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

NOTE: Congress was out of session this week

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New from FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 7/10/26: TrackAIPAC: A conversation with co-founders Cory Archibald and Casey Kennedy, with FMEP fellow Ahmed Moor
• 7/9/26: The Urgent Threat to Dr. Abu Safiya’s Life: “They Brought Me Here to Kill Me”, ft. FMEP Fellow Ahmed Moor in conversation with Naji Abbas, Director of the Prisoners and Detainees Department at Physicians for Human Rights Israel
• 7/8/26: The Ethnic Cleansing of Umm al Khair, ft. FMEP fellow Ahmed Moor in conversation with Eid Suleiman, a resident of the village of Umm al Khair in Masafer Yatta in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and Andrey X, a journalist and solidarity activist who is an Israeli citizen.

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(NO MILITARY SALES TO TURKEY) H. J. Res. 200: Introduced 7/2/26 by Titus (D-NV) and 10 cosponsors (all Democrats), “Providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to Turkey of certain defense articles and services.“ Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: press release – Rep. Dina Titus Introduces Joint Resolution of Disapproval to Stop Sale of Jet Engines to Turkey

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Reporting/posts on previously introduced legislation:

• A New Policy 7/8/26: Section 925: Codifying the U.S. as Israel’s Enforcement Arm in Gaza (Analysis of key section of the FY27 NDAA – Senate version)
• Khanna (D-CA) 7/8/26: X-post – “We cannot integrate our military with Israel’s and lose our sovereignty.  As a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, I am leading the fight to strip Section 224 from the Defense Authorization Act.”
• Washington Times 7/7/26: Congress should close the civil rights gap for Jewish students – The No Antisemitism in Education Act deserves a House vote
• Massie (R-KY) 7/6/26: X-post – “My amendment to strip section 219 from the NDAA was rejected last week by the Rules Committee without even a debate, but their rule for the NDAA didn’t pass the House. When we reconvene, I will offer my amdt again to strip the merger of our military supply chain with Israel’s.”
• American Conservative 7/6/26: Stop Sending Billions in U.S. Aid to Jordan [“Israel isn’t the only Mideast country receiving vast sums of American tax dollars.“]
• The American Conservative 7/5/26: Congress Aims to Give Israel Leverage Over America – A new bill would integrate the U.S. and Israeli militaries.
• Jewish Insider 7/5/26: House Democrats introduce legislation to block sale of jet engines to Turkey [“Rep. Dina Titus is leading the Joint Resolution of Disapproval against the Trump administration’s $700 million sale of F110 jet engines to Turkey despite legal restrictions on U.S. military sales to the country“]
• The Gazette 7/5/26: Israel gets unprecedented privileges in draft defense bill

2. Letters & Reports

• (F-35s FOR TURKEY IS ANOTHER TRUMP GRIFT) 7/10/26: Jewish Insider –Dems allege Turkey sanctions relief, F-35 deal being driven by Trump’s personal interests [letter text]
• (DON’T VOTE ON ISRAEL PROVISION IN NDAA WITHOUT DEBATE) 7/9/26: Reuters article 7/9/26 – Skeptical US Democrats in Congress urge debate on Israel plans [excerpt – “A group of U.S. lawmakers is urging fellow Democrats to block military spending legislation ​until the Senate debates proposals to deepen ties with Israel, ‌highlighting growing unease within the party over support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. In a letter seen by Reuters and led by Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen ​of Maryland, they urged senators to oppose advancing the National ​Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, until lawmakers can debate measures ⁠that would strengthen U.S.-Israel military and intelligence cooperation….“]
• (TARGETING THE NEW ISRAEL FUND) 7/9/26: X-post by House Ways and Means Committee Chair Smith (R-MO) – “Tax-exempt status is a privilege, not a right, yet far too many nonprofits have been caught abusing that privilege. Reports that the New Israel Fund engaged in prohibited political campaign activity – while telling the IRS that it did not – demonstrate the need for stronger enforcement. The Ways and Means Committee will continue conducting rigorous oversight to protect American tax dollars and ensure that those who abuse our tax code are held accountable.” [Letter text – page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4]. Also see: EXCLUSIVE: House panels probe New Israel Fund over claims of illegal electioneering (Jewish News Syndicate 7/9/26); X-post by House Judiciary Chairman Jordan (R-OH) 7/9/26: “House panels probe New Israel Fund over claims of illegal electioneering“, linked to JNS article. On 7/10/26, Rep. Nadler (D-NY), the Ranking Minority Member of the House Judiciary Committee posted on X: “This is outrageous behavior by Chairmen Jordan and Smith, and the Republican majority. The New Israel Fund is a venerable and cherished organization. They are at the heart of the American Jewish community and support organizations that are the conscience of Israel’s democracy. Those seeking to undermine democracy on both sides of the ocean seem now to have found common cause. All people of good faith must rise up and oppose this ridiculous and meritless inquisition seeking to eviscerate American Jews’ fundamental First Amendment rights.”
• (BAD SPAIN! STOP BEING MEAN TO ISRAEL!) 7/8/26: CONGRESSMAN CARLOS A. GIMENEZ WITHDRAWS AS CO-CHAIR OF CONGRESSIONAL FRIENDS OF SPAIN CAUCUS [letter text – excerpt: “…your government’s escalating, hostile crusade against our premier democratic ally, the Jewish State of Israel, has made my continued participation in this caucus entirely untenable.”]
• (NO F-35s FOR TURKEY) 7/7/26: X-post from Titus (D-NV) – “Congress banned F-35 sales to Turkey for several reasons: the S-400s, the illegal occupation of Cyprus, and the threats to Greece, to name a few. @POTUS cannot just wave these actions away with a handshake in Ankara. I am urging @RepJeffries and @SteveScalise to introduce a Joint Resolution of Disapproval to prevent this Administration from illegally selling F-35s to Turkey.” [Letter text – page 1, page 2]
• (PENTAGON GUTTING CIVILIAN HARM PREVENTION) 7/5/26: Warren, Colleagues Press Hegseth on Pentagon Gutting Civilian Protection Efforts Amid War in Iran [letter text]

3. Hearings & Markups

July 13, 2026: The House Rules Committee will meet to markup (yet another) Rule on the FY27 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations (NSRP) Act (HR 8595). As a reminder, the Rules Committee adopted a Rule on HR 8595 on 6/23/26. That Rule was never brought to the floor for a vote. Instead, on 6/29/26 the House Rules Committee adopted a Rule that bundled HR 8595 in with HR 8800 (the FY27 NDAA), after first using this new Rule to attach the SAVE Act to HR 8800. That Rule FAILED on the House floor on 6/30/26 by a vote of 198-224 — see the 7/2/26 edition of the Round-Up for full details of that debacle. Now the Rules Committee appears to be working on a NEW Rule on HR 8595 — stay tuned to see what this is about!

NOTE: A fun new resource for tracking Congress recently appeared on the scene — votelog.org

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

• Washington Examiner 7/9/26: Core Democratic base is in a ‘fanatically anti-Zionist mood’: Guy Benson
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/9/26: CUFI calls for support of Israel ‘today, tomorrow, forever’ [“‘If you want to hate Israel and the Jewish people, may God have mercy on your soul,’ Sandra Hagee Parker told JNS.”]
• Jewish Chronicle of Pittsburgh/Steve Rabinovitz 7/9/26: Enough with the AIPAC bashing [“Democratic politics depends on judging organizations by what they do, not by what they symbolize.“]
• Jewish Insider 7/9/26: New Ted Cruz-aligned organization takes aim at right-wing antisemitism [“Allies of the Texas senator are launching The Front Line, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit aimed at making antisemitism ‘disqualifying’ for GOP candidates“]
• Responsible Statecraft 7/8/26: Inside the growing religious revolt against Christian Zionism
• Haaretz 7/9/26: U.S. Democrat Lawmakers Urge Israel to Release ‘Kidnapped’ Gaza Hospital Director Hussam Abu Safiya [“Prominent Democrats, including Bernie Sanders and Chris Van Hollen, cited reports that the physician’s life is in danger in Israeli detention, with some calling for Washington to suspend aid to Israel until he is freed“]
• Fox News/The National News Desk 7/8/26: Democratic divide over Israel reshapes party politics ahead of midterms
• The Forward 7/8/26: Rahm Emanuel: Democrats who support Israel can still lead the party to the White House
• Wall Street Journal 7/8/26: Jewish Democrats Eyeing 2028 Presidential Bids Confront Party’s Hostility for Israel
• Jewish Insider 7/8/26: Rahm Emanuel, in Tel Aviv, says he is ‘not impressed’ by far-left wing of the Democratic Party
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/8/26: Rising Democratic Socialists are not just anti-Zionist, but anti-American
• After October 7 (Kevin Deutsch Substack) 7/8/26: Democratic Rep. Adam Smith Says Antizionist Left Has Turned Israel Into Proxy for War on America
• Tablet 7/7/26: AppLovin’s Revenge [“How the veterans of a revenue-free internet company backed by China seeded pro-terror politics on the left and helped elect Mamdani“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/7/26: The rise of a left-wing politics of contempt
• Times of Israel 7/7/26: AIPAC is dead. Long live the DSA. [“The Democratic Socialists aren’t winning by spending more. They built a movement that speaks the language of a generation – and Jews need to pay attention“]
• Haaretz 7/7/26: The ‘Special Relationship’ With the U.S. Is Gone, and Israel Isn’t Ready for What’s Coming
• CNN 7/7/26: As Israel becomes Democratic litmus test, Jewish progressives warn about a tilt into antisemitism
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/6/26: Democrats sign pledge to keep socialism out of the party [“As anti-Israel Democratic Socialists of America candidates continue to gain prominence and win Democratic primaries in states like New York and Colorado, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) told JNS that Democrats who endorse socialists are making ‘a deal with the devil.’…”]
• Politico 7/6/26: Democrats are ‘looking for guidance’ on Israel. Hakeem Jeffries isn’t giving any at the moment.
• Washington Free Beacon 7/6/26: GOP Primary Voters Remain Deeply Supportive of Israel, Poll Finds [“A Washington Free Beacon survey found that likely Republican primary voters favor a close U.S.-Israel relationship and military action against Iran“]
• Jerusalem Post 7/6/26: GOP primary voters back candidates who support Israel, denounce antisemitism, poll finds
• Jerusalem Post 7/5/26: Half of the American Congress will scream ‘Free Palestine’
• Ettingermentum Newsletter (Substack) 7/4/26: The Art of Winning: DSA [“#1: It’s Gaza, Stupid“]
• Jewish Insider 7/5/26: Shapiro predicts ‘battle’ ahead for Democratic Party amid rising socialist influence [“The potential presidential contender distanced himself from congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier and said they don’t share similar values“]
• The Forward 7/2/26: Races to watch: As staunch Israel critics notch wins, these candidates could be next [“More upcoming primaries feature left-wing hopefuls endorsed by Bernie Sanders and the Democratic Socialists of America“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – California

• Jewish Insider 7/9/26: Ro Khanna travels to Israel, West Bank during congressional recess [“The California Democrat, one of the most vocal Israel critics in the House, last traveled to the Jewish state in October 2024“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Colorado

• Denver Post 7/9/26: Independent candidate hoping to take on Democrat Melat Kiros turns in signatures for Denver congressional seat [“Pain management doctor says he was spurred to run by Kiros’ comments on Israel“]
• Denverite 7/7/26: A pro-Israel doctor plans to challenge Melat Kiros as an independent. But first, he has to make the ballot
• Colorado Newsline 7/7/26: I’m a Jewish Coloradan. Melat Kiros gets it right. [“No one should be subjected to violence because of their beliefs or identity“]
• Jewish Insider 7/2/26: Top Colorado Democrat criticizes Kiros for continued refusal to call Boulder attack antisemitic

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Florida

• Jewish Insider 7/6/26: Wasserman Schultz’s reelection bid ignites tensions within Democratic Party

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Hawaii

• Jewish Insider 7/9/26: Ed Case, pro-Israel moderate from Hawaii, faces primary challenge from progressive state senator [“State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole criticized Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and has called out Case’s support from AIPAC, but analysts say he has more work to do to take down the veteran lawmaker“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Maine

• Jewish Insider 7/10/26: Maine Democrat challenging Susan Collins vows no AIPAC support, calls for tougher Israel policy [“Jordan Wood, a former Katie Porter staffer, says he supports the U.S.-Israel relationship but opposes ‘a blank check’ for the Israeli government“]
• Fox News 7/9/26: Joy Reid gives Maine Democrats ‘permission to not vote’ if party replaces Graham Platner with a moderate [“…’You need to replace him with somebody who is ideologically the same because that is what was decided. The people of Maine, the Democratic voters of Maine said, ‘We want a progressive.’ They did not say they want an AIPAC [American Israel Public Affairs Committee] moderate,’ Reid said.“]
• Haaretz 7/9/26: From Arms Embargo to AIPAC Money: Platner’s Possible Replacements and Their Stance on Israel [“The candidates vying to replace Graham Platner in the Maine Senate race range from a gubernatorial hopeful who accuses Israel of genocide to a brewery owner who defends its right to self-defense“]
• Algemeiner 7/9/26: Progressives Push For Anti-Israel Platner Replacement, Spread Conspiracies About Exit
• Times of Israel 7/9/26: Possible Platner replacements in Maine Senate race have divergent stands on Israel [“Candidates to replace the harsh Israel critic include a DSA-backed union leader, a brewery owner who says Israel has right to defend itself, and a pro-arms embargo epidemiologist“]
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 7/9/26: Possible Platner replacements and their divergent stands on Israel [“Candidates hoping to become the Maine Democratic nominee for Senate are split on key issues of concern to the Jewish community.”]
• Jewish Insider 7/9/26: Who are the candidates seeking to replace Graham Platner, and where do they stand on Israel? [“Candidates vying for the Democratic nomination in Maine are largely pledging to oppose arms sales to Israel and reject AIPAC — but several have yet to say where they stand“]
• The Forward 7/8/26: AIPAC isn’t to blame for the Graham Platner scandal — no matter what social media trolls say
• The Forward 7/8/26: Graham Platner drops out of Maine Senate race, citing push to ‘end the genocide’ in parting message

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

• Arab American News 7/10/26: El-Sayed clashes with Stevens over AIPAC, corporate donations and Middle East policy in the only U.S. Senate debate
• New Yorker 7/10/26: Michigan Is the Next Big Test for the Democratic Party
• Mondoweiss 7/9/26: The Shift: Israel front and center as Michigan Senate race narrows
• Times of Israel 7/9/26: In Michigan Senate debate, pro-Israel Democrat slams Netanyahu, anti-Israel candidate rails at AIPAC
• Jewish Insider 7/8/26: Haley Stevens continues war of words with Netanyahu during Senate debate [“Stevens highlighted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s criticisms of her earlier on Tuesday amid attacks by primary rival Abdul El-Sayed over AIPAC support”]
• Washington Times 7/8/26: Democrats’ divide over Israel tested in primary showdown for U.S. Senate
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 7/8/26: Haley Stevens takes aim at Netanyahu in Michigan Senate debate, as opponent Abdul El-Sayed calls Israel a ‘rogue state’
• Jewish Insider 7/7/26: El-Sayed says Democratic support for Israel can only be about money
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/8/26: Israel, AIPAC emerge as flashpoints in Michigan Senate primary debate [“Rep. Haley Stevens defended her record and support for a two-state solution as Abdul El-Sayed accused AIPAC of influencing U.S. foreign policy.“]
• Politico 7/7/26: Haley Stevens grabs Benjamin Netanyahu’s lifeline on Israel [“The Israeli prime minister took a swipe at Stevens on Tuesday. During that night’s debate, Stevens made it front-and-center.”]
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 7/7/26: Abdul El-Sayed has refused super PAC funding. An anti-AIPAC PAC says it will spend for him, anyway
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/7/26: Michigan Senate hopeful Stevens an ‘ongoing friend of the Jewish community,’ Michigan rabbi says [“Rabbi Aaron Starr, rabbi of Shaarey Zedek and president of the Michigan Board of Rabbis, declined to comment directly on Dr. Abdul El-Sayed but told JNS, ‘look at what he says about ‘genocide’ and who his funders are.‘”]
• CBS News 7/7/26: Democrats Stevens and El-Sayed clash over Israel and campaign money in tense Michigan Senate primary debate
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/6/26: Are the Democrats to become America’s anti-Israel party?
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/6/26: Far left uses ‘threats, harassment, intimidation’ to push socialist agenda, leading House Dem tells JNS [“‘They are actively trying to silence people who disagree with them,’ Rep. Adam Smith, of Washington state, said in an interview at the U.S. Capitol complex.”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/6/26: Michigan Senate primary narrows after Democratic candidate exits [“The departure of Mallory McMorrow, a state senator, leaves Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed, who has accused Israel of “genocide,” vying for the Democratic nomination.“]
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 7/6/26: A narrowed Michigan Democratic Senate race leaves Jewish voters with a stark choice [“Many of the state’s Jews are gravitating toward AIPAC-backed Rep. Haley Stevens over her anti-Israel challenger Abdul El-Sayed after third candidate drops out.“]
• Detroit Free Press 7/2/26: New ad claiming El-Sayed disrespected women stretches its facts [“United Democracy Project, a Washington DC-based group aligned with the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has a new ad up attacking former Wayne County and Detroit health director Abdul El-Sayed, who is leading the race for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Michigan, as having “a long history of disrespecting women.”]
• Jewish Insider 7/2/26: UDP launches first attack ad targeting Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate race
• Mondoweiss 7/1/26: How Hasan Piker helped boost Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and what it tells us about the state of the Democratic Party

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Missouri

• Binance 7/10/26: AIPAC-Backed Super PAC Spends $865,000 on Ads Supporting Wesley Bell in Missouri Primary
• Washington Times 7/9/26: Inside AIPAC’s $1.2M bid to make sure ‘Squad’ member Cori Bush stays out of Congress
• Axios 7/9/26: AIPAC’s next big target: A Democrat it already defeated
• Jewish Insider 7/9/26: Wesley Bell sees surge of outside spending ahead of rematch with Cori Bush [“As of this week, UDP has reserved $865,000 in ad time for the race and New Democrat Majority has reserved $500,000, ahead of the Aug. 4 primary”]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New York

• City and State New York 7/10/26: Opinion: End New York’s complicity with Israel’s war crimes [“The Not On Our Dime! Act would prohibit New York nonprofits from abusing their NGO status to fund illegal Israeli settlement activity and war crimes.“]
• Peter Beinart Notebook 7/9/26: Darializa Avila Chevalier on her Vision for Israel-Palestine

Turkey

• Armenian Weekly 7/9/26: Congressional panel calls out Turkey’s aggression and denial [“Witnesses recommend sanctions, blacklists and a ban on arms sales”]
• Jewish Insider 7/8/26: Lawmakers divided over Trump’s plan to lift sanctions on Turkey [“Members from both parties warned lifting penalties would reward Erdoğan’s destabilizing actions, while senators at NATO summit said Turkey could rejoin F-35 program if concerns over Russian S-400 system are resolved“]
• NOTUS 7/7/26: Trump’s Biggest Roadblock to Selling Jets to Turkey May Be Republican Lawmakers

Syria

• Jewish News Syndicate 7/8/26: Trump to Congress: Syria to be removed from list of states that sponsor terrorism
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/8/26: Top Senate Foreign Relations Democrat meets Syrian president at NATO summit
• Jewish Insider 7/8/26: Graham signals support for Syrian leader he once moved to sanction [“The senator credited al-Sharaa with diminishing Iran’s influence in Syria and urged Israel to recognize how the move could benefit the region“]

Other Stuff

• WAFA 7/8/26: Campaign launched to urge US Congress to seek release of Palestinian healthcare workers detained in Israeli prisons