow Floridan @RepMoskowitz, as he’s set to lead the Democrats on the @HouseForeign subcommittee for the Middle East and North Africa.   In a moment marked by instability, violence, and increasing demonization of Israel, Jared’s leadership, communication skills, and moral clarity will help Congress advance meaningful steps toward peace and security throughout the region.”
• Democratic Majority for Israel 8/25/26: X-post – “Congratulations to Rep. Jared Moskowitz on his selection as Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East & North Africa. We look forward to his leadership in strengthening the U.S.-Israel alliance and advancing peace and security across the region.”
• A New Policy 8/25/26: X-post –“If Democrats retake the House, many Americans will expect them to hold Hearings on U.S. policy on Israel & Israel’s actions in Gaza & across the region. Selecting one of Israel’s biggest cheerleaders to run the relevant Committee is a deliberate move to shut down that avenue.”
• IMEU Policy Project 8/25/26: X-post – “Just as the Democratic Party is asking its voters to donate and volunteer for the midterms, party leadership in Congress elevated one of its most out-of-step members to block the changes most Democratic voters are demanding. This encapsulates so much about what’s wrong with today’s Democratic Party leadership.”
• Just Foreign Policy 8/25/25: X-post – “Just Foreign Policy condemns this deeply divisive & immoral move by @HouseDemocrats to name Moskowitz as top @HouseForeign Dem for Mideast @RepMoskowitz @DWStweets @WesleyBell4MO are fringe, pro-war, Israel First voices who don’t represent the views of Americans or the Dem base”
• Margaret Zaknoen DeReus/IMEU 8/25/26: X-post – “Israel has become a 90/10 issue for Democrats. Yet someone aligned with the 10 percent has been chosen for this role. Why does Democratic leadership seem so hellbent on ignoring its own voters, despite the overwhelming evidence that doing so on this particular issue played a big role in losing so spectacularly to Donald Trump?”
• Rob Flaherty [former Biden/Harris team] 8/25/26: X-post – “A baffling direction on the merits, but doubly baffling to not even care enough about the optics to even mention Gaza in passing. Leadership has their head in the sand about where the public is here.”
• Ben Rhodes 8/25/26: X-post – “Really disappointing from Meeks. I cannot believe he actually opposes the war in Iran if he puts one of the only Dems who supported the war in Iran in charge of the subcommittee responsible for it.”
• Ben Rhodes 8/25/26: X-post – “Dems are counting on people not noticing how they approach governing. Appointments on HFAC are a signal of what the party cares about and the disregard for war crimes and voter concerns could not be clearer.”
• Ben Rhodes 8/25/26: X-post – “Democratic voters are expected to knock on doors donate, make phone calls, vote, and deliver a majority. And then have their views completely ignored.”

3. Letters & Reports

• (TRUE COSTS OF IRAN WAR) 8/27/26: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Demands Answers on True Cost of Iran War for New Mexican Families [letter text]
• (IRAN WAR STRAIN ON TROOPS) 8/26/26: King and Colleagues Call for Committee Hearing on Needless, Avoidable Shortages and Strain on Troops [letter text]
• (DEAR BIBI: STOP SETTLER VIOLENCE, PROTECT AMCITS) 8/26/26: Sen. Schiff, Leader Schumer, Sen. Booker, Lead 45 Senators in Urging Netanyahu to Immediately Crack Down on Settler Violence in West Bank, Protect U.S. Citizens [letter text]. Also see: Jewish Insider 8/26/26: Senate Democrats call on Netanyahu to crack down on West Bank settler violence
• (ISLAM IS A THREAT TO AMERICA!) 8/26/26: Rep. Roy Sounds Alarm Over Islamic Development Near Camp Bullis Military Base [letter text]. Also see: Chip Roy Sounds Alarm Over Islamic Development Near Military Base (Daily Signal 8/26/26)
• (FREE AMERICAN CITIZEN BEING HELD BY IDF) 8/25/26: Rep. Tlaib, 40 colleagues demand release of U.S. citizen in Israeli military prison in bicameral letter [letter text]. Also see: Tlaib (D-MI) 8/25/26: X-post – “For nearly 3 months, Sama Safi, a 20-year-old US citizen, has suffered in an Israeli military prison. She has a chronic health condition, and doctors warn she may experience irreversible organ damage. My colleagues and I are demanding that Secretary Rubio secure her release immediately.” Also see: International Business Times 8/26/26: Lawmakers Expose Israeli Torture of Sick Twenty-Year-Old American Student Detained Without Trial
• (NEED ACCOUNTING FOR “BOARD OF PEACE” SLUSH FUND) 8/25/26: Ranking Members Meeks, Raskin Demand Accounting of Trump’s Shadowy “Board of Peace” Global Slush Fund [letter]
• (BRIEF CONGRESS ON IRAN WAR TOLL ON TROOPS) 8/24/26: Duckworth, SASC Democrats Call on Chairman Wicker to Hold a Hearing on the Trump Administration’s Worsening Strain on Troops from Extended War in Iran [letter text]
• (USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN SCANDAL) 8/24/26: As USS Lincoln Heads Home—Murray, Coons Call for Immediate Independent Investigation of Extended Deployments & Unacceptable Quality of Life Issues on Aircraft Carriers [letter text]

4. PIKER-MANIA Is BAAAAAACK!!!!!

After going dormant for a short period, the Democrats’ “LET’S-SHIFT-ALL-FOCUS-AWAY-FROM-REAL-ISSUES-TO-A-TOTALLY-MANUFACTURED-HASAN-PIKER-CENTERED-CONTROVERSY-IN-FURTHERANCE-OF-UNDERMINING-PROGRESSIVES-AND-ESPECIALLY-CRITICS-OF-ISRAEL/ZIONISM“ campaign (henceforth referred to as PIKER-MANIA) is back — and with a vengeance that appears directly proportional to the shock/outrage/fear felt in various quarters over: the successes in U.S. primaries of candidates who are openly critical of Israel/Zionism; the rising radioactivity of AIPAC; the rapidly expanding grassroots opposition to U.S. support for Israel; and the growing power of DSA as a force in Democratic politics, at the expense of legacy Democratic party leaders and power-holders.

WHAT IS THIS MANUFACTURED CONTROVERSY OSTENSIBLY ABOUT?

The hook for this round of PIKER-MANIA is a live stream Piker did on Twitch last week, during which he offered some stream-of-consciousness thoughts on antisemitism and Israel, sparked by a clip of (Jewish) authors Eli Clifton and Ian Lustick discussing their new book, Israel’s Lobby, on Mehdi Hassan’s show. In the course of these comments Piker also displayed a photo of Michigan State Senator Jeremy Moss, who has of late been caught up in controversy over a viral audio clip — which Moss says is fake — in which a voice that is purported to be Moss says that the entire purpose of his campaign for the U.S. House is to ensure America continues to support Israel.

Critics of Piker are accusing him of saying a lot of things that, in fact, he didn’t say. So it is important, as a starting point, to review what he DID say. Note: this transcript was prepared by me – not by an AI and not taken from any other source – based on my listening to/watching the relevant part of the livestream over and over and over. For clarity I have left out repeated words and other sounds/interjections that are not germane to his comments. I have also left out — where you see ellipses — where he was reading aloud from listeners comments [much of what he said was in direct answer to and in some cases rebuttal/rejection of such comments]:

• “This has been my demand – for prominent American Jews who have connections to the state of Israel to varying degrees, to come out and loudly declare Zionism to be a separate thing from Judaism… It is very important to break through this media framing device that has been used to defend Israel over and over again, [claiming] that all Jews are united in their defense of Israel, that Zionism and Judaism are inseparable. It’s bullshit. No one is monolithic. Jews are not a monolithic people in their defense of Israel… This notion that Jews behave in this tribalistic manner, all they care about is Israel – you’re [the listener who sent the comment] falling for the media propaganda. To me, I’m not going to listen to Jake Tapper on this issue, because he presents it in the same way as Nick Fuentes does. They both believe Jews operate in a monolithic manner, and that they have a singular investment in the continuation of the state of Israel. Of course Jake Tapper would simultaneously say that is very antisemitic when Nick Fuentes says it, but he says it himself. I don’t agree with that…”
• “The anti-Zionist Jews in my community, you have a very tough job ahead of you. …you have to go back to your communities and try to get your elderly relatives to understand that this connection between Israel and Zionism that is expressed over and over again through a lot of these Jewish institutions is teaching people the idea that Jews ARE monolithic — and this is a dangerous mode of propaganda. And you want to know why? Because people don’t fuck with Israel any longer – and if Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone’s going to come around and take action — not against the state of Israel, mind you, but against American Jews. …We’re teaching people the wrong lesson. At the end of the day, American Jews do not prioritize Israel, but they do prioritize antisemitism. And that’s precisely the reason why a lot of this propaganda that is facing the American Jewish side from a lot of these Jewish outlets will tie the two, all the time…”
• “American Jews do care about antisemitism – it’s understandable to care about antisemitism. They don’t care about Israel. So how do you tie the two? You say, ‘well, Israel is the only thing standing in the way of the next Holocaust happening.’ That’s how you do it. That’s how you do it. So every single time you have prominent Zionist Jews come out and be, like, ‘no, this is antisemitic, to oppose Israel is antisemitic,’ you’re teaching people the trope of dual loyalty. That’s what you’re teaching people. After you teach them that, you can’t turn around and say, ‘oh, well this is dual loyalty, this is antisemitic’ — cuz at a certain point people are not going to give a shit. And we’re already past that point. It’s that simple… They’re not going to give up on claiming that people are antisemitic, of course. They’re gonna keep doing that cuz there’s a lot of  institutional value — there are a lot of institutions that will still take action once the antisemitism allegation is brought up…”
• “I don’t know how people don’t recognize how dangerous this predicament is, how dangerous this is for Jews. You’re running around basically tying your entire identity to a country that inevitably will be seen as basically Jewish ISIS, and you’re saying, ‘as Jews this is all we care about.’ You’re making antisemitism worse.”

One can agree or disagree with some or all of Piker’s take, but self-evidently nothing he said represents a call to attack Jews, endorsement of attacking Jews, or justification for attacking Jews. Rather, Piker is warning that the conflation of Israel/Zionism with Judaism/Jews is DANGEROUS in that it quite literally creates a permission structure in which people who are angry with Israel/Zionism may feel justified in directing their anger NOT at Israel but at Jews. And notably, this same warning has been articulated previously, in various words/framing, by many, many Jewish experts, academics, pundits, etc. —  including the likes of Hannah Arendt, Ezra Klein, Tony Judt, David Klion, Tom Friedman, Sam Seder, and Norman Solomon. For a sampling of additional insightful/non-insane Jewish commentary on the current manufactured  controversy, see: Dov Waxman [also here], Leah Greenberg, Glenn Greenwald, Rafael Shimunov, Aaron Regunberg [also here], Arno Rosenfeld, Madeline Summerville, Justin Kanew. Also see: Jewish News Syndicate 6/25/26: Conflating Judaism and Zionism fuels antisemitism, experts tell gov panel [“’Anti-Zionism can be a framework for justifying anti-Jewish hostility,’ Rafaela Dancygier, of Princeton University, told the New Jersey Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.”]

Also, from the “there’s always a tweet” archives, check out this 7/7/26 X-post from Neera Tanden (who, unsurprisingly, has been joining in on the PIKER-MANIA this week): “Here @netanyahu, who hopefully will lose his job, here attacks @HaleyforMI, for stating the obvious fact that @netanyahu is making Jews in America and the world less safe.” She was commenting on post w/ video clip from Andrew Bates: “.@Netanyahu melts down at @HaleyforMI’s quote calling him out for his war crimes putting American Jews in danger. Accuses her of somehow excusing antisemitism before getting fact checked by @DanaBashCNN.” And as a reminder, Rep. Stevens responded to Netanyahu’s criticism with: “It is very clear that Mr. Netanyahu has not made us safer, has not brought us closer to peace. And he’s endangered Jews here in America and around the world.”

WHAT, SPECIFICALLY, KICKED OFF THIS PIKER-MANIA?

Piker’s livestream took place days before this crisis broke out. So what kicked off the mania? Political Research Associates’ Ben Lorber sought to answer that question, in an X-thread 8/26/26 (emphasis added by me):

• By joining the pile-on against Hasan Piker, Democrats & liberals are running the Right’s disinformation playbook for them– the same playbook the Right uses before every election. This time around the moral panic was created by a far-right pro-Israel account named Max Nordau [screen shots of the posts are included]
• Nordau regularly posts vitriolic xenophobia, white supremacy & Islamophobia alongside his main focus on defending Israel’s genocide. He deceptively edited Hasan Piker’s monologue to make it seem like a threat to American Jews. It wasn’t. Full clip here–https://x.com/ogreboy6/status/2092634343038759363. [with screen shots of examples of xenophobic, white supremacists, and Islamophobic posts from this account]
• We have seen the same bad-faith disinfo attacks for a decade now against so many progressive leaders of color, from AOC, Ilhan Omar & the Women’s March in 2018 to AES, Piker & many others today. Many of the people who joined the pile-on this time around claim to know better.
• This is a deliberate strategy by the Right to demonize their opponents before the midterms. The playbook is so effective because centrist & liberals on the other side of the aisle keep falling for it. Stop doing MAGA’s work for them!
• During the Trump 1.0 midterms, MAGA faced an image crisis. Unite the Right exposed their extremism. Pointing the finger at Women’s March helped them change the narrative. Now antisemitism was an equal threat on ‘both sides’. Dems played right along. Same thing happening now
• They want every ‘respectable’ liberal between now and November to have to condemn Hasan Piker every time they open their mouth to condemn Nick Fuentes. They hope this will dampen turnout enough to blunt a blue wave at the ballot box. Don’t fall for it!”

HOW ARE DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS REACTING?

In what has felt very much like an orchestrated response, this week has witnessed a slew of Democrats (from both the House and Senate) go all-in on PIKER-MANIA. These statements have employed ever-escalating language that self-evidently has NOTHING to do with what Piker actually said, suggesting that the members in question either (a) don’t know what he said, because they didn’t bother to confirm what he said before denoucing him, (b) they know what he said, but decided, for their own purposes, to deliberately mispresent his words: 

• Ossoff (D-GA): Ossoff ‘unreservedly rejects’ Piker’s comments on Jewish support for Israel (Jewish Insider 8/27/26)[in statement to media; Ossoff has not published a separate statement or post on social media as of this writing]
• Sherman (D-CA) 8/25/26: X-post – “Hasan Piker is trying to encourage and justify violence against American Jews. And he’s saying that if violence does occur, it’s the fault of those in the Jewish community who publicly support Israel. We faced tougher threats than those of Mr. Piker, who’s literally a piker. We will not be silenced.”
• Auchincloss (D-MA) 8/26/26: X-post w/ video clip – “I rejected his rhetoric before his recent call to violence against an American Jew, and now I’ll be even more direct: every Democrat needs to be condemning Hasan Piker’s hate against Jews.” Arno Rosenfeld/Haaretz responding to Auchincloss 8/27/26: X-post – “This is not what Piker said — there’s plenty to take issue with about how Piker described the parameters of Jewish safety but this has turned into a very strange game of telephone”’ Dave Weigel responding to Auchincloss 8/27/26: X-post – “Piker didn’t issue a ‘call to violence against an American Jew.’ Interesting that the post claims that, as Auchincloss doesn’t say it in the clip.”
  
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 8/26/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Blaming Jews for the violence targeting them is the oldest, ugliest lie there is, and straight out of the Nazi playbook. Any politician who shares a stage with a hate-peddling grifter like Hasan Piker owns every bit of it.”
• Panetta (D-CA) 8/26/26: X-post – “The suggestion that Jewish Americans who publicly support Israel bear responsibility for violence against the broader Jewish community is wrong, reckless, and antisemitic. With a platform reaching millions of people, Hasan Piker’s rhetoric that blames Jews for the hatred and violence directed against them gives cover to those committing anti-Jewish hate crimes. We can thoughtfully debate the policies of the Israeli government and American foreign policy, but political disagreement can never justify violence against individuals or their communities. We must unequivocally condemn antisemitism in all its forms and stand with Jewish communities in America and around the world.”
• Fetterman (D-PA) 8/26/26: X-post – “This bromance is a buddy movie about defending Hamas + a parade of deeply antisemitic rhetoric. ‘Two BIG thumbs up!’ – Iran” With screenshot of National Review article – No Daylight Between Abdul El-Sayed and Hasan Piker
• Booker (D-NJ) 8/25/26; X-post – “Hasan Piker’s dangerous and hateful language targeting Jewish Americans has no place in our civic discourse. Suggesting that Jewish Americans bear responsibility for hatred or violence directed against them is wrong, dangerous, and antisemitic. We can, and should, argue fiercely over policy. We should have meaningful dialogue and debate about the policies and actions of the Israeli government and American foreign policy. That is the lifeblood of democracy. But that’s not what this is. No American should be told that their political beliefs make them responsible for hatred or violence directed against them. There is a bright line between vigorous debate and rhetoric that stokes hatred toward our neighbors. Mr. Piker has crossed that line, repeatedly and unmistakably.” Commenting on Booker’s post: Matt Lieb 8/25/26: X-post – “I love that the entire democratic establishment just invented an antisemitic statement to smear Hasan with.” Also commenting on Booker’s X-post – Tennessee Holler 8/26/26: “Quiet everyone! The guy who voted to confirm Kushner’s convicted felon dad as our ambassador to France has some thoughts about morality”
• Aguilar (D-CA) 8/25/26: X-post – “Comments that blame American Jews for threats against them are incredibly harmful and dangerous. There is no place for violence in this country. As leaders we must stand up to hate and antisemitism wherever we see it.”
• Sherman (D-CA) 8/25/26: X-post – “Hasan Piker is trying to encourage and justify violence against American Jews. And he’s saying that if violence does occur, it’s the fault of those in the Jewish community who publicly support Israel. We faced tougher threats than those of Mr. Piker, who’s literally a piker. We will not be silenced.” Responding to Sherman’s X-post – Mehdi Hassan 8/26/26: “He has neither ‘encouraged’ nor ‘justified’ violence against American Jews. Literally zero evidence for that. That these pro-Israel Dems never actually quote him in their condemnations tells you everything you need to know about their deliberate dishonesty and gaslighting.”
• Stanton (D-AZ) 8/25/26: X-post – “Framing violence against Jewish Americans as something they brought on themselves shifts the blame from the perpetrators onto the very people they want to harm. That’s dangerous, and it makes our communities less safe. We must reject antisemitism and intolerance in all its forms.”
• Slotkin (D-MI) 8/25/26: X-post – “In response to Hasan Piker’s recent comments on Jews in America being targeted because of their views on Israel: This shouldn’t be hard: no community should face the threat violence for their political views. Period. That goes if you’re pro-Israel, pro-Palestine, pro-choice, pro-life or any other cause you care about. And blaming the victims of violence for bringing it on themselves only further endangers people. In a time where political violence and anti-semitism has been spiking— and where just 6 months ago Michigan had a nearly deadly event of anti-semitic mass violence at Temple Israel — no one should causally be suggesting that anyone, Jews or otherwise, are to blame for being targeted.”
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 8/25/26: X-post w/ Fox News video clip – “Telling millions of followers that Jewish Americans are bringing violence on themselves is blatantly antisemitic and one of the oldest tropes in the book. Anyone who campaigns with Piker or elevates him is complicit in the rising antisemitism and anti-American hatred in this country. There’s no room for it in the Democratic Party.”
• Torres (D-NY) 8/25/26: X-post – “The extremes of American politics love to blame Jews for antisemitism rather than the antisemites themselves. Let me put it plainly: there is absolutely no justification for antisemitism. There never has been, and there never will be. No amount of victim-blaming or gaslighting by Hasan Piker can shift moral responsibility away from where it belongs: the antisemites who commit acts of violence and terror against Jews.”
• Schneider (D-IL) 8/25/26: X-post – “All of us should strive to be a light against the darkness of hate and work toward a brighter future where everyone can thrive without threat of violence. My full statement on Hasan Piker’s call to violence against American Jews.”
• Rosen (D-NV) 8/25/26: X-post – “Hasan Piker has been trafficking in antisemitic tropes for a while but even this is a new low. Blaming Jewish Americans for the violence and hate they’re facing is not just wrong, it provides an excuse to those perpetuating these anti-Jewish hate crimes. Let me be absolutely clear: crimes against Jews for being Jews is antisemitism plain and simple. There’s no excuse for it.”
• Jeffries (D-NY) 8/25/26 on CNN: on Piker’s comments – “those comments were dangerous, malicious and antisemitic and should not be tolerated by anyone in the public square. What we’ve seen is a startling rise of hate crimes all across the United States of America, but particularly in this moment directed against our Jewish brothers and sisters. And everybody, regardless of ideological perspective, should be willing to denounce this rise of antisemitic rhetoric, hate crimes and bigotry and actually try to move us to a society where we embrace everyone. Even where there are differences on issues, be they foreign or domestic, the notion that people should be targeted because of their religious beliefs or ethnicity or race, whatever the case may be, that’s fundamentally inconsistent with who we are in this country.“
• Jeffries (D-NY) 8/24/26: X-post – “The malicious claim that American Jews are inviting violence against themselves is dangerous and antisemitic. There is zero justification for threats against the safety of our Jewish brothers and sisters at a moment of rising hate. We will fight the cancer of antisemitism with the fierce urgency of now.” Hasan Piker 8/24/26: responding to Jeffries – “do not let a coordinated republican smear campaign become “reality.” my argument against the dangerous false conflation between zionism and judaism which in turn increases antisemitism is now turned on it’s head. zionism is not judaism. antizionism is not antisemitism.”
• Scholten (D-MI) 8/24/26: X-post – “Today, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten issued the following statement after Twitch streamer Hasan Piker said that American Jews who support Israel are inviting violence…In his stream, Piker directly discussed and targeted Michigan State Senator Jeremy Moss, showing his picture while stating that “eventually someone will come around and take action not against Israel, but against American Jews.” Hasan Piker response to Scholten 8/24/26: X-post – “if i was an israel 1st congresswoman with a possible cheating scandal with a republican in the state, i wouldn’t spend so much time vying for the spotlight by actively defaming a prominent antizionist voice to harm the dem senate majority chances over a 90/10 issue.”
• Scholten (D-MI) 8/24/26: press release – “Hasan Piker’s talk of violence against American Jews, and directly naming a Michigan elected official, and future member of Congress, Jeremy Moss, is unacceptable. Full stop. Piker is a hack who thrives on hate, shock and awe because he lacks substance. It’s dangerous for everyone. We should all be calling out this disgusting rhetoric so it loses its grip on our politics once and for all. It has no place in Michigan, and no place in our country.”
• Lee (D-NV) 8/24/26: X-post – “Claims that American Jews are responsible for the violence being committed against their communities are unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. It’s dangerous and antisemitic. We must stand up to the scourge of antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head.”
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 8/23/26: X-post – “The only one inciting violence against American Jews is Piker and his rhetoric. For the future of our party, Democrats have to call out his hate and condemn these dangerous views. Anyone campaigning with him is part of the problem.”
• Sanders (I-VT) 8/24/26: X-post – “Trump-pardoned January 6 rioter Jake Lang is in Michigan targeting Abdul El-Sayed, burning Qurans and calling Muslims ‘insidious parasites.’ Will Mike Rogers and the Republican leadership condemn Lang’s bigotry and hatred—or will they continue to fan the flames of Islamophobia?” Rogers (R-MI) 8/24/26 X-post  in response: “Hey Bernie — unlike Abdul El-Sayed, I have no issue disavowing fringe extremists who promote violence and seek to divide our state and country. Jake Lang is all of those things. While I have your attention, I would like to know if Abdul will definitely say that he will not affiliate with people like Hasan Piker — who thinks that America deserved 9/11, self identifies as a racist, and calls for the public execution of American capitalists.  Could you check in with your boy on that and let us know where he stands?”

HOW ARE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS REACTING?

Republicans in Congress are so far largely staying on the sidelines of this round of PIKER-MANIA, where they are likely celebrating as mainstream Democrats go all-in trying to destroy their own progressives. Not to mention the added bonus that this PIKER-MANIA is feeding/validating the narrative that it is Democrats, not Republicans, that have an “antisemitism problem” and completely erasing from the public debate any focus on the Islamophobia that surging in the U.S., both in general and, in particular, in connection with midterms.

• Fox News 8/27/26: Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Dems have a big problem named Hasan Piker
• Fine (R-FL) 8/27/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Democrats lined up behind Hasan Piker, now they’re losing it when anyone asks about him. This is the same guy who openly supports Muslim terror and wants Republicans dead. We must get him out of America.”
• McClain (R-MI) 8/26/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Hasan Piker said people will ‘take action against American Jews for supporting Israel. He’s antisemitic and dangerous. The Democrats OWN Piker —this is who they are.”
• Senate Republicans 8/25/26: X-post – “Hasan Piker’s threats against Jewish Americans aren’t new. Neither is Abdul El-Sayed running cover for him. ‘They are taking things out of context he’s said… he has taken great pains to condemn antisemitism.’”
• Rogers (R-MI) 8/24/26: X-post – “Let me be clear: I’m in no way expecting you to support me — but in the Senate, I will defend your right to safety regardless. Meanwhile, Abdul won’t call out the ‘twitch streamer’ threatening you and other American Jews.”
• Rogers (R-MI) 8/23/26: X-post – “More calls for violence coming out of the El-Sayed campaign… Here is his running mate, Hasan Piker, saying that if AMERICAN JEWS support Israel, they will be violently targeted because of it. This is all in reaction to Michigan Democratic Congressional candidate Jeremy Moss, who happens to be Jewish, saying he is unsure if he will be able to support Abdul for these very reasons. Absolutely DISGUSTING. If Abdul El-Sayed had any courage at all, he would call this out and disavow Hasan Piker once and for all. We’re waiting, Abdul…”

CALLING B.S. ON THE LIES/SPIN AT THE ROOT OF THIS PIKER-MANIA

Ryan Grim/DropSite 8/27/26: X-thread:“Hasan Piker has now been condemned by dozens of Democratic senators and members of Congress, which must mean that his comments were so horrifying they would shock anyone with a conscience. According to these fairly scripted denunciations, Piker said that American Jews ‘deserve’ or ‘bear responsibility’ for rising antisemitism. Here’s how Sen. Cory Booker put it: ‘Suggesting that Jewish Americans bear responsibility for hatred or violence directed against them is wrong, dangerous, and antisemitic.’ Rep. Jimmy Panetta edited it slightly, saying: ‘The suggestion that Jewish Americans who publicly support Israel bear responsibility for violence against the broader Jewish community is wrong, reckless, and antisemitic.’ So if Hasan Piker’s remarks were severe enough to warrant this extensive round of condemnation, it should be easy to pick them out. See if you can find his below. (The answer is in the reply.)

• ‘You can’t have the kind of policies the government of Israel is engaged in and not expect that there’s gonna be pushback and backlash. The people that say that people that disagree with the policies of the government of Israel are antisemites are frankly full of shit and they need to be told that.; 1
• ‘Anti-Zionism is rising as a response to what Israel is doing. It will simply not be possible to treat it as a marginal viewpoint that can be shamed or shunned into invisibility. Yes, antisemitism often cloaks itself in anti-Zionism. So don’t do the antisemites’ work for them. If you keep telling people that if they oppose the Jewish state then they must hate the Jewish people, eventually, they will believe you.’ 2
• ‘Look, the anti-Zionist Jews in my community, you have a very tough job ahead of you, where you have to go back to your communities and try to get your elderly relatives to understand that this connection between Israel and Zionism that is expressed over and over again through a lot of these Jewish institutions . . . is teaching people the idea that Jews are monolithic. And this is a dangerous…mode of propaganda…If Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone’s going to come around and take action. Not against the State of Israel, mind you, but against American Jews…I don’t know how many different ways I can explain this. I don’t know how people don’t recognize how dangerous this predicament is, how dangerous this is for Jews.; ‘3
• ‘A lot of the actions by [Netanyahu and his] government are making Jews in the United States unsafe.’ 4
• ‘Benjamin Netanyahu has made us less safe. He has frankly put Jews in an uncomfortable position across the country.’ 5
• It is an ‘obvious fact that Netanyahu is making Jews in America and the world less safe.’ 6

Here’s who said each of these: 1. James Carville 2. Ezra Klein 3. Hasan Piker 4. Dana Bash, speaking to Netanyahu 5. Haley Stevens, quoted by Dana Bash 6. Neera Tanden”

• 8/27/26: Video commentary on this whole thing on X, from an account called @Rhir0gue – “First commentary video! It’s a bit rough around the edges but I’ll get better. On the condemnations of Hasan and how Zionism foments antisemitism“
• Hasan Piker 8/27/26: X-post – “a lot of this frenzy cynically revolves around the bigoted idea that a muslim antizionist can’t possibly sincerely care about antisemitism no matter how much evidence there is to prove we do.“
• Matt Duss/CIP 8/27/26: X-post – “There’s a massive effort right now to convince you that a movement that worked like hell to elect the first Jewish president is actually antisemitic. Don’t fall for it.”
• Adam Johnson 8/27/26: X-post – “Can’t believe we’re on our 800th iteration of the Corbyn playbook. All smoke, zero fire. These “antisemitism crises” are complete confections that exist entirely to discipline critics of Israel, and Left projects more broadly. They cynically weaponize liberalism against itself.“
• Ryan Grim/DropSite 8/26/26: X-post – “I do feel like the Dem party leadership crossed into some new level of mendacity with this week’s blatant and deliberate twisting of Hasan Piker’s words. To get mad about something he said is one thing. To fabricate something and then claim to be mad about it is a declaration of war against an internal coalition rival. Because the left won the major Senate primaries this cycle, they have to focus on beating Republicans first, but the party leadership made clear this week that they are not up for sharing power, that it’s going to have to be a fierce and dirty battle”
• Khanna (D-CA) 8/26/26: X-post – “Too many demotivated Democrats stayed home in 2016 and 2024. We can’t repeat past mistakes. In this upcoming election, we need to: Quit calling @BernieSanders an “antisemite.” | Stop wasting time attacking Hasan Piker instead of Trump’s robber baron corruption. | Don’t put Israel hawks out of touch with our voters in charge of our Middle East policy. | It is time for a reckoning: are we a party that represents corporate interests and super PACs, or will we represent the American people?”
• Pastor Ben Dixon: “There is no question that the Democratic Party Establishment has coordinated more attacks on Hasan Piker than they have coordinated opposition to Donald Trump and his destruction of the Republic.“
• <Prem Thakker (Zeteo) 8/24/26: X-post – “One look at the Michigan numbers and you see exactly why they are resorting to lying about El-Sayed and Hasan this hard”
• Aaron Regunberg 8/25/26: X-post – “Wild to see establishment Dems fighting a Twitch streamer harder than they’re fighting Trump. Putting out statements attacking @hasanthehun while meeting with Jared Kushner. It’s so obviously playing into the right’s midterm strategy of distracting people from rising costs.”
• Matt Duss (CIP) 8/25/26: X-post – “Conservative Democrats can’t convincingly claim to ‘just want to beat Republicans’ while continuing to stoke the media frenzy around Hasan Piker by blatantly twisting his words. Stop helping the GOP write attack ads.”
• Matt Duss (CIP) 8/25/26: X-post – “You’ve never seen corporate Democrats fighting as hard and as on message against Trump as they are against Hasan right now. It’s insane.”
• Andrew Mercado 8/25/26: X-post – “DEMOCRATS FOUND THEIR URGENCY: CONDEMNING A TWITCH STREAMER — All week, establishment Democrats who support Israel and accept AIPAC money have lined up to condemn Hasan Piker while pressuring anti-establishment candidates to condemn him too. His underlying point is one they refuse to confront: forcing American Jews to identify with the State of Israel and treating them as responsible for its actions is dangerous. As Israel loses support among Americans, that conflation will only worsen antisemitism. Antisemitism is real and must be fought, but tying Jewish identity to a foreign government does not protect Jewish people. It puts them at greater risk. It is a warning about what fuels antisemitism. Meanwhile, where is this coordinated urgency against ICE? Against Trump’s economic war on Canada? Against the war in Iran? Where are their actual plans to make rent, food, health care and daily life affordable? We have seen nothing of substance, but they have endless time to punch left and turn a Twitch streamer into a midterm loyalty test. Then they demand unity. Unity cannot mean unconditional allegiance to Israel, obedience to donors and forcing everyone outside the establishment to denounce one another. Hasan Piker is a Twitch streamer. Donald Trump is President. Start fighting the people with actual power.”

PIKER-MANIA, FED & FUELED BY MAINSTREAM & PRO-ISRAEL MEDIA

PIKER-MANIA also ran wild in the media this week, with many mainstream journalists/commentators – like their counterparts in Congress — either (a) themselves misrepresenting what Piker actually said, and/or (b) actively validating, or failing to challenge, members of Congress for mis-representing what Piker said:

• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/28/26: Jon Ossoff joins Democrats distancing from Hasan Piker
• Newsweek 8/27/26: Hasan Piker Condemned by Jeffries, Ossoff and Other Democrats: Full List
• The Hill 8/27/26: El-Sayed says he has ‘no plans’ to campaign with Piker
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/27/26: Abdul El-Sayed and Jamie Raskin sidestep Hasan Piker, and Israel, in Michigan campaign stops
• Washington Post 8/27/26: El-Sayed’s ties to firebrand influencer threaten Democrats’ path to control Senate
• Times of Israel 8/27/26: Stumping in Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed and Jamie Raskin dodge queries on Hasan Piker, Israel
• American Center for Law and Justice 8/27/26: The Mainstream Left TURNS on Radical Hasan Piker, Schumer Faces Electoral Test
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution 8/27/26: Democratic criticism mounts over Hasan Piker comments
• Jewish Insider 8/27/26: The moderate Michigan Democrat holding the line against Hasan Piker
• Washington Examiner 8/27/26: Ossoff joins colleagues in condemning Hasan Piker
• Fox News 8/27/26: Jon Ossoff condemns Hasan Piker’s rhetoric as streamer declares mainstream media ‘crisis of credibility’
• Zeteo 8/26/26: First Draft: Dems Obsess Over Hasan Piker, Give Trump and Rogers a Pass
• Zeteo/Dov Waxman 8/26/26: Conflating Jews with Israel Is Dangerous – Whether by Antisemites, U.S. Politicians, or the Israeli State
• Washington Times 8/26/26: Hasan Piker blames AIPAC as Democrats condemn his remarks on Jews
• Denver Gazette 8/26/26: Majority of 2028 Democrats silent on Hasan Piker’s claim Jewish Americans inviting violence by supporting Israel
• Algemeiner 8/26/26: Haaretz, Hasan Piker, and the Israeli Home for Anti-Israel Extremism
• Washington Examiner 8/26/26: El Sayed has ‘no plans’ to campaign with Hasan Piker after antisemitism concerns
• Fox News 8/26/26: Hasan Piker points the finger at AIPAC as Democrats speak out against him
• Deadline Detroit 8/26/26: Michigan’s U.S. Senate Race Has Become a Highly Divisive Issue in Metro Detroit’s Jewish Community
• Real Clear Politics 8/26/26: Jeffries: Hasan Piker’s Warning To Jewish Americans Is “Dangerous, Malicious, Anti-Semitic, Should Not Be Tolerated”
• Fox News 8/26/26: Democrats condemning Hasan Piker as backlash spreads through party
• Mediaite 8/26/26: ‘I Am Done!’ Democratic Congresswoman Unloads on Reporters Asking About Hasan Piker
• Common Dreams 8/26/26: ‘Mass Psychosis’: Corporate Democrats Ripped for Attacks on Anti-Zionist Hasan Piker
• Jewish Insider 8/26/26: Stop asking me about Hasan Piker, Rep. Debbie Dingell says at El-Sayed rally
• Zeteo 8/26/26: Dems Obsess Over Hasan Piker, Give Trump and Rogers a Pass
• National Review 8/26/26: No Daylight Between Abdul El-Sayed and Hasan Piker
• The Lever 8/26/26: Midterm Madness: Michigan’s Senate Race Hits A Minefield [“A Hasan Piker controversy has rocked Michigan’s critical Senate race — and the “centrist” wing of the party is capitalizing on the chaos.”]
• Owen Jones – Battlelines 8/26/26: Hasan Piker: smeared by a panicked Democratic Establishment [“The Democratic Establishment know they’ve lost their base. These smears are driven by panic“]
• Newsweek 8/26/26: Democrats Are Fighting a War Over a Man Most Voters Have Never Heard Of
• Truthout 8/25/26: Hogg Says Media Obsession With Hasan Piker “Weird” as Jeffries Joins Attacks
• The Midwesterner 8/25/26: Abdul El-Sayed supporter Hasan Piker spars with Hillary Scholten, Jeremy Moss over Israel
• Washington Examiner 8/25/26: Jewish House Democrat calls out el Sayed for refusing to ‘condemn the words of Hasan Piker’
• NOTUS 8/25/26: Hasan Piker Roils Michigan Senate Race [“Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed has tried to distance himself from the left-wing streamer’s recent comments about Jewish Americans, but some lawmakers say it’s not enough.”]
• Fox News 8/25/26: Antisemitic streamer finally makes Dem leader snap with rare rebuke: ‘Malicious’ [“The top House Democrat spoke out after the streamer suggested Jewish Americans were inviting violence over Israel support“]
• CNN 8/25/26: Gottheimer urges all Dems to cut ties with Hasan Piker: ‘He should be put outside and not welcomed into any kind of tent’ 
• Jacobin 8/25/26: Centrists Despise Hasan Piker More Than They Want to Win
• New York Post 9/25/26: Hasan Piker shredded over vile suggestion that Jews were responsible for antisemitic attacks against them: ‘Hack who thrives in hate’
• Jewish Insider 8/25/26: More Democrats speak out against El-Sayed’s relationship with Hasan Piker
• Jewish Insider 8/25/26: El-Sayed doubles down on anti-Israel rhetoric amid Piker controversy
• Semafor 8/25/26: Michigan state senator was in talks to endorse El-Sayed before Piker flap
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/25/26: El-Sayed was warned about Hasan Piker
• The Forward 8/25/26: Hasan Piker causes new trouble for Democrats — especially in key Senate race
• Times of Israel 8/25/26: After Piker comments, Democratic leader Jeffries says ‘zero justification’ for threats against Jews
• Jewish Insider 8/24/26: Jeffries blasts Piker’s claims that American Jews are inciting antisemitic violence
• IMEU Policy Project 8/24/26: X-thread – “NEW POLLING: Democrats in the first six states to vote in the 2028 presidential primary overwhelmingly demand sanctions and a total weapons embargo against Israel. *80% of Michigan likely Democratic primary voters say Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians, as do 78% in New Hampshire and Nevada *70% of New Hampshire and New Mexico likely Democratic primary voters say the US should sanction Israel, as do 68% in Nevada and Michigan * 75% of New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Michigan likely Democratic voters say they prefer a candidate who will cut off weapons to Israel, as do 74% in Nevada, 66% in Virginia, and 65% in South Carolina. Full results of our polling, conducted by YouGov… The Democratic National Committee has formalized its early calendar for the 2028 presidential primary race. The first states to vote will be, in order: South Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, Michigan, New Mexico, and Virginia. The polling sampled over 4,000 voters across the six states and each state’s results have a margin of error of +/- 2…” [followed by thread of state polling results; full results/cross tabs here]
• Jewish Insider 8/24/26: Rep. Hillary Scholten blasts Piker over threatening comments against pro-Israel Jews
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/24/26: Lawmakers condemn Hasan Piker’s remarks targeting American Jews
• Haaretz 8/24/26: ‘Ready for the Backlash?’ Hasan Piker Talks Hamas, anti-Zionism and Why Americans Are Fed Up With Israel
• Detroit News 8/24/26: Rep. Hillary Scholten blasts Hasan Piker for targeting Moss. El-Sayed responds
• Washington Times 8/24/26: Hasan Piker’s prediction of violence ‘against American Jews’ rattles Michigan Democrats
• Times of Israel 8/24/26: After Hasan Piker blames Jews for ‘making antisemitism worse,’ El-Sayed says streamer doesn’t speak for him
• Politico 8/24/26: Abdul El-Sayed distances himself from Hasan Piker’s comments on American Jews
• The Hill 8/24/26: House Democrat: Party ‘does not stand for what Hasan Piker stands for’
• Washington Post 8/24/26: El-Sayed distances himself from popular streamer’s comments on Israel and Jewish Americans
• Fox News 8/24/26: Democrat rips Hasan Piker as ‘hack who thrives on hate’ over his warning to American Jews about Israel

5. Hearings & Markups

September 1, 2026: The House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa will hold a hearing entitled, Countering Houthi Terrorism: Protecting U.S. Interests and Security in the Red Sea. As of this writing, scheduled witnesses are: Nadwa Al-Dawsari, Middle East Institute; and Allison Minor, Atlantic Council.

Israel/Palestine in US politics/elex – general (non-Hasan Piker)

• Khanna (D-CA) 8/26/26: X-post – “.@MarkRuffalo worked with @BernieSanders & me to stop the war in Yemen & pass the first War Powers Resolution in American history. Mark has stood up for clean water & a livable climate. Mark has called out the genocide in Gaza. Smearing him as an antisemite is ignorance. He is one of the great humanitarians of our time.”
• Khanna (D-CA) 8/26/26: X-post – “If you are calling Bernie Sanders, the most popular politician in America, anti-semitic, you have lost the plot. I was a co-chair for Bernie’s 2020 campaign and I genuinely don’t know who Joel Rubin is.” Responding to Joel Rubin (American Jewish Congress) op-ed in Jewish Insider, Bernie Sanders’ 2020 Jewish liaison says his old boss is promoting antisemitism
• Daines (R-MT) 8/26/26: X-post – “Anti-American. Anti-Michigan. Not fit to serve.” Linked to Washington Reporter article: EXCLUSIVE: Abdul El-Sayed received $3,000 from ‘Ms. Rachel,’ anti-Israel activist campaigning to shut down ICE detention centers
• Tlaib (D-MI) 8/22/26: X-post – “Imagine if our government invested in clean air and water, childcare, and healthcare like it invests in death and destruction abroad. Imagine if it cared about building schools here more than bombing them in Gaza. What kind of world would we be able to create for our children?”

WE STAND WITH ISRAEL & AGAINST PALESTINIANS, UNRWA, ETC

• Fallon (R-TX) 8/26/26: X-post – “This is evil. The Palestinian Authority turned the rape, torture, and slaughter of over 1,200 Israelis into a curriculum for elementary school students. Their math worksheets cheer the body count and school ceremonies praise the killers.” Linked to Washington Free Beacon 8/25/26: ‘Open Your Door, We Are Death’: Palestinian Authority Schools Glorify Oct 7 in Disturbing New Footage as West Bank Government Angles for Power in Gaza
• Fallon (R-TX) 8/25/26: X-post – “Americans deserve to know that their tax dollars won’t line the pockets of terrorists. UNRWA is used as a tool by rogue states and bad actors who want to sow chaos, death, and destruction as a means to undermine the West.”
• McCormick (R-PA) 8/21/26: X-post – “It was great to meet with Israeli Consul General Eitan Weiss for a productive conversation about the war with Iran and the security challenges facing Israel, the United States, and the free world. At a moment this consequential, American leadership matters. Confronting threats to our shared security, and projecting strength are how we protect peace and stability around the world. This is peace through strength.”

Concern for Palestinians &/or Criticizing (even meekly) Israeli policies/actions

• Merkley (D-OR) 8/27/26: X-post – “When I was in the West Bank last year, I heard firsthand about Netanyahu government’s failure to hold extremist settlers accountable for harassment and violence. Palestinians, including Palestinian Americans, are being cut off from their homes, threatened, and attacked—encouraged by the Netanyahu government. Wrong under every moral code.” Linked to BBC 8/21/26 article: How Israel is expanding settlements in drive to reshape West Bank
• Van Hollen (D-MD) 8/26/26: X-post – “Ben-Gvir & extremists in the Israeli govt want to get rid of UNRWA with the hopes of ensuring that there is no such thing as a Palestinian refugee. The world should not continue to sit back & let this happen to UNRWA.” With link to Haaretz article: Israeli Police Launch Major Raid on Last Remaining UNRWA Facility in Jerusalem
• Meeks (D-NY) 8/25/26: Meeks Calls on Trump to Intervene in Israel’s West Bank Settlement Expansion
• Whitehouse (D-RI) 8/25/26: X-post – “Netanyahu has done more to damage U.S./Israel relations than any person in Israel’s history. He chose instead to have Israel’s far right connive with the U.S. far right. And, to stay a wartime prime minister, he sabotages peace.”
• Ramirez (D-IL) 8/25/26: X-post – “The genocide has not ended. And U.S. made and supplied bombs continue to kill children in Palestine. Not one more dollar, not one more excuse, not one more bomb! Let’s pass my Block the Bombs Act NOW.”
• Quigley (D-IL) 8/23/26: X-post – “Under Marco Rubio, the U.S. State Department has blocked ventilators, prosthetics, sanitation supplies, and other lifesaving equipment from reaching people suffering in Gaza. This cannot stand. I’m joining 64 of my colleagues in demanding humanitarian supplies for Palestinian civilians.”
• Ramirez (D-IL) 8/21/26: X-post – “Just like we can’t trust ICE to investigate itself, we can’t trust the perpetrators of a genocide to investigate their crimes. We demand an independent investigation into the war crimes committed by Israel. Hind Rajab and the thousands of Palestinians who have been murdered in Gaza and the West Bank deserve real justice and accountability. We must hold ALL perpetrators accountable. The violence and genocide of Palestinians must end and Congress can start by passing the Block the Bombs Act.”
• Green (D-TX) 8/21/26: X-post – “IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Jerusalem Post article below, titled ‘Jewish violence in the West Bank is terrorism – and Israel must admit it – opinion,’ speaks for itself. You can access the article by clicking the link here:” link to article

Islamophobia

• Mace (R-SC) 8/27/26: X-post – “Sharia law has no place in America.”
• Self (R-TX) 8/27/26: X-post – “It was an honor to host a Sharia-Free America Caucus roundtable with members of the Sharia-Free Texas Caucus, strengthening collaboration between federal and state efforts to combat the expansion of Sharia law. We discussed legislative efforts aimed at protecting our Constitution and preserving the rule of law. Thank you to our special guest speakers: Karen Lugo, author of Mosques in America and constitutional law attorney with expertise in federal Religious Land Use, and Frank Gaffney, founder of the Center for Security Policy. Protecting our constitutional republic requires vigilance, cooperation, and an unwavering commitment to the Christian principles upon which America was founded.”
• Self (R-TX) 8/26/26: X-post w/ video clip – “The Sharia-Free America Caucus stands behind President Trump. Sharia law is incompatible with the U.S. Constitution and must be banned. Thank you, President @realDonaldTrump!”
• Fine (R-FL) 8/26/26: X-post w/ video clip: “I call it the United Islamic Kingdom. They let people who hate their values take over because of suicidal empathy. Every illegal in America must be deported, no exceptions. The UK is dying because they refuse to do the same.”
• Emmer (R-MN) 8/26/26: X-post – “Sharia law is incompatible with our laws and the American way of life. We must keep America Sharia-free with @RepKeithSelf and @RepChipRoy!”
• Roy (R-TX) 8/26/26: X-post – “NEW: Rep. Roy sounds the alarm over a planned Islamic development near Camp Bullis, a U.S. military training base in San Antonio. Under no circumstances should Sharia, or any foreign legal code, be practiced on U.S. soil…As a congressional representative who has the privilege of representing those who honorably serve in our armed forces and fulfill their duties at Camp Bullis, I have an obligation to ensure their safety and the safety of my constituents in the surrounding area.” With link to article in Daily Signal: EXCLUSIVE: Chip Roy Sounds Alarm Over Islamic Development Near Military Base
• Tuberville (R-AL) 8/26/26: X-post – “I agree! Sharia Law teaches its followers to ‘kill all infidels.’ That CULTIST ideology is fundamentally incompatible with our American way of life. That is why I introduced the No Sharia Act and the Sharia Free America Act — to protect American values and preserve our God-given rights.” Commenting on X-post quoting Trump saying: “I would absolutely prohibit the Sharia Law thing. It is happening in this country a little bit, and where we see it, we take it out… We have one system.“
• Fallon (R-TX) 8/25/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Democrat Abdul: ‘Nobody is trying to push Sharia law.’ How long before ‘Real Sharia law has never been tried’?”
• Tuberville (R-AL) 8/25/26: X-post – “Women are SOLD, RAPED, and TRAFFICKED under Sharia Law. In the UK, Islamists have been running sex trafficking rings involving nearly 250,000 young girls. Yet here in the US, our young girls are being encouraged to visit mosques. Unbelievable.”
• Self (R-TX) 8/24/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Residents of McKinney will not back down in our fight to eradicate the influence of Sharia law in our community. We cannot and will not allow a culture or system inherently opposed to the rule of law to dictate how we live. DEFEND THE RULE OF LAW AT ALL COSTS.”
• Fine (R-FL) 8/24/26: X-post – “Is a burqa now a required part of the uniform? Sad to see an organization that serves girls submitting to one that subjugates them around the world. We must put a stop to this.” Boosting article: Girl Scouts of America troops offer Muslim badges to be earned by learning pillars of Islam, visiting mosques (Post Millennial 8/24/26)
• Fine (R-FL) 8/24/26: X-post w/ video clip – “The alliance between socialism and radical Islam exists because these losers are stupid. Years of worthless degrees and gibberish left them living in a fantasy world — now they’re embracing an ideology that wants them DEAD. Islamists know exactly what they’re doing, and leftists are being led right to the slaughter. SAD!”
• Fine (R-FL) 8/24/26: X-post – “These Islamists seek to destroy western civilization. I filed the bill that led to the Governor designating CAIR a terrorist organization. They don’t want coexistence, they are evil, and they must be defeated. I will never stop fighting them.”
• Mace (R-SC) 8/24/26: X-post – “Ban Sharia law.”
• Tlaib (D-MI) 8/23/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Islamophobia is on the rise all across America. Families in Dearborn should be back-to-school shopping. Instead, they’re being terrorized by racists with AR-15s. We can’t normalize this. Democratic and Republican leadership must speak out against this Anti-Muslim fueled hate.”
• Fine (R-FL) 8/22/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Clowns like ‘Sharia Anthony’ Sabatini are trying to Islamify Lake County. They want to expand Islamic centers in rural Florida and put foot washing stations in city buildings. I’ve got a newsflash for Sharia Sabatini: take that craziness back to New York, we’re not putting up with it here.”
• Tuberville (R-AL) 8/22/26: X-post – “BAN SHARIA LAW”
• Self (R-TX) 8/21/26: X-post – “Sharia has no place in America.”
• Moore (R-AL) 8/21/26: X-post – “Sharia law is incompatible with the Constitution, and we must never let it take hold in the United States. BAN SHARIA LAW NOW!”

Other

• Markey (D-MA) 8/26/26: press release – Senator Markey Urges Congress to Reject Trump-Saudi Nuclear Deal
• Fetterman (D-PA) 8/24/26: X-post – “I love it. Inflicting maximum damage on the regime committed to destroying America and Israel is a good thing.” With screenshot of AP headline: Iran’s currency hits new record low as U.S. prepares to announce more sanctions
• Gimenez (R-FL) 8/23/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Erdogan continues to actively support violent Hamas terrorists who have American blood on their hands. Erdogan continues to undermine #Turkey’s relationship within #NATO & must be held to account!”

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – GENERAL

• France 24/AFP 8/28/26: Pro-Israel lobby spends big on US midterms as backlash grows
• The Progressive 8/27/26: Upending the Foreign Policy Establishment [“A new generation of Democrats are demanding international policies that actually reflect our values.”]
• USA Today 8/27/26: Flailing GOP needs a boogeyman for midterms. Enter Islamophobia.
• Jewish Insider 8/27/36: Meet the anti-Israel donors backing a neo-Nazi’s GOP congressional campaign
• Bloomerberg 8/26/26: Democrats’ Antisemitism Goes Beyond Hasan Piker
• The Guardian 8/26/26: Fake US thinktank set up and funded by Israel sought to game AI for propaganda [“In effort to prime chatbots to make pro-Israel arguments the site published 124 reports, over 560,000 words in nine days, Guardian analysis shows“]
• Axios 8/26/26: Inside the backlash over the Jeffries-Kushner meeting
• Jewish Journal 8/25/26: AIPAC’s New Challenge [“AIPAC’s leaders face fundamental strategic questions unlike those they have confronted in the modern era.… Their ability to adapt to these new circumstances will define not only their future, but that of the U.S.-Israel relationship in this uncertain era.“]
• Current Affairs 8/25/26: How the Israel Lobby is Losing Its Grip [“Ian Lustick and Eli Clifton explain how the Israel lobby amassed extraordinary political power—and why its hold over American politics may finally be weakening.“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/25/26: Jewish Democrats must fight the DSA, not tolerate it
• Religion Unplugged 8/25/26: How Will Democrats’ Israel Shift Affect Jewish Voters?
• Open Secrets 8/24/26: AIPAC’s super PAC is the top outside spender in 2026, fueling Democratic rift
• The National Interest 8/24/26: Has AIPAC Lost Its Influence?
• iGlobe News 8/24/26: The American Priorities Super PAC: A New Pro-Palestine Political Force in the US
• Beinart Notebook 8/24/26: The Full Cost of AIPAC’s Influence [“The $3 billion that the US gives Israel annually in foreign aid barely scratches the surface“]
• Responsible Statecraft 8/24/26: Israel’s Lobby: More powerful and more unpopular than ever [“Authors Eli Clifton and Ian Lustick join the Always at War podcast to discuss the lobby’s role in our elections, as well as its evolution and future.“]
• Geostrategic Media 8/23/26: The Candidates Who Beat AIPAC: Can Democratic Progressives Hold Their Ground in November?
• Deadline Detroit 8/23/26: Michigan AG Dana Nessel Asks: Is There Room In Democratic Party For People Who Believe in Israel’s Right to Exist?
• Sludge 8/22/26: Here Is How Much AIPAC Has Given to Every Member of Congress This Cycle
• Responsible Statecraft 8/22/26: Israel is sponsoring ads on Ted Cruz’s podcast. Is that legal? [“Under an unusual deal with iHeartMedia, revenue from the show goes to a pro-Cruz super PAC”]
• The Free Press 8/21/26: I Worked for Bernie Sanders. The Democratic Party Is Turning Against the Jews.
• Real Clear Investigations 8/18/26: A Call to Power: Islamic Leaders See Ballot Box as Path to Paradise

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – California

• Counter Currents 8/23/26: The Empire’s Lobby in Retreat: How AIPAC Is Losing the Democratic Party- Aisha Wahab an Afghan Refugee’s Daughter, Beats a $6 Million Machine
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/21/26: AIPAC gets credit for turning landslide into ‘real nail-biter’ in special CA election, in which anti-Israel Dem defeats candidate backed by pro-Israel group

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Florida

• Jewish Insider 8/27/26: Republican state senator aims to be ‘boring enough to win’ Rep. Angie Craig’s seat
• New York Times 8/25/26: Fringe Views in Primary Campaigns Rattle Florida Jews [“It has been an uneasy primary season for Jewish voters, with debates over Israel animating many races. But what happened in Florida went beyond that.“]
• Axios 8/21/26: “Stop gaslighting me!”: Florida Democrats’ Senate nominee and party chair have heated call over socialism
• The Forward 8/20/26: What Florida Senate nominee Angie Nixon has said about Israel and Gaza 

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Georgia

• Georgia Recorder 8/25/26: Blair wins race to finish late Georgia congressman’s term and makes history in the process [“Blair, a 34-year-old with a doctorate degree in education from Harvard University, is the third Black openly gay man to be elected to Congress and the first representing a Southern state. He ran a progressive campaign by advocating for Medicare for all, speaking out against Israel’s reliance on U.S. tax dollars and its influence in U.S. politics, and pledging to voters that he would be a voice in Washington against President Donald Trump’s policies.“]
• Jerusalem Post 8/22/26: Jon Ossoff is not betraying Israel, and his critics do not speak for Georgia’s Jews – opinion

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Maryland

• The Banner 8/26/26: Chris Van Hollen says the Democratic Party needs change. Is he the one to lead it?

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Massachusetts

• Sludge 8/25/26: AIPAC-Linked PAC Boosts Nguyen Despite Her Gaza Stance

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

[note: Piker-related articles are included in the “PIKER-MANIA” section, above).

• Arab American News 8/28/26: El-Sayed defeats AIPAC, dark money and the Democratic establishment
• Mondoweiss 8/28/26: Studies show El-Sayed win sparked wave of Islamphobia across social media
• Mondoweiss 8/27/26: Mike Rogers wary of AIPAC support
• Jerusalem Post 8/27/26: El-Sayed win puts Democrats and pro-Israel voters at a crossroads
• Fortune 8/27/26: His state Democratic Party is still divided but Michigan’s El Sayed gets it, he says: ‘losing is hard’
• Jerusalem Post 8/27/26: Michigan Senate race creates dilemma for pro-Israel voters
• That Atlantic/David Frum 8/26/26: What Are Jewish Voters Supposed to Do?
• Washington Free Beacon 8/26/26: Multiple Abdul El-Sayed Donors Also Gave Thousands to Hitler-Praising, Jew-Hating Dan Bilzerian’s Congressional Run
• Jewish Insider 8/26/26: Michigan AG Dana Nessel concerned El-Sayed ‘making excuses’ for domestic terrorism
• Washington Reporter 8/26/26: Abdul El-Sayed received $3,000 from ‘Ms. Rachel,’ anti-Israel activist campaigning to shut down ICE detention centers
• The New Arab 8/26/26: In Michigan, racist attack ads by Republicans against Abdul El-Sayed ramp up
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/25/26: In the Mike Rogers vs. Abdul El-Sayed Michigan Senate race, will anyone take AIPAC’s money?
• Haaretz 8/26/26: Despite Hasan Piker and Israel Divide, Jewish Democrats Say El-Sayed Is Making Inroads With Voters
• Haaretz 8/25/26: I’m a Michigan Rabbi. Our Senate Race Is Putting Jewish Solidarity to the Test; some context: Beinart Notebook 8/21/26: Two Jews Debate Abdul El-Sayed — Michigan Rabbi Asher Lopatin and I hash out our differences about his state’s Democratic nominee for Senate [me on X: “On US Jewish org/leaders political views in the current moment, watch @PeterBeinart’s bonkers interview with Michigan Rabbi Asher Lopatin, who in addition to bashing El-Sayed says Gaza is ‘MOST HUMANE URBAN WAR EVER CONDUCTED,’ settlements are great, & Btselem is ‘self-hating.‘”]
• Jerusalem Post 8/25/26: GOP’s Mike Rogers weighs AIPAC liability vs. support in high-stakes Michigan Senate race
• The New Republic 8/25/26: Why Professors Got Behind Abdul El-Sayed
• New York Times 8/24/26: AIPAC Wants to Back This Republican, but He Has Some Reservations
• Jewish Insider 8/24/26: Unpacking the tactical dispute between Mike Rogers’ campaign and AIPAC
• The Midesterner 8/24/26: Egyptian sentenced to life for funding Muslim Brotherhood giving money to Abdul El-Sayed’s U.S. Senate campaign [Note: Mohamed Soltan is an AMERICAN citizen who is NOT affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood; Senator John McCain worked to free him from prison; and he has testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission]
• Detroit News 8/24/26: Rogers attends AIPAC fundraisers amid qualms about planned ad blitz
• Townhall 8/24/26: Weird How the ‘AIPAC Boogeyman’ Went Away, Isn’t It? [IT DIDN’T]
• Middle East Monitor 8/24/26: AIPAC brand turns toxic as pro-Israel Republican asks lobby to stay out of Michigan race
• Truthout 8/24/26: El-Sayed’s GOP Opponent Attended 3 AIPAC-Hosted Fundraisers in 1 Day
• The New Republic 8/24/26: Republican Shirks AIPAC Donation Amid Contentious Michigan Race
• The Forward 8/23/26: AIPAC wants to defeat Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate race. Mike Rogers would rather it stay out.
• World Israel News 8/23/26: El-Sayed campaign gets $175,000 boost from CAIR after railing against AIPAC’s ‘foreign’ intervention
• Zero Hedge 8/23/26: Wary Of Backlash, Pro-Israel GOP Senate Hopeful Asks AIPAC Not To Spend On His Behalf
• i24 News 8/23/26: Mike Rogers asks AIPAC to stand down in Michigan Senate race – analysis
• The Guardian 8/23/26: ‘I hate Democrats, but I love Abdul’: voters who left over Gaza return for progressive push [“Michigan Senate nominee and others have re-energized one-time Democratic voters who abandoned the party under Biden”]
• Times of Israel 8/22/26: Michigan GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers said to ask AIPAC not to campaign on his behalf
• Axios 8/22/26: Scoop: Mike Rogers-AIPAC rupture roils Michigan Senate race
• Washington Examiner 8/22/26: Mike Rogers’ team asks AIPAC not to advertise for his campaign against el Sayed: Report
• Newsweek 8/22/26: Mike Rogers’ Team Asked AIPAC Not to Run Ads Against El-Sayed: Report
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/21/26: Good question, Abdul! [“The Democratic senatorial candidate in Michigan seems overly concerned about Israel’s liberal values. He may wish to ask about countries whose constitutions name Islam as the state religion.”]
• Washington Free Beacon 8/21/26: El-Sayed Campaign Gets a $175,000 Boost From CAIR, Whose Leader Was ‘Happy’ About Oct. 7, After Alleging Primary Opponent’s AIPAC Support Constituted ‘Foreign’ Intervention in Election

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New Hampshire

• New Hampshire Public Radio 8/27/26: Primary conversations: Manzur says it’s time to break donors’ grip on party politics

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Oklahoma

• Jerusalem Post 8/26/26: Anti-AIPAC, anti-Israel platforms take center stage as progressive wins Oklahoma Democratic primary
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/26/26: Progressive politics notches another deep-red win in Oklahoma race, bolstered by anti-AIPAC messaging
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/25/26: Can an Oklahoma Senate candidate attract voters with an ad tossing out AIPAC ‘trash’?

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Texas

• Lone Star Left 8/28/26: Where Every Texas Democratic Congressional Candidate Stands On Israel And AIPAC Money [“Track AIPAC endorsements, voting records, FEC filings, and public statements from all 28 candidates and 9 sitting members.”]

HOW DARE anyone question the conflation of criticism/protest of Israel & antisemitism!!!

• Jewish Insider 8/28/26: Raskin’s probe of campus antisemitism investigations draws criticism from Jewish community
• Baltimore Jewish Times 8/27/26: Editorial: The Problem Raskin is Missing
• The Free Press 8/23/26: Bill Barr: Democrats Are in Denial About Campus Antisemitism
• Electronic Intifada 8/23/26: Top Democrat denounces Trump’s fake anti-Semitism probes but erases Palestine
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/21/26: Why is Rep. Jamie Raskin enabling campus antisemitism?

Other Stuff

• Jewish Insider 8/28/26: Trump administration tees up Capitol Hill fight over Saudi nuclear deal
• Jewish Insider 8/28/26: Turkey retains Trump-tied lobbying firm in Washington [“On the Ballad Partners team is former Rep. Robert Wexler, who pointed to his pro-Israel record in defending U.S.-Turkey ties“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/27/26: Pro-Israel nonprofit USIEA celebrates 15th anniversary [“The association is the only Israel advocacy group that leads congressional delegations to Judea and Samaria, both to see Jewish communities and joint Israel-Palestinian businesses and projects, even as it opposes a Palestinian state on security grounds.”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/22/26: Israel’s refusal to criminally probe World Central Kitchen strike ‘a miscarriage of justice,’ House Dem says

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters & Reports
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

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New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 8/18/26: How Powerful Is Israel’s Lobby?, ft. FMEP fellow Peter Beinart in conversation with Eli Clifton and Ian Lustick, co-authors of the new book Israel’s Lobby: America in the Grip of a Foreign Power. They discuss the priorities and mechanisms used by what the call the Israel Lobby and whether it always gets its way; how to talk about the Israel lobby without being a conspiracy theorist; and the possibilities for the Israel lobby’s future.

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(LEGISLATING/ENFORCING IHRA DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM) HR 8476: Introduced 4/23/26 by Fine (R-FL) and presently having 16 cosponsors (all Republicans), the “No Antisemitism in Education Act of 2026.“ This bill, which seeks to condition federal aid to educational institutions on the implemention/enforcement of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its examples conflating criticism of Israel/Zionism with antisemitism, was marked up in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce back on 6/25/26, where it passed by a vote of 20-12 (see the 6/26/26 edition of the Round-Up for coverage of that markup). UPDATE: On 8/2/0/26, HR 8476 was reported out of that committee with a report – H. Rept. 119-759, Part I (not online as of this writing – it will eventually be posted here), and was placed on the Union Calendar (meaning it can be brought to the floor for a vote at any time, if House leadership wants to do so).

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Reporting/posts on previously-introduced legislation:

• JINSA 8/18/26: Shifting the Center of Gravity: Transforming the U.S.-Israel Security Partnership [a report calling for a new US-Israel 10-year MOU that BOTH continues $3.8 billion in annual US military funding for Israel, AND implements, in effect, Sec, 219 of the NDAA and even goes beyond it, including calling for expanding the US military presence in Israel. NOTE: It is not clear if this report is genuine maximalist demand that JINSA hopes to see implemented (or believes plausibly could be adopted) or if this is a tactical move intended to jump-start a narrative/advocacy effort to frame Sec. 219 of the NDAA as not merely NOT a big deal, but in fact as reasonable middle ground/compromise the acceptance of which involves significant Israeli sacrifice for which, frankly, the US should be grateful.]
• Demand Progress 8/18/26: New Poll: Voters Oppose Integrating Israeli Military into Pentagon
• Semaphor 8/17/26: Progressive Democrats eye Israel policy shift in 2027 [“Capitol Hill progressives are homing in on the ‘Block the Bombs Act’ as they prepare for a potential overhaul of Israel policy under a Democratic majority. The legislation would block certain weapons transfers to Israel and is cosponsored by more than a third of House Democrats. Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, said his bloc would push for it to come to the floor in a Democrat-controlled House and would oppose bills that ‘subsidize weaponry for a military that’s been out of control.’ He framed it as a way for Democrats to rebuild relationships with voters that had frayed over the Biden administration’s handling of Israel relations. ‘If we want to regain voters’ trust, we have to say that the Democratic Party position in the past just has not worked,’ Casar said.“]. Also see: House Progressives Mounting New Push to Pass Bill Blocking Arms to Israel (TruthOut 8/18/26)
• Lankford (R-OK) 8/17/26: Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism Statement on 2025 FBI Hate Crimes Report [“Our bipartisan Jewish American Security Act will take important steps to protect Jewish Americans where they are targeted – on campus, in their communities, and online. We will continue working to pass this bill and take action at the federal level to protect Jewish Americans.”]

2. Letters & Reports

• [NEED ANSWERS ON TRUMP ADMIN GRIFT RE: UAE EXPORT CONTROL POLICY] 8/19/26: Meeks, Kamlager-Dove Demand Answers from Lutnick on Trump’s Financial Interests Surrounding UAE Export Control Decisions  [letter text]
• [INVESTIGATE TRUMP ADMIN POLITICIZED ATTACKS ON ACADEMIA THAT USED ANTISEMITISM/PALESTINE AS HOOK] 8/18/26: Ranking Member Raskin Demands Answers Following DOJ Whistleblower Reports that Trump Officials Abused Title VI Investigations to Attack Universities, Using Antisemitic Discrimination as a Pretext and a “Ruse” [letter text]. Also see media reports: Whistleblower claims Trump’s campus antisemitism crackdown was a cash grab (The Forward 8/18/26); Whistleblower alleges political pressure, lack of evidence in antisemitism probes targeting schools (Associated Press 8/18/26); Whistleblowers accuse Trump administration of ‘predetermined’ outcomes in Ivy League antisemitism investigations (The Hill 8/18/26); Former DOJ lawyer alleges Trump administration abused investigative process to target Harvard, Brown and Columbia (CBS News 8/18/26); DOJ investigations into alleged antisemitism at Ivy League universities had predetermined conclusions: Whistleblower (ABC News 8/18/26); Whistleblowers claim Trump officials played politics with university antisemitism probes (Courthouse News 8/18/26); Whistleblower Says Trump Officials ‘Predetermined’ Conclusions in Harvard Antisemitism Probe (The Harvard Crimson 8/18/26); Raskin claims administration’s campus antisemitism probes were ‘fake,’ schools were framed (Jewish Insider 8/18/26); Trump campus antisemitism investigations violated the law, DOJ whistleblower claims (JTA 8/18/26); Universities Were Forced to Pay Up Despite Little Evidence of Antisemitism, Trump Whistleblowers Say (Chronicle of Higher Education 8/18/26); ‘A disgrace,’ legal expert says of whistleblower claim that Trump admin unserious about Jew-hatred probes (Jewish News Syndicate 8/18/26); The Nexus Project Call for Full Investigation into Claims Trump Administration Officials Weaponized Antisemitism Claims to Coerce and Extort Universities (Nexus Project 8/18/26); Trump Officials Ignored Their Own University Investigators, Lawyer Says (New York Times 8/18/26); Trump administration infused ‘political priorities’ in antisemitism probe into Columbia, DOJ whistleblower claims (Columbia Spectator 8/19/26); Trump admin pushed for settlement despite lacking evidence in Brown Title VI investigation, whistleblower alleges (Brown Daily Herald 8/18/26);  Whistleblowers: DOJ, HHS Antisemitism Investigations Were Predetermined (Insider Higher Ed 8/18/26)
• (INVESTIGATE DETENTION OF AMCIT BY ISRAEL) 8/18/26: Boyle Sends Letter to Secretary of State Rubio Demanding Investigation Into Detention of U.S. Citizen Hussein Jabarin [letter text]
• [CONCERNS ABOUT USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN] – Multiple letters were sent this week from members of Congress to President Trump and his top officials expressing outrage/concern/dismay about the situation on the USS Abraham Lincoln, and demanding investigations, accountability, and/or action to improve the situation. These include: San Diego Congressional Delegation, California Senators Demand Answers Surrounding the Extended Deployment of USS Abraham Lincoln; Courtney, Bell, Goodlander Lead Colleagues in Urging Clarity from Pentagon on USS Lincoln’s Overextended Deployment & Sailors’ Safety; Dingell Seeks Answers on Conditions Aboard USS Abraham Lincoln Following Concerning Reports; Murray, Senate Democrats Demand Accountability from Hegseth After Reports of Crisis Aboard USS Abraham Lincoln; Following Reports of Conditions Aboard USS Lincoln, Warner, Kaine Press Trump Administration on Effect of Extended Deployment on Military Families

3. Hearings & Markups

None.

Israel/AIPAC (and Iran) in US elex & politics – GENERAL

• Truthout 8/20/26: House Democrat Suggests DSA Members in Congress Shouldn’t Get Security Clearances
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/20/26: Primary lessons: GOP Groypers flop while Dem extremists flourish [“Far-right followers of Tucker Carlson are failing across the board with Republican voters. In most Democratic contests, antisemitic DSA candidates continue to thrive.”]
• Inside Political Money 8/20/26: American Priorities Scored Big Wins Against AIPAC. Now What?
• Mediaite 8/19/26: House Dem [Jared Moskowitz] Warns of ‘Anti-American’ DSA House Members Getting Security Clearances
• Anti-Defamation League 8/19/26: Antisemitic Themes Punctuate the 2026 Election Cycle Nationwide
• The National Review 8/19/26: Among Republicans, Anti-Zionism Remains Very Online
• TRT World (Turkey) 8/19/26: From Democrats to Republicans, Israel is losing its grip on US politics
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/19/26: How American Jews can cope with the Democratic Party’s betrayal
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/19/26: Thomas Friedman is wrong again, this time about AIPAC
• Haaretz 8/19/26: AIPAC Reaps the Netanyahu Effect and Makes Israel a Liability
• Times of Israel/Jack Lew 8/18/26: How to keep US-Israeli relations from going off the cliff
• Foreign Policy in Focus 8/18/26: Are the 2026 Primaries Building a New Antiwar Movement? [“Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan upset suggests that opposition to war, unconditional aid to Israel, and big-money influence can become a successful electoral argument.”]
• Modern Diplomacy 8/18/26: From Michigan to Florida: Is Foreign Policy Becoming the Democratic Party’s New Electoral Fault Line?
• Jewish Insider 8/18/26: Democrats can retake the Senate without winning Michigan, Schumer suggests
• Jewish News Syndicate/Mort Klein (ZOA) 8/18/26: AIPAC promotes left-wing issues … and gets attacked by the left; response in Times of Israel 8/19/26: ZOA’s Microscope on AIPAC
• Axios 8/18/26: Political dirty tricks upend midterm races across the country
• Zeteo 8/17/26: Is a New, Expanded Progressive ‘Squad’ Coming to Congress in 2027?
• Responsible Statecraft 8/17/26: Israel creates fake think tank in likely attempt to dupe AI chatbots– In just over a week, the Hanover Institute has published at least 100 articles that appear tailor-made to influence chatbots [example: Hanover Institute article 8/14/26: How Does AIPAC Affect Progressive Democrats? Reading the FEC Filings, the Recorded Votes and the Measured Corpora]. Also see: Politico 8/14/26: Israeli PR wants to answer your ChatGPT questions; Calcalist (Israeli outlet) 8/16/26: Israel is trying to shape what AI chatbots say about Gaza and the IDF
• Jewish Insider 8/17/26: Rick Scott: We have to ‘fight, fight fight’ antisemites running in the Republican Party
• Lewiston Tribune 8/17/26: Time for Democrats to shake the gloom, widen their ‘big tent’
• Mondoweiss 8/16/26: Weekly Briefing: Voters are breaking with the Israel lobby faster than Washington can catch up
• LA Progressive 8/16/26: AIPAC Money Meets Changing Electorate in 2026 Midterms
• The Fulcrum 8/16/26: The Unscrupulousness of AIPAC
• All Israel News 8/16/26: The public execution of the Israel lobby
• Jerusalem Post 8/16/26: Chuck Schumer’s guardian act was never about Israel. It was about power
• The Hill 8/15/26: AIPAC takes center stage in last stretch of Democratic contests before November
• Hip Hop Democrat 8/15/26: AIPAC Is Spending Millions to Shape Democratic Races. Who Gave Them the Aux?
• New York Post/Josh Hammer 8/15/26: Anti-Israel politicans are obsessed with AIPAC — and ignore the real foreign threats to US politics [“terror-tied Islamic groups and Islamic governments”]; also published elsewhere under other headlines: The electoral integrity issue isn’t Israel — It’s Islam; Seedy foreign money shaping culture, politics
• Middle East Monitor 8/15/26: From Gaza to Iran, Washington’s wars are becoming an electoral liability

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Alaska

• Jewish Insider 8/21/26: Peltola campaign mum about whether she stands by her pro-Israel record in the House

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – California

• Truthout 8/21/26: AIPAC Loses Yet Another House Race It Poured Millions of Dollars Into
• USA Today 8/21/26: Progressive Aisha Wahab fends off AIPAC money to win Eric Swalwell’s seat
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/21/26: California progressive Wahab ekes out win [by SIX points] over AIPAC-backed Hernandez
• Times of Israel 8/21/26: Progressive opposed by AIPAC wins California special election to succeed Eric Swalwell
• The Independent (UK) 8/21/26: Progressive defies millions in AIPAC-linked spending to win Swalwell’s old seat
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/21/26: AIPAC gets credit for turning landslide into ‘real nail-biter’ in special CA election, in which anti-Israel Dem defeats candidate backed by pro-Israel group
• Common Dreams 8/21/26: ‘Organized People Won’: Aisha Wahab Defeats Millions in AIPAC Spending to Win US House Race
• The Dissent 8/20/26: Wahab Won the Swalwell Seat by Six Points. In 11 Weeks She Defends It on a Map Redrawn Toward Her Opponent.
• San Francisco Chronicle 8/20/26: She beat big money and upset some fellow Dems. Who is Swalwell successor Aisha Wahab?
• Jewish Insider 8/20/26: AIPAC-backed Hernandez loses to progressive Wahab in California special election [“Melissa Hernandez was backed by the United Democracy Project super PAC, which helped her draw closer to Aisha Wahab in the final count than some observers had initially expected”]
• Washington Examiner 8/20/26: Aisha Wahab wins California House special election in defiance of AIPAC money flood
• Jewish News of Northern California 8/20/26: Aisha Wahab defeats AIPAC-backed opponent to win Swalwell’s East Bay congressional seat
• YNet 8/20/26: AIPAC-backed candidate loses California congressional race
• New York Times 8/20/26: Progressive Overcomes AIPAC Opposition to Win Race to Replace Swalwell
• CNN 8/20/26: Democrat Aisha Wahab will win Swalwell’s House seat, CNN projects, overcoming millions in AIPAC spending
• Haaretz 8/20/26: AIPAC’s Last-minute Spending Spree Fails to Block California Progressive
• Times of Israel/Associated Press 8/20/26: Progressive opposed by AIPAC declared winner of California special election
• Jerusalem Post/Reuters 8/20/26: AIPAC-backed Democrat loses California House special election to Aisha Wahab
• Politico 8/20/26: Progressive Aisha Wahab wins Eric Swalwell’s former House seat
• San Francisco Chronicle 8/19/26: Wahab was on track for a big win. Then came the AIPAC onslaught
• The Jewish News of Northern California 8/19/26: In tight East Bay race, latest test of AIPAC’s influence in Democratic politics 
• Jerusalem Post 8/19/26: California special election becomes battleground over AIPAC’s influence in Democratic Party
• Israel-American Civic Action Network 8/18/26: California House Runoff Tests Pro-Israel Electoral Power
• Times of Israel 8/18/26: Israel-focused California primary pits progressive against AIPAC-backed moderate
• Out Loud (Ahmed Eldin Substack) 8/18/26: AIPAC Just Spent $5 Million To Lose A Race It Already Lost Twice
• Legis1 8/18/26: Who Will Step in For the Disgraced Eric Swalwell?
• Washington Post 8/18/26: After bruising loss in Michigan, AIPAC turns to California for win
• The Forward 8/18/26: California Democratic primary pits AIPAC-backed candidate against progressive Israel critic
• Jewish Insider 8/18/26: AIPAC closes a rocky primary season with a California gamble
• Truthout 8/17/26: AIPAC Poured Over $1M Into House Race for Term That Will Last Just 3 Months
• The New Arab 8/17/26: AIPAC is pouring millions into a California special election against Aisha Wahab
• Associated Press 8/17/26: AP Decision Notes: What to expect in California’s special congressional election
• Haaretz 8/16/26: ‘She’s Not an anti-Zionist’: AIPAC Millions Cause a Stir in Sleepy California Special Election [“Aisha Wahab, whose positions on Israel are more moderate than some of AIPAC’s highest-profile progressive targets, is expected to easily win the CA-14 special election despite the group’s late spending”]
• New York Times 8/16/26: AIPAC Targets Progressive Democrat in Race to Replace Swalwell
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/16/26: California Dem who accuses Israel of genocide nearly matches rival’s cash in race to replace Swalwell

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Florida

• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/20/26: Why an anti-Israel DSA member bested Alex Vindman in a Florida Senate primary
• Mondoweiss 8/19/26:Progressive Israel-critic Angie Nixon scores upset victory in Florida Senate primary
• Algemeiner 8/19/26: Anti-Israel, Antisemitic Candidates Largely Flop in Florida Primaries
• Times of Israel 8/19/26: Anti-Israel Democrat wins upset in Florida Senate primary, in latest victory for DSA  [“Elsewhere in the state, several Jewish, pro-Israel candidates win nominations, including incumbents Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Jared Moskowitz, and far-right firebrand Randy Fine“]
• Jerusalem Post 8/19/26: Stuck between antisemitism and anti-Zionism, sense wins out in Florida primaries
• Politico 8/19/26: Florida Dems scramble to regroup after Nixon upset
• The Hill 8/19/26: Moskowitz taunts Piker after primary win
• New York Post 8/19/26: Jared Moskowitz savagely sends ‘condolences’ to Hasan Piker in victory lap after defeating DSA member in Florida primary
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/19/26: Debbie Wasserman Schultz wins Florida congressional primary
• Haaretz 8/19/26: Progressive Upset in Florida Senate Primary; pro-Israel Democrats Prevail in Two House Races
• The Forward 8/19/26: Florida redistricting scrambled the map. Three Jewish Democrats found a way through.
• YNet 8/18/26: ‘I’m on the right side of history’: anti-Israel Democrat Angie Nixon wins Florida Senate primary
• Jerusalem Post 8/18/26: Florida primaries put Jewish politicians, Israel critics, and antisemitism in spotlight
• Vox 8/18/26: The worst primary in America just ended
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/18/26: Pro-Israel Jewish incumbent Democrats hold in Florida House primaries
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/18/26: Florida Republicans defeat alt-right candidates in gubernatorial, House primaries [“Pro-Israel Republicans defeated a pair of alt-right candidates accused of antisemitism in Florida’s primary elections on Tuesday in races for the House and governor.”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/18/26: Dem socialist wins Florida Senate primary, but GOP incumbent favorite to keep seat
• Jewish Insider 8/18/26: Florida Democrats nominate DSA candidate for Senate race [“Angie Nixon, who called Israel’s war against Hamas a genocide and campaigned with Rep. Rashida Tlaib, will be the party’s candidate against GOP Sen. Ashley Moody“]
• Jewish Insider 8/18/26: Florida voters reject political extremes [JI describing Fine, in effect, as NOT politically extreme]
• Jewish Insider 8/18/26: Florida primaries pose a test for far-right candidates
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/18/26: GOP redistricting tests the strength of Florida’s pro-Israel Democrats
• WFIN 8/18/26: Socialist insurgency storms Trump’s backyard, with pro-Israel Democrats in crosshairs
• The Forward 8/18/26: Can an anti-Zionist Democrat win in a heavily Jewish South Florida district?
• Jewish Insider 8/17/26: Republicans face the implications of a fractured media world
• The Intercept 8/17/26: A Democratic Socialist Aims to Oust a Top AIPAC Beneficiary in Florida
• Jewish Insider 8/17/26: Florida Jewish Democrats look to fend off DSA-aligned primary challengers
• Jewish Insider 8/17/26: Florida primaries to test antisemitism’s reach in both parties
• The Forward 8/17/26: Anti-Israel Republicans test their strength in Florida primaries
• Jewish Insider 8/16/26: Randy Fine’s primary opponent pushes openly antisemitic, pro-Hitler messaging
• South Florida Sun Sentinel 8/16/26: Moskowitz misleads about his AIPAC money
• Fox News 8/15/26: Rashida Tlaib rally moved after Jewish-owned Florida venue cancels event, cites ‘increased security concerns’
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/14/26: Jewish-owned Florida venue cancels DSA campaign event featuring Tlaib

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Georgia

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution 8/21/26: For some Jewish voters in Georgia, neither U.S. Senate choice is simple
• Voz Iz Neias News 8/18/26: Atlanta Jewish Times Publisher Accuses Sen. Ossoff of Lying About Israel Support
• Rough Draft Atlanta 8/17/26: Proud to have Jon Ossoff representing Georgia [“As proud Atlanta Jews, we are delighted to have Jon Ossoff representing us and the citizens of Georgia in the United States Senate.“]
• Washington Examiner 8/16/26: Jon Ossoff, Georgia’s first Jewish senator, faces angry Jewish voters
• The Times 8/16/26: Is Jon Ossoff the candidate Democrats have been waiting for?
• Jerusalem Post 8/15/26: Jon Ossoff broke faith with Israel – and lost his Jewish supporters in Georgia – opinion
• The Observer (UK) 8/15/26: Jon Ossoff: is the Democrats’ star of the South their next great hope?

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Illinois

• The Center Square 8/19/26: Alderman: AIPAC to blame for unsealed divorce records

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Massachusetts

• Jewish Insider 8/21/26: At Massachusetts Senate debate, Markey touts early call for blocking Israel arms sales
• Needham Observer 8/19/26: Primary candidate Jason Poulos is trying to pass Rep. Auchincloss on the left

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

• Beinart Notebook 8/21/26: Two Jews Debate Abdul El-Sayed – Michigan Rabbi Asher Lopatin and Peter Beinart on the Michigan nominee [well worth watching/listening to, for an excellent run-through by Rabbi Lopatin of the full breadth of anti-El-Sayed arguments, which mainly reduce to: asserting that El-Sayed is antisemitic and/or hostile to/not concerned about the concerns/safety of Jews, based on Lopatin insisting on the conflation of Israel/Judaism (and conflation of AIPAC with Jews); insisting that El-Sayed focusing on AIPAC is antisemitic, notwithstanding the fact that AIPAC has focused on and massively funded against El-Sayed; arguing that El-Sayed focusing on US funding to Israel is antisemitic because it is actually very little money and anyway talking about money in this context is of course antisemitic; asserting that the Gaza war was “the most humane urban war ever conducted”; arguting that  settlements are great and there’s room for everyone if only the Palestinians wanted to live in peace with Israelis; attacking international human rights orgs (Amnesty International) as antisemitic and calling B’tselem “self-hating”), speaking positively about Trump, etc…]
• NOTUS 8/20/26: Mike Rogers’ Pitch to Jewish Democrats May Be Falling Flat [“The Republican has been trying to poach Jewish voters who are hesitant to support Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, but local leaders say they don’t see the pitch sticking“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/20/26: Republican Senate candidate in Michigan launches ‘Democrats for Mike Rogers’
• Jewish Journal of Greater Boston 8/20/26: Whither El-Sayed and the Jewish Democrats?
• Slate 8/20/26: All Michigan Democrats Have to Do to Win Is to Find Peace Over the Middle East
• Washington Free Beacon 8/19/26: Abdul El-Sayed’s Secret Bookshelf Features Works From World Trade Center Bombing ‘Unindicted Co-Conspirator’ and Radical Islamic Scholars [me: “We’ve reached the point in the US defamation discourse where we can now be attacked for every word/idea in every book we own. Totally normal stuff. FTR, I’ve got books by Meir Kahane on my bookshelf – will the Free Beacon therefore attack (or celebrate) me as a Kahanist?”]
• Jewish Insider 8/19/26: Michigan Jewish Dems circulate letter endorsing Republican Mike Rogers for Senate
• Detroit Legal News 8/19/26: A vote for El-Sayed endorses anti-Israel sentiment in America
• Washington Post 8/18/26: Backlash in Michigan complicates Democrats’ road to retaking the Senate
• Jewish Insider 8/18/26: Michigan Dem nominee Jeremy Moss denounces ‘disinformation’ peddling dual loyalty tropes
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/17/26: I study antisemitism for a living: El-Sayed’s rhetoric is a case study
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/15/26: Rogers leads El-Sayed 51%-47% in Michigan Senate race, poll suggests

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New Hampshire

• Fosters Daily Democrat 8/20/26: Can anti-establishment Democrats win in NH 1st District?
• Jewish Insider 8/19/26: N.H. House candidate Shaheen attacks Dem opponent over pro-Israel support [“Stefany Shaheen, the daughter of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, accused her congressional primary opponent of taking $300,000 in donations ‘bundled from AIPAC donors’”]
• New Hampshire Journal 8/18/26: Stefany Shaheen Swings Left With AIPAC Attack on Sullivan
• New Hampshire Union Leader 8/17/26: Like clockwork, AIPAC donor checks flowing to Maura Sullivan’s campaign

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – South Carolina

• Jewish Insider 8/18/26: Sen. Darline Graham, at debate: ‘National security is not my thing’ [“‘I think we should stand with Israel. They’re one of our strongest allies, so I definitely support standing with Israel,’ Graham said. ‘I am a little concerned about troops on the ground. I don’t know that that’s necessary just yet. I would like to make sure that we try all economic solutions before we put troops on the ground.‘”]
• Jewish Insider 8/14/26: Both candidates in S.C. Senate runoff chase the pro-Israel vote, with very different records

Other Stuff

• Jewish Insider 8/21/26: Sen. Rick Scott takes aim at Turkey over Israel tensions
• Jewish Insider 8/17/26: Reps. Jayapal, Goldman continue to spar over Hasan Piker speech cancellation
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/17/26: Kaine to introduce Senate war powers resolution after Trump threatens Oman
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/17/26: Jewish Dem congressman warns that Hasan Piker event could violate University of Washington’s Title VI obligations

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters & Reports
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

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New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast & FMEP in other podcasts:

• 8/13/26: Supremacy over Democracy: The Shame of the American Jewish Establishment, ft. FMEP Fellow Ahmed Moor interviewing FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart about Peter’s recent Jewish Currents essay, “The Shame of the American Jewish Establishment”
• 8/10/26: The Future of US Aid to Israel: From Military Assistance to Integration, new Al-Shabaka Policy Lab episode featuring Al-Shabaka’s Tariq Kenney-Shawa in conversation with FMEP’s Lara Friedman and investigative journalist and writer Antony Loewenstein

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(IRAN SANCTIONS) HR 5334: Introduced 9/11/25 by Panetta (D-CA) [as the “Supporting Early-childhood Educators’ Deductions Act of 2025”]; passed by the Senate 8/7/26 after the Senate adopted an amendment in the nature of a substitute (deleting the entire text and replacing it with the text of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. Sent back to the House 8/10/26 [see HR 10076, bel0w].

(IRAN SANCTIONS) HR 10076: Introduced 8/10/26 by McCaul (R-TX) and 17 bipartisan cosponsors, the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.”  Referred to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, the Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform, Financial Services, Ways and Means, Rules, and Energy and Commerce.

(LEGALLY REQUIRE & ENFORCE MASSIVE EXPANSION OF US INTELL SHARING & COOPERATION WITH ISRAEL) S. 4615: Introduced 5/20/26 by Cotton (R-AR, the “Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027.” As reported in last week’s Round-Up, on 8/5/26, Cotton filed a written report on the bill (Report Number 119-133), and additional and Minority views were also filed (not online last week). As a reminder: The bill includes an expansive new provision — Section 622 —  entitled “United States-Israel intelligence sharing enhancement.” Maybe you think this is the best idea ever! Maybe you think it is a terrible idea. Regardless, it is a HUGE deal and arguably should be understood/discussed/debated rather than just quietly slipping into law unnoticed. For further details see the June 5, 2026 edition of the Round-Up. UPDATE: That report is now public – Report Number 119-133. In it, Cotton makes the case for Sec. 622 while egregiously downplaying the actual impact Sec. 622 would have on U.S. intelligence; Minority views do NOT include any opposition to Sec. 622 and implicitly appear to support it.

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Reporting/posts on previously-introduced legislation:

• International Crisis Group 8/12/26: The U.S. and Israel: From Aid to Strategic Integration [“The debate under way about U.S. military assistance to Israel is a barometer of bilateral relations. Israeli officials have accepted that the next deal could be the last of its kind, but they are also working toward interdependence that will be harder to unravel.”]
• JINSA 8/12/26: JINSA Impact on This Year’s National Defense Authorization Act [claiming influence on a list of pro-Israel provisions in the House and Senate versions of the bill, including provisions to integrate/weld the IDF into the US military and into US national security operations
• X-thread 8/10/26 from TimepDC’s Doug Christensen: “On Friday, @SFRCdems Ranking Member @SenatorShaheen & @SenatorLankford introduced the new bipartisan Lebanon Sanctions, Stabilization, and Support Act. I attempt to break down the 30-page bill, which includes both sanctions and assistance authorization. Here is my read…”
• Lankford (R-OK) and Shaheen (D-NH) press release 8/7/26: Lankford, Shaheen Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Sanction Hezbollah and Strengthen Lebanon’s Sovereignty
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/6/26: Cruz, Slotkin lead bipartisan push for federal protest buffer around houses of worship

2. Letters & Reports

• (THE SCANDAL OF TREATMENT OF US SAILORS ON USS LINCOLN) 8/12/26: Blumenthal to Defense Department: What Are You Doing To Support Sailors On The USS Abraham Lincoln? [letter text] Excerpt: “The Lincoln’s prolonged deployment is especially significant because it is occurring in the context of continuing military operations against Iran and the possibility that substantial U.S. naval forces will be required in the region for an extended period”.
• (PRIORITIZE EASTERN MED/ISRAEL INTEGRATION) 8/11/26: Schneider, Bilirakis Lead Bipartisan Effort Urging Secretary Rubio to Prioritize the Great Sea Interconnector to Strengthen Coordination in the Eastern Mediterranean [letter text]. Also see: House lawmakers push US backing for Israel-Greece-Cyprus power link (Jewish News Syndicate 8/11/26)

3. Hearings & Markups

None.

Israel/AIPAC (and Iran) in US elex & politics – GENERAL

• Jewish Insider 8/14/26: For 2028’s Jewish hopefuls, Israel is the test that decides who’s the ‘right’ kind of Jew
• Real Clear Politics 8/14/26: The Electoral Integrity Issue Isn’t Israel — It’s Islam
• The Diplomat 8/14/26: How Could the Rise of Progressive Democrats Impact US China Policy? [“A divide over China, although less pronounced than the divide over Israel, has become increasingly visible among Democrats as progressives have risen within the party.“]
• Church Times 8/14/26: Paul Vallely: Pro-Israel consensus in United States is fracturing
• New York Times 8/13/26: Inside the D.S.A.’s Audacious Quest for Power in the Democratic Party
• National Public Radio 8/13/26: AIPAC didn’t always spend on campaigns. Now it faces criticism over money in politics
• National Public Radio 8/13/26: Primary voters send mixed signals about what they want from the Democratic Party
• i24 News (Israel) 8/13/26: Anti-Israel progressives benefit from lack of pushback in primaries – analysis [NOT FROM THE ONION]
• Holistic News 8/13/26: Small Groups, Big Politics. How Minorities Gain Influence
• Jewish Insider 8/13/26: Jewish leaders build up local grassroots organizing to counter radical forces in politics [NOT FROM THE ONION]
• New York Times 8/13/26: Moderates See Socialists as a Threat to the Democratic Party. Socialists Agree.
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/12/26: After Michigan, will pro-Israel politics get a ground game? [NOT FROM THE ONION]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/12/26: The Democratic Party is running out of room for Jews
• Al Jazeera 8/12/26: Trump remarks on diminishing impact of pro-Israel groups in Congress [“Trump claims pro-Israel lobbying groups no longer hold sway in Capitol Hill as they did some 20 years ago.”]
• Vox 8/12/26: How an AIPAC endorsement became a liability
• Philadelphia Jewish Exponent 8/12/26: editorial – The Michigan Warning
• Zeteo 8/12/26: Bernie Sanders Joins Mehdi to Talk Dems, Abdul El-Sayed, AIPAC, and Netanyahu
• The Hill 8/12/26: Democrats’ progressive surge could complicate Jeffries’s path to unity
• Jewish Insider 8/12/26: Socialist speed bump in Wisconsin, but left sweeps other key races
• Sunna Files 8/11/26: After AIPAC: Are the Rules of American Politics Beginning to Change?
• Religion News Service 8/11/26: Islamophobic politics is up front. Pro-Israel politics, not so much.
• The Onion 8/11/26: Spiteful AIPAC Spends $30 Million On Loud Bird Perched Outside Abdul El-Sayed’s Window
• YNet 8/11/26: America First, Israel last: Why opposition to US aid to Israel is gaining ground
• Left Voice 8/11/26: The Democratic Party Establishment Punches Back
• Zeteo 8/11/26: AIPAC Exposed: Mehdi Speaks to Authors of New Book on the Israel Lobby
• Times of Israel 8/11/26: Bernie Sanders urges Democrats to ban ‘corrupt’ AIPAC spending in primaries
• Jewish Currents 8/11/26: The Jewish Establishment Can’t Face Reality [“Cowed by its radical base, a major Jewish organization throws a spin doctor under the bus.”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/11/26: Something moved beneath Schumer’s feet [“The longtime New York senator is no longer the guardian of anything, let alone Israel.“]
• Jewish Insider 8/11/26: In four states, a test of the Democratic Party’s leftward drift
• The Forward 8/10/26: What does the DSA actually want? Its national co-chair can’t say.
• Jewish Insider 8/10/26: DSA co-chair calls Oct. 7 attacks ‘largely inevitable,’ says she would have attended Oct. 8 rally
• American Prospect 8/10/26: Super PACs Find It Hard to Shake Partnerships With AIPAC
• New York Times 8/10/26: Inside the Left’s Playbook for Winning Elections
• Jerusalem Post 8/10/26: Bernie Sanders urges Democratic Party to ban AIPAC and super PACs from primaries, pass amendment
• Chicago Tribune 8/10/26: Clarence Page: Time for Democrats to widen their ‘big tent’
• El Pais 8/10/26: Democratic primaries reveal Israel’s waning political influence in the United States
• Washington Post 8/10/26: Eleventh-hour primary upsets muddy the race for control of Congress
• Mondoweiss 8/10/26: Pro-Palestinian advocates won big in Michigan – what comes next? 
• Vox 8/10/26: What would actually happen if the US cut off aid to Israel? [“The left is winning the debate on military aid. But changing Israel’s behavior likely requires going further.“]
• The Hill 8/9/26: Murphy says Israel’s government ‘not aligned’ with US national security objectives
• Al-Monitor 8/8/26: As pro-Palestinian candidates gain ground, will AIPAC’s influence wane?
• Washington Examiner 8/8/26: Democrats’ fundraising woes raise questions about whether Jewish donors are pulling back
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/7/26: A man of courage was needed. Instead, American Jews have Schumer

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – California

• Jewish Insider 8/14/26: Bay Area Jewish leaders urge Pelosi to address ally Connie Chan’s anti-Israel rhetoric [“Chan has been accused of using antisemitic rhetoric in her campaign against state Sen. Scott Wiener“]
• Jewish Insider 8/14/26: J Street launches six-figure ad campaign to boost progressive in Swalwell’s former seat
• The Intercept 8/14/26: Has the Left Really Met Its Limit? 
• J Street 8/13/26: J Street Action Fund Launches Six-Figure Independent Expenditure Campaign in CA-14 Special Election to Support Aisha Wahab
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/13/26: Ro Khanna attempts to take Israel hostage
• KQED 8/12/26: Aisha Wahab to File FEC Complaint Over Alleged Election Interference in Race for Swalwell Seat [“Groups affiliated with the pro-Israel lobby organization AIPAC have poured millions into attack ads against Wahab, who is campaigning for the vacant East Bay congressional seat formerly held by Eric Swalwell.”]
• Semaphor 8/12/26: Campaign finance violation allegations fly in Swalwell special
• Mercury News 8/12/26: Pro-Israel donors, groups widen backing of Hernandez in congressional race
• Politico 8/12/26: Adam Schiff on Democrats’ ‘losing message,’ AOC and AIPAC
• Politico 8/11/26: Adam Schiff declines to swear off AIPAC support [“The California senator said he would not ‘exclude any person, faith, organization’ as the pro-Israel lobby divides the Democratic party.“]
• ABC News 8/11/26: East Bay congressional race to replace Eric Swalwell heats up between Aisha Wahab, Melissa Hernandez
• San Francisco Chronicle 8/9/26: How the Middle East became an issue in East Bay House race

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Connecticut

• Jerusalem Post 8/13/26: AIPAC-backed candidate John Larson defeated in Connecticut Democratic primary by Luke Bronin
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/12/26: A Democratic upset in Connecticut — but Israel was not a factor
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/11/26: Former Hartford mayor beats AIPAC-endorsed congressman, seeking 15th term, in Connecticut Dem primary
• Jewish Insider 8/10/26: Longtime Connecticut congressman faces primary challenger making generational case for change [“Rep. John Larson, a Democrat, supports continued U.S. aid to Israel, while former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin has said he would not back further offensive aid but does support Iron Dome“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Florida

• South Floridan Sun Sentinel 8/13/26: Rashida Tlaib’s visit to South Florida to campaign for her colleagues’ challengers sparks controversy
• Mondoweiss 8/13/26: The Shift: One of Congress’s most pro-Israel members is facing strong opposition from an anti-Zionist in Florida
• Fox News 8/12/26: Rashida Tlaib slammed for targeting Jewish House Democrats in Florida primaries: ‘No coincidence’
• Florida Phoenix 8/12/26: The Democratic race for CD 25: Jared Moskowitz vs. Oliver Larkin – Can a progressive beat an establishment Democrat in Florida?
• Florida Politics 8/12/26: Byron Donalds defends Israeli bond investments, but Treasurys now pay more
• Jewish Insider 8/10/26: Rep. Randy Fine campaign sign vandalized with a swastika
• Chronicle Online 8/9/26: Progressive wing tests Florida Democrats in Senate primary
• Florida Politics 8/9/26: Republican CD 1 candidate John Frankman breaks with Donald Trump on Iran, says he’d end U.S. funding for Israel
• Boc Raton Tribune 8/8/26: New Internal Poll Shows Larkin and Moskowitz Locked in Tight Democratic Primary
• Florida Politics 8/8/26: Michael Kirwan wants to regulate AI, repeal tariffs and stop ‘subsidizing’ Israel

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Georgia

• Jewish Insider 8/12/26: Atlanta Jewish Times publisher accuses Ossoff of ‘lying’ about Israel support [“‘Your antagonism toward Israel has remained steadfast,’ Michael Morris wrote. ‘Your vote continues to demonstrate a lack of support for the Jewish state’“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Hawaii

• CBS News 8/9/26: Rep. Ed Case defeats progressive primary challenger in Hawaii’s 1st District
• Times of Israel 8/9/26: Hawaii congressman defeats anti-Israel progressive upstart in Democratic primary
• Times of Israel 8/8/26: Hawaii primaries pose latest test for Democrats amid party split over Israel

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Maryland

• Responsible Statecraft 8/14/26: Sen. Van Hollen: Iran war is illegal and we cannot fund another dime

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

• Jewish Insider 8/14/26: Mike Rogers calibrates Jewish outreach as he builds broad coalition against Abdul El-Sayed
• Haaretz 8/13/26: AIPAC Lashes Out at NYT’s Friedman for Calling on Michigan’s El-Sayed to Challenge pro-Israel Lobby [“Pro-Israel lobby accuses Friedman of amplifying ‘lies’ and ignoring what the lobby sees as El-Sayed’s opposition to Israel as a Jewish state“]
• Jewish Insider 8/13/26: Poll: Mike Rogers holds narrow lead over Abdul El-Sayed in high-stakes Michigan Senate race
• Jewish Currents 8/13/26: A Choice for Liberals in Michigan: Zionism or Fighting Trump?
• Semaphor 8/13/26: El-Sayed’s money challenge raises question for Sanders
• Quartz 8/12/26: Trump calls El-Sayed a “hater” of Jews after Michigan Senate primary win
• Fox News 8/12/26: Jewish Dem defections threaten El-Sayed in Michigan Senate race decided by razor-thin margins
• Middle East Monitor 8/12/26: Anti-Muslim hate targeting Michigan Senate nominee El-Sayed surged after primary win: Study
• Jewish Insider 8/12/26: Haley Stevens defends AIPAC spending in her failed Senate run [“The Democratic congresswoman said AIPAC supporters are ‘good Americans who care about democracy and freedom’”]
• Legal News 8/12/26: Abdul El-Sayed Won a Combative Democratic Nomination for U.S. Senate — He’ll Face More Attacks this Fall
• WDET 8/11/26: The Metro: What Abdul El-Sayed learned from being outspent 11-1 [“More than $60 million in outside money went into last week’s Michigan Senate primary, most of it aimed at stopping him. The largest single source was AIPAC, whose super PAC spent about $30 million backing U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens — the most the pro-Israel group has ever put into a congressional primary.“]
• The Fulcrum 8/11/26: Who Is Electable? Michigan’s Senate Primary Asks a Familiar Question.
• Exposed by CMD 8/11/26: How Progressive Will Michigan Voters Go?
• New York Times 8/11/26: El-Sayed’s Winning Path in Michigan
• Washington Free Beacon 8/11/26: Revealed: El-Sayed Proclaimed ‘Obligation’ To Follow Sharia Law Until the Day He Dies [note that the fact that a candidate is religiously observant is generally considered a positive attribute in the US system, so long as the candidate is Christian or Jewish – like Mike Pence, who famously refuses to eat alone with any woman but his wife, or even attend events where alcohol is served without his wife.]
• Arab American Institute/Jim Zogby 8/10/26: El-Sayed’s Win in Michigan Is the Most Consequential Election This Year
• Haaretz 8/10/26: Why Michigan Jews Should Vote Blue This Fall, Despite Very Real Concerns
• The Guardian 8/9/26: ‘Voters are fed up’: Michigan primary forces Democratic party to accept leftwing shift
• Michigan Daily Star 8/9/26: Michigan primary: How standing up to Israeli genocide could win Democrats Congress in November
• Politico 8/9/26: Abdul El-Sayed disavows Hasan Piker’s 9/11 comments
• Washington Post 8/9/26: After bitter primary, El-Sayed faces daunting task of unifying Democrats
• MS Now 8/8/26: Bruised Michigan Democrats pledge unity after divisive primary
• Times of Israel 8/8/26: El-Sayed’s Victory Does Not Bode Well For Israel
• KCBY 8/7/26: El-Sayed win spotlights Democratic divide over Israel, Jewish voters
• New York Post 8/6/26: I’m a longtime Democrat — fighting for GOP’s Mike Rogers, and my party’s soul, in Michigan
• Jewish Currents 8/5/26: General Election Fight Looms After Abdul El-Sayed’s Narrow Win in Michigan
• The Free Press 8/5/26: ‘A Turning Point for Our Nation’: How Abdul El-Sayed Won
• Reuters 8/5/26: Republicans seize on Michigan progressives’ wins, but party is split on socialism message

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Minnesota

• Minnesota Star Tribune 8/13/26: Olson: Flanagan’s quiet strength shatters expectations in DFL Senate primary
• Ballotpedia 8/13/26: Incumbent Ilhan Omar defeated four other candidates in the Democratic primary for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District on Aug. 11
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/13/26: Minnesota’s Democratic nominee is an Israel critic – but she is not El-Sayed 2.0
• Jerusalem Post 8/12/26: Progressive Democrat Peggy Flanagan defeats AIPAC-backed Angie Craig in Minnesota Senate primary
• National Public Radio 8/12/26: Democratic strategist reflects on Wisconsin and Minnesota primaries
• Minnesota Public Radio 8/12/26: Voters choose Democrat Matt Little to run for competitive Congressional seat
• Liberation News 8/12/26: Flanagan wins big in primary as Minnesotans reject AIPAC and ICE
• Haaretz 8/12/26: Mixed Night for Progressives in Democratic Primaries as pro-Palestinian Candidates Win in Minnesota, Lose in Wisconsin [“Minnesota’s lieutenant governor Peggy Flanagan clinched the Senate nomination in another defeat for Democratic supporters of Israel – and AIPAC, which hosted fundraisers for her rival, Rep. Angie Craig. In Wisconsin, moderate David Crowley narrowly won over democratic socialist Francesca Hong“]
• New York Times 8/11/26: Matt Little, a Progressive, Wins a Democratic House Primary in Minnesota [“Mr. Little, who beat State Representative Kaela Berg and State Senator Matt Klein, centered his candidacy on promises to ban corporate money from politics and support for ‘Medicare for All.’ He was critical of data centers and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee…”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/11/26: Progressive who accuses Israel of ‘genocide’ wins Minnesota Dem Senate primary
• Associated Press 8/11/26: Minnesota primary is latest Democratic proxy fight for Senate and a test for Trump-backed hopefuls
• ABC News 8/11/26: Progressive vs. moderate showdown for Senate seat tops Minnesota primaries
• New York Times 8/11/26: In Minnesota, a Moderate Democrat Has a Big Cash Edge Over Her Liberal Rival
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/11/26: Israel and AIPAC on the ballot in the Minnesota Senate and U.S. House races
• Haaretz 8/11/26: ‘AIPAC Is So Toxic You Just Throw It at Your Opponent’: Minnesota Primary Turns on pro-Israel Group
• WPRI 8/10/26: Wisconsin and Minnesota primaries next to feature progressive clash with Democratic establishment
• Jewish Insider 8/10/26: The latest Senate showdown between the center and the left set in Minnesota [“Left-wing Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s anti-Israel message is being complicated by her outreach to AIPAC earlier in the campaign”]
• Jewish Insider 8/10/26: Democratic primary for Craig’s House seat in Minnesota showcases Israel divide within party
• Twin Cities 8/8/26: Centrist Angie Craig, progressive Peggy Flanagan in Tuesday DFL Senate primary
• Minnesota Post 8/7/26: Outside groups fuel bitter Senate race between Peggy Flanagan and Angie Craig

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Missouri

• St Louis American 8/11/26: Primary was a dry run for the November election

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Nevada

• Jewish Insider 8/13/26: Nevada GOP candidate took max-out contribution from ‘Protocols’-promoting activist [“Reached for comment, Flippo’s campaign described the candidate as an ‘an ardent supporter and close ally of the Jewish community,’ noting that he serves as a member of the Republican Jewish Coalition leadership council and that he started a charity after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel to send food to Israelis in need…The Flippo campaign also told JI that his Democratic opponent, former state Rep. Teresa Benitez-Thompson, has ‘given into the rising anti-semitism of her own party by refusing donations from American citizens who support Israel’; Benitez-Thompson has vowed on the campaign trail to reject support from AIPAC and accused Israel of genocide. On her campaign site, she calls for the U.S. to phase out military aid to Israel and to place conditions on any further arms sales to the Jewish state. The Flippo campaign noted that Benitez-Thompson has received donations from a prominent local politician affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America which ‘engages in blood libel by calling Israel’s actions to defend itself genocide, celebrated the October 7th attack, and falsely describes Israel as an apartheid state.'”]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New Hampshire

• AOL 8/11/26: AIPAC’s Donors Seem To Have A Favorite Candidate In A Key Democratic Primary
• WMUR 8/10/26: Chris Pappas braces for primary challenge, says NH is not ‘left-wing’ state
• New Hampshire Public Radio 8/10/26: Pappas says U.S.-Israel relations at turning point, as primary rival blasts AIPAC ties

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New Jersey

• Jewish Insider 8/11/26: N.J. Dem nominee Rebecca Bennett will not endorse Hamawy, campaign says

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New York

• Politico 8/7/26: Pat Ryan’s Very Cordial Class War

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Ohio

• The American Prospect 8/11/26: Max Miller’s Endless Wars

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Pennsylvania

• The Hill 8/12/26: Fetterman says he won’t campaign against McCormick
• Philly Burbs 8/8/26: Would Fetterman win reelection if primary were held today? He says yes
• Fox News 8/6/26: Fetterman wins praise for ‘guts’ after going toe-to-toe with Jon Stewart over Israel support

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – South Carolina

• Jewish News Syndicate 8/13/26: South Carolina Senator Darline Graham ‘doubles down’ on support for Israel, her office says
• The Forward 8/10/26: South Carolina’s Republican Senate nominee will likely be pro-Israel, but no match for Lindsey Graham

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Tennessee

• Jewish News Syndicate 8/7/26: Congressman who introduced bill to send anti-Israel protesters to Gaza loses primary

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Washington State

• Jewish Insider 8/13/26: Rep. Pramila Jayapal rails against university decision to cancel Hasan Piker speech
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/13/26: Jayapal seems to advise student groups to invite antisemite Hasan Piker after University of Washington nixes official event with him

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Wisconson

• WPRI 8/10/26: Wisconsin and Minnesota primaries next to feature progressive clash with Democratic establishment

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Wyoming

• KHOL 8/11/26: Wyoming delegation talks Israel in Jackson, sparking small protest

Other Stuff

• Jewish News Syndicate 8/10/26: Netanyahu’s congressional call for a NATO-style alliance to counter Iran gives way to a Sunni state alliance
• Jewish Insider 8/10/26: Rep. Joe Wilson praises Saudi, Turkey, Pakistan defense pact as Trump ‘achievement’

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters & Reports
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

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New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 8/6/26: Israel, a Personal History, ft. FMEP fellow Ahmed Moor in conversation with Swedish author Göran Rosenberg. They discuss messianism in Jewish history, the continuity from 1950s Tel Aviv to the settler movement Gush Emunim to the manifestation of the settlement movement today. They also look at questions of collective rights, framed in terms of ‘peoplehood,’ versus individual rights. Rosenberg is the author most recently of Israel, a Personal History (Penguin Random House 2025). His other books include A Brief Stop on the Road From Auschwitz (2017) and Another Zionism, Another Judaism (2025).
• 8/4/26: Meeting Gaza’s Needs for Food, Justice, & Accountability, ft. FMEP fellow Ahmed Moor in conversation with Gaza Soup Kitchen’s Hani Almadhoun.

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(PLACES OF WORSHIP BUFFER ZONES) HR 10052 // S. 5289 [bill text]: Introduced 8/7/26 in the House by Knott (R-NC) and 3 bipartisan cosponsors, and in the Senate by Cruz (R-TX) and Slotkin (D-MI), “To protect the right to the free exercise of religion,” aka the “Right to Worship Act.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on the Judiciary.

• NOTE: This legislation is ostensibly intended to prevent the disruption of and/or attendance at religious services at houses of worship [hence the name: Right to Worship Act]. HOWEVER, it should be kept in mind that there have been protests/disruptions targeting houses of worship for many years [in particular anti-LGBTQ+ protests], without Congress taking action. What’s driving action today is something totally different, and that has nothing to do with the right to worship. A key driver (arguably THEY key driver) of this legislation is the goal of preventing protest of events held at houses of worship that have nothing to do with religious services — i.e., protesting real estate fairs held at U.S. synagogues, at which real estate in Israeli settlements is being marketed. The press release from the ADL – a key proponent of this legislation – touting the bills makes this crystal clear: it cites as evidence for why the legislation is needed, protests of two Israel real estate events held at synagogues; one on a Tuesday night, the other on a Monday night — neither on Shabbat nor in any way in conjunction with religious worship — unless one had decided to officially pervert the definition of Jewish religious worship to include the marketing/purchase of real estate in Israel and/or settlements. With this in mind, the bill’s definition of what qualifies as a “religious service” is key. That definition reads: “The term ‘religious service’ includes any collective worship or prayer service, class, or other event [emphasis added], at which individuals congregate to worship, study, or otherwise exercise, their religion [emphasis added].” Should this bill pass into law, the question will be: will U.S. law enforcement adopt the conflation of support for Israel/Zionism with Jewish religious practice, and therefore treat Israeli real estate fairs – at which land in West Bank settlements is being marketed/sold –  as “religious services” at which protest will be criminalized?

• Learn more about these real estate fairs: Trafficking in Israel’s War Crimes in a Midtown Manhattan Synagogue (Lawfare 8/6/26) – excerpt: “Inevitably, pro-Palestinian activists have protested outside the synagogues hosting these events. In response, pro-Israel advocates and lobbying organizations—such as the Anti-Defamation League—have branded these demonstrations as inherently antisemitic attempts to intimidate Jewish worshippers and stifle the First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion. In public statements and demands for law enforcement intervention, these groups routinely conflate the physical venue (a house of worship) with the commercial activity occurring inside it, arguing that any protest on synagogue grounds is a prima facie violation of religious freedom and civil rights. These criticisms fail on multiple legal fronts. To begin with, the First Amendment applies to state action, not to the conduct of private, non-state demonstrators exercising their own First Amendment rights. Furthermore, not all activities occurring inside a house of worship constitute a protected exercise of religious freedom. A “church” that promotes a distinct criminal enterprise receives no constitutional shield because the underlying act is a crime—just as the commercial appropriation of occupied territory is a crime. The criticism that demonstrators exhibit their inherent antisemitism by holding their demonstrations at synagogues, thus blaming all Jews for Israeli policy, also falls flat. Quite obviously, the demonstrations are at synagogues because that’s where the illegal land promotions are being held. If anyone is equating Israeli policies with Judaism, it is the organizers of these events. Finally, while the broader pro-Palestinian movement is certainly not immune to antisemitism, one need not be antisemitic to oppose these events. The prominent presence of Jewish activists among the demonstrators, alongside formal opposition from organizations such as Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and IfNotNow attests to a simpler truth: These protests are explicitly framed around international and domestic law, not religious identity. When a coalition of local residents and Jewish activists gathers to protest, their public mandates, signs, and legal briefs focus squarely on violations of the Geneva Conventions and domestic anti-discrimination laws. One need not even be pro-Palestinian to object to these fairs; one need only be anti-war crime.”

Also see:

• press releases (8/6/26): Suozzi (D-NY), Knott (R-NC), Cruz (R-TX), and Slotkin (D-MI) Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Right to Worship Act to Protect Worshippers; Sens. Cruz, Slotkin Introduce Bill to Protect Americans’ Right to Worship
• media: Lawmakers preparing to introduce federal buffer zone legislation [“The Right to Worship Act aims to address demonstrations around synagogues and other houses of worship that have become a growing concern for the Jewish community following anti-Israel and antisemitic protests outside synagogues that have turned violent. “] (Jewish Insider 8/3/26); Suozzi bill would create buffer zones for protests at places of worship (Newsday 8/6/26); Slotkin joins Cruz, Knott, Suozzi in leading federal buffer zone bill (Jewish Insider 8/6/26); US Congress introduces buffer zone bill meant to protect houses of worship (Times of Israel 8/6/26)

(SANCTIONS ON LEBANON) S.5356: Introduced 8/6/26 by Shaheen (D-NG) and Lankford (R-OK), “A bill to support Lebanon’s rule of law and democratic institutions through sanctions and support, and for other purposes.“ Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. NOTE: As of this writing (8/7/26, 11am EDT) no text is available, nor are there any press releases from the sponsor/cosponsor.

(IRAN WAR POWERS) S. J. Res. 211: Introduced 8/6/26 by Hickenlooper (D-CO) and 10 cosponsors (all Democrats), “A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.“ Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: press release – Hickenlooper Introduces War Powers Resolution to End Iran War

(TELL THE TRUTH ABOOUT IRAN WAR CASUALTIES) S. 5300 [bill text]: Introduced 8/6/26 by Duckworth (D-IL) and 17 cosponsors (all Democrats), “A bill to ensure the transparency and integrity of casualty accounting and benefits and awards for military and civilian personnel during military operations, and for other purposes.”  Referred to the Committee on Armed Services. Also see Duckworth press release – Duckworth Leads Colleagues in Push to Stop Trump from Hiding the True Cost of the Iran War and Dishonoring the Sacrifices of Our Heroes

(LEGALLY REQUIRE & ENFORCE MASSIVE EXPANSION OF US INTELL SHARING & COOPERATION WITH ISRAEL) S. 4615: Introduced 5/20/26 by Cotton (R-AR, the “Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027.” On 8/5/26, Cotton filed a written report on the bill (Report Number 119-133), and additional and Minority views were also filed. NOTE: the written report has not yet been published online – it should eventually show up here.  As a reminder: The bill includes an expansive new provision — Section 622 —  entitled “United States-Israel intelligence sharing enhancement.” Maybe you think this is the best idea ever! Maybe you think it is a terrible idea. Regardless, it is a HUGE deal and arguably should be understood/discussed/debated rather than just quietly slipping into law unnoticed. For details see the June 5, 2026 edition of the Round-Up.

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Reporting/posts on key Israel-related provisions in House & Senate FY27 NDAA (and also Senate FY27 Intelligence Authorization bill):

• First Post 8/7/26: Despite shifting public opinion, Congress pushes for closer US-Israel defence partnership
• Military.com 8/6/26: CIA Flags Risks of Permanent US-Israel Defense Ties as Security Impact Looms Large
• Military.com 8/6/26: New NDAA Provision on UTS Targets Surveillance Concerns, Says Former Green Beret and CEO
• Time 8/6/26: Congress May Phase Out Billions in Military Funding to Israel—but Deepen Ties Another Way
• The Portal 8/6/26: Congress Weighs Closer U.S.-Israel Defense Partnership as Military Aid Debate Evolves
• New York Times 8/5/26: Why Congress Wants a Closer U.S.-Israel Defense Partnership – A proposal making its way through Congress would integrate the U.S. and Israeli defense and intelligence apparatuses more tightly. Some worry that it is a bad idea.
• Stutzman (R-IN) 8/5/26: X-post – “The American-Israeli alliance is the strongest in the world. The future of our partnership looks even stronger in the future. My aid to trade resolution will transition the status quo of giving military aid to Israel to a new trade relationship where our nations can help each other militarily and economically.” [commenting on NYT article, above]
• Institute for Policy Studies 8/3/26: Israeli Forces Have Killed US Citizens. Congress Wants to Deepen Military Ties.
• Washington Post 7/31/26: House push to integrate defense industries of Israel, U.S. draws scrutiny [“Critics of the legislation fear that, if adopted, it would give Israel veto power over U.S. weapons systems.”]
• Press Herald 7/31/26: Israeli military integration measure has no place in annual defense bill
• Uprise RI 7/31/26: The Israel Defense Clause – Does it Merge the US Military with the IDF? [“Section 1217 of the Senate’s FY27 defense bill would permanently fuse U.S. and Israeli defense research and production pipelines — and Rhode Island’s Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse has said nothing publicly about it, even as six Senate colleagues line up against the provision.“]

2. Letters & Reports

• (STOP SETTLER VIOLENCE/EXPANSION; NEED SANCTIONS, ACCOUNTABILITY) 8/6/26: Warren, Van Hollen, Colleagues Urge Trump
 Admin To End Settler Violence and Expansion 
in West Bank; Call For Restoring Sanctions and
 an Investigation Into Americans’ Deaths [letter text]
• (CHINA RE-ARMING IRAN?) 8/6/26: Krishnamoorthi Seeks Answers on Reports China Is Rearming Iran with Air Defense Missiles, Warns U.S. Servicemembers Face Greater Risk [letter text]
• (GIVE US INFO ON U.S. IRAN WAR CASUALTIES!) 8/5/2: Baldwin Demands Military Release Its Investigation into Iranian Attack that Killed 6 Servicemembers [letter text]. Also see: Sen. Tammy Baldwin pushes Pentagon to release probe of Iranian attack that killed 6 U.S. troops in Kuwait (CBS News 8/5/26)
• (UPDATE ON GAZA CEASEFIRE AND “PEACE PLAN”) 8/4/26: Rep. Salinas [joined by 63 House Colleagues] Presses Trump Administration for Updates on Gaza Ceasefire and Peace Plan [letter text]
• (GIVE US INFO ON U.S. IRAN WAR CASUALTIES!) 8/4/26: Ranking Member Robert Garcia and Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Demand Pentagon Explain Why It Lied About American Casualties [letter text]
• (GIVE US INFO ON U.S. IRAN WAR CASUALTIES!) 8/3/26: New Dems Demand Answers After Pentagon Removes Fallen Service Members from Official Iran War Casualty List [letter text]
• (ADDRESS RESTRICTIONS THAT ARE IMPEDING HUMANITARIAN AID TO GAZA) 8/3/26: Representatives Tran, Bera and Carbajal Lead 65 Members Urging Secretary Rubio to Address Dual-Use Restrictions Impeding Humanitarian Aid to Gaza [letter text]
• (TARGETING US MILITARY EXPORTS TO UAE) 8/3/26: Van Hollen Leads 20 Colleagues in Urging Trump Administration to Use Leverage to Prevent Further Atrocities in Sudan [letter text] Excerpt – “We urge this administration to take concrete actions to prevent such mass atrocities in El Obeid, including by ceasing certain U.S. arms sales to the UAE and other external actors that are fueling this war.” Also see: Van Hollen (D-MD) 8/5/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Today, the Senate received a briefing on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan. Here’s the bottom line: We can & must do more to stop this. This war has already killed over 150,000 people & displaced over 14 MILLION. We must act NOW.”
• (REMOVE WEST BANK FENCE) 7/31/26:  Raskin, DeLauro, Casten, Jacobs and 111 Colleagues Demand Netanyahu Remove Barbed-Wire Fence Blocking Students’ Path from West Bank Village Umm Al-Kheir to School [letter text]. Also see: Raskin (D-MD) 7/31/26 X-post – “In the West Bank village of Umm Al-Kheir, children trying to go to school are met with barbed-wire fencing set up by settlers to block their path. A majority of the House Democratic Caucus is asking Prime Minister Netanyahu to remove the fence now, stop settler harassment and end this violation of the right of Palestinian children to go to school
” – linked to article: What A Day: Dems Take on the West Bank (Crooked Media 7/31/26); Majority of House Democrats urge Netanyahu to remove fence around Israeli community of Carmel (Jewish News Syndicate 7/31/26)

3. Hearings & Markups

August 5, 2026: The Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights held a kangaroo court-style hearing targeting US Muslim groups (especially CAIR, and including — no joke — Emgage), the DSA, and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed) entitled, Hidden in Plain Sight: Confronting the Muslim Brotherhood Network in America [VIDEO]. Witnesses for the prosecution were: Lara Burns, Retired FBI Special Agent/GWU Program on Extremism (statement -including on pages 41-42 detailed recommendations for law/policy changes in support of criminal prosecution of targeted orgs); Arielle F. Klepach, National Jewish Advocacy Center (statement); and Kyle Shideler, Center for Security Policy (statement & appendices) [note that CSP is designated by the SPLC as an extremist organization]. Democrats on the Subcommittee boycotted the hearing. Democrats boycotted the farce-of-a-hearing, so there was not witness who was not 100% aligned with the views of committee Republicans. Also see:

• Cruz (R-TX) press release 8/5/26: Sen. Cruz Delivers Opening Remarks on Muslim Brotherhood Threat (w/ video clip)
• Cruz (R-TX) 8/5/26: X-post w/ video clip- “I held a hearing today in which experts established that the Muslim Brotherhood and DSA communists are united by a shared hatred of America, Israel, Western civilization, capitalism, and democracy, and a revolutionary objective to overthrow the U.S. Constitution. That is why this issue is so critical. The Brotherhood’s American network has spent decades building influence inside our nonprofits, political organizations, universities, courts, and taxpayer-funded programs. Here are my full remarks:”
• Cruz (R-TX) 8/5/26: X-post w/ video clip – “I asked counterterrorism expert Kyle Shideler whether the Muslim Brotherhood partners with the Democratic Socialists of America. His answer: Yes. I asked whether this “Red-Green Alliance” is united by hostility toward America. His answer: Yes, and by a revolutionary objective of overthrowing the U.S. Constitution.”
• Cruz (R-TX) 8/5/26: X-post w/ video clip – “A counterterrorism expert testified today that Abdul El-Sayed’s candidacy for Senate concerns him. He cited El-Sayed’s ties to Emgage, its close ties to CAIR, and his father-in-law’s leadership roles in Muslim Brotherhood-linked organizations. Then he confirmed the Muslim Brotherhood partners with the Democratic Socialists of America. Michigan voters deserve answers about who is behind Abdul El-Sayed.”
• Media: Democrats plan to boycott Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Muslim Brotherhood [“Democrats dismissed the hearing a ‘political creepshow’ designed to attack Muslims broadly“] (Jewish Insider 8/4/26); Dems in the hot seat for skipping crucial hearing on radical group hiding in US: ‘Embarrassment’ (Fox News 8/5/26); Sen. Cruz Ties Michigan Senate Candidate El-Sayed to Islamist Group  (C-SPAN 8/5/26); Cruz links El-Sayed’s victory to Muslim Brotherhood network in United States (Jewish Insider 8/6/26); Cruz accuses El-Sayed of links to Muslim Brotherhood (Jewish News Syndicate 8/6/26); ‘Turning a Blind Eye to Muslim Brotherhood Emboldens Extremists and Undermines US National Security’ (Combat Antisemitism Movement 8/5/26)

Israel/AIPAC (and Iran) in US elex & politics – GENERAL

• FactCheck.org 8/7/26: United Democracy Project
• Palestine Chronicle 8/7/26: From New York to Michigan, Gaza Is Reshaping American Politics
• Fox News 8/6/26: How one group helped shape Congress’ support for Israel — and Iron Dome [“U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, former Ambassador David Friedman and U.S. Israel Education Association Founder and President Heather Johnston reflect on the role USIEA has played in sustaining the crucial alliance.“]
• The Nation 8/6/26: Abdul El-Sayed’s Win Is a Landmark. But the Fight Is Far From Over.
• The Lever 8/6/26: Big Money Lost To Abdul El-Sayed. Where Will It Go Next?
• New York Times 8/6/26: Moderate Democrats Prepare for ‘War’ Against an Ascendant Left [“One moderate group says the progressive wins are “deeply troubling” and is planning a $15 million effort against democratic socialism.“]
• Arab America 8/6/26: Breaking AIPAC’s Grip: How Democratic Socialists Are Changing the Game
• Jerusalem Post/Retuers 8/6/26: New generation of left-wing US media is powering progressive candidates
• Fox News 8/6/26: El-Sayed win kicks Democrats’ Midwest ideological battle into high gear — and some Dems fear November fallout
• New York Times 8/6/26: Moderate Democrats Prepare for ‘War’ Against an Ascendant Left
• The Guardian 8/6/26: The American left is making strides. But can they win in November?
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/6/26: Mixed primary results leave Jewish Democrats divided over party’s future
• Epicenter NY 8/6/26: El-Sayed and the Democrats’ new center
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/5/26: AIPAC-backed candidates advance to November elections after primary wins across five states
• KPFA 8/5/26: Jamaal Bowman Exposes the Battle to Silence Progressives
• Arab Center Washington DC 8/5/26: Changing Democratic Party Views on Israel and Palestine Boost US Democratic Socialists
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/5/26: ‘No one should count pro-Israel Democrats out,’ Democratic Majority for Israel PAC president tells JNS
• Washington Post 8/5/26: Takeaways from a big primary night in Michigan, Kansas, Missouri and more
• The Algemeiner 8/5/26: Anti-Israel Democrats Suffer Key Primary Defeats Despite El-Sayed Wins
• Vox 8/5/26: Abdul El-Sayed’s win tees up the first true swing state test for the Bernie left [“Left candidates have romped in blue state primaries. A Michigan general election will be a different challenge.”]
• Jewish Insider 8/5/36: Pro-Israel Democrats show signs of life in Michigan, Missouri primaries [“The results paint a picture of a Democratic Party deeply divided, with older voters, Black voters and Jewish voters forming the centrist coalition“]
• Al Jazeera 8/5/26: Michigan, Missouri, Washington primary elections: Key takeaways [“Recent US primaries have revealed a rift within the Democratic Party between progressives and moderates over US support for Israel.”]
• NPR 8/5/26: Progressives and moderate Democrats both see wins in primary races while Trump flexes power over GOP
• Common Dreams 8/5/26: Michigan Primary: How Standing Up to Israeli Genocide Could Win Democrats Congress in November
• Jewish Currents 8/4/26: With Jewish Establishment’s Help, A Black Political Group Battles the Left [“Inside an under-the-radar organization opposing the pro-Palestine left in Democratic primaries“]
• Washington Post 8/4/26: Can big money backfire?
• Jewish Insider 8/4/26: DSA’s Achilles’ heel goes beyond antisemitism – The reality is that these candidates are politically problematic to the overall public for reasons that go far beyond their views on Jews or Israel
• Financial Times 8/4/26: The Democrats’ civil war over Israel is getting worse
• NOTUS 8/3/26: Israel Is Defining Michigan’s Primaries. Progressives Say That’s Why They’re Winning. The debate among state Democrats is proving to be a microcosm of the discussion happening nationally within the party.
• Sludge 8/3/26: AIPAC Tops $100 Million in Election Spending for Second Straight Cycle
• Spotlight PA 8/3/26: The struggle of being a no-corporate-PAC-money Democrat
• Financial Times 8/2/26: ‘Voters have had it’: influence of pro-Israel lobby group sparks backlash in the US
• Haaretz 8/2/26: Why American Jews Will Once Again Favor Democrats This Fall
• Zeteo 7/31/26: EXCLUSIVE: New Poll Shows Swing District Voters Prefer ‘Outsiders’ to Boring Centrists [“Survey shared with Zeteo has a sample skewed towards Trump voters but shows strong support for Israel is the least appealing candidate trait. Plus, is Trump about to pull his controversial AG nominee?“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – California

• Jewish Insider 8/7/26: UDP targets progressive state senator in race to replace Swalwell
• Mercury News 8/7/26: Is AIPAC making an impact in the race to replace Eric Swalwell?
• GV Wire 8/6/26: AIPAC-Affiliated PACs Pour Millions Into Bid to Block Wahab in East Bay House Runoff
• The Guardian 8/6/26: Aipac-linked Super Pacs spend millions in California to thwart progressive candidate
• Politico 8/6/26: Aisha Wahab: AIPAC’s latest target
• The American Prospect 8/5/26: The AIPAC Universe Comes Together for Sequel in California [“As Swalwell chose running for governor over running for re-election to Congress, Wahab and Hernandez have already faced each other twice in the past two months to fill the open seat; each time, Wahab has won by more than 20 points. But that hasn’t stopped nearly the entire constellation of pro-Israel super PACs from spending significant sums for a special election that would entitle the winner to serve in Congress for only four and a half months, until next January.“]
• Voice of San Diego 8/4/26: One San Diego Congressional Rep Voted Against Funding Israeli War
• KGET 7/31/26: AIPAC funding flows into Central Valley congressional races, but exact totals are hard to track

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Colorado

• Axios 8/7/26: Newcomer Blau casts himself as Denver’s moderate candidate
• Colorado Capitol News Alliance 8/5/26: Colorado Democrats flip on Israel aid, reflecting larger divide within the party
• The Denverite 8/3/26: Dr. Shimone Blau says he wants to fight extremism
• Colorado Public Radio 8/3/26: Colorado Democrats flip on Israel aid, reflecting larger divide within the party
• Jewish Insider 8/2/26: Melat Kiros backtracks from conciliatory tone on Israel, antisemitism after far-left backlash
• VIN News 8/2/26: Colorado Jewish Leaders Express Alarm Over Melat Kiros’ Primary Win and Israel Criticism
• New York Post 8/2/26: DSA candidate Melat Kiros, who ousted 15-term Colorado rep, reveals her radical policy wish list
• Fox News 8/1/26: Jewish community in Denver on high alert over rise of democratic socialist Melat Kiros

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Florida

• South Florida Sun Sentinel 8/7/26: Florida’s 25th District: Antisemitism claims, AIPAC emerge as flashpoints in Moskowitz-Larkin congressional primary
• Miami Herald 8/6/26: Democratic socialist: ‘Anti-Zionist’ isn’t antisemitic. Jewish voters know better [editorial board]
• South Florida Sun Sentinel 8/6/26: Antisemitism claims, AIPAC emerge as flashpoints in Moskowitz-Larkin congressional primary
• Miami Herald 8/2/26: Nixon’s fight or Vindman’s millions? Democrats weigh choice for U.S. Senate race

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Hawaii

• Jewish Insider 8/5/26: Generational challenge threatens Ed Case in Hawaii’s under-the-radar primary [“A 42-year-old progressive state senator has quietly closed the gap on the 73-year-old pro-Israel incumbent, with internal polls showing a tightening race before Saturday’s vote”]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Kansas

• Kansas Reflector 8/4/26: Incumbent U.S. House members secure primary victories

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Massachusetts

• WGBH 8/3/26: Why more than half of Massachusetts’ House reps are facing primary challengers this year

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

• New York Times 8/7/26: Abdul El-Sayed Talks About His Victory, Chuck Schumer and His Mom
• Politico 8/7/26: Rogers makes early play for El-Sayed’s coalition in Michigan after bruising primary [“Republican Mike Rogers’ campaign is making moves to woo Jewish and Black voters.“]
• Detroit Free Press 8/7/26: El-Sayed faces ‘uphill battle’ winning Jewish support in Michigan
• PBS 8/6/26: How Abdul El-Sayed rose from political oblivion to progressive breakthrough in Michigan
• Jewish Insider 8/7/26: Mike Rogers begins outreach to Michigan Democrats after El-Sayed’s Senate nomination
• The Economist 8/6/26: Republicans are the real winners of Michigan’s primary
• Michigan Advance 8/6/26: High turnout shaped Michigan primary, boosting El-Sayed and Lawrence to victory
• Jerusalem Post 8/6/26: El-Sayed won the Democrats a victory, but may lose the war – analysis
• LA Times 8/6/26: Don’t let Abdul El-Sayed’s identity eclipse his actual politics [“What El-Sayed and his supporters are questioning isn’t Israel’s right to exist. They’re wondering why the United States, the richest of all the developed democracies, is still the only one that does not guarantee healthcare to its citizens? The list of nations that do guarantee access includes Israel, which receives billions in U.S. aid. For a doctor who has written a book on healthcare access and co-authored about 100 scholarly articles on health, that line of questioning doesn’t seem radical at all. It is who is doing the asking that unnerves some.“]
• Washington Times 8/6/26: Big winner in Michigan’s Democrat primary? GOP nominee Mike Rogers
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/6/26: Michigan Democratic primaries reflect party’s divide over Israel
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/6/26: The suicidal significance of the Michigan Democratic primary
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/6/26: Schumer, Democrats are ‘cowards’ for backing El-Sayed, RJC says
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/6/26: El-Sayed, the Democrats, AIPAC and the war on American Jews
• The Forward 8/6/26: ‘Time to double down’: Why AIPAC sees El Sayed’s win as a sign to spend still more
• The Forward 8/6/26: 5 important questions for Abdul El-Sayed
• Rolling Stone 8/6/26: Inside Abdul El-Sayed’s Improbable Victory
• The Nation 8/5/26: How Abdul El-Sayed Can Win Michigan, Plus an Election Protection Test Case
• Times of Israel 8/6/26: Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan primary win is a watershed moment for anti-Israel Democrats
• Times of Israel 8/6/24: After attacking AIPAC, El-Sayed seeks support from Michigan’s pro-Israel Democrats
• Jewish Insider 8/6/26: Jewish Democrats in Michigan weigh crossing party lines after El-Sayed’s Senate primary win
• Jewish Insider 8/6/26: Fetterman unloads on El-Sayed, predicts he could lose Michigan Senate seat for Democrats
• Common Dreams 8/6/26: ‘See You in November’: Progressives Welcome the Fight as AIPAC Plots Round Two Against El-Sayed
• Who What Why 8/6/26: In a Twist of Irony, AIPAC Probably Won the Michigan Primary for El-Sayed
• Al Jazeera 8/6/26: How Abdul El-Sayed’s ‘extraordinary’ win stunned pro-Israel establishment
• Times of Israel 8/6/26: El-Sayed’s narrow Michigan win splits Jewish Democrats over potential rapprochment
• Al-Monitor 8/5/26: Abdul el-Sayed becomes first Muslim-American to win Michigan senate primary
• Vanity Fair 8/5/26: AIPAC Spent $32 Million Trying to Stop Abdul El-Sayed. Did They Possibly…Help Him?
• CNN 8/5/26: ‘We have 13 weeks’: A ruptured Democratic Party now tries to unite behind Abdul El-Sayed
• Jezebel 8/5/26: AIPAC Broke Its Spending Record to Lose a Very Expensive Primary
• Mother Jones 8/5/26: Michigan’s Primary Reckoning for the Democrats
• Al-Monitor 8/5/26: AIPAC to oppose El-Sayed after major Michigan primary victory
• Time 8/5/26: The Winners and Losers From Michigan’s High-Stakes Senate Primary
• Wall Street Journal 8/5/26: editorial board – The March of the El-Sayed Democrats
• Wall Street Journal 8/5/26: El-Sayed’s Deflected Bigotry – Democrats face a choice: denounce him for antisemitism or remain silent [Also see Mehdi Hassan’s apt response on X: “An 820-word op-ed repeatedly accusing Abdul El-Sayed of antisemitism, from start to finish, without offering 1 shred of evidence of antisemitism, not one anti-Jewish quote. Lots of anti-Israel rhetoric. Not a word about Jews or Judaism. Such low standards on the WSJ op-ed page.“]
• Rolling Stone 8/5/26: Abdul El-Sayed’s Win Sets Off Wave of MAGA Islamophobia
• Fox News 8/5/26: El-Sayed campaign backed by over $100,000 from dozens of members of group with alleged terror ties
• US News 8/5/26: Progressives in Ascendance With Key Primary Wins in Michigan
• Daily Signal 8/5/26: NRSC Hits El-Sayed for Pledging Support to Iran’s Revolutionary ‘Counterparts,’ the Muslim Brotherhood
• Jewish Insider 8/5/26: Moderate Michigan Rep. Hillary Scholten does not offer endorsement of El-Sayed
• Jewish Insider 8/5/26: Mamdani won’t rule out traveling to Michigan to campaign for El-Sayed
• Jewish Insider 8/5/26: El-Sayed calls Israel ‘bloodthirsty’ ahead of Senate primary win
• Jewish Insider 8/5/26: Stevens concedes and endorses El-Sayed, as GOP attacks his candidacy as ‘dangerous’
• Jewish Insider 8/5/26: Jewish Dems ‘disappointed’ in Michigan Senate results, stop short of endorsing El-Sayed
• WBUR 8/5/26: Progressives see biggest win yet in Michigan, while Trump flexes power over GOP
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/5/26: After El-Sayed secures Michigan Dem Senate nod, Jews should vote for those who prioritize their safety, ZOA head says
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/5/26: ‘AP’ calls Michigan primary for El-Sayed, RJC says Dems elected ‘most antisemitic US Senate candidate in America’
• Truthout 8/5/26: El-Sayed Hits Back at GOP’s Islamophobic Attacks: “That’s the Best You Got?”
• The Atlantic 8/5/26: What El-Sayed Does Next Matters
• The Forward 8/5/26: William Lawrence, El-Sayed-aligned progressive, takes Democratic House nomination in Michigan battleground race
• The Foward 8/5/26: In the Michigan Senate race, Jews should (and will) vote for democracy
• The Forward 8/5/26: Michigan’s Jewish Democrats aren’t all ready to unite behind El-Sayed as nominee
• The Forward 8/5/26: Abdul El-Sayed is right about the future of Israel and Palestinians
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/5/26: El-Sayed decried AIPAC. Now he hopes to win over pro-Israel Democrats.
• Haaretz 8/5/26: AIPAC Indicates It Will Continue Spending Against Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s General Election [“The lobby has rarely involved itself in general election spending, instead deploying millions in intraparty primary battles“]
• New York Times 8/5/26: After Michigan Loss, AIPAC Weighs a Second Effort to Defeat El-Sayed [“The pro-Israel organization spent $32 million in an unsuccessful effort to defeat Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary. It might try again in the general election.“]
• New York Times 8/5/26: The Populist Left Has a Theory. We’re All About to Test It.
• New York Times 8/5/26: Congressman Is Ousted by Democratic Socialist in Michigan House Primary
• Ken Klipperstein 8/5/26: Chuck Schumer Eats Shit – Abdul El-Sayed’s victory is earthquake for Democratic Party old guard
• Responsible Statecraft 8/5/26: El-Sayed overcomes $30 million AIPAC spend, wins Michigan primary
• Mondoweiss 8/5/26: Abdul El-Sayed overcomes massive AIPAC spending to win Michigan primary
• The Guardian 8/5/26: Abdul El-Sayed offers a template for Democrats to defeat Trumpism
• Jewish Currents 8/5/26: General Election Fight Looms After Abdul El-Sayed’s Narrow Win in Michigan
• Jerusalem Post 8/5/26: Abdul El-Sayed seeks Democratic unity after divisive Michigan Senate primary
• ADL’s Jonathan Greenblatt X-post 8/5/26: video doubling down on accusations accusing El-Sayed of antisemitism (etc)
• AIPAC 8/5/26: X-post – “...In Michigan, AIPAC members were proud to stand with Governor Whitmer, Senator Peters, former Senator Stabenow, former Governor Granholm, Attorney General Dana Nessel, and the many others who supported Haley Stevens in the Senate primary, helping her fight for an authentic Democratic agenda for Michigan. Our members remain determined to ensure that voters reject Dr. El-Sayed and his radical anti-Israel agenda in November…While disappointed that some of our AIPAC-backed candidates did not prevail, our community is proud to support pro-Israel Democrats and Republicans who stand for our values, and we are encouraged that voters in races across this primary season continue to broadly choose leaders who support a strong U.S.-Israel partnership. These results demonstrate that AIPAC’s nearly 7 million members remain determined to make the case for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship that makes America stronger. Through AIPAC, millions of American citizens will keep working to help elect pro-Israel leaders and to help defeat anti-Israel detractors between now and November, and in many cycles ahead.“
• Jewish Democratic Council of America 8/5/26: press release – “...While we are disappointed in the final result of the Michigan Senate race, the razor-thin margin isn’t the resounding win for the far-left that was predicted. We are proud of the race run by Rep. Haley Stevens, and we thank her for her consistent and principled leadership standing with Jewish Americans. We congratulate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed on his victory after a difficult and divisive primary. JDCA volunteers from across the country made over 100,000 calls into Michigan and Missouri mobilizing voters for Haley Stevens and Wesley Bell, creating a growing nationwide network of Jewish activists who made their voices heard. This work continues, as we engage voters in key districts and states in support of Democrats who share our values in the lead-up to the critically important midterms in November.“
• Democratic Majority for Israel 8/5/26: X-post – “The lesson from Tuesday’s results is twofold: There is clearly strong anti-establishment energy this cycle, but no one should count pro-Israel Democrats out. While El-Sayed’s razor-thin victory in Michigan is disappointing, it was hardly the sweeping triumph he predicted or a mandate for his views. Haley Stevens ran a strong campaign, built a diverse coalition that included Black and Jewish voters and moderate Democrats, and came within a single percentage point despite trailing by double digits in some late polls. Across the country last night, pro-Israel Democrats scored significant victories, including DMFI PAC endorsees Sharice Davids, Jeremy Moss, Wesley Bell, Elaine Luria, Suzan DelBene, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Kim Schrier and Marilyn Strickland. Tuesday’s results demonstrate that pro-Israel Democrats remain a strong and vital part of the Democratic coalition. DMFI PAC looks forward to helping these pro-Israel Democrats win in November.“
• Republican Jewish Committee 8/5/26: Michigan Democrats Just Nominated the Most Antisemitic US Senate Candidate in America [“Abdul El-Sayed is a direct threat to Michigan’s Jewish community…“]
• Combat Antisemitism Movement 8/5/26: El-Sayed’s Michigan Victory ‘Should Raise Alarm Bells for Jewish Americans and Everyone Who Believes in Civil Rights for All’
• NBC News 8/5/26: Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, notching a Midwest victory for the left
• Times of Israel 8/5/26: Anti-Israel Democratic candidate El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primary
• Times of Israel 8/5/26: Anti-Israel Michigan state rep. McKinney defeats sympathetic incumbent in US House primary
• Times of Israel 8/5/26: William Lawrence, anti-Israel progressive, takes Dem House nomination in Michigan
• WDET/AP 8/5/26: Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primary in major victory for Democrats’ progressive wing
• Axios 8/5/26: Left turn in Michigan: Tuesday’s primary takeaways
• Reuters 8/5/26: Progressive El-Sayed wins Michigan primary in jolt to Democrats, US media project
• Time 8/5/26: Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Primary, Delivering Progressives a Major Battleground Victory
• The Intercept 8/5/26: The Most Expensive Democratic Senate Primary Has a Winner
• The Intercept 8/5/26: Abdul El-Sayed Beats the Democratic Establishment and AIPAC in Michigan
• The Times (UK) 8/5/26: The Michigan primary is a key test for radical Democrats
• The Hill 8/5/26: El-Sayed beats Stevens to take on Rogers in battleground Michigan Senate race
• The Hill 8/5/26: Michigan Senate Democratic primary too close to call: 5 takeaways
• The Hill 8/5/26: The Memo: Left looks to seize on momentum from El-Sayed’s win
• Newsweek 8/5/26: Pro-Israel Lobby Defeated in Michigan as El-Sayed Wins Senate Primary
• Axios 8/5/26: Abdul El-Sayed wins Democratic Senate primary in battleground Michigan
• Common Dreams 8/5/26: El-Sayed on Track to Win US Senate Primary, Overcoming AIPAC’s $30 Million Onslaught [“’We all knew they were going to spend their money,’ said Abdul El-Sayed. ‘We didn’t know that they were going to outspend us $11 to $1. And yet we’re still standing.’”]
• The Forward 8/5/26: William Lawrence, El-Sayed-aligned progressive, takes Democratic House nomination in Michigan battleground race
• Palestine Chronicle 8/5/26: AIPAC Suffers Major Defeat as Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Primary
• Arutz Sheva 8/5/26: Another blow to the Democrats’ pro-Israel faction: Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan primary 
• NBC News 8/5/26: Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, notching a Midwest victory for the left [“The former public health official has defeated Rep. Haley Stevens, NBC News projects, despite facing a huge advertising disadvantage.“]
• Al Jazeera 8/5/26: Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Democratic primary for Senate, NBC projects [“Progressive advocate overcomes more than $60m in spending to defeat pro-Israel Congresswoman Haley Stevens.”]
• Haaretz 8/5/26: What the Democrats Must Learn From El-Sayed’s Michigan Primary Win
• Haaretz 8/5/26: Pro-Israel Jewish Democrat Jeremy Moss Wins Michigan Congressional Primary
• American Enterprise Institute 8/4/26: Michigan’s Senate Primary Is About Israel
• Detroit Jewish News 8/4/26: Michigan’s Senate Race Has Become a Referendum on Israel — And the Future of the Democratic Party
• The American Prospect 8/4/26: Michigan’s Democratic Primary Could Hinge on Black Voters
• Jewish Insider 8/4/26: Michigan brewery apologizes for hosting Stevens campaign event, citing her support for Israel
• The Forward 8/4/26: Lawn signs for Abdul, door knocking for Haley: Michigan Jews split in Senate Democratic primary
• The Forward 8/4/26: Michigan Democrats await Senate winner in party’s biggest test yet on Israel
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/4/26: Jewish Democrat Jeremy Moss wins primary for Haley Stevens’ old Michigan House seat
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/4/26: Lawn signs for Abdul, door knocking for Haley: Michigan Jews split in Senate Democratic primary
• New York Times 8/4/26: Spending Tied to AIPAC Dominated the Michigan Senate Primary
• Jerusalem Post 8/4/26: Support for Israel takes center stage in Michigan, Missouri Democratic primaries – analysis
• CBC News (Canada) 8/4/26: Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary puts spotlight on big money and pro-Israel lobby
• Haaretz 8/4/26: Michigan’s Democratic Voters Head to Polls in 2026’s Most Consequential Primary on Israel
• Slate 8/4/26: A Test For Pro-Israel Democrats
• Barrons 8/4/26: Polls Open In Michigan Vote Testing Rival Visions For Democrats
• Military News/AP 8/4/26: Michigan Democrats pick between moderate and progressive in high-profile Senate primary
• YNet 8/4/26: Abdul El-Sayed’s insurgent bid turns Michigan Senate primary into Democratic stress test
• CBS News 8/4/26: Haley Stevens stands firm on backing U.S. military aid to Israel, claims El-Sayed won’t recognize Israel’s right to exist
• Reuters 8/4/26: Michigan primary offers key test of Democratic voters’ views on Israel
• Arab Weekly 8/4/26: Michigan senate primary will test US Democrats’ position on Israel
• Washington Examiner 8/4/26: Abdul el Sayed has one answer for every Michigan problem: Israel
• New York Times 8/4/26: AIPAC, One of the Biggest Spenders on U.S. Elections, Faces Its Biggest Test [“The lobbying group has more than doubled its spending on political campaigns, while rarely mentioning Israel. It has placed a large financial bet on today’s Michigan Senate primary.“]
• NOTUS 8/4/26: Democrats in Congress Don’t Like Shri Thanedar. He Hopes Voters Disagree. The lawmaker faces a democratic socialist challenger in a blue Detroit-area district.
• Time 8/3/26: Michigan’s Senate Race Turned Ugly. Democrats Eyeing 2028 Are Watching Closely
• The New Yorker 8/3/26: Abdul El-Sayed’s Argument for America—and Against His Own Party
  The Michigan U.S. Senate candidate on campaigning with Hasan Piker, being a capitalist, and why his fellow-Democrats need to “stop compromising.”
• Defector 8/3/26: Abdul El-Sayed’s Campaign Believes The Many Can Defeat The Money
• Politifact 8/3/26: Fact-checking Abdul El-Sayed, Haley Stevens in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary
• Washington Free Beacon 8/3/26: Extremist Michigan Imam Who Hosted El-Sayed Urges Followers To Turn Out To Vote and ‘Deal the Zionist a Blow,’ Frames Primary as Epic Fight Against ‘Puppet’ of Israel
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/3/26: AIPAC gets a lot of attention in Michigan Senate primary, but voters say it’s not their top issue
• Newsweek 8/3/26: Who Speaks for Jewish Democrats? Michigan Is About To Decide
• Washington Examiner 8/3/26: El Sayed’s rise puts Michigan Democrats’ winning formula to the test
• Michigan Advance 8/3/26: Who is electable? Michigan’s Senate primary asks a familiar question [“No one can agree on what, exactly, electability is — but both Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed are making the case that they have it”]
• NOTUS 8/3/26: Israel Is Defining Michigan’s Primaries. Progressives Say That’s Why They’re Winning. [“The debate among state Democrats is proving to be a microcosm of the discussion happening nationally within the party.“]
• National Catholic Report 8/3/26: Michigan Senate primary: Where is the Democratic party headed?
• New York Times 8/3/26: Michigan Looks Left — We’re sizing up tomorrow’s primary contest.
• Haaretz 8/3/26: 11 Questions and Answers About the Most Closely Watched Primary in 2026
• Politics Today 8/3/26: AIPAC Spending Dominates Michigan Senate Campaign Race
• Mondoweiss 8/3/26: Michigan voters appear to swing toward Abdul El-Sayed on eve of crucial Senate primary. Will it be enough to beat AIPAC’s millions?
• New Arab 8/3/26: Most expensive Democrat senate primary in Michigan as Abdul El-Sayed takes on AIPAC
• Jewish Insider 8/3/26: Republicans betting Jewish voters swing Rogers’ way if El-Sayed wins primary [“For many Jewish Democrats in Michigan who have long called the party home, the bruising lead-up to the primary on Tuesday has been difficult to experience“]
• New York Magazine 8/3/26: El-Sayed Is Already Eyeing Race Against ‘Weak’ Mike Rogers
• Legis1 8/3/26: Follow The Money: Behind Michigan’s Wide-Open Senate Race
• Detroit Free Press 8/3/26: What’s on voters’ minds as hard-fought Democratic US Senate primary approaches
• Detroit Free Press 8/2/26: Abdul El-Sayed, U.S. Senate candidate, on AIPAC and Israel
• WLNS 8/2/26: Bernie Sanders’ former policy advisor on AIPAC spending and Democrats’ shift on Israel
• NBC News 8/2/26: Bernie Sanders says Michigan primary is about taking on ‘AIPAC money’: Full interview
• NOTUS 8/2/26: A Normie Democrat Revolt Is Pushing Abdul El-Sayed Toward Victory [“‘The only reasonable thing seems to be: Burn it down and start over, and make it different,’ one Michigan organizer said.“]
• The Forward 8/2/26: Michigan’s Senate race has become a referendum on Israel — and the future of the Democratic Party [“Winning Tuesday’s primary may be the easy part for Abdul El-Sayed. His brand of politics would also have to carry the general election, with control of the Senate on the line“]
• The National News 8/2/26: Michigan Democratic primary showdown to test waters over Israel, Gaza and party’s future
• Detroit News 8/2/26: Stevens knocks down Detroit parishioner’s Muslim comment about El-Sayed
• Al Jazeera 8/2/26: How much has AIPAC spent against Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed? And why? [“Pro-Israel group unleashes its spending power to help elect Haley Stevens to US Senate against progressive doctor.”]
• Detroit News 8/1/26: El-Sayed spars with Stevens over claim that he blames Jewish Americans
• Vox 8/1/26: Why AIPAC could see its biggest defeat ever — Four years ago, Michigan Rep. Andy Levin lost his primary to Haley Stevens. He tells us how he got on AIPAC’s bad side.
• Al Jazeera 8/1/26: US Arabs eye ‘historic’ Senate win for Abdul El-Sayed despite AIPAC attacks [“The US Senate race in Michigan has come to embody the Democratic rift over Israel, as AIPAC spends heavily against the progressive candidate.”]
• The Lever 8/1/26: Abdul El-Sayed On Fetterman: “He’s Also Just An Asshole” [“The U.S. Senate candidate weighs in on Democrats’ biggest liabilities, MAGA’s performative masculinity, and why AIPAC is out to get him.“]
• Mother Jones 8/1/26: “If I Prove That You Can Win Statewide Taking on AIPAC, That Is Catastrophic” Abdul El-Sayed says Tuesday’s Senate primary in Michigan is a referendum on the future of the Democratic Party. 
• Times of Israel 8/1/26: Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan accuses anti-Israel rival of scapegoating Jews
• Convulsions 8/1/26: The Most Consequential Race of 2026 is Not in November
• Deadline Detroit 8/1/26: Abdul El-Sayed Responds to Haley Stevens’ Claim That He Blames Jewish Americans
• The New York Times 7/31/26: How the Michigan Primary Is Dividing Jewish Voters [“U.S. support for Israel is dividing Jewish voters — and reshaping the Democratic Party — ahead of Michigan’s primary on Aug. 4. We traveled to Detroit to meet campaigners on both sides of the issue, and find out how the war in Gaza has shaped their politics, and tested their community.“]
• Haaretz 7/31/26: ‘It’s Bigger Than Abdul’: In Dearborn, Beating AIPAC May Be the Real Prize
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/31/26: Stevens says El-Sayed wants to ‘blame all of your problems on Jewish Americans’
• NOTUS 7/31/26: Dana Milbank: I Was Prepared to Dislike Abdul El-Sayed. Then I Came to Michigan and Spoke to Him. He has a message that all Democrats could learn from.
• Haaretz 7/31/26: ‘I Tried, and I Got Crushed’: AIPAC Made an Example of Andy Levin. Now He’s All-in for Abdul El-Sayed

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Missouri

• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/6/26: Did Cori Bush’s focus on AIPAC doom her Missouri Democratic primary bid?
• AIPAC 8/5/26: X-post – “...In Missouri’s First District, AIPAC congratulates Congressman Wesley Bell on defeating former Representative Cori Bush for the second time. AIPAC members and United Democracy Project were proud to support Bell, a serious, thoughtful leader who delivers for his constituents. In Congress and throughout the race, Bush demonized AIPAC’s members, attacked Israel, and refused to condemn Hamas terrorism—and voters made sure she did not make it back to Congress…”
• Jerusalem Post 8/5/26: US Rep. Wesley Bell overcomes anti-Israel progressive Cori Bush in Missouri Democratic primary
• The Forward 8/5/26: AIPAC-backed Wesley Bell defeats Cori Bush in Missouri Democratic primary
• Haaretz 8/5/26: AIPAC-backed Democrat Defeats BDS Supporter Cori Bush in Missouri Primary
• Times of Israel 8/5/26: Cori Bush loses primary bid to retake US House seat from AIPAC-backed Democratic incumbent
• Axios 8/4/26: Establishment Dems notch rare win as Wesley Bell fends off DSA
• St. Louis Public Radio 8/4/26: Bell defeats Bush in contentious 1st Congressional District Democratic primary rematch
• The Intercept 8/4/26: Wesley Bell Again Defeats Cori Bush — With Plenty of Help From AIPAC
• Jewish Insider 8/4/26: Rep. Wesley Bell easily blocks Cori Bush’s comeback attempt
• Politico 8/4/26: Progressives’ anti-AIPAC wave hits a snag in St. Louis
• NBC News 8/4/26: Rep. Wesley Bell defeats former Rep. Cori Bush in a Missouri Democratic primary rematch
• Politico 8/4/26: Democrats’ stance on Israel takes center stage in Bush-Bell rematch in St. Louis [“The rematch between Rep. Wesley Bell and Cori Bush puts the U.S.-Israel relationship under scrutiny.“]
• The Forward 8/4/26: Cori Bush promised to bury AIPAC. Her rematch with Wesley Bell in Missouri tests that.
• Tech Times 8/3/26: AIPAC Money Built Wesley Bell’s Seat; Now Cori Bush Is Running to Take It Back
• USA Today 8/3/26: ‘Never been friends’: Missouri primary rematch features Democratic rifts [“A rivalry that began over Israel’s war in Gaza will test how much Democratic voters’ views on the U.S. ally have shifted.“]
• The Guardian 8/3/26: Will Missouri be the next primary win for a democratic socialist challenger?
• Jewish Insider 8/3/26: Wesley Bell-Cori Bush primary fight packs its own big stakes [“Missouri is playing the role of the must-watch undercard, marking another significant bellwether contest between the center and the left“]
• Wall Street Journal 8/2/26: Fiery Democrat’s Comeback Bid Tests Limits of Progressive Momentum [“Cori Bush tries to overcome millions in spending from pro-Israel groups to reclaim her old House seat“]
• The Intercept 8/1/26: Cori Bush Has No Regrets – Rep. Wesley Bell has AIPAC on his side, but the grassroots energy seems to be behind Bush.

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New Hampshire

• New Hampshire Public Radio 8/7/26: Pappas says U.S.-Israel relations at turning point, as primary rival blasts AIPAC ties
• WMUR 8/3/26: Christian Urrutia opposes Israel funding, calls Hamas ‘horrific organization’ | CloseUp

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New York

• Indypendent 8/3/26: Targeted: An NYC Congressman accused Poetica Coffee of Antisemitism — Bigotry Came to Avenge Him.

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – South Carolina

• South Carolina Daily Gazette 8/1/26: 9 Senate candidates make stump speeches to voters ahead of SC GOP special primary

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Washington State

• Jewish News Syndicate 8/5/26: Republican hopeful seeks to debate congressman Adam Smith

Saudi Arabia Nuclear Deal

• AIPAC Memo 8/3/26: Reviewing Saudi Nuclear Cooperation [“…U.S. law requires that any nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia be presented to Congress for review before going into effect. Congress must carefully review the agreement to ensure it forecloses any potential Saudi pathway to nuclear weapons. Any agreement that fails to expressly prohibit domestic uranium enrichment in the Kingdom would raise serious concerns. Congress must also continue to press Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel and enter the Abraham Accords.“]

Other Stuff

• Jewish Insider 8/5/26: Virginia Foxx takes on Stony Brook University over anti-Israel professor
• Jewish Insider 8/5/26: Lawmakers from both parties pessimistic Trump’s Hamas disarmament deal will hold
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/4/26: Board of Peace briefs congressional leaders on implementing Israel-Hamas peace plan [“The board ’emphasized the determination to work with Congress in a bipartisan manner to advance peace, security, governance and reconstruction in Gaza,’ a Board of Peace official said.”]

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters & Reports
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(SENATE FY27 NDAA) S. 4784: As covered in last week’s edition of the Round-Up (and previous), the Senate version of the FY27 NDAA, S. 4784, was stalled in the Senate as of 7/17/26. Last week – on 7/20/26 – Senate Majority Leader Thune (R-SD) offered another motion to proceed with S. 4784.  Three days later, on 7/23/26, that motion was withdrawn. This week, on 7/27/26, Thune offered another motion to proceed with S. 4784. As of this writing (9am EDT on 7/31/26) no further action has been taken.

(REMOVE U.S. FROM UNAUTHORIZED WAR WITH IRAN) S. J. Res. 181:  Introduced 4/13/26 by Gillibrand (D-NY) and having 8 cosponsors (all Democrats), “A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.” On 7/30/26, REJECTED by the Senate (in a procedural vote to discharge it from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which would have allowed a vote on the resolution on the Senate floor; in the case the procedural vote is, in effect, a vote on the underlying resolution) by a vote of 49-50. Also see: Senate blocks another Democratic Iran war powers push [“Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul again broke with their party to vote for the resolution with most Democrats, while Sen. John Fetterman voted against it“] (Jewish Insider 7/30/26); Senate Republicans block resolution to halt Iran war (The Hill 7/30/26)

(REPEAL 1957 AUMF) S.5206 [bill text]: Introduced 7/30/26 by Kaine (D-VA) and 3 cosponsors (bipartisan), “A bill to repeal the joint resolution entitled ‘A joint resolution to promote peace and stability in the Middle East’.”  Rreferred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: press release – Kaine, Lee, Merkley, & Paul Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Repeal 1957 Authorization for Use of Military Force

(CUT OFF FUNDS FOR IRAN WAR) HR 9964 [bill text]: Introduced 7/27/26 by Larson (D-CT), “To amend the War Powers Resolution to provide for the limitation on Federal funding in contravention of the requirements of the War Powers Resolution,” aka the “No Funds for Illegal Wars Act.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Armed Services. Also see: press release – Larson Introduces Bill to Cut Off All Funding for Illegal Iran War

(CONDEMN IRAN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES) S. Res. 819: Introduced 7/30/26 by Blackburn (R-TN) and 2 Republican cosponsors, “A resolution condemning the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for its ongoing human rights abuses, including its use of politically motivated espionage claims to justify arbitrary detention and executions.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

(TARGETING IRAN/POLISARIO): HR 9982: Introduced 7/30/26 by Gottheimer (D-NJ) and 5 cosponsors (bipartisan), the “Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act of 2026,” aka “To impose sanctions on the Polisario Front if it cooperates with an Iranian-affiliated terrorist organization.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: press release – Gottheimer, Jackson Introduce Bipartisan Bill Targeting Polisario Front Cooperation with Iranian Regime; House lawmakers introduce bill to move Iran-backed Polisario Front towards terror designation [“The Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies are working overtime to open a new front against the United States and our allies, and the Polisario Front has become one of their instruments,’ Rep. Josh Gottheimer said“] (Jewish Insider 7/30/26). NOTE: This is the House version of S. 4063, introduced 3/11/26 by Cruz (R-TX) – indeed, as of this writing (9am EDT on 7/31/26) Gottheimer’s press release links to a pdf of Cruz’s bill. 

(TARGETING TURKEY) HR 10008 // S. 5205: Introduced 7/30/26 in the House by Titus (D-NV), and in the Senate by Markey (D-MA), “To promote democracy, defend human rights, and impose accountability on the Government of Turkey for systemic political repression, censorship, transnational repression, and violations of international law.” Referred to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs; Financial Services; and the Judiciary; and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

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Reporting/posts on other previously introduced legislation:

• Billings Gazette 7/30/26: Partisan politics is making war inevitable | Roger Koopman
• Capital & Empire 7/29/26: EXCLUSIVE: CIA Assessment Details Israel’s Race to Make the U.S.-Israel Alliance Irreversible [“The intelligence assessment says Israeli officials are pursuing a long-term strategy to make the alliance harder for future administrations to scale back.”]
• Jewish Insider 7/28/26: Senate rolls Iran sanctions extension into Russia sanctions bill [“The five-year extension of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 was included into the hard-fought bill at Trump’s urging“
• Fox News 7/27/26: Trump critic Massie joins Democrats in unprecedented bid to sue White House over Iran war

2. Letters & Reports

• (TRUMP ADMIN DISMANTLED US COUNTERTERRORISM INFRASTRUCTURE TO PURSUE POLITICAL GOALS) 7/30/26: Peters Report Finds Trump Administration Has Dismantled Critical Counterterrorism Infrastructure and Weaponized What Remains Against Political Opponents, Leaving Americans Vulnerable to Terror Threats [report text]
• (INVESTIGATING DoD REPORTED FAILURE TO CARE FOR AMERICANS INJURED IN IRAN STRIKE) 7/30/26: Warren, Ryan, Lawmakers Investigate Reports that DoD Failed to Provide Sufficient Care for Service Members Injured in Iranian Strike [letter text]. Also see: Lawmakers will investigate Iranian attack that killed 6 U.S. troops (Washington Post 7/30/26)
• (IRAN WAR IS BAD FOR US NATIONAL SECURITY!) 7/29/26: Ranking Member Khanna Warns Renewed Iran War Weakens U.S. National Security, Strengthens China [letter text]
• (HONESTY ABOUT US DEATHS IN IRAN WAR) 7/28/26: Thompson, Democratic Veterans Demand Transparency on Iran War Casualties [letter text]
• (HONESTY ABOUT HUMAN COSTS OF WAR ON IRAN) 7/23/26: Hirono Leads Colleagues in Pressing Hegseth on Inaccurate Casualty Reporting, Demanding Transparency on Human Cost of War in Iran [letter text]
• (TARGETING AMERICANS FOR ATTENDING KHAMENEI’S FUNERAL) 7/21/26: X-post by Miller (R-OH) 7/22/26:  “Americans stood on an IRGC stage, led chants of ‘Death to America,’ and produced propaganda celebrating Ayatollah Khamenei —the dictator responsible for the deaths of thousands of Iranians and countless acts of terror. This week, I led a letter demanding a federal investigation into whether this crossed the line into material support for a Foreign Terrorist Organization.” [letter: page 1, page 2, page 3]. Also see: Fine (R-FL) 7/21/26: X-post – “.@RepMaxMiller and I just asked @TheJusticeDept to investigate three Communist activists who attended the Ayatollah’s funeral. If you’re an American, and cheer on enemies of the United States of America, you should face the consequences. It’s just that simple.”
• (TARGETING MEDIA & NGOs FOR DISFAVORED POLITICAL VIEWS) 7/21/26: Chairman Smith Issues Subpoenas to CCP-Linked Singham Network Nonprofits After Their Refusal to Comply with Committee Oversight [Subpoena letters targeting BreakThrough News, Tricontinental, and The People’s Forum]. Also see: House Investigation of BreakThrough News Is an Attack on All Journalism [“Favorable coverage of U.S. adversaries is constitutionally protected speech.“] (The Intercept 7/27/26); A New McCarthyism? House GOP Subpoenas BreakThrough News in Escalating War on Progressive Groups (Democracy Now 7/28/26); House subpoena of BreakThrough News threatens press freedom (Freedom of Press Association 7/23/26); House panel subpoenas three far-left nonprofits as part of probe into Marxist millionaire Neville Singham Roy (New York Post 7/22/26); House panel subpoenas 3 left-wing groups in probe of $39M tied to Marxist tycoon Neville Singham (Fox News 7/22/26); GOP-Led House Ways and Means Committee Subpoenas BreakThrough News (Democracy Now 7/23/26); Press freedom groups warn ‘no newsroom in America is safe’ after House GOP subpoenas left-wing outlet (Real News Network 7/24/26)

3. Hearings & Markups

August 5, 2026: The Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights is scheduled to hold a hearing entitled, Hidden in Plain Sight: Confronting the Muslim Brotherhood Network in America. No further details have been published as of this writing (7/31/26, 11:15am EDT)

Bibi & Other Israeli officials in DC

• Times of Israel 7/30/26: In DC, Lapid tells Democrats who voted to block arms sales not to ‘give up’ on Israel
• Big News Network 7/30/26: Netanyahu meets US lawmakers, AIPAC, Evangelical leaders at Blair House; thanks allies for “courageous” support
• Arutz Sheva 7/30/26: Netanyahu thanks Sen. Fetterman for standing with Israel during Washington meeting [“PM Netanyahu meets Senator John Fetterman in D.C., thanking him for his staunch support, as Fetterman vows to remain the ‘conscience of the Democratic Party.’“]
• Jerusalem Post 7/30/26: Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with US Senators Cotton, Fetterman during visit to Washington [“‘You’ve been a great, great friend of Israel, none better,’ Netanyahu told Cotton. ‘And I know you’re a champion of the Israel-American alliance, which enhances the security of both our countries.'”]
• Office of Israeli Prime Minister 7/30/26: Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with U.S. Senator Fetterman
• Office of Israeli Prime Minister 7/30/26: Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with U.S. Senator Cotton
• Office of Israeli Prime Minister 7/30/26: Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with U.S. Senator Sheehy
• The Forward 7/29/26: Netanyahu challenger Yair Lapid lobbies Democratic senators, aiming to repair U.S.-Israel ties [“…On Wednesday, Lapid met with some of those Democratic senators: Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Cory Booker (D-NJ), all of whom voted to restrict some U.S. arms sales to Israel. Also at the meeting were Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), both of whom have staunchly backed U.S. military support for Israel. Ahead of those meetings, Lapid outlined the opposition’s plan to bring Israel out of international isolation in a speech Monday evening at the Atlantic Council, an influential DC-based think tank.”]

Israel/AIPAC (and Iran) in US elex & politics – GENERAL

• Jewish Insider 7/31/26: From safe seats to swing districts, the left’s primary wins set up a November reckoning
• AP 7/31/26: As progressives seek to take on inequality, some cite religion as a motivating factor
• Religion News Service 7/31/26: The House vote that split Jewish Democrats and is reshaping alliances
• NPR 7/31/26: Democrats show divisions on Israel amid competitive midterm elections
• The New York Review of Books 8/20/26 edition: Whose Party? As Democratic Socialists rack up primary victories, the moderate wing of the Democratic Party looks increasingly out of touch.
• New York Post 7/30/26: Democrats’ AIPAC obsession — a small update on an ancient conspiracy theory
• The New Yorker 7/30/26: Will Left-Wing Democrats Reinvent the Party or Hurt Its Chances in November? [“Bernie Sanders’s erstwhile campaign manager explains why he thinks it’s the former“]
• The Hill 7/30/26: Lindsey’s Lens: Israel spends millions in reputation cleanup campaign
• CNN 7/30/26: CNN Poll: A third of Democrats now identify as democratic socialists [“Democratic socialists also split from the rest of the party on US aid to Israel – 48% say they’d be enthusiastic about a candidate who believes the US should cut support to Israel, compared to 20% for non-democratic socialists. Three years into the war in Gaza, the issue has animated many Democratic primaries this cycle.”]
• The Economist 7/30/26: The Democratic primary for Senate in Michigan is a contest for control of the party [“Anger at Donald Trump and Israel have given the left an opening“]
• WBAL 7/29/26: Republicans decry a new Democratic Socialists of America platform as Dem primaries split the party
• The Guardian 7/29/26: Aipac’s brand has become toxic. Can its ‘pro-Israel, pro-peace’ rival J Street move in? [“J Street’s liberal Zionist politics are landing with the Democratic establishment but the electorate may have moved on“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/29/26: Netanyahu didn’t lose the Democrats for Israel [“Jewish liberals blame Netanyahu for the collapse of support for the Jewish state because it absolves them of not stopping the antisemitic left from hijacking their party.“]
• New York Times 7/29/26: Israel, AIPAC and Difficult Questions for Democrats
• Reuters 7/29/26: Israel’s decades-old US support risks losing Democrats
• Associated Press 7/29/26: A new media ecosystem is taking root on the left, reshaping Democratic politics
• The Real News 7/28/26: A new, centrist Uncommitted Movement has emerged — Except this time it’s in support of genocide, rather than trying to stop one.
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/28/26: AIPAC, affiliates spent 50% more in last 18 months compared to in 2022 midterms [“‘We are also committed to impacting elections beyond the House, and Senate races are expensive,’ Patrick Dorton, spokesman for United Democracy Project, told JNS.“]
• Cleveland Jewish News 7/28/26: Stevens defends pro-Israel record as El-Sayed attacks AIPAC spending in Michigan Senate debate
• Zeteo 7/28/26: Meet All the New Progressives and Democratic Socialists Heading to Congress
• Data For Progress 7/28/26: AIPAC, AI, and Crypto-Funded Democrats Underperform Democrats Who Reject Corporate PAC Money
• Politico 7/28/26: Rahm Emanuel on Why Democrats Keep Losing
• Mondoweiss 7/27/26: Palestinian Americans changed the conversation. Now, can they finally build political power? [“Palestinian Americans have transformed the U.S. debate over Palestine in ways unimaginable just a few years ago. Now, the question is whether they are prepared to build institutions that can turn these shifting attitudes into real political power.“]
  The Forward 7/27/26: Can Israeli liberals win back the Democratic center — and save the U.S.-Israel alliance? [“Oreg-Kalisky, a former research advisor to U.S. Ambassador Dan Shapiro, says his group has developed relationships with 39 congressional offices from 19 states, sends a biweekly newsletter to 75 lawmakers and congressional staff with a 37% average open rate, has presented its liberal Zionist narrative to hundreds of liberal Americans, and has trained more than 1,800 pro-Israel advocates.“]
• Jewish Insider 7/27/26: DMFI pauses endorsements of nine House Democrats who voted against aid to Israel [“DMFI President Brian Romick: ‘Our hope is that this pause will be temporary and that, through a candid conversation about the path forward, we can resume our endorsement’“]
• Jewish Insider 7/27/26: Israelis fail to understand anti-Israel sentiment in the U.S., Israeli public opinion researcher says [“Dahlia Scheindlin also said polling shows both the Israeli government and the opposition face political challenges in the upcoming elections“]
• PBS 7/27/26: Republicans decry a new Democratic Socialists of America platform as Dem primaries split the party [“The DSA’s agenda comes as aligned candidates have triumphed in several recent Democratic primaries. They’ve capitalized on voter anger at the party establishment and rising skepticism of the U.S. alliance with Israel to edge out moderates in House races in New York and Colorado.”]
• Israel Hayom 7/27/26: 100 days to the midterms that will reshape Trump’s presidency, Israel’s standing [“The US midterm elections are rapidly approaching. Democrats need to gain three seats to take control of the House, and in some cities Israel has become a defining fault line. In the Senate, however, they face a far more difficult challenge.”]
• Politico 7/26/26: New York Democrats face a generational reckoning [“…Young voters are turning to candidates who reflect their abiding discontent with the Democratic establishment. Their deep skepticism of institutions has upended long-standing Democratic support for Israel and toppled the careers of longtime political powerbrokers like Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who was soundly defeated in last month’s primary by Darializa Avila Chevalier…Left-leaning frustration with incumbents or anyone tied to the establishment has led younger voters to back first-time candidates with scant political experience — but who mirror their rage over the cost of living and question the United States’ long-standing support for Israel.“]
• Palestine Chronicle 7/26/26: Israel Shifts from AIPAC to Foreign Agents in Expanding US Influence Campaign
• Polygraph 7/26/26: Why 98 Democrats ignored voters and opposed an Israel aid cut
• Quincy Institute 7/24/26: The Eighth Front: Inside Israel’s $1 Billion Influence Campaign

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Arizona

• Jewish Insider 7/26/26: Sen. Mark Kelly: ‘I’m going to always stand by Israel as a nation’ [“The Arizona senator, who is weighing a presidential bid, also urged Israelis to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Colorado

• Jewish News Syndicate 7/29/26: The anti-Israel playbook behind the rise of Melat Kiros [“The 29-year-old won the Democratic primary in Colorado by exploiting Gaza while ignoring the catastrophic suffering in Tigray, the homeland of her parents.”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/29/26: Orthodox Jew running against anti-Israel dem socialist for Denver seat in Congress still ‘refining my talking points’ [“‘I’m running as a pro-Denver candidate on what I can do to make life better for people in Denver on a day-to-day basis,’ Dr. Shimon Blau told JNS.”]
• Complete Colorado 7/26/26: Jewish Denver doctor locks down spot to challenge Kiros in CD1
• Colorado Sun 7/24/26: Shimon Blau qualifies for ballot as unaffiliated candidate in 1st Congressional District, will face Melat Kiros [“Blau, a first-time candidate, is Jewish and posted on social media that he decided to enter the race because he was alarmed about Kiros’ statements on Israel and refusal to call the Boulder firebombing last year of a Jewish community rally antisemitic“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Connecticut

• The Bristol Edition 7/31/26: Larson, Bronin waging an ad war in waning weeks before primary
• WFSB 7/29/26: Larson faces challengers in first debate [“In the first televised debate Tuesday night, Larson was attacked over his positions on immigration, U.S. aid to Israel, Social Security and a mandatory retirement age.“]
• WSHU 7/29/26: Larson, challengers clash over military aid to Israel in CT’s 1st District debate
• CT Mirror 7/29/26: Candidates for CT’s 1st Congressional District clash in fiery debate
• CT Insider 7/29/26: Hot CT primary debate was full of zingers for Larson, Bronin: Dan Haar
• Hartford Courant 7/28/26: CT U.S. Rep. Larson draws political fire from challengers in 4-way primary debate
• Hartford Courant 7/25/26: Kevin Rennie: CT primary that’s first of a kind in 50 years devolves into tearing chunks from each other [“…Gilchrest’s social media comparison to Larson names only one specific donor: the Americans who have contributed to American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Florida

• South Florida Sun Sentinel 7/31/26: Can a democratic socialist topple incumbent congressman in Florida? Larkin takes on Moskowitz
• WLRN Public Media 7/29/26: Outraised 5-to-1, a Democratic Socialist challenger bets on doors, not dollars [“Larkin is campaigning on issues like medicare for all, raising the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour, paid family and medical leave and ending US aid to Israel…In contrast to Larkin, Moskowitz is a staunch defender of the US-Israel relationship.“]
• Jewish Insider 7/28/26: Moskowitz challenger runs on military record in contested GOP primary [“…he emphasized that, while he’s not Jewish himself, ‘there’s really not going to be any daylight between myself and [the Jewish candidates running in the seat] on supporting Israel and fighting antisemitism.’ He also said that the Republican Party is ‘better positioned to support Israel and fight antisemitism’ — a pitch to pro-Israel Jewish voters who have been a strong base of support for Moskowitz in the past.“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Kansas

• Kansas Helen 7/28/26: Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District Has Democratic and Republican Primaries

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Kentucky

• Vin News 7/28/26: Massie Claims Israeli Lobby Spent $30 Million To Defeat Him In Primary

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Maine

• The Forward 7/27/26: ‘Politically homeless’: As Maine’s Collins-Jackson Senate race kicks off, some Jewish voters find themselves adrift [“The November election pits Israel supporter and GOP Sen. Susan Collins against Democrat Troy Jackson, who accuses the country of committing genocide“]
• Time of Israel 7/26/26: Troy Jackson wins Maine Democratic Senate nomination, keeps mum on Israel, AIPAC [“Senate hopeful, who previously accused Israel of ‘genocide,’ skirts issue in victory speech, and will now replace Graham Platner; anti-Israel activists rally in support outside convention hall“]
• The Forward 7/26/26: Maine Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson raises eyebrows in the Jewish community [“After a career focused on economic issues, the former state Senate president is now railing against AIPAC and ‘genocide.’“]
• The Hill 7/26/26: Sanders says he does not regret supporting Graham Platner in Maine Senate race

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Maryland

• Jewish News Syndicate 7/31/26: Anti-Israel activist launches bid to unseat pro-Israel Maryland congressman [“Sam Husseini has repeatedly accused Rep. Glenn Ivey of enabling ‘imperial’ Israel’s war against Hamas through his support for U.S. military aid to Jerusalem.“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Massachussetts

• Jewish Insider 7/29/26: Auchincloss faces skeptical reception from Jewish voters upset over his vote to cut off Israel funding [“Many of the attendees at Temple Emanuel who listened to the congressman defend his position appeared critical of the stance he’d taken and unconvinced by his explanation, Jewish constituents said“]
• CNN 7/26/26: Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary sets up a battle of generations [“…Moulton, who ran closer to the center of the ideological pack in the 2020 Democratic primary, brushes off what Markey called a ‘big difference’ in their positions, ‘We both have progressive values,’ he said. The Marine Corps veteran, who was first elected to Congress in 2014, has recently tacked further to the left on some issues – calling to abolish US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and pledging to return donations from the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC.“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

• The Intercept 7/31/26: Abdul El-Sayed Answers: Can the Left Win in the Midwest? Yes. The Michigan Senate primary is the next biggest test for the direction of the Democratic Party.
• LA Times 7/31/226: In the voting booth, it’s the year of the not-at-all-close call
• Jewish Insider 7/31/26: In battle for Haley Stevens’ House seat, AIPAC dominates a race where it hasn’t even endorsed [“State Sen. Jeremy Moss says that attacks by his opponent, Don Ufford, over his ties to AIPAC-linked donors cross a line into antisemitism“
• MS Now 7/30/26: Will Black voters go with the establishment? Michigan’s Senate primary is a test. [“Rep. Haley Stevens is counting on older churchgoers and Obama-era loyalty. Abdul El-Sayed is betting on a generational split.“]
• Semaphor 7/30/26: Never-El-Sayed moment in Michigan?
• New Lines Magazine 7/30/26: Centrists and Progressives Clash in Michigan’s High-Stakes US Senate Primary [“The race between public health official Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and four-term Rep. Haley Stevens is a microcosm of the struggle for the future of the Democratic Party” and “The outsize role of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in the race has been widely discussed: AIPAC and affiliated groups have spent nearly $30 million in support of Stevens — their biggest investment ever in a single race. And the overall spending picture is extremely lopsided, with the Stevens campaign spending 12 times more than El-Sayed’s. AIPAC is, of course, hell-bent on defeating El-Sayed because of his critical stance on U.S. support for Israel. But the candidate doesn’t lead with Israel-Palestine or even bring it up much. His focus is decidedly domestic, as reflected in his campaign slogan: ‘Money Out of Politics. Money in Your Pocket. Medicare for All.’ (Medicare for All has been a signature issue for El-Sayed going back several years. It was the centerpiece of his unsuccessful 2018 run for Michigan governor, and he co-authored a ‘citizen’s guide’ on the subject, published in 2021.) El-Sayed approaches Israel as a ‘kitchen table’ issue. ‘Israel is an affordability issue,’ he said in a recent interview with the journalist Anand Giridharadas. ‘Maybe we should keep our money here instead of sending it there to drop bombs on people’s schools or their hospitals. That’s our money. … And you want to send my money over there? That’s insane.’ When Giridharadas noted that some have described this outlook as ‘America first from the left,’ El-Sayed responded enthusiastically. ‘I have no problem saying America first. Yes, America first,’ he said. He doesn’t limit this to Israel. ‘I don’t think Egypt should get any foreign military aid either, or Jordan or Pakistan or Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates or Qatar,’ he recently said in a podcast interview.’ What has received far less attention than AIPAC’s crusade against the Egyptian American is the considerable Jewish support he enjoys in Michigan…“]
• Michigan Advance 7/30/26: State of the Race: Michigan’s competitive congressional primaries will draw November battle lines
• The American Prospect 7/30/26: Abdul El-Sayed Lost in 2018. It Set Him Up for 2026.
• The Atlantic 7/30/26: Abdul El-Sayed Fuses Together Two Toxic Ideologies – The Michigan candidate for U.S. Senate has a profound weakness for conspiracism.
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 7/30/26: The El-Sayed effect: How Jews and Israel are factoring into Michigan’s other primary races [“Two House candidates backed by the Senate hopeful, plus a pro-Israel Jew and an ‘Uncommitted’ veteran, are in the wings.“]
• Politico 7/30/26: Pro-Israel Democrats face major test in key Midwest races [“A pair of primaries in Michigan and Missouri will reveal whether Democrats who have been critical of Israel can continue their momentum.“]
• NPR 7/29/26: As Democrats debate the future of the party, Michigan’s voters could have a big say
• WZMQ 19 7/29/26: Meet Kyle Blomquist: Democrat running for Congress in Northern Michigan [“We’ve seen Jack’s leadership has not really been leadership at all. I think his priority is sucking up to Donald Trump and being a sycophant to that administration. He thinks less about our people here in the Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan and more about his benefactors at Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and AIPAC.“]
• Haaretz 7/29/26: Four Years After AIPAC Boosted Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens, She Can’t Escape It
• Bridge Michigan 7/29/26: From AI to AIPAC: 6 issues defining Haley Stevens, Abdul El-Sayed race
• The Atlantic 7/29/26: The Anti-Democrat [“Abdul El-Sayed is calling out his party; Haley Stevens is embracing it.”]
• Common Dream 7/29/26: Markey Backs ‘Bold Progressive Leader’ El-Sayed as Pivotal Michigan Primary Nears
• Jewish Insider 7/29/26: ‘These are not ordinary times’: Inside Jewish Detroit’s get-out-the-vote campaign for Haley Stevens [“Leading rabbis across the state are urging their congregants to vote for Stevens — even if they’re not saying so explicitly“]
• Washington Examiner 7/29/26: El Sayed stays ahead of Stevens in final week of Michigan primary, but undecided voters outsize his lead
• Times of Israel 7/29/26: AIPAC features as key topic at last Democratic debate before Michigan primary vote [“Haley Stevens dodges repeated questions about her relationship to the pro-Israel lobbying group, as her rival Abdul El-Sayed continues to make its spending on the race a top issue“]
• Common Dreams 7/28/26: $60 Million ‘Crutch’ From Super PACs Is Proof That Stevens Isn’t Actually ‘Electable,’ Says El-Sayed[“In the final debate before Michigan’s pivotal Democratic Senate primary, Abdul El-Sayed continued to hammer on the idea that his opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens, is ‘bought off’ by AIPAC and corporate-funded super PACs.“]
• Zeteo 7/28/26: Are AIPAC and Haley Stevens… Working Together? [“Mehdi explains in this video why it’s no coincidence that AIPAC’s ads look exactly like what pro-Israel candidate Stevens has been asking for, despite campaign finance laws banning any coordination.”]
• News from the States 7/28/26: State of the Race: Democratic U.S. Senate race pits old guard, vanguard in battle for party’s soul
• Bridge Michigan 7/28/26: Fact checks: Haley Stevens’ record on AIPAC support, Obama endorsement and DTE
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/28/26: Stevens defends pro-Israel record as El-Sayed attacks AIPAC spending in Michigan Senate debate
• WFIN 7/28/26: Dem primary erupts as establishment favorite dismisses rival as ‘celebrity candidate’
• Oakland Press 7/28/26: Fact check: Haley Stevens, Abdul El-Sayed clash over AIPAC, electability
• WDET 7/28/26: Rashida Tlaib seeks fifth term in Congress
• Detroit Public Radio 7/28/26: Former state lawmaker aims to unseat Rep. Rashida Tlaib
• WDEB 7/28/26: Inkster mayor challenges Rep. Rashida Tlaib in Democratic primary
• Detroit Jewish News 7/28/26: Detroit’s Jewish Community Launches Aggressive Push to Turn Out Primary Voters
• Michigan Advance 7/28/26: State of the Race: Democratic U.S. Senate race pits old guard, vanguard in battle for party’s soul
• Roll Call 7/28/26: Contentious Democratic Senate contest dominates Michigan’s primary season
• Michigan Public Radio 7/28/26: El-Sayed and Stevens debate aid to Israel, campaign donations in final debate
• Democracy Now 7/28/26: El-Sayed and Stevens Clash over AIPAC Funding in Final Debate Before Michigan Senate Primary
• Jewish Insider 7/28/26: UDP hits El-Sayed for ‘uncommitted’ support in new ad [“The AIPAC-affiliated super PAC accused El-Sayed of ‘helping Trump win,’ in a continuation of its messaging strategy hitting far-left candidates over their opposition to the Biden administration“]
• Jewish Insider 7/28/26: Israel, AIPAC take center stage in final Michigan Senate primary debate [“Haley Stevens touted her support for a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, while Abdul El-Sayed lambasted U.S. aid to the Jewish state“]
• The Forward 7/28/26: AIPAC is the top issue at final primary debate between Stevens and El-Sayed in Michigan [“Stevens repeatedly dodged questions about her relationship to the pro-Israel lobbying group“]
• Haaretz 7/28/26: Michigan’s Democratic Senate Primary Becomes 2026’s Most Significant Referendum on Israel and AIPAC [“AIPAC-backed Haley Stevens defends campaign funding while Abdul El-Sayed slams Israel aid as the primary rivals clash over millions in spending“]
• Fox News 7/28/26: Dems clash over AIPAC money, ‘ogre’ attack and electability during crucial Senate debate
• Fox News 7/28/26: Haley Stevens, Abdul El-Sayed both make case ahead of Aug. 4 Primary
• Jewish Insider 7/28/26: AIPAC reminds voters of far-left candidates’ hostility to Kamala Harris, Joe Biden [“From Michigan to Missouri, where tensions between the Democratic Party’s moderate and far-left factions are playing out in high-profile contests for the House and Senate, AIPAC is hitting its anti-Israel opponents for their past criticism of former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris in an effort to portray the candidates as hostile to mainstream policy goals.”]
• The Forward 7/28/26: In Detroit, pro-Israel Senate candidate Haley Stevens meets a pro-Palestinan El-Sayed supporter [“‘I don’t think we should be giving any more aid to the State of Israel,’ a local nonprofit manager told Stevens“]
• News from the States 7/28/26: Transparency becomes biggest issue in final Michigan Democratic US Senate debate
• Washington Free Beacon 7/28/26: Abdul El-Sayed Headlined Luxury Fundraising Cruises for Islamic Charity Linked to Muslim Brotherhood
• The New Arab 7/28/26: Abdul El-Sayed and the fight to remake the Democratic Party
• The Guardian 7/27/26: Michigan progressive Abdul El-Sayed says ‘ogre’ remark not directed at rival
• The Hill 7/27/26: Fiery Michigan Senate primary reaches final stretch: Takeaways from El-Sayed, Stevens debate
• Washington Times 7/27/26: El-Sayed hits Stevens over $30M AIPAC spending in Michigan Senate debate
• The Atlantic 7/27/26: A Battle for the Future of the Democratic Party
• CBS News 7/27/26: In final Michigan Senate Democratic debate, Stevens and El-Sayed spar over outside spending and personal attacks
• NBC News 7/27/26: Michigan’s Arab voters prepare for a crucial primary [“The influential voting bloc could be key to whether Democrats can retain a Senate seat in the fall.“]
• Washington Examiner 7/27/26: El Sayed clarifies ‘ogre’ remark as Stevens dismisses AIPAC concerns in final debate
• CNN 7/27/26: Black voters may decide the nation’s biggest Democratic primary. Many are clearly against the more progressive option
• The Left Hook with Wajahat Ali 7/27/26: Why Does The Establishment Loathe Progressives and Love AIPAC? with Jamaal Bowman
• Bridge Michigan 7/27/26: Fact check: Haley Stevens, Abdul El-Sayed clash over AIPAC, electability
• New York Times 7/27/26: AIPAC Attacks and an ‘Ogre’ Jab: 6 Takeaways From Michigan’s Senate Debate [“At the final debate before next week’s Democratic primary for Senate, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and Representative Haley Stevens showcased their wildly different ideological stances and political styles.“]
• The New Republic 7/27/26: The Democratic Establishment Is Running Scared in Michigan [“The Senate primary could be a window into what the 2028 presidential contest will be like—vicious, endless, with the establishment candidates conspicuously avoiding policy.”]
• The Intercept 7/27/26: Abdul El-Sayed Faces Islamophobic Attacks From GOP and Democratic Establishment [“AIPAC has spent nearly $30 million against the Michigan Democratic Senate candidate, fueling ads that paint him as a terrorist sympathizer“]
• Jewish Insider 7/27/26: Jewish leaders worried about Michigan’s prime position on Dems’ 2028 calendar [“The state has been the epicenter of the anti-Israel movement, and will play a key role in nominating the next Democratic presidential candidate“]
• CNN 7/26/26: Michigan, Missouri primaries will again lay bare the Democratic divide over Israel
• Metro West Daily News 7/25/26: El-Sayed vs Haley Stevens: Michigan is the race to watch in the midterms [“‘It’s probably the best showing for the progressive left and the democratic socialist wing of the party has seen since the rise of Bernie Sanders in 2016,’ said Matthew Dallek, a political historian at George Washington University. ‘I don’t know of another year when progressives have won at a fairly consistent clip in competitive primaries,’ he added. ‘Mamdani’s victories supercharged what has been for the past decade a growing element within the Democratic Party and its coalition.’ Those wins have inspired the activist left but reportedly alarmed some in the party’s establishment, which is backing Stevens. Groups such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, have spent nearly $30 million to support her campaign, which is their largest single investment this cycle, for instance.”]
• The Guardian 7/26/26: He’s a doctor and a progressive. Will he win a key US Senate race in Michigan?
• Jewish Insider 7/24/26: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorses Haley Stevens for Senate [“With less than two weeks until Michigan’s contentious Democratic Senate primary, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) on Friday, offering a burst of momentum to the moderate Democrat’s campaign against progressive, anti-Israel firebrand Abdul El-Sayed.“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Minnesota

• Mound City Messenger 7/30/26: Antisemitism is Not on the Ballot – But Genocide is
• 19th News 7/29/26: Cori Bush is making her case for a comeback
• Mediaite 7/28/26: ‘Completely Disingenuous’: Minnesota Democrat Senate Candidates Take the Gloves Off Over AIPAC
• KARE 7/28/26: Three DFL primary candidates battle for U.S. House seat in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District
• KARE11 7/27/26: Flanagan and Craig go head-to-head in MPR News debate ahead of U.S. Senate primary [“On foreign policy, Flanagan opposes U.S. military aid to Israel and has called the Netanyahu government’s actions in Gaza a ‘genocide.’ She criticized Craig’s vote last week in Congress against an amendment that sought to eliminate more than $3 billion in assistance to Israel, which Craig had called a flawed proposal. Craig said she supports revisiting the federal government’s financial relationship with Israel, meaning ‘a complete look at the security assistance we provide in the future. What happened in Gaza, there were way too many civilian lives that were cost.’ Flanagan accused Craig of not going far enough: ‘She didn’t necessarily answer the question,’ Flanagan said. ‘I think her vote last week speaks for itself, she voted for an additional $3.3 billion dollars to be sent to Benjamin Netanyahu.’“]
• MPR News 7/27/26: Analysis of the MPR News U.S. DFL primary debate between Craig, Flanagan
• Minnesota Star Tribune 7/27/26: Israel, electability and endorsements dominate second US Senate debate in Democratic primary
• MPR News 7/27/26:  Beyond the nasty ads, there are key differences between Craig and Flanagan [“…The two also disagree on Israel and Palestine, though it’s an issue that comes with a lot of nuance. In her career in Congress, Craig has taken money from the pro-Israeli political group AIPAC, though the group has not directly donated to her Senate campaign. She has been a strong supporter of the U.S.-Israeli relationship. She has called for a two-state solution, and has become increasingly critical of Benjamin Netanyahu. She’s called for humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Craig recently voted against an amendment that would cut off weapons sales to Israel, and talked to KSTP about it.“]
• KDH News 7/26/26: A pro-Israel lobbying group looms over Minnesota’s Senate race. Its role is less clear

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Missouri

• Jewish Insider 7/31/26: Jewish community works to turn out votes in Wesley Bell’s rematch against Cori Bush [“Some of the biggest Jewish and pro-Israel groups are working in tandem to boost Bell’s reelection campaign against a scandal-plagued former lawmaker”]
• The Daily Wire 7/30/26: The Cori Bush Comeback? Ex-Squad Member Hopes To Ride Left-Wing Wave Back To Congress
• Columbia Missourian 7/30/26: Bush, Bell donations show Democratic Party’s split loyalties
• Heartlander News 7/30/26: Democrats clash over Israel, Gaza in Missouri congressional primary debate
• PBS 7/30/26: In Missouri, Cori Bush and Wesley Bell’s primary rematch sets up key test for Democrats
• Politico 7/30/26: Pro-Israel Democrats face major test in key Midwest races [“A pair of primaries in Michigan and Missouri will reveal whether Democrats who have been critical of Israel can continue their momentum.“]
• The Cook Political Report 7/29/26: Missouri House Primary Preview: Another Clash Over AIPAC Cash
• Newsweek 7/29/26: Ex-Squad Member Cori Bush Chances of Defeating Wesley Bell in Missouri Race
• The Lever 7/29/26: Midterm Madness: Cori Bush’s AIPAC Rematch – A former Squad member is taking on the Israel lobby to get her seat back.
• St Louis Public Radio 7/29/26: Bell-Bush rematch could be critical test for where national Democrats are heading
• Washington Examiner 7/28/26: Cori Bush dodges debate stage as socialist eyes comeback
• Jewish Insider 7/28/26: AIPAC reminds voters of far-left candidates’ hostility to Kamala Harris, Joe Biden [“From Michigan to Missouri, where tensions between the Democratic Party’s moderate and far-left factions are playing out in high-profile contests for the House and Senate, AIPAC is hitting its anti-Israel opponents for their past criticism of former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris in an effort to portray the candidates as hostile to mainstream policy goals.”]
• KTTC 7/27/26: MN DFL race for U.S. Senate heats up as primary approaches
• Punchbowl News 7/27/26: Bush has ad on storm aid, AIPAC
• New Tribune 7/26/26: Missouri congressional incumbents flush with cash heading into primary election [“Outside spending in the primary has surpassed spending by both candidates. The United Democracy Project, funded by the American-Israel Political Action Committee, has spent $2.5 million and the New Democrat Majority PAC has spent $1.1 million, both to support Bell. No other incumbent faces a well-funded primary opponent.“]
• ABC News/AP 7/26/26: Cori Bush and Wesley Bell’s rematch sets up key test for Democrats in Missouri [“Bush lost to Bell by less than six points two years ago. She blamed her loss on the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s spending in the race and told supporters that ‘all they did was radicalize me.’ This time, her scathing criticisms of the war in Gaza and Democratic leaders have become more commonplace within the party, and she claims to have the ‘moral authority’ in the rematch.“]
• CNN 7/26/26: Michigan, Missouri primaries will again lay bare the Democratic divide over Israel

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New Hampshire

• NH Journal 7/29/26: Sanders-Aligned ‘Our Revolution’ Backs Urrutia in NH-01 Dem Primary [“Our Revolution is also an outspoken opponent of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s involvement in Democratic primaries. It has accused AIPAC of using big-money spending to defeat progressive candidates and supports banning super PAC spending in Democratic contests. That position could become significant in the NH-01 race. Urrutia has pledged not to accept support from AIPAC or affiliated groups and has called Israel’s military campaign in Gaza a ‘genocide.’ ‘No AIPAC money. No DMFI money. Not now. Not ever,’ Urrutia said previously. ‘Stop the weapons. Stop sending taxpayer dollars to fund it.’ He’s also called out Shaheen and Sullivan for refusing to say whether they would have joined more than 100 U.S. House Democrats and voted to end all military aid to Israel. ‘I would have voted for the Massie Amendment,’ Urrutia said. ‘Members of Congress have one main duty – to vote – and candidates have a related duty – telling voters where they stand.’ U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, who Urrutia is hoping to replace, voted ‘present.'”]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Pennsylvania

• Washington Examiner 7/31/26: John Fetterman took nothing from AIPAC. His possible 2028 Democratic challengers can’t say the same
• Semaphor 7/31/26: Fetterman still weighing his place in the Democratic tent
• The Hill 7/30/26: Sanders to Fetterman: ‘John — not going to take your advice’ 
• New York Post 7/30/26: Fetterman says he’s ‘proud’ to be ‘conscience of the Democratic Party’ on Israel during Netanyahu meeting
• Washington Examiner 7/30/26: Fetterman calls himself the ‘conscience of the Democratic Party’ in meeting with Netanyahu
• Local 21 News 7/29/26: ‘A very good member of Congress:’ Schumer says he wants Fetterman to stay with Democrats
• Washington Examiner 7/29/26: Ro Khanna calls Josh Shapiro ‘formidable,’ avoids Fetterman criticism in swing through Pennsylvania
• The Hill 7/29/26: Schumer urges Fetterman not to leave Senate Democratic caucus
• Jewish Chronicle 7/29/26: Fetterman has no right to leave the Democratic Party
• NBC News 7/27/26: As Republicans invite him to defect, Fetterman wonders if Democrats still want him in the party [“‘If the Democratic caucus doesn’t want me, they could just let me know,’ a frustrated Fetterman told NBC News, lamenting ‘the very anti-Israel party that we’re becoming.’”]
• The Intercept 7/27/26: Fetterman Might Leave Democratic Party Because the Only Thing He Loves More Than Israel Is Attention [“Why is the senator floating the idea of leaving the Democratic Party? Well, Israel, of course. Though he sure loves the media coverage.“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Virginia

• Cardinal News 7/29/26: Congressional primary campaigns reveal the fault lines that run through both parties

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Washington State

• The Spokesman-Review 7/26/26: Big money, dark money, union money: The cash trying to win Washington’s 5th Congressional district seat [“A strong defender of Israel and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Baumgartner’s largest single donor, by far, is the Israeli-interest group AIPAC, which had single-handedly donated roughly $68,000 to the candidate by the end of July. Combine that with roughly $11,000 raised from Turkish- and Pakistani-interest PACs, and foreign interest groups make up Baumgartner’s second-largest support sector.“]

Lindsey Graham & His love of Israel & War on Iran

• Times of Israel 7/29/26: ‘He loved Israel’: Lindsey Graham eulogized by Trump and other dignitaries at DC funeral
• The State 7/29/26: How SC’s Lindsey Graham became one of the U.S. Senate’s most influential members
• Jewish Insider 7/29/26: World leaders honor Graham as Washington grapples with loss of top GOP foreign policy voice [“With Netanyahu and Zelensky in attendance, tributes underscored how difficult it will be to replace Graham’s influence on Iran, Ukraine and Israel policy“]
• New York Times 7/28/26: Graham and Netanyahu Worked Together to Denounce International Criminal Court [“Senator Lindsey Graham helped to coordinate a group of lawmakers to rebuke the I.C.C., which was investigating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.“]
• Fox News 7/28/26: Israeli Ambassador honors Senator Lindsey Graham’s unwavering support for Israel
• New York Sun 7/28/26: Now More Than Ever We Must Follow Lindsey Graham’s Support of the Jewish State of Israel [“The late senator understood how important it was that America and Israel work together to destroy the Nazi-like Islamist Revolutionary Guard in Iran.”]
• Responsible Statecraft 7/28/26: Before Lindsey there was Fritz, an anti-Iraq war, Israel skeptic [“On foreign policy the former senior senator from South Carolina was as far from Graham as one could get, and was quite quite unapologetic about it“]
• New York Times 7/28/26: Graham and Netanyahu Worked Together to Denounce International Criminal Court [“Senator Lindsey Graham helped to coordinate a group of lawmakers to rebuke the I.C.C., which was investigating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.“]
• Al Jazeera 7/28/26: Lindsey Graham ‘almost cried’ tears of joy over war on Iran, footage shows
• Jewish Federations of North America 7/28/26: Jewish Federations Honor the Late Sen. Lindsey Graham
• Wall Street Journal 7/27/26: Lindsey Graham’s Death Leaves Israel With a Bigger Problem in America [“The Republican stalwart’s burial comes as polls show Israel’s standing is declining among both Democrats and Republicans“]
• Jerusalem Post 7/26/26: Kushner, Witkoff unable to handle Iran due to conflict of interest, Graham said – report [“Graham had agreed to participate because he wanted the film to document his Senate career and encourage others to enter public service.“]
• Times of Israel 7/26/26: Netanyahu talked Graham out of lobbying Trump to join war on Hezbollah – report
• The Hill 7/26/26: Graham compared Trump and Netanyahu to FDR and Churchill, new footage shows
• YNet 7/26/26: Netanyahu reined in Lindsey Graham’s obsessive push to widen Iran war, footage shows
• CNN 7/26/26: Graham called yearslong push for war with Iran ‘the best thing I’ve ever done’ in new footage
• Wall Street Journal 7/26/26: Unreleased Documentary Footage Captures Graham’s Obsessive Push for Iran War [“A filmmaker followed the senator over the past three years, chronicling his relationship with Trump and Netanyahu”]
• Washington Institute for Near East Policy 7/25/26: Lindsey Graham’s Last Gift to the U.S.-Israel Alliance

Iran

• Jewish Insider 7/30/26: Sen. Rick Scott: Without regime change, U.S. will need to periodically strike Iranian nuclear program [“‘If there’s not a regime change, then maybe we don’t have to do this every day, but we’re going to have to do this every so often,’ Scott said at the Hudson Institute“]

Saudi Arabia Nuclear Deal

• The Hill 7/26/26: Van Hollen: Trump hit Saudi Arabia with ‘bait and switch’ by tying Israel relations to nuclear deal

Other Stuff

• The New Republic 7/29/26: Transcript: Inside AOC’s Foreign Policy Vision [“Writer Jonathan Guyer says that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is presenting a different foreign policy vision than previous Democrats who have ran for president.”]

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters & Reports
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

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New from FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 7/22/26: Reeling Israel In: A Conversation with Seth Ackerman, ft. FMEP non-resident Fellow Ahmed Moor in conversation with Seth Ackerman (Jacobin Magazine) about the latter’s recent article on a speech by Rahm Emanuel (former White House Chief of Staff to President Obama), and what it might say about current political thinking in the the Democratic Party. They also discuss what opportunities exist to exert pressure on Israel and pursue accountable.

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1. Bills & Resolutions

House FY27 NDAA – HR 8800

(For state-of-play of the bill as of 7/2/26, when the House defeated the Rule to bring HR 8800 to the floor, see the 7/2/26 edition of the Round-Up)

Action in the Rules Committee this week: On 7/20/26 the House Rules Committee met (video) to approve a NEW Rule under which HR 8800 would be brought to the House floor, including deciding which of the now 1400 amendments to HR 8800 submitted to the Rules Committee (including some submitted AFTER the previous Rules Committee hearing on the bill would be considered “in order” – i.e., would be considered/voted on by the full House.

Action on the House Floor This Week:

• On 7/21, the House passed H. Res. 1438, the NEW Rule under which HR 8800 would come to the floor, by a vote of 214-211, with all Democrats plus Massie (R-KY) voting “No”, and all Republicans (other than Massie) voting “Yes.”
• On 7/21 – 7/22, the House voted on amendments to HR 8800, before passing HR 8000 by a vote of 216-212, with 6 Republicans joining 205 Democrats in voting “No”, and 7 Democrats joining 209 Republicans in voting “Yes.”

Amendments targeting Sec. 219 NOT made “in order” in the new Rule: Once again, the Rules Committee–meaning GOP leadership– chose to NOT make “in order” any of the amendments that sought to strip Sec. 219 from the bill [including, most prominently, one offered by Massie (R-KY)] . As a reminder, Sec. 219 is the highly controversial provision which would expand, deepen, and mandate — and make difficult to oversee and roll back — new cooperation/coordination/integration of between the U.S. military with Israel [covered in detail in previous Round-Ups]. This decision guaranteed that this highly controversial provision would pass as part of the overall bill, with no debate/discussion/opportunity to vote on it on the House floor. NOTE: It remains to be seen if down the road, when final FY27 NDAA text is being negotiated between the House and Senate, the provision will be removed/changed, given that a similar provision (and more!) is included in the baseline Senate version of the FY27 NDAA, which is currently stalled in the Senate – see the 7/17/26 edition of the Round-Up for details.

Amendments Made “In Order” in the new Rule:  A large number of Israel/Middle East-related amendments to HR 8800 were submitted to the Rules Committee. Only a small number of these were made “in order” — listed in the table below. All were adopted on the House floor by Voice Votes.

My analysis [based on what I posted on X]: On the heels of historic vote against US aid to Israel last week, House GOP leaders decided to NOT allow debate or a vote on an amendment to strip from FY27 NDAA a provision (Sec 219) legislating massive US support for Israel via new/expanded, hard-to-oversee/roll back, US-Israel military entanglement. Instead, House GOP leaders decided to let two wholly cosmetic amendments related to Sec. 219 come to the floor: one expands an a required annual report to Congress past 2030; the other strikes the word ‘integration’ in one place in the provision. As reported previously in the Round-Up, looking at Sec. 219 and related measures being pushed by Israel supporters in both the House and Senate, one would be hard-pressed to avoid concluding that Israel’s government and its allies in Congress & pro-Israel organizations want to ensure Israel’s prime minister will be functionally (& permanently) granted a seat in the US situation room — via legislation — much of it built on an edifice of pro-Israel measures passed into law, with little or no debate, over many years — that will accomplish three inter-related and mutually-reinforcing goals. The first goal: establishing/expanding the role and position of Israel within US national security processes, policies, strategies, and procurements — including deepening interoperability and inter-dependence of core military and intelligence functions. The second goal: achieving all of this in such a way that it cannot easily be undone (by either a future Congress or Administration). The third goal: codifying the transformation of Israel from a foreign state that enjoys US support & aid, into an actor whose interests, prerogatives, and entitlements are enmeshed, by law, with those of the US], such that Israel is legally woven into the fabric of U.S. national security apparatus functions — where its position will not only be less vulnerable to changing political tides (compared to today), but also even less transparent and accountable.  Love or hate these efforts, the fact is: vital US national security equities are in play, and apparently will be decided NOT via rigorous, transparent, informed deliberation/debate, but via text slipped into must-pass bills, on which debate/votes over meaningful amendments will be blocked.

Don’t Forget About the Bill Itself:  With all the focus this week was on the continued controversy over Sec. 219, there was little to no attention given to the many, many other Israel/Middle East provisions that the House passed as part of the base text of HR 8800. For full details see the 6/5/26 edition of the Round-Up; in its press release on HR 8800’s passage by the House, AIPAC lauded specific funding for Israel in the bill: “The House‑passed NDAA authorizes $750 million for U.S.-Israel cooperative programs—a $65 million increase over FY26—including $500 million for missile defense, $100 million for counter‑unmanned systems, $100 million for subterranean operations, and $50 million for emerging technologies. The bill also extends the War Reserves Stockpile Authority–Israel.”

What next? HR 8800 now goes to the Senate – where normally the next step would be for the Senate to delete the full House text and replace it with the text of its own Senate-passed version of the NDAA. However, as noted above and in previous Round-Ups, as of this writing the Senate version of the FY27 NDAA is stalled, in part over opposition to Israel-related provisions. Stay tuned to see what happens next!

Israel/Middle East Amendments to HR 8800 considered on the House Floor

Topic	Amdt # + Link	Intro’d by	Description/summary	Status
US should boycott intl defense exhibitions that in any way restrict Israeli participation	Amdt #1099 / #24 in Rule	Ogles (R-TN)	“This amendment expresses the sense of Congress that DOW participation in international defense exhibitions should be conditioned on the full participation of Israeli companies and the absence of discriminatory restrictions targeting Israel.”	Passed 7/21/26 as part of En Bloc amendment (H. Amdt. 246), by voice Vote
Fighting the ICC	Amdt #1255 / #25 in Rule	Gottheimer (D-NJ) & Tenney (R-NY)	“Late Requires the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State to use every opportunity at NATO forums/ forums with Major Non-NATO Allies to ensure that member countries do not enforce ICC warrants against one another’s militaries.”	Passed 7/21/26 as part of En Bloc amendment (H. Amdt. 246), by voice Vote
Gaza Tunnels report	Amdt #1256 / #147 in Rule	Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Late Authorizes a Report Authored by the Secretary of Defense to study steps Israel, the US, and Egypt can take to enhance international security measures on the Gaza-Egypt border to ensure Hamas and other actors cannot use tunnels or methods via the Mediterranean Sea to smuggle weapons and illicit goods. Additionally, the report will outline/ map existing tunnel networks.”	Passed 7/21/26 as part of En Bloc amendment (H. Amdt. 262), by voice Vote
Iran buying land near US military installations	Amdt #1265 / #38 in Rule	Arrington (R-TX)	“Late Requires the Department of War to submit a report that identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks arising from acquisitions of land near U.S. military installations from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and foreign terrorist organizations.”	Passed 7/21/26 as part of En Bloc amendment (H. Amdt. 246), by voice Vote
Amending Sec. 219 (cosmetic)	Amdt #1393 // #319 in the Rule	Luna (R-FL)	“Late Requires an annual report to Congress for as long as the executive agent under Section 219 position exists at the Department of Defense. Currently the reporting requirement is only there until 2030.”	Passed 7/22/26 as part of En Bloc amendment (H. Amdt. 265), by voice Vote
Amending Sec. 219 (cosmetic)	Amdt #1394 // #320 in the Rule	Luna (R-FL)	“Late Strikes the word “integration” from Section 219 of the NDAA titled “United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative.”	Passed 7/22/26 as part of En Bloc amendment (H. Amdt. 265), by voice Vote

Selected media related to this week’s consideration of HR 8800:

• Jewish Insider 7/24/26: Boebert claims Hegseth, White House want U.S.-Israel cooperation provision stripped from NDAA
• Mondoweiss 7/23/26: House passes spending bill that critics say will integrate the U.S. and Israeli militaries
• Newseek 7/23/26: US and Israel Military Integration: What NDAA Vote Does and Does Not Do
• Fox News 7/23/26: AOC roasted over defense bill claim as GOP lawmaker tells her to ‘stop stoking Jew hatred’
• Times of Israel 7/23/26: US House approves $1 trillion defense bill that would boost security ties with Israel
• Legis1 7/23/26: House Passes Defense Authorization Bill on Largely Party-Line Vote
• Military.com 7/22/26: US-Israel Defense Integration on Horizon as House Keeps Section 219 in NDAA 
• Fox News 7/22/26: SENATOR TIM SHEEHY: Crazy conspiracy theories are undermining America’s defense
• International Business Times 7/22/26: Massie Loses Section 219 Fight Again, Vows No Vote on NDAA
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/22/26: House passes defense spending bill over objections to Israel provision
• Common Dreams 7/22/26: Progressives Urge Senate to Reject Israel Military Integration in NDAA Passed by House
• TruthOut 7/22/26:  AOC: US-Israeli Military Integration Measure “Existential Threat” to Democracy
• The Intercept 7/22/26: GOP Rep. Called Israeli–U.S. Defense Tech Integration “Dangerous.” The House Passed It Anyway.
• The Guardian 7/22/26: House passes $1.15tn defense bill despite standoff over Israel and Trump’s voter agenda
• The Hill 7/22/26: 6 Democrats cross aisle, join GOP to back annual defense policy bill
• The Hill 7/22/26: House narrowly passes massive annual defense policy bill
• Fox News 7/22/26: Chaos erupts as House passes $1.15T defense bill with Israel provision: ‘Stop stoking Jew hatred’
• Reuters 7/22/26: US House passes $1 trillion defense bill despite Iran, Israel concerns
• Politico 7/21/26: Defense bill finally advances as House GOP steers rightward

Selected Members on the Record on HR 8800:

• Ramirez (D-IL) 7/23/26: X-post – “ICYMI: Yesterday, 209 Republicans and 6 Democrats voted to authorize $1.15 trillion in military spending to continue endless wars, merge Israel and U.S. military capacities to make it more difficult to hold Israel accountable, and attach the Save Act to the bill to suppress our votes. Pretty much every dangerous, immoral, destructive thing that could be done by the House wrapped up into one terrible bill. I was a HELL NO. The Senate must hold the line and reject the NDAA.”
• Foushee (D-NC) 7/23/26: X-thread – “My office continues to get calls about Section 219 in the defense budget, which expands defense cooperation with Israel. I want to reiterate that I voted against this budget, and do not support this policy. As a cosponsor of the Block the Bombs Act, I will continue to fight to ensure our taxpayer dollars are only being spent in accordance with our humanitarian values.”
• Massie (R-KY) 7/22/26: X-post – “Final vote total for the NDAA today which tragically merges our military technology and supply chains with Israel’s. Let’s hope this version fails in the Senate because Section 219 is a betrayal of our sovereignty.”
• Omar (D-MN) and Pocan (D-WI) 7/22/26:”Today, we voted NO on the National Defense Authorization Act because Congress cannot continue to write blank checks for endless wars. While millions of Americans are struggling to afford basic necessities, Congress is choosing to authorize over $1 trillion for the Pentagon, once again funneling billions of taxpayer dollars to defense contractors instead of investing in the needs of working people. The American people are sick and tired of funding atrocities abroad and want this war with Iran to end. Yet year after year, the Pentagon fails its audit with virtually no accountability, while Congress continues to increase military spending. We should be investing in affordable housing, healthcare, education, and good-paying jobs—not bankrolling defense contractors. This bill also includes provisions that continue to fund and partner with Israel to develop weapons to further their campaign of terror. At a time when Americans are demanding an end to funding Netanyahu’s genocidal regime, Congress should not be quietly deepening our military entanglement. For all of these reasons, we voted NO on this reckless defense bill.”
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 7/22/26: Gottheimer Champions Six Amendments and Other Key Priorities Passed in Annual Defense Bill [“Provisions Invest in Anti-Drone Technology, Military Students, Bolstering Gaza-Egypt Border Security, and Guarding Against Foreign Surveillance Technology“]
• Barr (R-KY) 7/22/26: X-post – “I voted YES on the NDAA to strengthen America’s military and keep our nation safe. @HouseGOP delivered: Pay raises for our troops / Investments to modernize our military and deter China / Strong support for Israel and our allies as we confront Iran…”
• Omar (D-MN) 7/22/26: X-post – “The NDAA includes a provision that would deepen military ties with Israel. This is an outrageous threat to our country’s security and autonomy. Americans want no part in Netanyahu’s genocidal regime. Congress cannot continue to bankroll Israel’s campaign of terror. Voting NO.”
• Foushee (D-NC) 7/22/26: X-post – “The defense budget also includes the GOP’s voter disenfranchisement bill, the so-called Save America Act, as well as Section 219, which expands defense cooperation with Israel. These are policy riders that I cannot support. The Senate must reject this legislation immediately.”
• Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) 7/22/26: X-post – “Tomorrow, the House will vote on the NDAA, which includes a provision to merge parts of our military with the IDF. This amendment is an existential threat to American sovereignty and democracy. Every member of Congress must vote NO.”
• Massie (R-KY) 7/21/26: X-post – “Unfortunately the Rule passed just now and no debate or vote was allowed on section 219, integration of US military technology and supply chains with Israel’s. The NDAA will receive a recorded vote tomorrow with section 219 in it. I’ll vote no.”
• Khanna (D-CA) 7/21/26: X-post – “.@RepThomasMassie and I are leading the fight against military integration with Israel. Congress was denied a vote on an amendment to stop it. Now we will fight to strip this provision in the conference between the House and Senate.”

Selected statements on HR 8800:

• AIPAC 7/22/26: House Includes Key U.S.–Israel Defense Measures in FY27 NDAA
• New Jewish Narrative 7/22/26: NJN Slams House Passage of NDAA as the Wrong Bill at the Wrong Moment
• Jewish Virtual Library 7/22/26: FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act: Israel-Related Provisions

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Senate FY27 NDAA – S. 4784

As covered in last week’s edition of the Round-Up, the Senate version of the FY27 NDAA, S. 4784, was stalled in the Senate as of 7/17/26. This week – on 7/20/26 – Senate Majority Leader Thune (R-SD) offered another motion to proceed with S. 4784.  Three days later, on 7/23/26, that motion was withdrawn. What happens next? Nobody knows – stay tuned!

Statements:

• Moreno (R-OH) 7/23/26: X-post, quoted by Julian Andreone, Drop Site News – “SCOOP: Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) tells me he is NOT in favor of NDAA Section 219 and does not think the provision will make it into the final bill. ‘There’s nobody here who’s more of an ardent supporter of Israel’s right to exist and ability to defend themselves, but I don’t think we should integrate our military with anybody, not even the Bahamas.’”
• Sanders (I-VT) 7/22/26: X-post – “Americans are saying loudly and clearly: No more U.S. military support for the extremist Netanyahu government. That is why Congress must vote NO on the defense spending bill, which brings the U.S. and Israeli militaries even closer together.”
• Excellent discussion of the issues with Israel-related provisions in the NDAA (and in the Senate Intelligence Authorization bill – Beinart Notebook 7/19/26: “There Are Lots of Members of Our Caucus Who Refuse to Recognize the Truth.” – Senator Chris Van Hollen on changing the Democratic Party’s approach to Israel-Palestine

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Targeting Palestinians/UNRWA

(NO FUNDS FOR UNRWA) HR 9893 [bill text]: Introduced 7/23/26 by Smith (R-NJ) and 9 Republican cosponsors, “To prohibit contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and for other purposes,” aka the “Stop Support for UNRWA Act of 2026 .” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see:

• press release: Smith introduces legislation to permanently bar U.S. contributions to ‘child soldier factory’ UNRWA [NOTE: the press release states, erroneously, that “During both terms, President Trump rightly halted U.S. funding for UNRWA over credible reports that the organization was infiltrated by members of foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) and its employees were involved in Hamas’ October 7, 2023 massacre.” During Trump’s first term he did cut off funding to UNRWA, but no Trump Administration official during that period in any way connected that decision to allegations of links between UNRWA and terror. For a review of what Trump Administrations officials actually said  about UNRWA at that time, see my comprehensive report].
• Media: New House bill would bar United States from donating to UNRWA (Jewish News Syndicate 7/23/26); Dismantling UNRWA: What’s Needed Now? (Jewish Institute for National Security of America  – JINSA 7/23/26).

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Targeting Free Speech / Protest / Non-Profits [with Palestine as the hook]

(LABELING NON-PROFITS “TERRORISTS, TARGETING PALESTINE PROTEST ORGS) S. 5083 [bill text] // HR 9721: Introduced in the Senate 7/22/25 by Cotton (R-AR), and in the House 7/16/25 by Smucker (R-PA), “A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require reporting by certain charitable organizations relating to fiscal sponsorship arrangements, and for other purposes,” aka the “Fiscal Sponsorship Transparency Act.” Referred to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, respectively. On 7/22/25, HR 9721 was marked up in/passed by the House Ways and Means Committee (along with 3 other measures targeting non-profits and their funding).  Referred to the Committee on Finance. 

• Cotton’s press release characterizes groups targeted under this bill as terrorists organizations – “Cotton Introduces Bill to Close Tax Loopholes Exploited by Far-Left Terrorist Organizations.” In that press releases offers a single example of the kinds of organizations he wants targeted under the bill: “Under current law, a charity can collect tax-deductible donations and hand the money to a group that isn’t a charity at all, which allows far-left radical groups—like the Palestinian Youth Movement[emphasis added]—to manipulate the U.S. tax code. The Fiscal Sponsorship Transparency Act would force charities to report these arrangements and impose a steep tax when they blindly pass money along without any oversight to how it’s spent.”
• Smucker’s press release on the House Ways and Means Committee’s passage of the bill similarly focuses on Palestine-related work — with an example that is wholly misleading: “…While most fiscal sponsorship arrangements serve legitimate charitable purposes, there are currently no uniform public reporting requirements for these arrangements, making it difficult to identify abuse. That lack of transparency has already been exploited. One recent example involved Samidoun, an organization sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for supporting the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Samidoun was able to receive charitable donations through a fiscal sponsorship arrangement while operating under the umbrella of a U.S. tax-exempt organization.” In fact, the funding for Samidoun to which the press release is referring happened BEFORE the Trump Administration added Samidoun to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List (in October 2024). Once the group was added to the SDN list, it became 100% illegal for any U.S. person or organization (including a fiscal sponsor) to provide funds to it.
• The argument that there is a some kind of fiscal sponsor “loophole” that needs to be closed to prevent funds going to SNDs via fiscal sponsors is at best mistaken, and at worst a deliberate and cynical lie designed to obfuscate the actual purpose of this legislation.
• Further reading: House Committee Advances Nonprofit Bills in Contentious, Partisan Markup (Independent Sector 7/23/26); Policy Alert: Fiscal Sponsorship Transparency Act of 2026 Could Undermine Longstanding Nonprofit Infrastructure (TSNE 6/20/26); HR 9721 – The New Fiscal Sponsorship Transparency Bill (Nonprofit Law Blog 7/19/26); EXCLUSIVE: Senate Bill Cracks Down on Shady Charities That Funnel Cash From Left-Wing Donors to Extremists, Including Israel-Hating Groups That Back Hamas (Washington Free Beacon 7/23/26); New US legislation aims to eliminate tax-deductible gifts to terror-tied groups [“’Far-left terrorist organizations shouldn’t be able to manipulate our tax code for their advantage,’ said Sen. Tom Cotton, who sponsored the measure.“] (Jewish News Syndicate 7/23/26)

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Iran / Iran War

(IRAN WAR POWERS) H. Con. Res. 89: Introduced 4/23/36 by Jayapal (D-WA) and having 16 cosponsors, “Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.” Considered on the House floor 7/22/26, and passed 7/23/26 by a vote of 214 – 208.

(IRAN WAR POWERS) S. J. Res.180: Introduced 4/13/26 by Van Hollen (D-MD) and having 9 cosponsors, “A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.” Considered on the Senate floor 7/23/26 and rejected by the Senate 7/23/26 by a vote of 47-49 [on a procedural vote on a motion to discharge the bill from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.]

• Also see: Jewish Insider 7/23/26: House passes another Iran war powers resolution; Hours later, the Senate rejected a similar measure

(COMPELLING HOUSE SPEAKER TO FILE IRAN WPR LAWSUIT AGAINST TRUMP ADMIN) H. Res. 1456 [resolution text]: Introduced 7/23/26 by Meeks (D-NY) and 6 cosponsors, “Directing the initiation of litigation for actions by the President or other executive branch officials inconsistent with their duties under the Constitution of the United States.” Referred to the Committee on Rules, and the Committee on House Administration. Also see press release – Larson, Meeks File Resolution to Enforce War Powers Resolution in Court Against President Trump

(TARGETING IRAN) HR 9795 [bill text]: Introduced 7/21/26 by Gillen (D-NY) and Malliotakis (R-NY), “To expand the temporary borrowing authority and mandatory distribution for the United States Victims Of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund,” aka the “Never Forget the Victims of Terrorism: Joseph D. Mistrulli and Alan Kleinberg USVSST Fund Solvency Act.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: press release – Reps. Gillen and Malliotakis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Secure Justice for 9/11 Families and Victims of Iranian State-Sponsored Terrorism

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Other Stuff

(KEEPING THE AMIA CASE ALIVE FOREVER) H. Res. 1445: Introduced 7/21/26 by Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and 5 bipartisan cosponsors,  “Condemning the attack on the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July 1994, and encouraging accountability for the attack.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. NOTE: Wasserman Schultz previously introduced this resolution – or something like it – in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and 14 other Senate Democrats introduced a resolution demanding that the Senate’s legal counsel bring a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the gift of a Qatari 747 jet to serve as Air Force One constitutes an illegal foreign emolument banned by the constitution…

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Reporting/posts on other previously introduced legislation:

• Jewish Insider 7/24/26: Auchincloss: Voting against aid to Israel was a vote against the Iran war [“‘I represent a pro-Israel, anti-Netanyahu district and this is a pro-Israel, anti-Netanyahu vote,’ Rep. Jake Auchincloss told JI“]
• Rosen (D-NV) 7/23/26: VIDEO: Rosen Calls on Senate Colleagues to Support Legislation to Fight Rising Antisemitism in the United States
• Baird (R-IN) press release 7/23/26: Congressman Baird Applauds Passage of Four Priority Bills in House Foreign Affairs Committee [“Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after four of his bills, the No Official Palestine Entry (NOPE) Act, Passports for Purple Hearts and Medals of Honor Act, Tech Diplomacy Training Act, and FORGE Act, passed out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday, as part of a comprehensive package to modernize U.S. State Department policies.” – NOTE: As of this writing (7/24/26 at 10am EDT, I can find nothing on the HFAC website to suggest that the Committee took any action on these bills on 7/22/26, or indeed at anytime this week; nothing was on the schedule about a markup of these measures, and nothing shows up now to suggest such a markup took place.]

2. Letters & Reports

• (INVESTIGATE EPSTEIN’S ACTIONS AS AN UNREGISTERED AGENT OF ISRAEL & OTHERS) 7/21/26: Ranking Member Raskin Launches Investigation Into Evidence Epstein Acted as Unregistered Agent for Foreign Powers, Leveraging Ties to Trump – Judiciary Democrats’ Review of Epstein Files Uncovers Extensive Interactions Between Epstein and Foreign Officials from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Russia, and Israel, Including Efforts to Influence Trump Administration Policy [letter text]. Also see: House Democrats launch investigation into whether Jeffrey Epstein acted as a foreign agent (CNN 7/21/26)
• (CONFLATING “ISRAELIS” WITH JEWS” IN SLAMMING MALAYSIA FOR TARGETING ISRAELIS, & CONFLATING DEPORTING ISRAELIS WITH “HUNTING DOWN JEWS”) 7/21/26: Landsman Leads Letter to Marco Rubio on Malaysia Hunting Down and Removing Jews [letter text]. Even per Landsman’s letter, Malaysia is NOT targeting Jews, it is targeting Israelis: “We write with grave concern over the recent announcement by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that his government will track down and immediately deport any Israeli citizens found in Malaysia.” Note that it is Malaysia’s longstanding policy to ban entry of Israeli passport holders (including Palestinian citizens of Israel), based on Malaysia’s non-recognition of Israel [Malaysia also does not permit its own nationals to travel to Israel]. So why is this now in the news? Because the government of Malaysia has learned that Israelis in the tech industry are using second passports to enter and reside in Malaysia, in violation of Malaysia’s immigration law. Also see: House Democrats urge Rubio to pressure Malaysia to reverse plan to deport Israelis (Jewish Insider 7/21/26); Malaysia’s Anwar rejects ‘totally absurd’ US lawmakers’ demand to lift Israel ban (SCMP 7/23/26 – Anwar: “This is totally absurd because, as far as we are concerned, this policy has been adopted by Malaysia for decades…We are against the presence here of any Israeli citizen – not Jews, but Israeli citizens because they are complicit in the murders, crimes and continuous oppression and colonisation of Palestine and Gaza.”). Also see: Gottheimer (D-NJ) 7/22/26: X-post – “Malaysia just declared it will hunt down and deport any Israeli citizen found in the country, solely because of their nationality. That’s why I’m leading a letter with @RepGregLandsman demanding answers from @SecRubio. Malaysia must reverse this antisemitic policy or we suspend security assistance.”

3. Hearings & Markups

July 22, 2026: The House Foreign Affairs held an Israel/Greater Israel hegemony-in-the-region-while-marginalizing-&-making-clear-the-open-contempt-for-Palestinians love fest of a hearing entitled, Building a New Regional Security Architecture: The Next Phase of the Abraham Accords (hearing video – watch it for yourself; I don’t have the stomach to excerpt it here). The witness list, along with their written statements, says it all:

• Former US Ambassador to Israel (and longtime settlement/Greater Israel supporter) David Friedman, Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel (statement);
• Asher Fredman, Executive Director of the Israeli organization the “Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy” [that last part of the name, “and Zionist Strategy,” is mysteriously absent from the meeting notice] – note that this is the organization that shortly after the 10/7/23 Hamas attacks published a paper making the case for Israel to use the 10/7 attacks as a pretext for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. As reported at the time: “On October 17, the Misgav Institute for National Security & Zionist Strategy published a position paper (PDF) advocating for the ‘relocation and final settlement of the entire Gaza population.’ The report advocates exploiting the current moment to accomplish a long-held Zionist goal of moving Palestinians off the land of historic Palestine. The report’s subtitle makes it clear: ‘There is at the moment a unique and rare opportunity to evacuate the whole Gaza Strip in coordination with the Egyptian government.’”  (statement); and
• Former US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro (who shortly after finishing his role as ambassador decided to stay in Israel [“Shapiro acknowledged it was somewhat unusual for him to remain in country after his service. But his ties to Israel are much more than professional. The six years he spent representing the Obama administration here were part of a lifelong commitment to the country“] and joined a think tank in Tel Aviv, the Institute for National Security Studies, as a fellow; he is now at the Atlantic Council) (statement).

Also see:

• Lawler (R-NY) 7/23/26: X-post – “This week, I chaired a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing on building the next phase of the Abraham Accords and strengthening regional security. I emphasized the importance of keeping Israel at the center of regional economic integration through initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and discussed ways to strengthen Israel’s partnership with Jordan. As we look ahead, Congress must continue advancing policies that expand regional cooperation, deepen economic ties, and strengthen the alliances that promote lasting peace and stability across the Middle East.” & Lawler: Israel should remain part of Middle East trade corridor [“The New York Republican said Turkey envoy Tom Barrack’s efforts to route trade through Syria instead were ‘unacceptable’”] (Jewish Insider 7/23/26)
• Ex-US ambassador says Palestinian state would be ‘suicide’ for Israel; In a hearing on the Abraham Accords, witnesses lamented the end of bipartisan support for Tel Aviv (Responsible Statecraft 7/23/26)

July 22, 2026: The House Foreign Affairs held what proved to be exactly what one would have expected– an exercise in anti-UN, anti-UNRWA, pro-Israel grandstanding in the form of a hearing entitled, United Nations Accountability and Reform: Advancing an America First Foreign Policy Through Strategic Diplomacy and Burden Sharing [hearing video]. Witnesses were US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz (statement – weighing in at a grand total of 963 words, excluding the greeting at the beginning and the “thank you” at the end); and US Representative to the UN (for management and reform) Jeff Bartos (no statement posted). Also see:

• Baird (R-IN) 7/23/26: X-post with video clip – “Today, I spoke with United Nations Ambassador @michaelgwaltz on how America can have greater oversight on UN agencies and help the peace process in Israel and Gaza. See my discussion here”
• McCormick (R-PA) 7/23/26: X-post w/ video clip of Bartos attacking UNRWA: “The future of Gaza will be written by the people of Gaza.”

Israel/AIPAC (and Iran) in US elex & politics – GENERAL

• Haaretz 7/24/26: After October 7, Many Wrote Off the DSA. Then It Started Winning
• Times of Israel 7/24/26: Why are US politicians so focused on Israel, when voters say it’s not a priority? [“Polls show that, when asked open-ended questions about political priorities, Israel and foreign policy don’t make the cut, even though the Jewish state seems to be everywhere“]
• Jewish Insider 7/24/26: Dems facing tension between their principles and primary politics [“How largely pro-Israel Democrats in solidly-blue districts balance the pressures from the base against their longstanding principles will speak volumes about whether the U.S.-Israel relationship can maintain support within their party“]
• The Message Box/Dan Pfeiffer 7/23/26: What Everyone Gets Wrong About the Politics of Israel [“It’s not just Democrats who’ve shifted — independents have too. That changes the math on moderation.“]
• Zeteo 7/23/26: ‘Five-Alarm Fire’: Top Senate Democrat on ‘Corrupt’ Elections, AIPAC Funding, and Ending the Iran War [“Mehdi challenges Mark Warner, the pro-Israel vice-chair of the Senate Intel Committee, on why he won’t say genocide, the future of ICE, and whether the Dems should be the ‘antiwar party.’“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/23/26: Ro Khanna’s war on Israel’s American supporters
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/23/26: Beware ‘braided bitterness’ that merges anti-Zionism and anti-Americanism
• Jewish Insider 7/22/26: The left’s real test isn’t the primaries. It’s November [“The anti-Israel activists have certainly captured a faction of the Democratic Party, but their ties to so many unpopular views and causes make the whole movement politically toxic in middle America”]
• Mondoweiss 7/22/26: Voters are forcing Democrats to shift on Israel, but this doesn’t mean U.S. support is ending anytime soon [“When 100 Democrats voted last week to block $3.3 million in U.S. aid to Israel, it was the clearest sign yet that lawmakers are responding to voters’ overwhelming sentiment. But it still remains unclear whether this will lead to actual policy change.”]
• WTOP News 7/22/26: Messy primaries plague both major political parties, causing chaos and confusion in the midterms
• Jewish Insider 7/22/26: Adam Smith blasts progressive left for enabling harassment of pro-Israel lawmakers
• Responsible Statecraft 7/22/26: Israel targets X users, right-wing media with $2 million ad push
• The Nation 7/21/26: Crypto, AI, and AIPAC Super PACs Are Spending in Lockstep Against Progressives [“Unprecedented sums are being spent on Democratic primaries, reshaping races while keeping their policy agendas largely out of public view.“]
• Huffington Post 7/21/26: AIPAC Is Losing Its Sway Over Democrats [“The pro-Israel group’s absolutist stance has alienated even moderate Democrats who support the Jewish state.“]
• Washington Post 7/21/26: Meet the megadonors pouring more than $1.6 billion into the 2026 elections [“Top 10 organizations – Individual donors pumped the most money into this cycle, but a variety of groups also weighed in with big donations. The list includes organizations that are focused on advancing a cause rather than being affiliated with a political party. Among them are the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee, as well as the cryptocurrency companies Coinbase and Ripple and sports gambling company DraftKings.”]
• The Atlantic 7/21/26: The DSA Is a Parasite – The left-wing faction is hijacking the Democratic Party.
• Jewish Insider 7/21/26: Bernie Sanders’ 2020 Jewish liaison says his old boss is promoting antisemitism [“Joel Rubin: Sanders has endorsed ‘the most categorically anti-Israel, antisemitic candidates that we’ve seen in a generation, if ever’“]
• Axios 7/20/26: Inside House Democrats’ fear-driven turn against Israel [fear of VOTERS using their votes to hold incumbents/candidates accountable for their policies re Israel/Palestine – so yeah, kinda saying these Democrats are afraid of DEMOCRACY]
• Jewish Insider 7/20/26: House vote on Israel aid forces pro-Israel advocates to reassess trusted allies [“After 104 members of the House voted last week in favor of an amendment to eliminate military aid to Israel, pro-Israel activists who have spent years building ties with lawmakers are now wondering how to approach those relationships“]
• Fox News 7/20/26: Reporter’s Notebook: The Republican-led vote that revealed Democrats’ new divide on Israel
• Haaretz 7/20/26: The Millions Fueling Israel’s Frantic Battle to Win Back U.S. Public Opinion [“As Israel’s global standing plummets amid the wars in Gaza and Iran, government documents and U.S. filings reveal that Jerusalem has poured unprecedented sums into public diplomacy campaigns and influence operations abroad since October 7“]
• The Hill 7/20/26: 2028 Democratic hopefuls try to seize narrative on Israel
• Lithub 7/20/26: There’s a New Coalition in the Democratic Party—and the Price of Membership is Criticizing Israel
• Data for Progress 7/20/26: Polling on Israel Military Aid (July 2026) [finding that 58% of voters support ending aid to Israel, comprised of 63% of Democrats and 52% of Republicans – see data for additional crosstabs]
• The Guardian 7/20/26: House Democrats are finally shifting on Israel. Party leaders must listen
• CNN 7/18/26: Inside the fight over Israel tearing Democrats on the Hill apart
• Wall Street Journal 7/18/26: Israel’s $50 Million Experiment to Change U.S. Public Opinion [“The Israeli government is trying to shore up its U.S. reputation with help from influencers, Trump insiders and millions of AI-driven texts“]
• Times of Israel 7/19/26: AIPAC stops taking donations for House Democrats who voted to cut military aid to Israel
• Jewish Insider 7/19/26: Rep. Steve Cohen says he left progressive caucus over ‘socialist’ shift [“The retiring liberal Democrat also pointed out the contingent of anti-Israel lawmakers in the caucus“]
• Jerusalem Post 7/19/26: What Ro Khanna, Tucker Carlson, and Rahm Emanuel have in common – opinion [“From Ro Khanna to Tucker Carlson, critics across the political spectrum are finding political value in attacking Israel.”]
• MS Now 7/19/26: Democrats toe a line on Israel as AIPAC’s grip on Congress starts to slip [“A wave of 2026 primary defeats and an extraordinary House vote suggest the consensus AIPAC long enforced on U.S.-Israel relations is breaking down.“]
• Washington Times 7/18/26: AIPAC withholds funds for House Democrats against aid to Israel
• The Cradle 7/18/26: AIPAC ‘blacklists’ dozens of US lawmakers that backed cutting military aid to no Israel
• New Y0rk Times 7/18/26: These AIPAC-Backed Democrats Voted to Nix Israel Aid. AIPAC Punished Them. [“Of the 103 Democrats who voted to eliminate aid to Israel, more than a dozen had been endorsed by the pro-Israel lobbying group. AIPAC quickly closed off online donations for them.“]
• The New York Times 7/18/26: The Interview – Zohran Mamdani Knows He Has Political Capital. And He Intends to Spend It.

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Arizona

• Times of Israel 7/22/26: Arizona congressman fends off anti-Israel challenger in Democratic primary
• Al Jazeera 7/21/26: Arizona’s primary elections: Which US races to watch and why they matter [“From the governor’s race to Democratic divisions over Gaza, here’s what could shape Arizona elections on Tuesday.”]
• The Forward 7/21/26: Democratic socialist rails against AIPAC in uphill primary bid against pro-Israel incumbent in Arizona
• Haaretz 7/20/26: Arizona House Primary Brings Israel’s U.S. Influence Campaign to the Ballot [“Progressive challenger Kai Newkirk argues that Israel’s public opinion campaign constitutes election meddling in favor of the AIPAC-endorsed Rep. Greg Stanton.“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – California

• Jewish Insider 7/22/26: Connie Chan embraces anti-Israel group’s endorsement in Bay Area House race [“Chan’s opponent, state Sen. Scott Wiener, has been harassed by far-left activists shouting antisemitic slurs at him”]
• Jewish News of Norther California 7/22/26: Scott Wiener surprises with Dolores Huerta endorsement as Track AIPAC backs Connie Chan
• The Intercept 7/21/26: Nancy Pelosi’s Pick for Her SF House Seat Takes Anti-AIPAC Pledge [“House candidate Connie Chan is backed by Pelosi, Adam Schiff, and now TrackAIPAC, signaling the growing influence of a politics skeptical of Israel.”]
• Mission Local 7/21/26: Anti-AIPAC group that denounced Connie Chan now endorsing Chan

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Florida

• Jewish Insider 7/22/26: Florida Democratic Senate candidate Alex Vindman calls out rising left-wing antisemitism [“I’ve become used to the right-wing, nationalist, nativist, antisemitic tone, but I’m really shocked about what I’m seeing from the far left — the DSA wing, that is deeply troubling, Vindman said”]
• News From the States 7/21/26: Vindman, Nixon weigh in on congressional vote to ban funding for Israel
• Hidabroot 7/21/25: Boca Raton Rabbi Urges Jewish Voters to Join Democratic Primary to Block Anti-Israel Challenger [“Rabbi Efrem Goldberg says voters can switch back before November after helping pro-Israel Rep. Jared Moskowitz defeat Oliver Larkin”]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Illinois

• Politico 7/23/26: Schakowsky’s AIPAC pivot

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Maine

• Jewish Insider 7/24/26: ‘The tattoo should have been enough’: Top Platner advisor seeks repentance for Platner support [“Appearing on ‘The Ezra Klein Show,’ Morris Katz admitted he had erred in continuing to champion the failed Senate candidate as he was repeatedly dogged by scandals“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

• WDET 7/24/26: Michigan’s Democratic senate primary is a tight, expensive race
• The Hill 7/23/26: Smith backs El-Sayed in Michigan Senate race
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/23/26: AIPAC super PAC spent almost $25 million to help Stevens beat El-Sayed in Michigan
• Jewish Insider 7/22/26: Democrats hope Navy SEAL can block far-left activist from nomination in Michigan battleground district [“Matt Maasdam is gaining late momentum running on his national security credentials, but Bernie Sanders-backed William Lawrence is winning over the base”]
• YNet 7/21/26: Progressives’ doomsday weapon: ‘Michigan’s Obama’ could be the first Muslim senator [“Dr. Abdul El-Sayed grew up near Detroit, spent his summers in Egypt, and resents comparisons to Mamdani; he accuses Israel of ‘genocide’ and is fighting in the Democratic primary against an incumbent who receives millions from AIPAC”]
• Detroit Free Press 7/21/26: AIPAC tests whether money can buy Michigan’s U.S. Senate primary | Opinion
• Michigan Advance 7/21/26: A former AIPAC-linked group is now supporting Abdul El-Sayed to elect a doctor to the U.S. Senate
• Punchbowl News 7/20/26: El-Sayed, Stevens and Democrats’ future [“‘The electable candidates don’t need $50 million crutches,’ Abdul El-Sayed told us in an interview here ahead of a rally with progressive leaders Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). ‘If we’re serious about winning elections as a party, I do hope that some party elites in D.C. are watching right now.’ … El-Sayed later added, ‘it doesn’t matter who wins’ a race in which the Democrat and the Republican both take money from AIPAC and other special interest groups, claiming that AIPAC is the only winner.”]
• Responsible Statecraft 7/20/26: Pro-Israel GOP donors fueling Rep. Stevens’ Dem primary in Michigan [“AIPAC and United Democracy Project are getting millions from Republican billionaires and out-of-state donors to beat back challenger Abdul El-Sayed“]
• USA Today 7/20/26: Michigan Democrat butts heads with CNN’s Jake Tapper. What to know [“In Michigan, a Bernie Sanders-backed Senate candidate could upend a Democratic primary. The race will test progressives’ popularity in a key swing state Trump won.”]
• The Forward 7/20/26: How Michigan’s Senate race is testing pro-Israel Jews’ loyalty to the Democratic Party [“Some Jewish communal leaders in the state say they would vote, or fundraise, for Mike Rogers if the strident Israel critic beats Haley Stevens“]
• Jewish Insider 7/20/26: Michigan Dem who praised grandfather’s Nazi military service hosting fundraiser for Abdul El-Sayed
• Haaretz 7/19/26: AIPAC Takes Center Stage at Abdul El-Sayed Michigan Primary Rally Headlined by Bernie Sanders and AOC [“El-Sayed declared that ‘it’s time to decide that we are no longer going to send unconditional foreign military aid to foreign governments,’ while Sanders railed against AIPAC and what he described as an ‘election between Abdul and the billionaire class’“]
• Associated Press 7/19/26: AIPAC Has Spent a Record Amount on Michigan’s Senate Primary, the Biggest Test of Its Influence Yet
• The Hill 7/19/26: Stevens: ‘Fool’s run’ to blame Israel for pushing Trump toward Iran
• The Hill 7/19/26: El-Sayed rips Jake Tapper over Israel, Iran questions on CNN
• CNN 7/17/26: Barack Obama hasn’t endorsed a Michigan Senate candidate. An AIPAC-linked group is spending millions on ads with him anyway

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Missouri

• The Argus 7/20/26: Missouri Dem. Congressmen Bell and Cleaver Break With a Majority of House Democrats on Israel Aid Vote

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Minnesota

• Minnesota Star Tribune 7/24/26: A pro-Israel lobbying group looms over Minnesota’s Senate race. Its role is less clear. [“The fight over AIPAC has become a proxy for Democrats’ broader divide over Israel, even as its involvement in the contest between Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is difficult to measure.“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New Hampshire

• New Hampshire Journal 7/23/26: Pappas, Sullivan Under Fire For Taking AIPAC, Pro-Israel Campaign Cash
• New Hampshire Journal 7/20/26: From ‘Ironclad’ Support to No Jewish State: NH Democrats Shift on Israel

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – North Carolina

• WFAE 7/20/26: North Carolina Dems Foushee, Ross vote to cut aid to Israel

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Pennsylvania

• Spotlight PA 7/21/26: Fetterman’s ultimatum is giving some Democrats anxiety he’ll switch parties
• Jewish Insider 7/21/26: John Fetterman says Democratic Party ‘flirting with’ adopting official anti-Israel stance [“The Pennsylvania senator told JI his ‘views aren’t controversial, or they shouldn’t be. What should be controversial is the trash that’s coming out from many Democrats and out of J Street’“]
• Jerusalem Post 7/19/26: ‘Our special ally’: Fetterman says he will leave Democratic Party if it stops supporting Israel [“Fetterman’s comments came after lawmakers defeated a measure to end US aid to Israel. Nearly all Republicans and a narrow majority of Democrats voted against the bill.”]
• REMINDER New York Magazine 5/21/26: The Man Who Explains Israel to John Fetterman

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Texas

• Express News 7/22/26: How AIPAC is operating differently in Texas ahead of midterm election

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Washington State

• Jewish Insider 7/21/26: Washington state’s Jewish Democrats fight for a place in a party they no longer recognize
• OPB 7/21/26: Washington’s 3rd District could be among the most competitive House races this fall [“Gluesenkamp Perez has been the focus of intense criticism from Democrats and progressives in her district. Angry constituents have packed town halls over her support for Israel in its war with Hamas, and her 2025 vote in favor of the Save Act.“]
• Nisqually Valley News 7/20/26: Commentary: How the Democratic Party’s divide over Israel has reached Washington state

Iran

• New York Times 7/20/26: G.O.P. Boxed In on Iran War as Trump Sidelines Congress [“Republicans now face a worst-case political scenario of being asked to fund an unpopular war over which they have exercised little oversight.“]
• Jewish Insider 7/20/26: Trump’s push to add Iran to Russia sanctions bill confuses Democrats [“Sens. Blumenthal and Shaheen said the late Sen. Lindsey Graham never sought to include Iran sanctions in the legislation he spent months negotiating before his death”]

Saudi Arabia Nuclear Deal

• Jewish Insider 7/22/26: Democrats line up against Saudi nuclear deal, while Republicans largely back it
• Times of Israel 7/22/26: Trump to seek Congress approval for US-Saudi nuclear energy pact without safeguards

Other Stuff

• Jewish News Syndicate 7/23/26: Gottheimer calls out ‘Squad’ member for confusing him with other Jewish Dem named Josh [reminder from 2024: Donald Trump Appears to Mix Up Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib]
• Jewish Insider 7/22/26: RJC creates Lindsey Graham Statesman Award as Jewish leaders pay tribute [“The new award will be given at the group’s yearly leadership summit in August“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/21/26: After Rep. Ro Khanna says armed ‘thugs’ detained him in Judea, details still murky about closed military zone [“Sharren Haskel, recently resigned deputy Israeli minister of foreign affairs, told JNS that the Jewish state had offered the congressman full coordination, briefings, tours and security arrangements for his visit, ‘all of which he declined and didn’t even bother to reply to.'”]
• Jewish Insider 7/20/26: Lawmakers split on whether Trump should have tied Syria sanctions relief to Israel normalization