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

NOTE: As of 12:01am on 10/1/25, the US government is SHUT DOWN.

New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 9/29/25: On the new 20-Point-Plan, Recognition of Palestinian Statehood, and Popular Pressure to End the Genocide, ft. FMEP Fellow Hilary Rantisi speaking with analyst Mouin Rabbani.

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(CODIFYING TRUMP’S 9/25/25 NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM/NSPM-7 TARGETING US CIVIL SOCIETY & HIS 9/22/25 EXECUTIVE ORDER DESIGNATING ANTIFA AS A DOMESTIC TERRORIST ORGANIZATION) S. 2936 [bill text]: Introduced 9/29/25 by Scott (R-FL), “A bill to designate Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, to counter domestic terrorism and organized political violence, and for other purposes,” aka the “Stop ANTIFA Act.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Also see press release – Sen. Rick Scott Leads Stop ANTIFA Act to Designate Antifa a Terrorist Organization [“Yesterday, Senator Rick Scott introduced the Stop ANTIFA Act to codify President Trump’s executive order and national security presidential memorandum designating Antifa a domestic terrorist group and countering domestic terrorism and organized political violence. The bill would direct the National Joint Terrorism Task Force to investigate and treat Antifa as the domestic terrorists they are, and stop their violent suppression of political speech, destruction of the rule of law, and the terror and intimidation they infuse into the communities they target.“] Also see: The president made it easier to add you to the terrorist watchlist. [“I helped lead counterterrorism in the first Trump administration. You need to know what just happened.”]; Trump’s NSPM-7 Alarms Law Firms While Congress Is Silent; Trump’s NSPM-7 Labels Common Beliefs As Terrorism “Indicators”; Trump’s Executive Order Against ‘Political Violence’ Is an Un-American Attack on Free Speech

(NO VISAS FOR PALESTINIAN OFFICIALS – MAYBE EVER – AS PUNISHMENT FOR PURSUING RECOGNITION) HR 5606:  Introduced 9/26/25 by Self (R-TX) and Ogles (R-TN), “To codify sanctions with respect to individuals who are Palestine Liberation Organization members and Palestinian Authority officials,” aka the “Return to Palestinian Entities Accountability and Counterterrorism Enforcement Act (Return to PEACE Act).” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Also see Self press release: Congressman Keith Self to Introduce Bill Exposing Fraudulent Palestinian Leadership Amidst Unilateral Calls for Statehood (which includes a note – “This bill is supported by FDD Action.“)

(BARRING ENFORCEMENT OF ICC WARRENTS ETC INSIDE THE USA) S. 2935: Introduced 9/29/25 by Scott (R-FL), “A bill to prohibit State and local law enforcement officers from arresting foreign nationals within the United States solely on the basis of an indictment, warrant, or request issued by the International Criminal Court, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

(SEND SEIZED IRANIAN WEAPONS TO US PARTNERS [eg, Israel]) HR 5623 [bill text]: Introduced 9/30/25 by Gottheimer (D-NJ) and 4 bipartisan cosponsors, “To authorize the President to treat as stocks of the United States any weapon or materiel seized by the United States while in transit from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Houthis in the Republic of Yemen.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: Gottheimer X-post 9/30/25 – “Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terror — arming proxies that threaten our troops and allies. I’m introducing the bipartisan SEIZE Act to get intercepted Iranian weapons into the hands of our allies who need them, instead of our adversaries“;  Gottheimer bill seeks to speed up transfer process of confiscated Iranian weapons to US partners (Jewish News Syndicate 9/30/25); House lawmakers introduce bill to send seized Iranian weapons to U.S. allies (Jewish Insider 9/29/25)

(PALESTINE HAS A RIGHT TO EXIST!) H. Res. 769: Introduced 9/26/25 by Green (D-TX), “Affirming the State of Palestine’s right to exist.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see Green’s press release, incl: ““I am proud to reintroduce the Original Resolution Affirming the State of Palestine’s Right to Exist. For too long, the just aspirations of the Palestinian people for statehood have been deferred. Just as Israel has a right to exist, so too does the state of Palestine. Only the establishment of a secure state of Palestine standing alongside Israel will bring a permanent end to this conflict. I invite my colleagues in Congress to demonstrate their support for a sovereign Palestinian state. It is time for us to affirm the same right to self-determination for Palestinians that we affirm for other peoples around the world.”

(TARGETING EGYPT FOR TREATMENT OF COPTIC CHRISTIANS) H. Res. 776: Introduced 9/30/25 by Hill (R-AR) and Suozzi (D-NY), “Expressing concerns regarding the urgent and escalating threats facing Coptic Christians.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

(WE HEART GERMANY FOR MANY REASONS INCLUDING SHARED DEFENSE OF ISRAELI IMPUNITY) H. Res. 783: Introduced 9/30/25 by Thompson (R-PA) and Keating (D-MA), “Reaffirming German-American friendship and supporting continued cooperation between the United States and Germany.” Includes: “Whereas the United States and Germany stand resolutely against antisemitism and stand in firm and unwavering solidarity with Israel in the aftermath of barbaric terror attacks.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

(WE LOVE THE 1ST AMENDMENT ETC) S. Res. 424 [resolution text]: Introduced 9/30/25 by Merkley (D-OR) and 5 cosponsors (4 Democrats and 1 Independent), “A resolution affirming the unwavering commitment of the Senate to the First Amendment and to freedom of speech and of the press as foundations of the democratic republic of the United States.”  Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: press release – As Trump Attacks Media, Merkley Calls on U.S. Senate to Stand Up for Free Speech

2. Letters

(GIVE VISAS TO PALESTINIANS FOR MEDICAL CARE IN USA) 9/29/25: Booker Leads 41 Democratic Colleagues in Urging State Department to Resume Medical and Humanitarian Visas for Civilians in Gaza [letter text]. Also see: Reissue temporary visas for Gazans who need medical care, 42 senators tell Rubio (Jewish News Syndicate 9/30/25)

(SAFE PASSAGE FOR GAZA FLOTILLA!) 9/29/25: Tlaib X-post 9/29/25: “The Global Sumud Flotilla is sailing to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians who are being starved to death by the Israeli government. They must be fully protected. I’m leading a letter to the Trump Administration demanding safe passage and calling for an end to the blockade and genocide.” [letter text page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4]. Also see:

• Lee (D-PA) 9/29/25: X-post – “Solidarity with the #GlobalSumudFlotilla. I joined @RepRashida in urging the @StateDept to ensure their safe passage to deliver aid to Palestinians being starved to death by the Israeli government. We will continue fighting alongside them to end the Israeli blockade & genocide.“
• Velazquez (D-NY) 9/29/25: X-post – “I joined @RepRashida to urge Sec. Rubio to protect the Global Sumud Flotilla. These brave activists, including American citizens, have faced constant harassment & attacks while delivering life-saving aid to Gaza. The US must work to protect them, & end the genocidal blockade.“

(TARGETING HARVARD OVER PALESTINE-RELATED FREE SPEECH, AGAIN) 9/29/25: Walberg, Stefanik Press Harvard about Cultivating Antisemitic Environment [letter text]. Also see: House ed panel demands answers from Harvard on campus Jew-hatred (Jewish News Syndicate 9/29/25); Harvard Blamed Jewish Victim Assaulted At Campus Protest, House Committee Alleges (Daily Caller 9/30/25)

(RECOGNIZE PALESTINE!) 9/26/25: Rep. Khanna Leads Historic Letter Calling for the Recognition of a Palestinian State [letter text]. Also see: 47 House progressives sign Khanna letter calling for Palestinian statehood [“Less than one-quarter of House Democrats signed the letter, even as several European allies recognized a Palestinian state at the U.N.“] (Jewish Insider 9/29/25)

3. Hearings & Markups

• Fetterman (D-PA) 10/3/25: X-post – “For those protesters: Hamas > Peace No flotilla, blocking a highway or disrupting public events demanding Hamas to take the peace deal.“
• Carter (D-LA) 10/3/25: “I am deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of Susan ‘Zue’ Jernstedt, a New Orleans resident and veteran, along with other Americans and international activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla. I’m closely monitoring this situation and have made my office available to assist as we await further information. As I’ve consistently stated, nations have a responsibility to civilians, aid workers, and other noncombatants during military operations. These responsibilities go beyond the laws of war to include fundamental human rights, morality, and decency. That was the mission of these activists: to provide critical aid to the people of Gaza. I firmly stand with them in that mission. What is particularly disturbing is the report that Americans — including veterans and humanitarian workers — are being detained in maximum security facilities by a government that receives billions of dollars in U.S. support. This is unacceptable. The immediate release of all Americans captured must be demanded without hesitation. Our voices, especially those of our national leaders, must be unwavering in calling for their safe return home. Sue is quoted as saying, ‘it’s never too late to stand up for humanity.’ Let’s take a cue from her — and stand firmly, demand justice, call for an end to this humanitarian crisis, and insist that every American unjustly detained is returned safely and immediately.”
• Tlaib (D-MI) 10/3/25: X-post – “The Israeli government has illegally abducted over 450 participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla, including nearly two dozen U.S. citizens. We must demand their immediate release and their protection from abuse and torture in Israeli detention. End the siege and genocide of Gaza now.“
• Pressley (D-MA) 10/3/25: X-post – “MA residents Torleif and Adnaan Stumo, and everyone else taken from aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla should be immediately freed. It is unconscionable that the Israeli military continues to block humanitarian aid, food, water, and baby formula. End the genocide & surge aid into Gaza NOW.“
• Watson Coleman (D-NJ) 10/3/25: “Israel’s confiscation and seizure of the humanitarian flotilla and its crew shows the world that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu can’t be trusted to engage in good-faith efforts toward peace. Intercepting humanitarian vessels in international waters is a war crime. Denying those on board legal counsel is a crime. The State Department must call for the immediate release of the Americans and all civilian volunteers in the flotilla. Additionally, Israel should immediately end its illegal blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza and bring an end to the manmade famine and humanitarian crisis that has killed thousands and decimated the civilian population of Gaza.“
• Velazquez (D-NY) 10/2/25: X-post – “Earlier this week I joined colleagues in urging @SecRubio to protect the Global Sumud Flotilla. Now my constituent, Zuleyka Morales Rivera, a U.S. veteran, has been abducted with other Americans bringing aid to Gaza. The State Department must act to protect all captives. They must be kept safe, released immediately, and the aid must be allowed to reach those in desperate need.“
• Gimenez (R-FL) 10/2/25: X-post – “The communist provocateurs attempting to invade #Israel on the pathetic flotilla were stopped from attempting to violate the nation’s maritime borders. Los provocadores comunistas intentando invadir a #Israel en su flotilla patética han sido parados mientras intentaban violar la frontera marítima de la nación. The United States will always stand with our ally the democratic, Jewish State of Israel.”
• Kaptur (D-OH) 10/2/25: X-post – “The situation in Gaza is dire. People of all walks of life, including my constituent Philip Tottenham have come together to deliver humanitarian aid. After being intercepted by the Israeli government, it’s imperative all are safe, treated humanely, and released promptly. Aid must reach Gaza.“
• Johnson (D-GA) 10/2/25: X-post – “It’s shameful that the Global Sumud Flotilla has been intercepted by Israel on its way to Gaza. Blocking aid in the midst of a famine caused by this endless war will only lead to even more lives lost. End the blockade. End the genocide. Release the hostages. End this war NOW.“
• Huffman (D-CA) 10/2/25: X-post – “This was a peaceful, humanitarian mission by civilians and volunteers—including one of my constituents. It’s imperative the people involved in this aid effort are treated safely, lawfully, and released. Israel and the international community must prioritize humanitarian assistance to Gaza immediately.“
• Moore (D-WI) 10/2/25: “I share concerns for the American citizens and others who have been detained for simply trying to deliver food and other humanitarian aid to our fellow human beings in Gaza. I understand their frustration with a war that will not end and the suffering it has created in Gaza and Israel. I call on the Trump Administration to ensure that all detained individuals are properly treated, swiftly released, and can return home to their families. Providing humanitarian aid isn’t a crime. It’s time for the fighting to end and I hope that the framework, which calls for an end to the fighting, return of the hostages, an increase in humanitarian aid, and a pathway to rebuild Gaza for Gazans, that has been welcomed by a number of stakeholders, will be taken seriously and implemented.“
• Ramirez (D-IL) 10/2/25: X-post – “Only one boat continues its journey after Israeli forces intercepted the humanitarian flotilla heading to Gaza. The attacks on the Global Sumud Flotilla are further evidence that Netanyahu has no intention of ending his unlawful blockade. The Netanyahu Administration must be held accountable. We must Block the Bombs and ensure humanitarian aid surges into Gaza.“
• Casar (D-TX) 10/2/25: X-post – “I am grateful to the humanitarians on this flotilla, including Austinite Greg Stoker, who attempted to deliver desperately needed aid to Gaza. They must be immediately and safely released by Israeli authorities. End the blockade and genocide now.“
• Huffman (D-NC) 10/2/25: X-post – “This was a peaceful, humanitarian mission by civilians and volunteers—including one of my constituents. It’s imperative the people involved in this aid effort are treated safely, lawfully, and released. Israel and the international community must prioritize humanitarian assistance to Gaza immediately.“
• Markey (D-MA) 10/1/25: X-post – “Trump should use his relationship with Netanyahu to protect the Global Sumud Flotilla. These are peaceful civilian vessels bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Americans are on board, including from Massachusetts. We must resolve this crisis peacefully.“
• Doggett (D-TX) 10/1/25: X-post – “Those aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, including my constituent Greg Stoker, are saying the Israeli Navy has intercepted several of their boats on their way to deliver critical aid to Gaza. Israeli authorities must ensure their safety as these humanitarians seek to help the sick and starving.“

Iran

• Hunt (R-TX) 9/30/25: X-post – “Over the next two days, 120 Iranians will be deported back to Iran, most of whom entered the U.S. illegally. This group is part of a larger operation to deport 400 Iranians. Thank you to all the law enforcement officers working for safer communities.”
• Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) 9/29/25: X-post – “Iran has blatantly violated restrictions on its nuclear program, posing a direct threat to the U.S. & our allies. I’m glad our European partners reimposed sanctions. We must keep pressure on the Iranian regime until their weapons-grade enrichment ends.“

WE WILL NOT STAND FOR ANYONE IMPOSING ANY CONSEQUENCES ON ISRAEL

• Cramer (R-SD) 9/29/25: X-post – “If Microsoft stops providing its services which are supporting Israel’s fight against terrorists, how do we know they are a reliable partner for our own Department of War?“
• Cornyn (R-TX) 9/29/25: X-post – “Microsoft is disabling certain services and subscriptions by Israel’s Defense Ministry after the company found the ministry was using cloud services to surveil Gaza citizens” [with emoji googly eyes at the start and end of the post]
• Bacon (R-NE) 9/26/25: X-post – “As Co-Chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus, I strongly oppose attempts to ban Israel from the 2026 World Cup. I commend the Trump Administration for standing against efforts to sideline Israel’s national team.“

WE STAND WITH ISRAEL

• Lawler (R-NY) 9/29/25: X-post – “Tonight, I joined the Jewish community in Yorktown for their annual memorial commemorating October 7th, 2023. Thank you to Talia Pierson, the Justice Brandeis Law Society, Chabad of Yorktown, and the Israel Forever Foundation for hosting this moving event.“
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 9/29/25: press release – Gottheimer, Local Leaders Dedicate Tenafly Street in Honor of Edan Alexander

Turkey

• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 9/28/25: X-post – “Turkey continues to cozy up to Hamas and Putin while threatening many of our allies, including Israel, Greece, & Cyprus. Allowing Turkey to rejoin the F-35 program would put our allies at further risk. We cannot give America’s most advanced fighter jets to those who undermine our security.“

Islamophobia

• Fine (R-FL) 10/28/25: X-post – “Mainstream Muslims are now purposely intimidating people and fomenting civil unrest. When Muslims call for globalizing the intifada, they know what they are calling for. It’s up to us Save America.“

Other stuff

• Cruz (R-TX) 10/3/25: X-post – “Bravo. ⁦ @parscale stands w/ Israel for the same reason that President Trump does: Israel is our friend, they share our values & they are fighting & killing our enemies—which makes Americans safer. Now everybody’s who’s taking $$ from Qatar raise [hand emoji]” Linked to article in Townhall: No Apologies: Proud to Stand With Israel, Proud to Defend the West
• Walkinshaw (D-VA) 10/2/25: X-post – “Seven years ago, Jamal Khashoggi a resident of VA-11 and a fearless journalist and dissident was dismembered and murdered by Saudi operatives, after the Crown Prince approved an operation to capture or kill him. I met Mr. Khashoggi before he was murdered and won’t forget his courage in standing up for human rights and free speech.”
• Fetterman (D-PA) 10/2/25: X-post – “I’m thinking of all Jewish communities across our great commonwealth, the country, and abroad on this Yom Kippur. Let this profound and holy time bring peace and stability for you, your families, to Israel, and the world. Gmar Chatima Tova.“
• Green (R-GA) 10/1/25; X-post – “All social media influencers being paid by the Israeli government or ANY foreign government to promote a foreign country and a foreign country’s interests, must register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) under the DOJ. ‘Foreign governments routinely engage in efforts to influence our domestic and foreign policies, legislation, democratic processes, and public opinion. These governments sometimes exert this influence by employing lobbyists, public relations professionals, prominent businesspeople, or former U.S. government officials on their behalf. Such efforts are legal—if they are transparent. Originally enacted in 1938, the Foreign Agents Registration Act—known as FARA—helps the American people and their elected officials understand who is really behind such influence activity. The statute requires persons working on behalf of foreign governments or other foreign principals (including Americans) to disclose their relationships to foreign principals and information about their activities. Agents who fail to register are violating federal law, and they can be prosecuted if their failure is deliberate.’ Saying this is not antisemitic or hateful to any people group or foreign country. It’s the law.” Responding to X-post: “A new document reveals the Israeli government is paying a cohort of 14-18 social media influencers between $6,100 and $7,300 per post” linked to new report in Responsible Statecraft, Israel is paying influencers $7,000 per post
• Bacon (R-NE) 9/29/25: X-post – “An adversary of the terrorists Hamas and the invading thug Putin.” Responding to the Palestine News Network’s X-post w/ video clip – “America First or Israel First? Outside @RepDonBacon <office” [highlighting the “Stand with Israel” sign in front of his office]
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 9/28/25: Gottheimer Leads Bipartisan House Intelligence Committee Trip to Jordan and Iraq [“Countering Iranian Aggression, Promoting Peace in the Middle East. Meets with New Jersey Service Members.“]

Politics/Elex

NOTE: This political season is seeing a number of candidates running on explicitly as anti-AIPAC, or anti-pro-Israel/pro-genocide policies of the incumbent, including: here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here

• Semaphor 10/3/25: Dem voters want to block arms to Israel
• Politico 10/3/25: Cori Bush launches comeback bid for Missouri seat [“She was one of two progressive Dems to lose in primaries against candidates backed by AIPAC last summer.“] Also see coverage in The Hill, Axios, the Algemeiner
• Washington Examiner 10/3/25: Ro Khanna calls on Steny Hoyer to retire, slamming his ties to AIPAC
• Great Reporter 10/3/25: US Taxpayer Backlash Grows: Why Washington’s Israel Policy—and AIPAC’s Clout—Are Suddenly on the Defensive
• New York Times 10/2/25: Democrats Pull Away From AIPAC, Reflecting a Broader Shift [“A quiet retreat by Democrats from the pre-eminent pro-Israel lobbying group is the latest evidence of a realignment underway in Congress on Israel.“]
• City Journal 10/2/25: Why Did Ro Khanna Speak At an Event With Anti-Israel Radicals?
• Mondoweiss 10/1/25: AIPAC’s and Israel’s influence is falling in Congress, two opposing letters show just how much
• Jewish Insider 10/1/25: Rep. Greg Landsman hits Democratic critics of Israel, lays out path to rebuild support 
• Jewish Insider 10/1/25: Wave of anti-Israel candidates hits Chicago’s Democratic congressional primaries
• Mediaite 10/1/25: Marjorie Taylor Greene Dares ‘Israel First’ AIPAC To Back Primary Challenge Against Her: ‘Giddy-Up’
• Jewish Insider 9/30/25: Khanna distances himself from pro-terror speakers at anti-Israel conference and defends ‘free speech’
• The Algemeiner 9/30/25: US Rep. Ro Khanna Blasts AIPAC at Anti-Israel Conference Where Speakers Defend Hamas, Oct. 7 Attack
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/30/25: Former DNC co-vice chair calls AIPAC a ‘foreign influence operation’
• Jewish Insider 9/30/25: Ousted anti-Israel lawmaker planning comeback campaign in Missouri [“Former Rep. Cori Bush, one of the most extreme critics of Israel, is planning to run against Rep. Wesley Bell for a second time”]
• New York Times 9/28/25: Greene, Straying From Trump, Reflects an Emerging MAGA Split [“Days before that, Ms. Greene offered an amendment to cut $500 million in defense assistance to Israel. It failed spectacularly on the House floor: Just six members voted in favor, and 422 against it. The move, unsurprisingly, has made her a top target for AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel group. Marshall Wittmann, a spokesman for AIPAC, said that Ms. Greene’s views were aligned with ‘Ilhan Omar and Bernie Sanders while being completely contrary to those of President Trump and her Republican colleagues, who solidly stand with the Jewish state.’ The group is now exploring the possibility of financing a candidate to run against her next year. ‘We have not made a decision on this race,’ Mr. Wittmann said.“]
• American Conservative 9/28/25: Dear Fellow Boomers, Rethink Your Support for Israel [“What will you tell your grandchildren?”]
• Detroit News 10/27/25: U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna urges recognition of Palestinian state at Dearborn conference

Trump “peace” efforts & “peace” plan

• Jewish News Syndicate 10/1/25: Jewish House Democrat endorses Trump Middle East peace plan
• Jewish Insider 9/30/25: Senators react to Trump’s Gaza plan with cautious optimism [“Sen. Lindsey Graham sounded skeptical that Hamas would accept the deal: ‘Distrust and verify with these guys’”]

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

NOTE: Apologies of last week’s missing Round-Up (I was on travel). This edition covers September 12-26, 2025.

New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 9/21/25: FMEP Fellows Peter Beinart & Ahmed Moor on Palestinian statehood & US politics
• 9/19/25: Poetry of the Camps: Poems from Gaza on Homeland, Miracles, and Freedom, ft. FMEP Fellow Hilary Rantisi speaking with Zehra Imam, who launched “Poetry of the Camps”, a poetry program in Gaza with young writers. Basman Aldirawi and Duha Hassan Al Shaqaqi, former participants in the program who have become co-leaders of it, joined in the conversation.
• 9/18/25: On the Global Sumud Flotilla Heading for Gaza, ft. FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaking with David Adler, co-general coordinator of the Progressive International, who is currently on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian convoy currently on its way to Gaza.

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(RECOGNIZE PALESTINE!) S. Res. 410: Introduced 9/18/25 by Merkley (D-OR) and having 9 cosponsors (8 Democrats, 1 Independent), “A resolution calling on the President to recognize a demilitarized State of Palestine, as consistent with international law and the principles of a two-state solution, alongside a secure State of Israel.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see:

• Merkley press release – Merkley Leads Historic Call for U.S. Recognition of Palestinian Statehood; and press releases from cosponsors Kaine (D-VA), Welch (D-VT), Baldwin (D-WI)
• Media: When Senate Democrats side with Hamas over Israel (Jewish News Syndicate 9/24/25); Seven Senate Dems call for recognition of a Palestinian state (Jewish Insider 9/19/25); Progressive senators line up behind Palestinian statehood resolution (Jewish News Syndicate 9/19/25)

(TARGET SOUTH AFRICA FOR ITS ISRAEL POLICIES) S. 2752: Introduced 9/10/25 by Kennedy (R-LA), the “U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see Kennedy press release 9/15/25: Kennedy introduces bill to hold South Africa accountable for anti-U.S. actions

(PROHIBITING ARREST IN US OF ISRAELIS INDICTED BY THE ICC) HR 5411 [bill text]: Introduced 9/16/25 by Stefanik (R-NY) and Lawler (R-NY), the “Sovereign Enforcement Integrity Act,” aka “To prohibit State and local law enforcement from arresting foreign nationals within the United States solely on the basis of an indictment, warrant, or request issued by the International Criminal Court, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: Stefanik press release – Stefanik Leads Bill to Prohibit Zohran Mamdani’s Plan to Arrest PM Benjamin Netanyahu if He Comes to NYC; Stefanik X-post – “Antisemite Communist Mamdani pledged to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu if he came to NYC. The United States is not part of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and their antisemitic hatred must not supersede the laws of the United States. That is why I introduced the Sovereign Enforcement Integrity Act to protect American sovereignty and prohibit radicals like Mamdani from arresting the leader of our democratic ally and friend Israel.“; Stefanik introduces legislation to prevent future NY officials from arresting Netanyahu (Jewish News Syndicate 9/17/25)

(TARGETING IRAN AT THE UN) HR 5495 / S. 2893: Introduced 9/18/25 in the House by Tenney (R-NY), Ogles (R-TN) and Salazar (R-FL), and in the Senate by Cruz (R-TX) and 7 all-Republican cosponsors,  “To require the denial of admission to the United States for individuals subject to sanctions pursuant to Executive Order 13876, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House and Senate Committees on the Judiciary. Also see press release – Congresswoman Tenney, Senator Cruz Reintroduce Bill to Block Entry of Iranian Regime Officials into the United States; GOP senators move to block sanctioned Iranian officials from entering US (Jewish News Syndicate 9/25/25)

(STOKING ISLAMOPHOBIA) HR 5512: Introduced 9/19/25 by Fine (R-FL), “To prohibit the application of Shari’a in the United States where such application would violate constitutional rights, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

(FY26 NDAA – Senate) S. 2296: This week the Senate continued its consideration of S. 2296, the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The base text includes (as always) some key provisions related to the Middle East and funding for Israel. Also, as always, a huge number of amendments to the bill were offered (760 total as of 10am 9/5/25), including many related to the Middle East and Israel. Many/most of these likely will not be considered, but they are all worth paying attention to, since NDAA amendments are always good indicators of members’ priorities (with respect to both policy and grandstanding). For a full account of  Middle East/Israel-related provisions in the base bill, as well as Middle East/Israel-related proposed amendments, see my comprehensive analysis (published 8/8/25; updated 9/25/25).

Members/media re: Legislation:

• Antisemitism Awareness Act — coming back? Gottheimer (D-NJ) 9/18/25: RELEASE: Gottheimer, Lawler Call For Passage of Antisemitism Awareness Act, Condemn Zohran Mamdani For Effort to Dismantle Definition of Antisemitism;  Gottheimer, Lawler push for federal antisemitism legislation in response to Mamdani’s rise (Jewish Insider 9/18/25); Mike Lawler, Josh Gottheimer slam Mamdani for vowing to drop IHRA definition of antisemitism (Jewish Telegraphic Agency 9/18/25); Reps. Lawler, Gottheimer rip Mamdani for scrapping Holocaust group’s antisemitism definition (New York Post 9/17/25); ADL to lobby lawmakers on antisemitism legislation (Jewish Insider 9/17/25); “Shameful, Dangerous, Disgusting”: Lawler, Gottheimer Blast Mamdani For Siding With BDS On Antisemitism Debate (Yeshiva World News 9/18/25); Congress targets Mamdani’s antisemitic promises ahead of election (Washington Examiner 9/23/25)
• Cantwell (D-WA) 9/18/25: Cantwell Cosponsors Bill To Curb Violence Against Civilians In The West Bank
• Welch (D-VT) 9/17/25: Welch’s Resolution Calling for Humanitarian Assistance in Gaza Blocked by Republicans for Second Time

2. Letters

• (PROTECT GAZA FLOTILLA) 9/25/25: Markey, Warren, Merkley, Van Hollen Press Rubio to Protect Gaza Flotilla Carrying U.S. Citizens [letter text]
• (RECOGNIZE PALESTINE NOW!) 9/25/25: House Democrats to send letter to Trump on Friday urging US to recognize Palestinian statehood (The Guardian 9/25/25); Khanna X-post 9/25/25: “46 Democrats have signed my historic letter calling for the recognition of a Palestinian state. Hope to cross 50 before tomorrow’s deadline despite the intimidation & intense lobbying campaign against us. Is your member of Congress on this letter?“
• (OPPOSING WEST BANK ANNEXATION) 9/25/25: Schneider, Raskin lead majority of House Democrats in urging against Israeli annexation of West Bank [letter text]. Also see: Majority of House Democrats warn Israel against West Bank, Gaza annexation (Jewish Insider 9/25/25)
• (TARGETING THE GOVT OF COLUMBIA) 9/25/25: Moskowitz, Salazar Lead Colleagues Urging Secretary Rubio for Action Against Antisemitic Rhetoric and Policies in Colombia [letter text, dated 9/22/25]. Also see: House members urge State Department to counter Bogota antisemitism (Jewish Insider 9/25/25)
• (DON’T SELL FIGHTER JETS TO TURKEY) 9/25/25: Pappas Leads Bipartisan Group in Opposing Unlawful Sale of Fighter Jets to Turkey, Protecting U.S. National Security [letter text]
• (ARAB LEAGUE STATEMENT IS HOOK TO DEFEAT HAMAS, MAKE PEACE) 9/25/25: House Dems urge Rubio to leverage Arab League’s rejection of Hamas to facilitate peace (Jewish Insider 9/26/25); [letter text] Excerpt – “We urge you to work closely with Israel and move quickly to convene key regional and international partners to broker a coordinated agreement that achieves three vital objectives: (1) the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas; (2) the removal of Hamas from political and military control of Gaza; and (3) a responsible de-escalation of the conflict to protect civilians and create space for reconstruction, governance reform, and peacebuilding.“
• (STOP UN FROM BLAMING ISRAEL FOR GAZA FAMINE) 9/23/25: Congressman Williams Pens Letter to United Nations Ambassador Waltz Condemning Recent Rhetoric Regarding Famine in Gaza [letter text]
• (SEND UN PEACEKEEPERS TO PROTECT GAZA AID FROM HAMAS*) 9/22/25: Gottheimer, Colleagues Urge UN to Deploy Peacekeepers to Protect Gaza Aid Convoys, Ensure Aid Reaches Civilians & Not Terrorists [letter text]. *See: No Proof Hamas Routinely Stole U.N. Aid, Israeli Military Officials Say (New York Times 7/26/25); Exclusive: USAID analysis found no evidence of massive Hamas theft of Gaza aid (Reuters 7/25/25). Also see: Democratic Congress members urge UN to ensure protection of Gaza aid deliveries (Jewish News Syndicate 9/22/25); House Democrats call for U.N. peacekeepers to protect Gaza aid convoys (Jewish Insider 9/22/25)
• (US ALLIES: DON’T RECOGNIZE PALESTINE) 9/19/25: Stefanik, Scott Urge U.S. Allies France, Canada, U.K., Australia to Reject U.N. Plan to Unilaterally Recognize Palestinian State [letter text]. Also see: Stefanik urges US allies to reject recognition of Palestinian state (Jewish News Syndicate 9/21/25); Republicans urge allies to reconsider ‘dangerous’ decision to recognize Palestinian state (Jewish Insider 9/19/25)
• (DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS ARE HAMAS!!!!) 9/18/25: Stefanik asks AG Bondi to probe medical charity over Hamas propaganda claims (Fox News 9/18/25) [letter text included in article]
• (NEED ANSWERS ON AMCITS ATTACKED IN THE WEST BANK) 9/17/25: Welch Leads Bicameral Letter to State Department Demanding Answers on Violent Attacks Against Americans in the West Bank [letter text]
• (STAND WITH THE ADL!) 9/17/25: Gottheimer Urges NJ State Board of Education to Reject CAIR-NJ’s Call to Cut Ties with ADL [letter text]
• (TRUMP ADMIN POLICIES MAKING WEST BANK WORSE) 9/17/25: Sens. Warren, Coons, Schatz, Reed, Shaheen, Warner Sound Alarm on Trump Administration Policies Exacerbating Risk of Collapse in the West Bank [letter text]
• (THREE CHEERS FOR IRAN SNAPBACK!) 9/17/25: Risch, Colleagues Applaud E3 Snapback Sanctions, Let’s Finish the Job [letter text]. Also see: Fifty Senate Republicans call on European foreign ministers to hold firm on snapback, enforce Iran sanctions (Jewish Insider 9/17/25)
• (TARGETING ALLEGED CCP-LINKED FUNDING FUELING US PROTEST) 9/15/25: Comer and Luna Ramp Up Probe into CCP-Linked Funding Fueling Civil Unrest in the United States [letter text]. The letter calls for a “formal evaluation to determine the applicability of any relevant sanctions and any other civil remedies or criminal penalties for Mr. Singham’s assets, and the assets of entities he controls or funds, including whether to freeze or seize such assets. Such an evaluation should include, in addition to Mr. Singham’s directly controlled assets, the following entities alleged to have ties with Mr. Singham” followed by a list of groups, including some groups involved in Palestine-related protest. Also see: House Republicans call on WH to investigate far-left donor’s ties to China (Jewish Insider 9/17/25)

3. Hearings & Markups

September 17, 2025: The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a markup entitled, State Reauthorization Bills Markup (videos of the two-say, multi-part markup are all on the linked page). This markup included HR 5300, “To guide the foreign policy of the United States, and for other purposes.” As summarized in the 9/12/25 edition of the Round-Up, the original text of the bill included:

• a terrifying provision – Sec 226: “No passports for terrorists & traffickers” – to allow passport denial/revocation for anyone charged (not convicted) with supporting an FTO, or who SecState “determines” has “knowingly aided, assisted, abetted, or otherwise provided material support to an FTO.” Under this provision, the ONLY recourse for someone targeted with this wholly subjective/unaccountable determination is to request/be granted an appeal hearing at which they can try to convince SecState–acting as judge, jury, & executioner–to change his mind.
• SEC. 323. American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act.”
• SEC. 404. Foreign Military Financing program with regard to Jordan.
• SEC. 405. Extension of War Reserve Stockpile Allies-Israel. [“For fiscal year 2026, section 514(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321h(b)) shall not apply to defense articles to be set aside, earmarked, reserved, or intended for use as reserve stocks in stockpiles in the State of Israel.”]
• SEC. 609. Report on country United Nations voting practices. [report to include: “a listing of all plenary votes cast by member countries of the United Nations in the General Assembly which provides a comparison of the votes cast by each member country with the vote cast by the United States, including a separate listing of all plenary votes cast by member countries of the United Nations in the General Assembly on resolutions specifically related to Israel that are opposed by the United States“]
• SEC. 612. Prohibition on United States contributions to the United Nations International Commission of Inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. [“No funds are authorized to be made available for any grant, payment or other contribution to the United Nations International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.”]

In committee, Sec 226 was removed thanks to an amendment in the nature of substitute offered be Mast. In addition, a large number of Middle East-related amendments were offered during the mark-up. My intention had been to cover all of these amendments in excruciating detail in this edition of the Round-Up (because as anyone who follows the Round-Up knows, amendments – even if they are never voted on or don’t pass – offer valuable information about members’ plans and aspirations), but as of this writing the link on the HFAC website leads to an “error” page. If that is fixed at some point in the future, I may try to cover the amendments then (or maybe not). But thankfully, some fellow Hill watchers were tracking these amendments in real time. Check out: truly superb, details coverage, live-streamed by Josh Paul at A New Policy – day 1 coverage, day 2 coverage; Dylan Williams at Center for International Policy 9/18/25; Seth Binder at Middle East DC.

Media:

• Simon (D-CA) 9/16/25: X-post – “Thank you to the #GlobalSumudFlotilla —including an individual from the East Bay who is traveling on the flotilla—for leading a peaceful humanitarian mission to end man-made famine and genocide in Gaza. I urge the Israeli government to end the blockade and let desperately needed humanitarian aid in immediately.“

Lebanon & Syria

• Meeks (D-NY) 9/24/25: Meeks Meets with Lebanese President Aoun & Foreign Minister Rajji on Sidelines of UN General Assembly
• Tlaib (D-MI) 9/23/25: X-post – “On top of the horrific genocide in Gaza, the Israeli government continues to bomb civilians in multiple countries, including near-daily attacks on Lebanon. This week, one of those bombs killed a young family with ties to the Charara family in our district. Three beautiful children—Hadi, Silan, and Celine—were murdered alongside their father with weapons funded by our government. Our country must end this support for endless war crimes.“
• Meeks (D-NY) 9/22/25: Ranking Members Meeks, Shaheen Meet with Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Sidelines of UN General Assembly

We Stand 100% with Israel on everything

• Cammack (R-FL) 9/23/25: X-post – “The UN has become the epicenter of antisemitism. Holding a Gaza meeting on Rosh Hashanah isn’t a coincidence—it’s a message: isolate the Jewish people, deny them a seat at the table and silence them. Totally unacceptable.“
• Scott (R-FL) 9/23/25: X-post – “For 718 days, Hamas has waged a war on Israel and held innocent hostages to inflict pain and suffering. Let me be clear: Hamas will not win – evil never does. @SecRubio is right that peace is achievable once every last hostage is released and Hamas is destroyed.“
• Alford (R-MO) 9/23/25: X-post w/ video – “Israel has every right to live in peace and finish the job against Hamas. Rebuilding with strong, responsible leadership from Arab neighbors in the region must follow“
• Cotton (R-IN) 9/17/25: X-post – “The United States has zero business supporting the Palestinian Authority, which pays terrorists to kill American civilians in Israel.“
• Kustoff (R-TN) 9/17/25: X-post – “This morning, I joined @SpeakerJohnson for a roundtable with Friends of Israel to discuss strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship, security in the region, and the fight against antisemitism. I am grateful to serve as Chairman of the House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group and continue this important work.“
• Cotton (R-IN) 9/16/25: X-post – “Hamas has terrorized Israel and the Middle East for far too long. We should let our Israeli allies win the war in Gaza and to totally and completely destroy Hamas.“
• Daines (R-MT) 9/16/25: Op-ed in the Daily Caller – A Roadmap For The US-Israel Alliance
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 9/15/25: X-post – “Our commitment to the remaining American and Israeli hostages and their families must be clear: we never leave anyone behind. I was honored to host a roundtable last week with released hostage, Raz Ben Ami, and families of hostages still held by Hamas terrorists. I will keep fighting until every hostage is brought home.“
• Daines (R-MT) 9/15/25: Daines Meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Attends Ceremony Unveiling Pilgrim’s Road
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 9/15/25: X-post – “Our commitment to the remaining American and Israeli hostages and their families must be clear: we never leave anyone behind. I was honored to host a roundtable last week with released hostage, Raz Ben Ami, and families of hostages still held by Hamas terrorists. I will keep fighting until every hostage is brought home.“
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 9/15/25: X-post – “Senator @ChrisVanHollen and @SenJeffMerkley’s report on Gaza is outright wrong. Israel is fighting Hamas, a terror group that steals aid and hides behind civilians. Calling this “collective punishment” distorts reality — Israel is at war with an enemy that hides among 2 million people without regard for their lives. Civilians are suffering, which is why we must surge protected aid. The UN admits up to 90% of its aid never reaches civilians — I saw it firsthand at the Gaza border, where food piles up without a plan to ensure delivery. That’s why I called on the UN in a recent op-ed to work alongside GHF to protect its aid and get food directly to families faster, not Hamas fighters. Senators Van Hollen and Merkley should use their roles to advance a better future for Israelis and Palestinians. Claims of ‘ethnic cleansing’ are false and do nothing to change the situation on the ground.“

Turkey

• Malliotakis (R-NY) 9/25/25: X-post – “Let us reiterate that it’s a VERY BAD idea to sell Erdogan— who aligns himself with Vladimir Putin, harbors Hamas leadership, continues to illegally occupy Cyprus, conducts illegal overflights above Greek islands and threatens to invade Israel—American F-35 jets!“
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 9/25/25: X-post – “Turkey cannot be trusted with America’s most advanced fighter jets. President Erdogan has cozied up to Hamas and Putin while threatening our allies: Israel, Greece, & Cyprus. The Trump Administration must block Turkey’s dangerous push to rejoin the F-35 program.“
• Bilirakis (R-FL) 9/22/25: Hellenic Caucus Issues Statement of Concern Regarding Negotiations with Erdogan Regime. Also see: Bipartisan group of House lawmakers urge Trump to be ‘very careful’ in Erdogan talks (Jewish Insider 9/22/25)
• Malliotakis (R-NY) 9/22/25: Malliotakis Statement Opposing Turkey’s Return to F-35 Program
• Titus (D-NC) 9/19/25: X-post – “In just the last few years, President Erdogan has acquired S-400s from Russia, threatened to invade Israel, and continued his antagonism toward Greece and Cyprus. Any progress in discussions toward Turkey’s readmission to the F-35 program will be unacceptable. I forcefully urge @POTUS to recalibrate and see Erdogan for who he is: a spoiler in the NATO alliance.”

Rosh Hashanah Wishes (for Israel)

• Fetterman (D-PA) 9/23/25: X-post – “To all Jewish communities celebrating Rosh Hashanah across PA, our nation, and the world: My thoughts are with the hostages, IDF soldiers, and Israel on this sacred time.   Shanah Tovah!“

Abraham Accords

• Ernst (R-IA) 9/15/25: Ernst Commemorates Fifth Anniversary of Abraham Accords
• Wagner (R-MO) 9/15/25: X-post – “It has been five years since the historic signing of the Abraham Accords created an unprecedented new partnership between Israel and its neighbors. As Co-Chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, I am honored to advance one of President Trump’s most significant foreign policy accomplishments. I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress and our counterparts abroad to achieve greater stability and peace in the Middle East, counter destructive regimes, and strengthen our U.S. national security interests.”
• Harrigan (R-NC) 9/15/25: X-post – “Five years ago today, @POTUS did what the experts said could never happen: he brokered peace in the Middle East. The Abraham Accords brought Israel and Arab nations to the same table, proving that American strength can make possible what the foreign policy class never even dared to imagine.“
• Haridopolos (R-FL) 9/15/25: X-post – “Five years ago today, President Trump made history by signing the Abraham Accords with Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain, the boldest step for peace the Middle East had ever witnessed. This was achieved because America led with strength and vision, and it should be a foundation for future peace in the region.“
• Lankford (R-OK) 9/15/25: X-post – “Today marks the five-year anniversary of the Abraham Accords. The Abraham Accords have transformed the Middle East, opening the door to unprecedented normalization between Israel and several Arab nations. As the Middle East continues to face turmoil, the US should build on the Accords and foster ongoing dialogue to advance peace in the region. Let’s keep working together to secure lasting peace.“
• Budd (R-NC) 9/15/25: X-post – “Today marks 5 years since the Abraham Accords—a historic breakthrough for peace & economic partnership. In the face of Iran & its terrorist proxies’ escalating attacks on Israel, the Accords are more vital than ever to advance security, prosperity, & lasting peace.“

Islamophobia

• Fine (R-FL) 9/25/25: X-post – “Muslims blasting their ‘prayers’ in an American city at 5 AM isn’t a call to worship, it’s a call to action. This is their warning siren. We should listen. No different than the German Stuka dive bomber scream of WWII.“
• Fine (R-FL) 9/17/25: X-post – “We need to stop pretending Islam is compatible with American values.“

Other stuff

• Welch (D-VT) 9/23/25: Welch Statement on the French-Saudi Summit on the Two-State Solution
• Cotton (R-AR) 9/23/25: X-post – “Al Jazeera is not a news organization, it’s a mouthpiece for Hamas. American AI companies shouldn’t rely on terrorist-sympathizing networks as a trusted source.”
• Graham (R-SC) 9/23/25: X-post – “I am very pleased that @POTUS highlighted the fact that Christians throughout the world, particularly in the Middle East, are under siege. Lebanon and Israel are some of the only places where Christians can worship freely without fear in the Middle East. The persecution of Christians should be more forcefully addressed by the civilized world.   I’m grateful to President Trump for shedding light on this issue.”
• Jayapal (D-WA) 9/19/25: X-post – “The Israeli government continues to violate international law — this time, killing 31 journalists in a strike on Yemen in the second deadliest attack on the press ever recorded. The U.S. cannot keep funding and supplying weapons for this destruction.“

Politics/Elex

NOTE: This political season is seeing a number of candidates running on explicitly as anti-AIPAC, or anti-pro-Israel/pro-genocide policies of the incumbent, including: here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here

• Axios 9/25/25: Democrats in Congress are breaking with Israel like never before
• Good Authority 9/23/25: Democrats’ waning support for Israel extends to Jewish Democrats too
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 9/22/25: Bruce Pearl, Auburn’s record-breaking Jewish basketball coach, resigns amid rumored Senate run
• Washington Post 9/21/25: Democrats rapidly shift on Israel amid Gaza assault, evidence of famine [“A growing number of prominent Democrats are calling for cutting off sales of offensive weapons to Israel, part of a broad shift in opinion on Israel in the party.”]
• New York Times 9/19/25: Schumer, Wary of Blowback, Holds Out on Mamdani [“…His hesitance reflects the complicated calculus of a leader facing unique political challenges of his own, including an approval rating at a 20-year low, and who is single-mindedly focused on leading his party back to the Senate majority next year — a task that will require victories in competitive states with little appetite for a democratic socialist who is deeply critical of Israel. It also springs from Mr. Schumer’s sense of responsibility to Jewish voters, and the influence of donors and Democrats in New York City, particularly in the real estate industry, many of whom are vocal with their concerns about a Mamdani mayoralty.” [emphasis added, to remind people of the hysterical, bipartisan pile-on not that many years ago against Rep. Omar, D-MN, for daring to suggest that political money has any role to play in pro-Israel politics]
• Information Liberation 9/18/25: Mike Johnson Holds ‘Private Meeting’ With Jewish Leaders, Pledges to Screen Out Anti-Israel GOP Candidates
• Jewish Insider 9/17/25: Johnson discusses efforts to push back on GOP isolationists with pro-Israel leaders
• Jewish Insider 9/15/25: Rep. Laura Gillen blasts Hochul for endorsing Mamdani
• Jewish Insider 9/15/25: Rep. Tom Suozzi says he’s in the ‘Never Mamdani’ camp
• Jewish Insider 9/15/25: Philadelphia House race puts spotlight on virulently anti-Israel Democratic candidate [“State Rep. Chris Rabb’s extreme views are alarming Jewish leaders and voters in a Philadelphia-based district with a sizable Jewish constituency“]
• New York Times 9/15/25: Lasher, Nadler’s Protégé, Says He Is Running to Succeed His Mentor
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/15/25: Texas GOP rep, staunch Israel supporter to retire; Jewish Insider 9/15/25: Michael McCaul, prominent GOP voice on foreign policy and homeland security, to retire [“McCaul was seen as a bipartisan dealmaker and strong supporter of Israel during his time as committee chair”]
• CNN 9/14/25: Fetterman says Democrats have ‘forgotten why we lost’ and Trump is ‘not an autocrat’
• Jewish Insider 9/12/25: J Street endorses Hakeem Jeffries for the first time [“The Democratic House minority leader is also endorsed by AIPAC“]

Gaza/West Bank

• Mother Jones Nov/Dec issue: The Settlers’ Man in Washington — How Yossi Dagan is pushing US lawmakers to support Israeli annexation of the West Bank.
• KCUR 9/25/25: Rosh Hashanah protest urges Kansas City Rep. Emanuel Cleaver to break with Israel over Gaza war
• Zeteo 9/20/25: Bill to Block Arms Sales to Israel Endorsed by Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 9/18/25: ‘It is genocide,’ Bernie Sanders says about Gaza, becoming the first US senator to do so; Axios 9/17/25: Bernie Sanders calls war in Gaza a “genocide”; Times of Israel 9/18/25: Bernie Sanders accuses Israel of ‘genocide’ in Gaza, the first US senator to do so
• Mondoweiss 9/18/25: The Shift: Senators accuse Israel of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and say the U.S. is complicit
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/17/25: House Dems push to investigate deaths of Palestinian Americans by IDF, settlers
• Axios 9/17/25: Exclusive: Dems confront Trump team on potential collapse of Palestinian Authority
• Courier 9/17/25: Rep. Becca Balint: I believe Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/14/25: Congress to discuss Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria

Targeting Free Speech/Right to Protest/Academia

• Cleveland.com 9/22/25: U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno demands antisemitism action plans from Ohio universities
• Jewish Insider 9/17/25: Sen. Slotkin sounds alarm on left-wing antisemitism at Jewish security briefing

CONGRESS STANDS WITH ISRAEL (including against US right to free speech/protest)

• Florida Phoeniz 9/24/25: GOP lawmaker wants to eradicate ‘West Bank’ mentions and replace it with ‘Judea and Samaria’
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/21/25: GOP leaders, Jewish orgs decry states recognizing ‘Palestine’
• Times of Israel 9/20/25: Trump seeking congressional approval to sell $6 billion in weapons to Israel
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/18/25: Israel, US can make regional progress amid war, Gottheimer, Dan Shapiro say
• Fox News 9/17/25: Cruz slams UN’s Israel ‘genocide’ charge, pushes for consequences
• Jewish Insider 9/17/25: Following visit to Israel, Sen. Daines reemphasizes the need to ‘eradicate’ Hamas
• Jewish Insider 9/17/25: Johnson discusses efforts to push back on GOP isolationists with pro-Israel leaders
• Jewish Insider 9/16/25: Rep. Zach Nunn pushes to expand U.S.-Israel cooperation, technology partnerships
• Jerusalem Post: 50 Most influential Jews – No. 24: Norman Brownstein, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Josh Gottheimer: Lobbying for Israel in DC

Syria

• The MediaLine 9/26/25: Rabbi Urges US Congress To Reject Permanent Extension of Caesar Act
• Jewish Insider 9/25/25: Syrian Jewish community leader urges Senate to reject conditions on Syria sanctions relief
• Jewish Insider 9/19/25: Lawmakers meet with Syrian foreign minister on Capitol Hill
• Axios 9/17/25: Syrian foreign minister visits D.C. to lobby for lifting of last sanctions
• The Hill 9/16/25: Battle brewing over Syria sanctions repeal in Congress

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

Of note:

• 9/12/25: New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:Apartheid, Genocide, and the Growing Chasm in the Right’s Support for Israel, ft. FMEP non-resident fellow Ahmed Moor in conversation with Daniel Levy, President of the U.S./Middle East Project (USMEP)
• 9/12/25: FMEP Statement on the Sanctioning of Three Prominent Palestinian Human Rights Groups

—————————-

1. Bills & Resolutions

(TARGETING US PASSPORTS & MORE IN NEW STATE DEPT BILL) HR 5300: Introduced 9/11/25 by Mast (R-FL), the “Department of State Policy Provisions Act.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. HR 5300 is scheduled to be marked up in HFAC next week, 10/17/25. The bill includes

• a terrifying provision – Sec 226: “No passports for terrorists & traffickers” – to allow passport denial/revocation for anyone charged (not convicted) with supporting an FTO, or who SecState “determines” has “knowingly aided, assisted, abetted, or otherwise provided material support to an FTO.” Under this provision, the ONLY recourse for someone targeted with this wholly subjective/unaccountable determination is to request/be granted an appeal hearing at which they can try to convince SecState–acting as judge, jury, & executioner–to change his mind. Based on the way this Admin and some in Congress have been throwing the term “terror” around — accusing people of views and protest that “align” with terrorists, etc — it seems clear that this provision would in effect enable, and likely be used, to target ANY/ALL American citizens who hold disfavored views and/or engaged in disfavored speech/protest, and to either ban them from travel or effectively strand/exile them abroad, at will, with no meaningful recourse.
• SEC. 323. American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act.”
• SEC. 404. Foreign Military Financing program with regard to Jordan.
• SEC. 405. Extension of War Reserve Stockpile Allies-Israel. [“For fiscal year 2026, section 514(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321h(b)) shall not apply to defense articles to be set aside, earmarked, reserved, or intended for use as reserve stocks in stockpiles in the State of Israel.”]
• SEC. 609. Report on country United Nations voting practices. [report to include: “a listing of all plenary votes cast by member countries of the United Nations in the General Assembly which provides a comparison of the votes cast by each member country with the vote cast by the United States, including a separate listing of all plenary votes cast by member countries of the United Nations in the General Assembly on resolutions specifically related to Israel that are opposed by the United States“]
• SEC. 612. Prohibition on United States contributions to the United Nations International Commission of Inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. [“No funds are authorized to be made available for any grant, payment or other contribution to the United Nations International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.”]
• Also see: House committee releases legislative package aimed at reorganizing, reforming State Department [“One provision would allow the department to revoke the passport of anyone the secretary of state deems to be supporting a terrorist organization“] (Jewish Insider 9/12/25)

(TARGETING ACADEMIA – FREE SPEECH/CRITICISM OF ISRAEL) HR XXXX [bill text, pre-amendments in full committee]: On 9/9/25, the House Appropriations Committee passed the FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill. The text, as passed by the Committee (which now head to the House floor) includes Section 536: “SEC . 536. (a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be made available to a United States institution of higher education unless and until such institution adopts a prohibition on antisemitic conduct that creates a hostile environment in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in all documents relating to student or employee conduct. (b) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be made available to a United States institution of higher education that has failed to take administrative action against any student, staff member, or student group that commits acts of antisemitism while utilizing the facilities, grounds, or resources of such institution.” In addition, the report accompanying the bill includes:

• a requirement for a “Report on Antisemitism in Health Care“
• a declaration that the Committee “supports efforts by the Office for Civil Rights to provide technical assistance regarding antisemitism on campuses and to complete pending investigations of complaints relating to antisemitism under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964“;
• a section entitled “Antisemitism Investigations” which reads: “The Committee remains concerned by instances of antisemitism on campuses and commends the new Administration for taking steps to address this increase. Following the explosion of antisemitism at IHEs across the U.S. after the terrorist attack on Israel and the subsequent failure of some IHEs to address antisemitic conduct on campus, it was unclear what actions OCR took under the prior Administration to respond to submitted complaints. The Committee requests an update in the fiscal year 2027 congressional justification on such efforts, including the processing of shared ancestry investigations, responses to complaints, investigation completions, and related activities to address antisemitism.”
• A note that “The Committee provides $4,000,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 2024 enacted level and $4,000,000 above the fiscal year 2025 budget request, for a bilateral cooperative program with the Government of Israel for the development of health technologies.“

(FY26 NDAA – Senate) S. 2296: This week the Senate continued its consideration of  S. 2296, the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). As previously covered in the Round-Up, the base text includes (as always) some key provisions related to the Middle East and funding for Israel. Also, as always, a huge number of amendments to the bill were offered (832 total as of 10am 9/11/25), including many related to the Middle East and Israel. Many/most of these likely will not be considered, but they are all worth paying attention to, since NDAA amendments are always good indicators of members’ priorities (with respect to both policy and grandstanding). For a full account of  Middle East/Israel-related provisions in the base bill, as well as Middle East/Israel-related proposed amendments, see my comprehensive analysis (published 8/8/25; updated 9/11/25). NOTE:  S. Amdt. 3748, an amendment in the nature of a substitute proposed by Wicker (R-MS), is now for all intents and purposes the base text under consideration.

(FY26 NDAA – HOUSE) HR 3838: Introduced 6/9/25 by Rogers (R-AL), the “Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.” On 9/8/25, the House Rules Committee met (hearing part 1, hearing part 2) to consider amendments submitted to the bill (final total: 1170), ruling a total of 298 amendments “in order” [i.e., to be considered/vote on by the full House), with 10 minutes allotted for debate on each of them, plus one hour of general debate/statements/grandstanding on the overall bill. Also see: Rules Committee Report (which includes text of all amendments ruled “in order”). The table below lays out the Israel/Middle East-related amendments that were ruled “in order” and their fate on the House floor. To see the rest of the Middle East/Israel-related amendments that were NOT made “in order“, see last week’s edition of the Round-Up.  As always, regardless of whether a given amendment gets a vote and/or is ultimately attached to the bill, it is useful to pay attention to all the amendments, since they offer valuable information about members’ priorities and intentions. The House Armed Services Committee website has a useful page with FY26 NDAA resources. The House passed HR 3838 9/10/25 by a vote of 231-196. 

Media: House passes 2026 defense bill, including repeal of Iraq war powers [“Other passed amendments aimed to counter the BDS movement, strengthen the U.S.-Israel defense partnership and counter the Iranian regime“] (Jewish Insider 9/11/25); The House Just Passed a Bill Punishing “Politically Motivated” Boycotts of Israel (The Intercept 9/11/25)

Fate of amendments specifically noted in past Round-Ups:

• PASSED Gottheimer (D-NJ) amendment to bar DOD contracts with any party that boycotts Israel or settlements.
• NOT RULED “IN ORDER” – Lawler (R-NY) and Gottheimer (D-NJ)amendment to add the “IGO Anti-Boycott Act” (HR 867) – the current iteration of the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (IABA) to the NDAA.
• NOT RULED “IN ORDER” – Goldman (D-NY) amendment to enforce the IHRA definition of antisemitism as the foundation for mandatory antisemitism training for all Department of Defense personnel.
• NOT RULED “IN ORDER” – Tenney (R-NY) amendment to compel DOD to use the term “Judea and Samaria” instead of “the West Bank.”
• NOT RULED “IN ORDER” – Gottheimer (D-NJ) amendment to attach the “STOP HATE” Act to the NDAA (legislation targeting free speech/criticism of Israel, for details see the 7/25/25 edition of the Round-Up).

All Middle East/Israel-related Amendments Submitted to HR 3838 MADE IN ORDER according to the Rule adopted by the Rules Committee

# in Rule (original number) Committee Amdt # (Rule #)	Topic	Sponsors & link to text	Short description	What happened?
1 (150)	The ICC/international law/Israel	Gottheimer (D-NJ), Tenney (R-NY)	“Includes a sense of Congress that the Secretaries of Defense and State must use every opportunity at forums involving NATO or major non-NATO allies to ensure that such allied countries do not enforce warrants issued by the ICC against members of the armed forces of the U.S. or of its other allies.”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #1
2 (844)	Israel	Ogles (R-TN)	“Establishes the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense and its agencies should not participate in international defense exhibitions if they or the jurisdictions in which they are held block the participation of Israeli companies or use restrictions or the threat of restrictions as a means of deterring Israel from defending itself.”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #1
3 (1022)	Israel	Boebert (R-CO)	“Late Prohibits the entering into contracts with entities engaged in a boycott of the state of Israel.”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #1
4 (542)	Israel	Steube (R-FL)	“Requires briefing on the status of deliveries to the Government of Israel of any military aircraft or air-launched munitions approved for transfer that are undelivered or partially delivered.”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #1
34 (806)	AUMF	Meeks (D-NY), Roy (TX), Jacobs (CA), Massie (KY)	“Inserts the text of H.R. 1488, repealing the 2002 and 1991 AUMFs.”	Passed by roll call vote of 261-167
137 (683)	Iran, Israel	Gonzales (R-TX)	“Authorizes the award of an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, to be known as the ‘Operation Midnight Hammer Medal,’ to eligible personnel who served during the 2025 Iran–Israel conflict, including Operation Midnight Hammer.”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #2
140 (265)	Jordan	Gosar (R-AZ)	“Requires expeditious disclosure of all records relating to the January 28, 2024, attack on Tower 22 in Jordan.”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #3
143 (548)	Israel/Egypt	Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Requires a study on steps Israel, the U.S., and Egypt can take to enhance international security measures on the border between Gaza and Egypt to ensure Hamas and other actors cannot use tunnels or methods via the Mediterranean Sea to smuggle weapons and illicit goods. Additionally, report will outline/ map existing tunnel networks.”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #3
222 (929)	Israel	Nunn (R-IA)	“This amendment requires the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a report outlining the status of integrated air and missile defense in the CENTOM AOR, particularly Israel. This report is requested so U.S. and Israeli military commanders can update their operational plans in relation to drone attacks, THAD missile production capabilities, and further expansion of Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Iron Beam capabilities.”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #4
223 (835)	Israel	Nunn (R-IA), Davis (D-NC)	“Directs the Secretary of Defense to work with our counterparts in the Israeli Ministry of Defense to establish a DIU field office within Israeli territory. This effort increases hands-on RDT&E, allows for faster communication, provides live feedback from the field, and shortens go-to-market time for new defense products. This effort is a continuation of 22 U.S.C. §8606. United States-Israel cooperation on energy, water, homeland security, agriculture, and alternative fuel technologies, in particular under the Statutory Note Strategic Partnership on Defense Industrial Priorities Between the United States and Israel.”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #4
233 (824)	Israel	Ogles (R-TN)	“Requires the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the DNI to conduct a continual assessment of the impact of arms embargoes, sanctions, restrictions, or limitations imposed by foreign states or international organizations on Israel’s defense capabilities.”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #4
242 (329)	Iran	Panetta (CA), Wilson (SC), Zinke (MT), Kim (CA)	“Leverages the Defense Departments cyber pilot program (section 398a of title 10 USC) to enhance the cyber capabilities of foreign security forces and other entities to conduct cyber operations aligned with U.S. national security interests, by identifying and vetting Iranian organizations with cyber expertise that could weaken the regime’s ability to control information and repress dissent.”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #4
270 (365)	Iran/Hezbollah/Lebanon	Shreve (R-IN)	“Requires the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, to develop a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran’s and Hezbollah’s propaganda, missionary networks, and influence operations in Latin America. Identical to H.R. 4531 (119th Congress).”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #5
278 (571)	Israel	Stefanik (R-NY)	“Convenes the U.S.-Israel Defense Industrial Base Working Group to study the potential for defense industrial base integration between the United States and Israel, including the possibility of inclusion into the national technology and industrial base (as defined in section 4801 of title 10, United States Code).”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #5
280 (537)	Iran	Steube (R-FL)	“Extends and modifies annual report on Iranian military.”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #5
282 (744)	Israel	Steube (R-FL)	“Requires report on U.S.-Israel cooperation on increased production capacity and inventory of the Arrow interceptor.”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #5
283 (520)	Israel	Steube (R-FL)	“Requires annual report on U.S.-Israel military exercises, emphasizes mutual benefit of U.S.-Israel relationship.”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #5
297 (633)	Iran	Wilson (R-SC)	“Requires Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy to be submitted to Congress, aimed at encouraging defections by senior Iranian security officials and members of the armed forces.”	Adopted as part of En Bloc Amdt #5

 

2. Letters

• (OPEN THE FULL-ON NEW MCCARTHY ERA NOW!) 9/11/25: Rep. Roy Requests Formation of Select Committee to Investigate the Left’s Assault on America and the Rule of Law [letter text]. Also see: Republicans call for committee to investigate ‘radical left’ in wake of Kirk assassination (The Hill 9/12/25); Chip Roy demands new committee to probe ‘radical left’ in wake of Charlie Kirk assassination (Fox News 9/11/25)
• (TARGETING CAIR) 9/9/25: Cotton to McMahon: Pro-Hamas organization has no place in American schools [letter text]. Excerpt: “I write to alert you to the Council on American-Islamic Relations’s (CAIR) efforts to influence K-12 schools…” Also see: Cotton’s X-post 9/9/25: “An organization pushing a radical, pro-Hamas, pro-terrorist, anti-Israel ideology should never have access to our children. I look forward to working with @usedgov to protect American schools.” Also see: Cotton warns US education secretary, about CAIR’s influence in schools (Jewish News Syndicate 9/11/25)
• (ADOPT IHRA IN OHIO SCHOOLS!) 9/9/25: Moreno Calls on Ohio Universities to Establish Plans to Combat Violent Antisemitism on Campuses [letter text]. Excerpt: “…As the senior United States Senator for the state of Ohio, I want to make sure that university leaders are doing all they can to ensure students are free not only to learn on college campuses but also to feel safe while doing so, regardless of their religion. I suggest your institution consider adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. This definition provides clarity on what constitutes antisemitism and can serve as a tool on campus to help combat hate crimes and foster a safer environment for Jewish students.” Also see: Bernie Moreno urges schools in Ohio to adopt IHRA definition of antisemitism (Jewish Insider 9/9/25)

3. Hearings & Markups

September 17, 2025: The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a markup entitled, State Reauthorization Bills Markup. Bills on the agenda include HR 3300,  “To guide the foreign policy of the United States, and for other purposes,” which includes a number of Israel/Middle East-related provisions, in addition to a stunning/terrifying provision to empower the Secretary of State to deny/revoke the US passport of any US citizen based merely on being charged (but not convicted) of support for a terrorist organization, or merely on the Secretary of State “determining” – a subjective, unaccountable determination – that the person supports terrorism. See Section 1, above, for more details.

September 17, 2025: The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) will hold a briefing entitled, Conspiracy Theories, Antisemitism, and Democratic Decline. Panelists will be: James Kirchick, author and journalist;  Izabella Tabarovsky, fellow, Wilson Center; and Brian Hughes, director, Countering Antisemitism Lab, USC Shoah Foundation.

September 11, 2025: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on an number of Trump Administration nominations [hearing video], including on nominees for US Ambassador to Jordan (meaning the hearing included discussion of Jordan/Israel/Middle East). Also see: Risch (R-ID) opening statement;

September 10, 2025: The House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s  Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing entitled, “From Playground to Classroom: The Spread of Antisemitism in K-12 Schools“ [hearing video]. Witnesses were: Nicole Neily, Defending Education (statement); Brandy Shufutinsky, Foundation for Defense of Democracies (statement); Rabbi Jill Jacobs, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights (statement); and Rachel Lerman, The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (statement).

Also see:

• Chairman Kiley (R-CA) opening statement; hearing re-cap posted by Committee GOP
• X-posts & statements: House Committee on Education & the Workforce 9/10/25: X-post w/ video clip – “@nickineily tells @RepMarkHarrisNC about the MANY examples of teachers unions promoting antisemitism in classrooms—brainwashing teachers into promoting antisemitic tropes and making Jewish students and families feel unsafe.“; Owens (R-UT) 9/10/25: X-post – “Antisemitism is spreading in America’s K–12 schools, making Jewish students feel unsafe and teaching kids to judge each other by race, creed, color, or culture. @EdWorkforceCmte is fighting to make sure classrooms are for learning, not activism.” House Committee on Education & the Workforce 10/10/25: X-post w/ video clip – “Throughout today’s hearing on antisemitism in K-12 schools, Democrats accused us of being too focused on antisemitism and defended unions and teacher colleges for PUSHING antisemitism in the classroom. Republicans are steadfast in our efforts to protect Jewish students in all stages of their education journey.“; House Committee on Education & the Workforce 10/10/25: X-post w/ video clip – “Today’s Democrat-invited witness confirmed 69% of hate crimes in America are committed against Jews. Yet she criticized Republicans for being “hyper-focused” on antisemitism. No regrets. Because antisemitism is evil, and we must stop it.“

September 9, 2025: The House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing entitled, “Unmasking Union Antisemitism (hearing video)” Witnesses were: Kyle Koeppel Mann, New York Legal Assistance Group (statement); David Rubinstein, Ph.D. Candidate, Cornell University (statement); Joseph McCartin, Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor, Georgetown University (statement); and Glenn Taubman, National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation (statement). Also see:

• Chairman Allen (R-GA) opening statement; Hearing re-cap posted by the Committee (GOP)
• Committee member Statements & X-posts (GOP): House Committee on Education & the Workforce 9/9/25 (with video clip of Stefanik, R-NY, speaking) – “Unions like @NEAToday and @AFTunion are “all about power and money” while member representation is an afterthought, one of today’s witnesses tells @RepStefanik. Unions have in fact weaponized labor law in their campaign against Israel and Jewish people. Instead of defending workers, unions are defending antisemitic activity and it is shameful.”; Owens (R-UT) 9/9/25 w/ video clip: “It’s disgusting that some unions are pushing antisemitic and anti-Israel priorities instead of protecting their members. As @EdWorkforceCmte exposed today, unions must defend ALL workers, not funnel dues into hate, discrimination, and political agendas.”;  House Committee on Education & the Workforce 9/9/25: “Unions were created to advocate for better working conditions for employees. Over the years, many unions have strayed from this mission and have become political messaging arms for topics far beyond wages and safer working conditions. Unfortunately, anti-Israel policies have infested several unions—fostering hostility toward Jewish workers.“; House Committee on Education & the Workforce 9/9/25: “Not wanting to join a union, that doesn’t represent your values, isn’t radical. Witness Glenn Taubman calls it what it is: “Free choice in America.” You should never be FORCED to join unions that represent radical terror groups like Hamas. And unions shouldn’t be able to get you fired because of that.”;  House Committee on Education & the Workforce 9/9/25 (w/ video clip of Foxx comments): “‘PUSHED INTO OUR OWN LITTLE JEWISH GHETTO.’ Kyle Koeppel Mann describes how she and her Jewish colleagues are ostracized and isolated simply for being Jewish. All while her colleagues are allowed to openly promote antisemitism in the workplace.“; Fine (R-FL) 9/9/25: X-post – “Muslim terrorists started spewing their propaganda way before Israel even responded to the October 7 attacks.  This is the kind of evil we are dealing with, and this evil has seeped into our academic institutions.  Schools will be held accountable for abandoning Jewish students.”; Fine (R-FL) 9/9/25: X-post – “Universities have failed Jewish students on college campuses, turning a blind eye to the antisemitism raging on school grounds.  We are coming for the Universities that let antisemitism run rampant on their campuses. @Cornell, you’re next.”; House Committee on Education & the Workforce 9/9/25 (w/ video clip): X-post – “.@RepFine hears from a Jewish Ph.D. student at Cornell who says he has been harassed and intimidated — and that Jewish students have to beg unions not to use their funds for pro-Hamas activism. Too often, they’re ignored.“
• Committee member Statements & X-posts (Dems): DeSaulnier (D-CA) 9/9/25: X-post – “Antisemitism anywhere is wrong. Full stop. At today’s @EdWorkforceDems subcommittee hearing, my Republican colleagues once again tried to weaponize this issue to undermine civil liberties, this time attacking American workers and their unions. What they seem to misunderstand is that the labor movement has been central in the fights to end hate of all kinds, including antisemitism. I’ll continue to stand against hate and with American workers.”; Nadler (D-NY) 9/9/25 – responding to an attack on American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten, by Walberg (R-MI), “My friend @rweingarten is a courageous trailblazer and a celebrated American Jewish icon. She has fearlessly stood up to confront antisemitism in America and around the world time and time again, as you can see from the receipts below. By attacking Randi and claiming she “has not said anything about antisemitism,” @RepWalberg’s true motives are showing—he is simply a capitulating pawn in the Trump Administration’s dystopian and chilling attack on academic freedom in our country. America deserves an Education Committee Chairman who will take seriously the constitutionally-mandated Congressional oversight responsibility—not a partisan puppet who exploits the dangerous and deadly rise in antisemitism in America to actualize an abhorrent assault on higher education, in service of a repugnant ideological agenda. His words today show us who he really is and are disqualifying as a credible antisemitism investigator.“
• Press releases: Stefanik – ICYMI: Stefanik Questions Legal Experts on Unions Discriminating Against Pro-Jewish Educators;
• MEDIA: House hearing to address ways labor laws ‘warped’ to advance Jew-hatred [“A spokesman for the House Committee on Education and Workforce told JNS that the hearing will reveal how ‘unions are escalating antisemitic discrimination.’”] (Jewish News Syndicate 9/8/25); Union leaders put Jew-hatred ahead of protecting members, witnesses tell House panel [“‘Silence and inaction in the face of hate are no longer acceptable,’ Steve Rosenberg, of the North American Values Institute, told JNS. ‘Unions must be safe for all members including Jews.‘”] (Jewish News Syndicate 9/9/25); Teachers union head Randi Weingarten rejects congressman’s claim that she’s been silent on antisemitism [“Rep. Tim Walberg singled out the American Federation of Teachers leader during a hearing on ‘Unmasking Union Antisemitism’”] (The Forward 9/10/25); Rep. Allen Blasts Unions Over Antisemitism Allegations (Newsmax 9/10/25)

September 9, 2025: The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission held a two-panel hearing entitled, Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs: Human Rights Implications [hearing video]. Witness will be: Gina Romero, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (statement); Professor Suparna Chaudhry, Lewis & Clark College (statement); Daniel Hegedüs, German Marshall Fund (statement); Ana María Méndez Dardón,  Washington Office on Latin America (statement); Michael Shellenberger, University of Austin (statement); and Almut Rochowanski, Independent researcher; for 20 years manager of U.S., UK and European NGOs for civil society development in former Soviet Union (statement).

Condemning Attack in Jerusalem — too many to include full text of them all, so just a list with links (including lots of folks who haven’t said a word about Israel’s non-stop killing of thousands and thousands of Palestinian civilians for the past nearly 23 months)

• Gottheimer (D-NJ), Risch (R-ID), Ricketts (R-NE), Friedman (D-CA), Calvert (R-CA), Moody (R-FL), Rosen (D-NV), Gimenez (R-FL), Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Lummis (R-WY), Scott (R-FL), Salazar (R-FL), Daines (R-MT), DeLauro (D-CT), Sherman (D-CA), Larson (D-CT), Meng (D-NY), Wilson (R-SC), Frankel (D-FL), Fine (R-FL), Fine (R-FL)

The NDAA

• Carson (D-IN) 9/11/25: X-thread – “The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an annual bill to determine the policies of the Department of Defense. Yesterday, House Republicans pushed a partisan, extreme NDAA with poison pill amendments. Here’s why I voted no: …It also failed to address the continued flow of US military weapons to kill civilians in Palestine. We should not continue to keep giving a blank check to Israel…“
• Khanna (D-CA) 9/12/25: X-post – “Americans have had enough with aiding foreign wars. @RepThomasMassie and my NDAA amendment would have blocked the US from sending 2,000-lb bombs to Israel that too often cause mass civilian tragedy. We did not get a vote on it.”

The Gaza Flotilla

• Doggett (D-TX) 9/10/25: X-post – “My constituent Greg Stoker and others on the Global Sumud Flotilla should be granted safe passage to deliver critical aid to those starving in Gaza. Threats from extremist Ben-Gvir to criminalize humanitarian action must be rejected. Let’s continue to speak out to stop the killing, help those suffering, and demand compliance with international law.”
• Tlaib (D-MI) 9/9/25: X-post – “Grateful that the brave activists on board the Sumud Flotilla are safe. Any interception or attack on this crew is a violation of international law. They must be granted safe passage to deliver humanitarian aid and end the Israeli government’s blockade of Gaza.“
• Pressley (D-MA) 9/8/25: X-post – “I stand with the #GlobalSumudFlotilla, including dozens of U.S. citizens, bringing vital aid to Gaza to fight this man-made famine.   This peaceful, humanitarian mission is legal under international law & the Israel govt must guarantee their safety.   End the blockade. Surge aid. Ceasefire now.“

Israel’s Bombing of Qatar (for)

• Roy (R-TX) 9/10/25: X-post – “Rep. Roy: ‘Any day that Hamas is killed is a good day for Israel, and it’s a good day for America… I trust the president [Trump] to work with Israel to make sure that our national security interests are being represented’“
• Schneider (D-IL) 9/10/25: “I am following developments on Israel’s strike today targeting senior Hamas officials in Doha. If senior Hamas operatives were killed, I do not mourn them. Hamas is a terrorist organization responsible for murdering 1,200 people and taking 250 people hostage on October 7th, 2023. Israel’s strike raises many questions about timing, location, and any possible U.S. involvement. Qatar is a U.S. ally and home to Al Udeid Air Base. Our military presence there enables the U.S. to better project power across the region and protect our national interests, including ensuring Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon. It is essential we maintain our ability to operate freely from Al Udeid Air Base. I continue to pray that the war in Gaza ends swiftly, the remaining hostages return home immediately, humanitarian aid is urgently surged into and throughout Gaza, and Hamas is removed from power.”
• Mast (R-FL) 9/9/25: X-post – “Until Hamas returns ALL the hostages, there is no moving on. Less Hamas terrorists = a safer, more prosperous world.”
• Scott (R-FL) 9/9/25: X-post – “Good. These terrorists are evil monsters who kidnapped innocent people and murdered Israelis in cold blood. Every Hamas terrorist, in Qatar or anywhere, should take note that you cannot run or hide from justice. 704 days later, these terrorists continue to hold hostages. The world will be safer once these hostages are returned and Hamas is completely destroyed.“
• Budd (R-NC) 9/9/25: X-post – “The Hamas leaders killed in Qatar today finally met justice for their responsibility in the brutal October 7th attack, including the murder & kidnapping of American citizens. 704 days later, it is more important than ever that 48 hostages in Gaza be freed, including Americans Itay Chen & Omer Neutra. Hamas must immediately lay down their arms & release the remaining hostages.” [not explicitly about Israel’s strike on Qatar but given the timing, it implicitly is]
• Stutzman (R-NE) 9/9/25: X-post – “Israel is destroying Hamas before our very eyes. Netanyahu has backed up his words with swift and decisive action. Just like the US did with Soleimani, Israel has taken out clear and present threats to their nation!“
• Bacon (D-NE) 9/9/25: X-post – “No appeasement of Hamas. No appeasement of Putin. No cover-ups on Epstein. America must stand for freedom, allies, and truth. Why are the Hamas leaders getting fat in Gaza while the hostages are starving?”
• Diaz-Balart (R-FL) 9/9/25: X-post – “The barbaric savages of Hamas must be stopped. I stand firmly with Israel in doing whatever is necessary to defeat terrorism, which poses existential threats on all fronts.“
• Daines (R-MT) 9/9/25: X-post – “There will be no peace in Israel or in Gaza until Hamas is completely eradicated. Hamas started this when they launched their Oct. 7th terror attack, killing nearly 1,200 innocent Israelis. Israel has every right to defend themselves.”
• Davidson (R-OH) 9/9/25: X-post – “As President Trump noted about Hamas: ‘They pulled out in terms of negotiating. It was too bad. Hamas didn’t really want to make a deal. I think they want to die.'”
• Baumgartner (R-WA) 9/9/25: X-post – “The less Hamas terrorists the better“
• Graham (R-SC) 9/9/25: X-post – “To those who planned and cheered on the October 7 attack against Israel, the United States’ greatest ally in the region: This is your fate. To the Palestinian people: Your future depends on the political and military demise of Hamas. If Hamas lays down their weapons tomorrow, one of the most promising chapters in the history of the Palestinian people can begin. To those who want this war to end: Insist that Hamas surrender now. To my Israeli friends: I understand your determination to ensure there are no more ‘October 7’ attacks and that those who want to destroy the Jewish state are denied that capability. I will always be your partner in this endeavor. To Lebanon: Hezbollah is on my mind. To Syria: Choose wisely.”
• Mace (R-SC) 9/9/25: X-post – “Terrorists who slaughter the innocent deserve only one fate: elimination. The Hamas operatives behind October 7 are finally being held to account. Israel has every right to defend its people, and we stand unwaveringly with Israel and the Jewish community.“
• Cotton (R-AR) 9/9/25: X-post – “Hamas has the blood of American citizens on their hands and should have no safe harbor. Israel has every right to hunt these terrorists down.“
• Gimenez (R-FL) 9/9/25: X-post – “Our dear friend & ally, the democratic, Jewish State of #Israel has a right to defend itself from threats posed by Hamas terrorists, wherever they may be hiding. Hamas must be totally annihilated.“
• Calvert (R-CA) 9/9/25: X-post – “I support Israel’s ongoing efforts to eliminate the Hamas leaders who orchestrated and celebrated the murder, kidnapping, torture and raping of Israeli civilians. There cannot be peace in the region until these evil monsters are eradicated.”

Israel’s Bombing of Qatar (against)

• Coons (D-DE) 9/11/25: X-post w/ video clip – “Israel’s strike on Qatar doesn’t advance anyone’s interests. It simply makes clear that Netanyahu is not interested in negotiations.“
• Crow (D-CO) 9/10/25: X-post – “Israel conducted a military strike in a country that hosts thousands of US troops and military bases (a close US ally) without notification.  It’s an extremely dangerous escalation that endangers US troops and further weakens America. This is the chaos of Trump’s presidency.”
• Murphy (D-CT) 9/10/25: X-post w/ video clip – “I’ve been tough on Qatar in the wake of their decision to gift a plane to Trump. But Qatar has maintained a relationship with Hamas at the request of the U.S. and Israel. They have tried to broker an end to the war and release of hostages. The strike yesterday is unacceptable.“
• Meeks (D-NY) 9/10/25: “After speaking with both Ambassador Yechiel Leiter of Israel and Ambassador Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar, I remain deeply concerned by recent developments in the Middle East. As I have said before, securing a ceasefire, ensuring the release of all remaining hostages, and facilitating humanitarian aid into Gaza through time-tested and effective mechanisms remains essential to ensuring long-term peace in the region. Israel’s decision to take unilateral action to strike Hamas officials in Qatar—while they were negotiating details of a ceasefire agreement—do not bring us closer to that goal.  I am deeply grateful for the role that Qatar has played as a key intermediary in ceasefire talks—at the request of both the United States and Israel—in an effort to secure the release of all hostages and ensure the delivery of aid to innocent Palestinians in Gaza. As a Major Non-NATO Ally, Qatar has been a vital partner in the region, including through hosting U.S. military personnel at the Al Udeid Air Base.  It is essential for the war in Gaza to end and for all hostages to be returned to their loved ones. Only that will allow us to again chart a path toward a peaceful Middle East, which can only be made possible through a two-state solution. I urge Israel, the Trump administration, and our Arab partners to stay committed to diplomatic efforts and avoid dangerous escalations that set back the cause of peace.”
• McGovern (D-MA) 9/9/25: X-post – “Israel’s airstrike in Doha brazenly violates Qatari sovereignty & international law. Netanyahu clearly has no interest in peace. We shouldn’t send another cent of military aid for his reckless war. Our priority should be a ceasefire, hostages released & a surge of aid into Gaza.”
• Welch (D-VT) 9/9/25: X-post – “Hamas is a terrorist organization, I want them gone. But attacking negotiators in Qatar is not only a violation of international law, it puts the remaining hostages at greater risk and undermines peace negotiations. President Trump should push Israel to end this war.“
• Marshall (R-KS) 9/9/25: X-post – “I fully agree with President @realDonaldTrump. At the request of the U.S. and Israel, Qatar is mediating a peace agreement. The Israeli attack on allied soil, where approximately 10,000 American troops are stationed, is highly ill-advised. Grateful that @SecRubio is finalizing a Defense Coordination Agreement with Qatar to prevent Israel from repeating this action.“
• Jayapal (D-WA) 9/9/25: X-post – “Today’s attack in Doha shows the Israeli govt once again violating international law even as they continue to starve the Palestinian people. This is exactly why I support the Block the Bombs Act to stop supplying Israel with weapons to enable this.“
• Pocan (D-WI) 9/9/25: X-post – “The extremist Netanyahu government in Israel is out of control, carrying out a missile strike against key negotiators in Qatar at the very moment when peace and hostage talks are most critical. It’s clear Netanyahu has zero interest in actually ending the war or protecting civilians. It’s long past time to use our leverage to pressure Israel to end this genocide and bring the hostages home.“
• Beyer (D-VA) 9/9/25: X-post – “Netanyahu is so hellbent on sabotaging peace talks designed to stop the killing and free hostages that he is now literally blowing up negotiations. The U.S. should not support what Israel is doing. Trump is either complicit in this strike and lying, or was played for a fool.”
• McCollum (D-MN) 9/9/25: X-post – “I unequivocally condemn Israel’s attack on Qatar, a neutral nation that has mediated peace talks for nearly two years between Israel and Hamas. This unprovoked attack on the nation of Qatar is a flagrant violation of international law that harms prospects for peace between Israel and Hamas and jeopardizes the return of Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity. Israel’s actions today are yet further evidence that the government of Prime Minister Netanyahu has become a destabilizing force in the Middle East.” [statement on website]
• Omar (D-MN) 9/9/25: X-post – “I condemn Israel’s attack on Qatar. This attack, which violates international law, not only further harms the possibility of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas but it also jeopardizes the lives of the remaining hostages. Netanyahu must be held accountable for his war crimes.“
• DeLauro (D-CT) 9/9/25: X-post – “Israel’s brazen strike in Qatar, a US ally which hosts American troops and has facilitated ceasefire negotiations, shows that Netanyahu has no interest in peace. This reckless attack alienates Israel further and undermines their credibility. Netanyahu’s escalation must stop.“
• Tlaib (D-MI) 9/9/25: X-post – “The Israeli government is again attempting to murder ceasefire negotiators, now bombing the capital of a U.S. ally with total impunity. It is clear they have no interest in a ceasefire to end their genocide of Palestinians. We must stop funding and arming this insanity.“

Iran (NY Post article –Iran has no path to producing weapons-grade uranium for first time in 15 years after Trump strikes: experts

• Kennedy (R-LA) 9/9/25: X-post – “For decades, Iran wanted to destroy Israel and the U.S., and pushed toward a nuclear weapon. That puts countless lives at risk. Thanks to President Trump and our military, Iran’s nuclear program is a shell of its former self—and we’re all safer for it.“
• Malliotakis (R-NY) 9/9/25: X-post – “.@POTUS Trump took decisive action & eliminated a threat to Israel, the United States and the world.”

Straight-up Islamophobia

• Fine (R-FL) 9/9/25: X-post – “The three pillars of the modern Democratic Party.” Re-posting a post from Self (R-TX) with an image showing three hands clasped together, labeled “Marxism”, “Islamism”, and “Globalism”
• Fine (R-FL) 9/8/25: X-post – “I’m working on a bill in Congress that would bring this nationwide. Sharia law has no place in America.” Responding to post from Texas Governor Abbott, “SHARIA LAW AND SHARIA CITIES ARE BANNED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS”
• Fine (R-FL) 9/8/25: X-post – “Your daily reminder that Sharia law is incompatible with the West.” Responding to X-post from Self (R-TX), “The radical Islamic takeover of the UK should serve as a warning sign to our country. We must stop Sharia dead in its tracks. It has no place in America.“

Amcits Held by Israel Without Due Process

• Smith (D-WA) 9/9/25: X-post – “The Trump Administration must work quickly and secure the release of Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim – a 16-year-old American citizen who has been detained in Israel since February of this year. The U.S. should not tolerate Israel detaining an American citizen for months on end without adequate due process or sufficient justification. Mohammed has reportedly lost a significant amount of weight and has suffered from scabies while in detention. The United States must ask the Israeli government for the swift release of Mohammed so that he can be reunited with his family.“
• Omar (D-MN) 9/8/25: X-post – “The Israeli government is holding Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim, a 16-year-old Palestinian-American citizen, in prison. He has been held without trial for over six months. He must be released.“
• Blumenthal (D-CT) 9/5/25; X-post – “I’m gratified that Israel is permitting the return to America of Intifada & her son, two U.S. citizens who were detained unfortunately & unnecessarily. I spoke to high ranking Israeli authorities about their case & joined Rep. Hayes in writing to the State Department. 1/ I wish Intifada & her son Musa, a safe, speedy return to be reunited with Mahar.”  Linked to CT Insider article: Palestinian-American mother, son from Meriden allowed to return from Israel after 3 weeks

WE STAND WITH ISRAEL!!!

• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 9/12/25: Gottheimer Hosts Roundtable with Released Hostage, Family Members, Members of Congress
• Cramer (R-ND) 9/11/25: X-post – “Enjoyed meeting with my good friend Yehuda Neuberger from @AIPAC. We discussed the importance of ensuring Israel is equipped to defend itself and guaranteeing antisemitism is confronted at home and abroad.“
• Daines (R-MT) 9/11/25: X-post – “America will always stand with Israel. Thank you @AIPAC for all you do to strengthen our US-Israel alliance!”
• Scott (R-FL) 9/11/25: X-post – “For 706 days, innocent hostages have suffered at the hands of Hamas terrorists. These sick Hamas monsters operate on pure evil and defy every standard of humanity. America must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel to bring every last hostage home.“
• Bacon (R-NE) 9/10/25: X-post – “It was heartbreaking & moving to hear from Ohad Ben Ami, who was held by Hamas for 491 days, his wife Raz who spent 54 days in captivity, and Ilay & Yeela David, whose brother is still being held, most likely in a tunnel with very little food. It’s time for all Hamas hostages to be released. It’s past time.“
• Cotton (R-AR) 9/9/25: Al Jazeera Fault Lines X-post w/ video clip – “A senior #US Senator says ‘Palestine is a made-up fiction,’ denies famine and genocide in #Gaza, and calls the world’s top famine experts ‘left-wing clowns.’ Watch the exchange“
• Bacon (R-NE) 9/9/25: X-post – “No appeasement of Hamas. No appeasement of Putin. No cover-ups on Epstein. America must stand for freedom, allies, and truth. Why are the Hamas leaders getting fat in Gaza while the hostages are starving?“
• Johnson (R-LA) 9/9/25: Speaker Johnson on Violent Crime Across America: “We Do Not Have to Live Like This” [“On UN countries considering giving statehood to Palestine: It’s more important than ever that America maintains a posture of strength because others in the West are flirting with surrender. This week, international leaders will convene at the UN General Assembly in New York, and we’ll be watching if close allies like France and Canada and the UK move ahead with plans to recognize a Palestinian state. It’s equally baffling as it is deeply troubling to have this idea that you would reward Hamas with statehood before they’ve returned every hostage. What message does that send to would be terrorists and tyrants around the world? If you rape and murder and abduct innocent civilians and then cause enough suffering among your own people, then the free world will somehow reward you with international legitimacy? We can’t do that. And I can tell you that President Trump and Republicans in Congress have been very clear that rewarding the carnage that took place on October 7th is a non-starter. It’s unacceptable.”]
• Graham (R-SC) 9/9/25: X-post – “I just had a very productive and candid meeting with my dear friend @AmbDermer, Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs, about today’s events and the way forward in the Middle East writ large. I also spoke with Prime Minister @netanyahu over the phone. Prime Minister Netanyahu stressed to me his admiration for President @realDonaldTrump, calling President Trump’s support for Israel historic, unrivaled and deeply appreciated.”
• Tenney (R-NY) 9/9/25: X-post – “I met with Ambassador @yechielleiter, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States. We had a fruitful discussion about the strong bond between our nations, America’s commitment to Israel’s security, & the importance of standing with our ally against growing threats. I will always stand with Israel as they fight against the enemies of Western civilization.“
• Tenney (R-NY) 9/8/25: X-post – “Let’s be clear: recognizing a Palestinian state will not stop violence, only fuel it. If our allies move forward, Hamas terrorists will be emboldened to continue starving the hostages, blocking aid, & targeting civilians. Appeasing terrorists does not work.“
• Scott (R-FL) 9/8/25: X-post – “.@POTUS is the most pro-Israel, pro-peace president in our nation’s history, and he’s been clear: release the hostages or there will be consequences. These innocent people have been held by Hamas terrorists for 703 days — ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Thank God President Trump is taking action to bring them all home!”
• Budd (R-NC) 9/8/25: X-post – “Under Biden, our adversaries were given the liberty to take Americans hostage, with no consequences. I commend @POTUS’s EO to protect Americans held abroad unjustly. Americans Itay Chen & Omer Neutra remain in Gaza. It’s time to bring all Americans held unjustly home.”
• Scott (R-FL) 9/7/25; X-post – “It’s been nearly 2 years since October 7th, 2023. For the last 702 days, our ally Israel has fought to defend its sovereignty and rescue innocent people kidnapped by Hamas. This fight must continue until every hostage is home and Hamas is destroyed!”
• Scott (R-FL) 9/6/25: X-post – “Listen to this call made by a Hamas terrorist on October 7th—bragging about the murder of innocent Jews. If you needed any further proof Hamas are monsters: this is it. And 701 days later, these same monsters continue to hold innocent hostages. It is time these innocent lives are freed from evil’s grasp – we must bring them all home!“

Concern for Palestinians

• Lee (D-PA) 9/12/25: X-post – “In the past two years, Israel has bombed nation after nation with no repercussions — all while conducting a genocide and manufacturing a famine in Gaza using our taxpayer dollars. It’s past time to block the bombs. We need an arms embargo now.”
• Green (D-TX) 9/11/25: 60 min floor speech, including: “…Yes, I am going to say it, the President doesn’t deserve the Nobel Peace Prize because he has sanctioned genocide in Gaza. The world sees it, and this Congress sees it, with not one resolution to condemn the genocide taking place in Gaza, not one. There won’t be one. There won’t be one. Not one. Few people are going to come to this floor and say it even exists. We are going to manage genocide in Gaza and condemn what is happening in Ukraine. How can you condemn what is happening in Ukraine and not condemn what is happening in Gaza? You can’t do it, not in a righteous way, not in a righteous way. The Congress of the United States of America ought to be on record condemning what is happening to the Palestinians. For those who would claim that they have no reason to be, that this is just something that we should allow the Israelis and the Palestinians to resolve, here is my retort. Your tax dollars, your tax dollars are fueling the genocide that is taking place. If you wanted to do something about it, you wouldn’t fund it. Those planes are our planes. The munitions are our munitions. Now, someone is going to say that I am somehow creating the fervor, the incitive response that may take place because I speak the truth. Truth has, in and of itself, an absolute defense. Who can deny? Who will deny in good faith that what is happening in Gaza is something other than genocide? It is genocide. We have the blood of what is happening to those innocent people on our hands. I started by talking about innocent people. They are among the innocents. We can’t care more about some babies than other babies. We will allow the killing of Palestinian babies and maybe every now and then say something about how wrong this is, but we are not going to say that about other babies. We want to make sure that people understand that those babies have the right to life, that those babies should grow up, and they should have an opportunity to succeed in the world. Palestinian babies and children haven’t been to school in years now. What is going to happen to them? We have now allowed Mr. Netanyahu to go into Palestine, into Gaza, and go to Gaza City. It is obvious that he is trying to destroy it. Yes, he is trying to destroy it. There will be no home for the Palestinians. They have already destroyed roads, bridges, schools, hospitals. Mr. Netanyahu doesn’t want peace. He wants all of Palestine. I speak in specificities, all of Palestine. He doesn’t want peace. In fact, the Knesset just last year took a vote, and the vote was to say in explicit terms there will be no Palestinian state from the river to the sea, from the river to the sea, not in those exact words. They said west of the Jordan. That is the river, and west of the Jordan is Gaza. From the river to the sea, west of Jordan, West Bank, from the river to the sea. If you say `from the river to the sea,’ you will be sanctioned by this Congress. We can’t say that. The Knesset in Israel can pass in that body legislation saying that there will be no Palestinian state from the river to the sea. Here is my point. From the river to the sea, Palestine and Israel  must be free, both of them, two states. I stand for a two-state solution. There are others who stand for evicting the Palestinians, sending them to some other place. This is their land, their home. They have got every right to live where they live, and this war has gone on too long, taken too many lives. What happened at the genesis of this with the attack on Israel was wrong. It was sinful. It was harmful. It was terrorism. It was something that merited a response, but it didn’t merit collective punishment. It didn’t merit ethnic cleansing, and it didn’t merit genocide. Those are crimes against humanity…”
• Van Hollen (D-MD) 9/11/25: X-post w/ video of press conference – “Today @SenJeffMerkley and I released a report on our recent trip to the Middle East. Our inescapable conclusion: the Netanyahu government is engaged in a campaign of ethnic cleansing in Gaza. Tune in as we discuss what we saw and where we go from here:“
• Van Hollen (D-MD) 9/11/25: X-post: “@SenJeffMerkley and I just released our report detailing how the Netanyahu government is engaged in a campaign of ethnic cleansing in Gaza. The U.S. is complicit and the world must stop it. Read it in full here:” link to full report
• Lee (D-PA) 9/10/25: X-post – “Today I met with advocates for the Block the Bomb Act: Dr. Adil Husain who recently returned from Gaza with devastating stories of children killed by Israeli forces, and @CynthiaNixon and Morgan Spector who are using their platforms to uplift the humanity of Palestinians. Israel is committing a genocide, and there is no excuse to continue sending them bombs. I urge my colleagues to support our bill.“
• Velazquez (D-NY) 9/10/25: X-post w/ video clip – “The devastation in Gaza is unbearable. Entire families gone, neighborhoods erased, too often caused by bombs stamped Made in the USA. That’s why I support @repdeliaramirez Block the Bombs Act. No more blank checks for war and US weapons fueling genocide. We must demand peace.“
• Jayapal (D-WA) 9/10/25: X-post w/ video clip – “The genocide that we are seeing in Gaza is not a passive act. It is being perpetrated by the Israeli government — and the United States, by sending them $30 BILLION of weapons since the start of this war, is complicit. This can end. This must end. Block the bombs.“
• Jayapal (D-WA) 9/10/25: X-post – “The Israeli government continues to use American-supplied weapons to violate international humanitarian law and kill thousands of innocent civilians. The United States’ complicity in this has to end. We must stop supplying Israel with offensive weapons in order to save lives.”
• McGovern (D-MA) 9/10/25: X-post – “Family is everything. But in Gaza, whole families are being wiped out—sometimes by a single U.S.-made bomb. Today I was proud to speak at a congressional briefing in support of @repdeliaramirez’s Block the Bombs Act, which ensures that not another cent funds this horror. Those who believe in a just, secure future for Israelis & Palestinians must back this bill.“
• Pressley (D-MA) 9/10/25: X-post w/ video clip – “.@SecRubio, as a father, you must know the cry of a hungry baby. Now imagine a military blockade standing between you and the ability to feed your child. The US must stop sending bombs and surge aid & baby formula into Gaza NOW. Every day you fail to act costs precious lives.“
• Omar (D-MN) 9/10/25: X-post – “No child should fall asleep wondering if their home will still be standing in the morning. Yet U.S. weapons are fueling that nightmare in Gaza. That’s why I’m proud to co-sponsor the Block the Bombs Act to finally end blank checks for destruction. STOP. THE. BOMBS.“
• Doggett (D-TX) 9/10/25: X-post – “Gathered in the rain as weapons made in America rain down on the children of Gaza to say Stop! The horrific crimes of Hamas do not justify crimes being committed against the innocent through endless bombing and using starvation as a weapon of war. The Netanyahu government has abandoned the hostages in favor of perpetual war. Expelling Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank is a recipe for permanent insecurity. Trump is too weak to impose restraint. All who fail to speak out are complicit.“
• Pressley (D-MA) 9/10/25: WATCH: Pressley, Ramirez, Khalil, Actors Urge Passage of Block the Bombs Act, Demand Aid and End to Genocide in Gaza
• Ramirez (D-IL) 9/10/25: Congresswoman Ramirez, Cynthia Nixon, Morgan Spector, Mahmoud Khalil Lead Day of Action for Block the Bombs
• Doggett (D-TX) 9/9/25: X-post – “Violence against the innocent is always wrong, no matter who perpetrates it. I mourn 6 Israelis murdered by Palestinians at a Jerusalem bus stop, but recognize that on the same day 52 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, and 2 Palestinian teenagers in the West Bank. The extreme Netanyahu government policies leave both Israelis and Palestinians in permanent insecurity.“
• Pocan (D-WI) 9/8/25: X-post w/ video clip – “There is a genocide happening in Gaza. We must act now and use our leverage to stop it. People of good conscience must join me in speaking out. Silence is complicity.” Also see: full Pocan floor statement
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 9/8/25: X-post – “Turkey supports terrorist groups while cozying up to dictators like Putin. My legislation will block U.S. weapons from going to Turkey until the Administration explains what they are doing to stop Turkey’s repeated violations of our allies’ sovereignty.“
• Lawler (R-NY) 9/8/25: X-post – “Last week, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa concluded a bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Italy, Tunisia, and Morocco. As Chairman of the subcommittee, these delegations provide a vital opportunity to solidify alliances, advance regional resilience, and reinforce the United States’ presence in North Africa and the Mediterranean. In Tunisia, the delegation met with Defense Minister Khaled Sehili and Foreign Minister Mohammed Ali Nafti to address military cooperation, counterterrorism, border control, trade, and the growing threat of foreign influence in the region. Congressman Torres and I had the honor of laying a wreath at the North Africa American Cemetery in Tunis, honoring the sacrifice of American service members in World War II. We will never forget their ultimate sacrifice for our country.“
• Lawler (R-NY) 9/8/25: X-post – “Following key visits to Italy and Tunisia, our bipartisan Congressional Delegation concluded in Morocco. In Morocco, the delegation held meetings with dignitaries, including Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Minister Delegate Abdeltif Loudyi, to deepen bilateral cooperation and reaffirm support for the Abraham Accords. Discussions also centered on the Western Sahara autonomy plan, which is a pragmatic framework for lasting safety and progress. It was an incredible few days to be in Morocco, one of America’s most important diplomatic partners in North Africa and the first country to recognize America’s sovereignty in 1777!“
• Stansbury (D-NM) 9/6/25: X-post – “Gaza is suffering. Children are starving. Atrocities are being committed. Humanitarian aid, food, and yes baby formula must be allowed to enter Gaza. Thank you to @RepPressley @RepPettersen for leading this effort to help get food to starving children.“
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 9/6/25: X-post – “The U.S. should not be selling arms to a country that repeatedly threatens our allies and supports terrorists. We are sending a clear message to Turkey that any threats toward Cyprus, Greece, or Israel will not be tolerated.”
• Dean (D-PA) 9/6/25: X-post w/ video clip – “Gaza is starving — and we cannot look away. We must do more to end this man-made suffering and save innocent lives.“
• Khanna (D-CA) 9/5/25: X-post – “I am being attacked for speaking at a conference hosted by the Arab American Anti-Discrimination league — the largest gathering of Arab Americans in Dearborn with thousands & @AHammoudMI. I guess Democrats could not show up, never have dialogue towards peace, and keep losing.“

Elizabeth Tsurkov Is Free!!!!!!

• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 9/11/25: X-post – “After being held by Iranian-backed terrorists for more than 900 days in Iraq, I’m glad to see Princeton University graduate student Elizabeth Tsurkov has been freed. We must bring home all hostages and crush the terrorists responsible.“
• Lawler (R-NY) 9/9/25: X-post – “Elizabeth Tsurkov has been released after months of brutal captivity by Hezbollah. Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran’s other terror proxies continue to hold innocent people hostage. They must release them all. Now.“
• Sherman (D-CA) 9/9/25: X-post – “I am deeply relieved to hear that Princeton PhD student Elizabeth Tsurkov has finally been freed after being held hostage by Kataib Hezbollah (the Iran-backed Iraqi terrorist group) for nearly 3 years. Elizabeth’s family, especially @emma_tsurkov, has fought tirelessly to secure her release, and I am proud to have stood with them in that fight. I met with the Iraqi Ambassador in my office in Mar. ’24 and Feb. ’25 to urge the Iraqi government to pressure Kataib Hezbollah to release Elizabeth.“

Other Stuff

• Doggett (D-TX) 9/11/25: X-post – “A federal judge struck down Trump’s attacks on Harvard, calling it what it was: an ideological attack that risked life-saving research like suicide prevention for veterans. Each time this Administration misuses antisemitism as a smokescreen for attacking civil rights, they degrade its importance. Other schools should follow Harvard’s lead and fight to protect students from Trump’s attempts to silence dissent.”
• Johnson (R-WI) 9/9/25: X-post – “My subcommittee requested records more than two years ago from @TheJusticeDept and relating to Saudi 9/11 involvement. I am still waiting for a complete response.“

Politics/Elex

• Jewish Insider 9/12/25: J Street endorses Hakeem Jeffries for the first time [“The Democratic House minority leader is also endorsed by AIPAC“]
• Jewish Insider 9/12/25: Dan Goldman’s primary emerging as bellwether for the staying power of pro-Israel Democrats
• Jewish Insider 9/12/25: Ashley Hinson emerges as odds-on favorite to succeed Ernst in the Senate
• Jewish Insider 9/10/25: Pat Ryan endorses Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor [“The swing-district Democrat is the first New York lawmaker outside of NYC to endorse the far-left mayoral nominee”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/10/25: Red wave coming to New Jersey? Jack Ciattarelli makes his case
• Jewish Insider 9/10/25: Texas Democratic Senate recruit James Talarico takes critical view of Israel  [“The newly minted candidate casts himself as a moderate, but called out his party for not criticizing Israel more in the 2024 election”]
• The Forward 9/9/25: Sen. Gillibrand: ‘Globalize the intifada’ means ‘destroy Jews’ and ‘end Israel’ [“The New York senator, addressing Jewish leaders in Brooklyn, pushed back on Zohran Mamdani’s refusal to condemn the ‘globalize the intifada’ slogan as Democrats fracture over Israel“]
• New Jersey Globe 9/9/25: Nellie Pou’s tricky balance on Israel and Palestine [“Congresswoman says she’s committed to two-state solution, but won’t reject AIPAC money or label Gaza crisis ‘genocide’”]
• City Journal 9/8/25: A Member of Congress Applauds Terror Sympathizers [“At the People’s Conference for Palestine, Michigan representative Rashida Tlaib appeared alongside convicted killers and speakers who glorified Hamas.“]
• Jewish Insider 9/8/25: Gillibrand says that some Democrats’ rhetoric is inadvertently stoking antisemitism [“She also doubled down on her condemnation of the slogan ‘globalize the intifada,’ over which she previously criticized mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani”]
• New Jersey Spotlight News 9/8/25: What did NJ members of Congress get up to this summer?
• Jewish Insider 9/8/25: Lawler challenger Peter Chatzky says Israel violating U.S. arms sales laws [“The Democratic candidate also said he does not believe that far-left NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is ‘taking actions I would claim to be antisemitic’”]
• Jewish Insider 9/8/25: Rep. Seth Magaziner backs bill to restrict U.S. weapons sales to Israel [“The Rhode Island congressman joins 42 Democrats, mostly progressives, in supporting the measure“]
• The Forward 9/6/25: ‘The future of the Democratic party’: Mamdani joins Sanders to ‘fight oligarchy’
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/5/25: Virginia Democrat [Sen. Kaine] mocked for saying, unlike Iran, US doesn’t believe God bestows natural rights
• The Intercept 9/4/25: She’s Challenging an AIPAC Democrat. A National Progressive Group Wants In. [“Past challengers to California Democrat Rep. Jimmy Gomez have run up against big spending from special interest groups.“]

Israeli Bombs Qatar 

• Breitbart 9/10/25: Chip Roy on Qatar Strikes: ‘Don’t Harbor Terrorists’ 
• Jewish Insider 9/10/25: Senate Republicans address differences with White House over Israel’s Doha strike [“President Donald Trump doubled down Tuesday evening on his criticism of the Israeli strike while Senate Republicans remain strongly supportive of the attack”]
• Jewish Insider 9/9/25: Sen. Blumenthal: ‘Anything done to destroy Hamas’ leadership … is a step in the right direction’
• Jewish Insider 9/9/25: Partisan divide emerges over Israeli strike on Hamas leadership in Qatar [“Top Senate Republicans are supporting the Israeli attack in Doha while senior Democrats are criticizing it“]

Gaza/Palestinians/Etc

• Jewish News Syndicate 9/11/25: Minnesota Democrat decries Netanyahu in statement about Israeli attack in Doha [“Rep. Betty McCollum called the Israeli prime minister ‘a destabilizing force in the Middle East.'”]
• Zeteo 9/12/25: Mahmoud Khalil and Cynthia Nixon Come to DC to Demand Congress ‘Block the Bombs’
• Capital News Service 9/12/25: Van Hollen, Merkley condemn Gaza ‘ethnic cleansing,’ call for end to Israel-Hamas war
• Democracy Now 9/12/25: Sens. Van Hollen and Merkley Say U.S. Is Complicit in Israel’s Ethnic Cleansing of Palestinians
• Guardian 9/12/25: Senators say US is complicit in Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Gaza
• Haaretz 9/11/25: ‘Ethnic Cleansing’: U.S. Democratic Senators Merkley, Van Hollen Publish Gaza Report
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/10/25: Cindy McCain, World Food Programme head, reportedly on outs with White House, Congress members
• The Hill 9/9/25: Israeli ambassador pushes back on ‘ethnic cleansing’ charge from Democrats

We Love the Abraham Accords!

• Jewish News Syndicate 9/12/25: Congress members reflect on five years of Abraham Accords, ponder pact’s future
• Jewish Insider 9/10/25: Top House Dems warn against steps that could compromise Abraham Accords, two-state solution
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/10/25: ‘Make friends before you need them,’ says senator, Abraham Accords leader [“Senate Abraham Accords Caucus co-chair James Lankford told JNS that he would “shudder to think” what Israel-Arab relations would be like amid war without the accords.”]
• Jewish Insider 9/10/25: Lankford calls for favorable trade treatment for Abraham Accords nations

CONGRESS STANDS WITH ISRAEL (including against US right to free speech/protest)

• Jewish Insider 9/8/25: Outgoing Northwestern president defends hiring professor who met with Sinwar in newly-revealed congressional testimony [“Michael Schill said no Northwestern students have been disciplined for anti-Israel behavior”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/5/25: House education panel releases interview with Northwestern president [“Michael Schill, president of the university, stated that Northwestern had no choice but to negotiate with the anti-Israel encampment.“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/5/25: Anti-Israel protester bumps Republican congressman, gets pushed back

Other

• Jewish Insider 9/10/25: Sen. Ernst says she’s optimistic but skeptical after meeting with Syrian president
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/9/25: Russian ‘act of war’ using Iranian drones to attack Poland, congressman says
• Middle East Monitor 9/8/25: Report: Congress moves to block Turkey’s F-35 purchase over support for Palestinian resistance
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/5/25: Louisiana congressman grateful for snapback sanctions on Iran, says they must be enforced

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. FY26 NDAA – House & Senate Versions
3. Letters
4. Hearings & Markups
5. Selected Members on the Record
6. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

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Not to be missed:

• 9/4/25: Political Research Associates (PRA) podcast – Weaponizing Antisemitism to Advance Authoritarianism with Lara Friedman and Yousef Munayyer; Lifting the Curtain on Antisemitism—Episode 3

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(TARGETING REP TLAIB FOR DEFENSE OF PALESTINIANS LIVES & RIGHTS – AGAIN) H. Res. 674: Introduced 9/3/25 by Carter (R-GA), “Censuring Representative Rashida Tlaib for promoting and cheering on terrorism and antisemitism at the People’s Conference for Palestine.“ Referred to the House Committee on Ethics. Also see:

• press release – Carter introduces resolution censuring Tlaib for antisemitic comments, cheering on terrorism
• Carter X-post 9/3/25- “Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s antisemitism is emboldening terrorists and endangering the lives of Jewish people. I’m calling on the House to censure her for her vile remarks and for @SenOssoff and the rest of the Democrat party to denounce the Pro-Hamas caucus.“
• Fox News 9/3/25: Rashida Tlaib hit with House censure threat, accused of ‘celebrating terrorism’ in pro-Palestinian speech

(TARGETING TUNISIA HR 5101: Introduced 9/2/25 by Wilson (R-SC) and Crow (D-CO), “To provide for the imposition of sanctions with respect to Tunisia, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on the Judiciary. [See last week’s Round-Up for coverage of Wilson’s letter targeting US aid to Tunisia as well as his social media posts on the topic].

(TARGETING ACADEMIA – FREE SPEECH/CRITICISM OF ISRAEL) HR XXXX: On 9/2/25, the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a markup of the FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill. The text (as introduced and passed by the Committee) includes Section 536: “SEC . 536. (a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be made available to a United States institution of higher education unless and until such institution adopts a prohibition on antisemitic conduct that creates a hostile environment in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in all documents relating to student or employee conduct. (b) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be made available to a United States institution of higher education that has failed to take administrative action against any student, staff member, or student group that commits acts of antisemitism while utilizing the facilities, grounds, or resources of such institution.” Also see:

• bill summary [which highlights that the bill includes language “Prohibiting funding for schools that support antisemitic conduct or discriminate against religious student groups.“
• Jewish Insider 9/3/25: House Appropriations bill would ban funding to schools that fail to address antisemitism; US House Appropriations Bill Seeks to Strip Funding From Universities That Don’t Crack Down on Antisemitism (Algemeiner 9/4/25)

(TARGETING FREE SPEECH/PROTEST) HR 3859: Introduced 6/10/25 (text only became public this week), by Crenshaw (R-TX) and 28 cosponsors (all Republicans), the “Returning Illegals over Turmoil Act.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. This legislation would legislate the deporation of non-US citizens, including legal permanent residents, who are convicted of or “admit to” acts “acts that constitute, incitement to violence or physical participation in a riot or civil disturbance under Federal, State, and local law,” OR acts that involve, “(I) an actual or attempted assault, battery, or use of force against a law enforcement officer, including officers of the United States, a State, municipality, or tribal government; and (II) an actual or attempted assault, battery, or use of force against a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, including during the performance of official duties or while in uniform; or  (III) the willful destruction, defacement, or vandalism of public property, including structures, vehicles, or facilities owned or operated by the Federal Government, a State or local government, including law enforcement or emergency service vehicles, government buildings, transit systems, and monuments.” The legislation makes anyone deported under these terms permantly inadmissable to the US. It also includes provisions to require mandatory denial of any waivers or relief, enhanced enforcement, expedited removal, and mandatory detention. Note: the phrase “admit to” suggests that US authorities could, for example, use social media posts or statements made to media etc as evidence that someone has “admitted to” the alleged acts, obviating the requirement for any due process.

2. FY26 NDAA – House & Senate Versions

(FY26 NDAA – Senate) S. 2296: This week the Senate took up, S. 2296, the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) [09/02/2025 – Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure passed 84 – 14; 09/04/25 – Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to 83 – 13]. The base text includes (as always) some key provisions related to the Middle East and funding for Israel. Also, as always, a huge number of amendments to the bill were offered (760 total as of 10am 9/5/25), including many related to the Middle East and Israel. Many/most of these likely will not be considered, but they are all worth paying attention to, since NDAA amendments are always good indicators of members’ priorities (with respect to both policy and grandstanding). For a full account of  Middle East/Israel-related provisions in the base bill, as well as Middle East/Israel-related proposed amendments, see my comprehensive analysis (published 8/8/25; updared 9/5/25).

Middle East/Israel-related Amendments Submitted to S. 2296 (as of 9/5/25)

• (IRAN) SA 2917, offered by Schatz (D-HI), to add a section, “REPORT ON IMPACTS OF SANCTIONS ON MILITARIES OF CERTAIN ADVERSARIES.” This section would require a report to Congress on “the impacts of sanctions imposed by the United States on the armed forces and proxy forces of the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
• (IRAN) SA 2925, Offered by Coons (D-DE), to add to the bill a new subtitle, “Defending International Security by Restricting Unacceptable Partnerships and Tactics,” aka the “DISPRUPT Act,” targeting Iran, China and North Korea
• (IRAN, & OTHERS – MAYBE EVEN ISRAEL?) SA 2943, offered by Merkley (D-OR), to add a section entitled, “STATEMENT OF POLICY WITH RESPECT TO DEFINITION OF TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION.” Per this statement, “It is policy of the United States that the term `transnational repression’ refers to a range of tactics deployed by a foreign government, or agents or proxies of a foreign government, to reach beyond their borders to intimidate, silence, harass, coerce, or harm individuals, such as political dissidents, activists, journalists, political opponents, religious and ethnic minority groups, international students, and members of diaspora and exile communities.” NOTE: this definition seemingly could apply to Israeli government efforts to influence US laws and policies in a manner designed to suppress criticism/activism of Israel in the United States…
• (QATAR) SA 3067, offered by Murphy (D-CT), to add a section entitled, “PROHIBITION ON TRANSFER OF EXECUTIVE AIRLIFT AIRCRAFT OF FOREIGN ORIGIN TO NONGOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES.” The section – which is clearly aimed at Qatar gifting a plane to Trump – states, “No executive airlift aircraft of foreign origin may be transferred to a nongovernmental entity until the aircraft has served as an executive airlift aircraft for at least its entire service life.”
• (ISRAEL/BOYCOTTS) SA 3103, offered by Scott (R-SC), to add a section entitled,, “REPORTS ON FOREIGN BOYCOTTS OF ISRAEL.”
• (HEZBOLLAH) SA 3207, offered by Curtis (R-UT) and Rosen (D-NV), to add a section entitled, “KEEPING HEZBOLLAH OUT OF LATIN AMERICA.”
• (HEZBOLLAH) SA 3229, offered by Curtis (R-UT), to add a section entitled, “STRATEGY TO COUNTER IRANIAN AND HEZBOLLAH INFLUENCE OPERATIONS IN LATIN AMERICA.”
• (IRAN & FRIENDS, MAYBE EVEN ISRAEL?) SA 3243, offered by Kennedy (R-LA), to add a section entitled, “PROHIBITION ON ALLOCATIONS OF SPECIAL DRAWING RIGHTS AT INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND FOR PERPETRATORS OF GENOCIDE AND STATE SPONSORS OF TERRORISM WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORIZATION.”
• (IRAQ AUMF) SA 3337, offered by Kaine (D-VA) and Young (R-IN), to add a section entitled, “REPEAL OF AUTHORIZATIONS FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAQ.”
• (IRAN) SA 3338, offered by Scott (R-SC), to add a section entitled, “REPEAL OF SUNSET OF IRAN SANCTIONS ACT OF 1996.”
• (TURKEY) SA 3390, offered by Schiff (D-CA), to add a section entitled, “SENSE OF CONGRESS RELATING TO THE ARREST AND CONTINUED DETENTION OF EKREM IMAMOGLU.”
• (IRAN/YEMEN) SA 3417, offered by Budd (R-NC and Kelly (D-AZ), to add a section entitled, “DISPOSITION OF WEAPONS AND MATERIEL IN TRANSIT FROM IRAN TO HOUTHIS IN YEMEN.”
• (MIDDLE EAST INTEGRATION/NORMALIZATION) SA 3425, offered by Ernst (R-IA) to add a section entitled, “MIDDLE EAST DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION COOPERATION INITIATIVE.”
• (SPYWARE – COULD IMPACT ISRAEL) SA 3496, offered by Van Hollen (D-MD) and Blackburn (R-TN), to add a section entitled “FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SPYWARE.”  This section would impose visa restrictions for misuse of foreign commercial spyware and a report on misuse of such spyware.
• (ARMS EXPORTS/HUMAN RIGHTS – WHAT ABOUT ISRAEL?) SA 3575, offered by Cornyn (R-TX) and Warner (D-VA), to add a section entitled, “REVIEW OF EXPORT CONTROLS ON ITEMS WITH CRITICAL CAPABILITIES TO ENABLE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES.”
• (NO $$ FOR US MILITARY OPS IN YEMEN W/O CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL) SA 3590, offered by Sanders (I-VT) and Welch (D-VT), to add a section entitled, “LIMITATION ON MILITARY OPERATIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN YEMEN.” This section bars the Department of Defense from engaging in military operations or activities “in or affecting the territory, airspace, or waters of the Republic of Yemen, unless such operations or activities have been authorized by Congress.” It also clarifies that this section does not prohibit operations against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula or ISIS-Yemen, nor does it “limit or disrupt any non-lethal intelligence, counterintelligence, or investigative activities in the Republic of Yemen by the United States Government.”
• (GAZA HUMANITARIAN) SA 3592, offered by Sanders (I-VT), Welch (D-VT), Schiff (D-CA), Van Hollen (D-MD) and Kaine (D-VA), to add a section entitled, “SENSE OF CONGRESS ON HUNGER IN GAZA,” stating that it is the sense of Congress that: “(1) the humanitarian crisis and acute suffering of the Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the suffering of the hostages and hostage families is gravely concerning; and (2) the President, the Secretary of State, and the heads of other relevant United States Government agencies should urgently use all available diplomatic tools to bring about the release of the hostages, immediate cessation of the blockade on food and humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians, and a durable end to the conflict in Gaza.”
• (NO $$ FOR US MILITARY OPS IN GAZA) SA 3593, offered by Sanders (I-VT) and Welch (D-VT), to add a section entitled, entitled “PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS TO DEPLOY FORCES TO GAZA.” This section bars the use of Dept of Defense 2026 funds “(1) to deploy the United States Armed Forces to Gaza; (2) for any activity, with respect to Palestinians, related to their displacement within or removal from Gaza, or forced transfer to designated zones; or (3) to participate in, fund, approve or concur on a license for, approve or concur on a license for export of United States-origin weapons in support of, issue a contract for, or facilitate armed security activities or services in Gaza by United States persons, unless such activities or services have been authorized by an Act of Congress.”
• (NO $$ TO SUPPORT ISRAELI ANNEXATION OF WEST BANK) SA 3595, offered by Sanders (I-VT), Welch (D-VT), and Schatz (D-HI), to add a section entitled, ”PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS TO ASSIST IN ANNEXATION OF THE WEST BANK.” The section bars the use of Dept of Defense 2026 funds “to carry out any activity, including negotiations or policy discussions, that recognizes the sovereignty of Israel over Gaza, the West Bank, or other geographic areas which came under the administration of the Government of Israel after June 5, 1967.”
• (MIDDLE EAST MILITARY INTEGRATION/NORMALIZATION) SA 3622, offered by Risch (R-ID), to add a section entitled “COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS TO COUNTER UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS.” Among other things, it authorizes the President “to enter into cooperative project agreements with Israel, Jordan, and countries on the Arabian Peninsula under the authority of section 27 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2767) to carry out research on and development, testing, evaluation, and joint production (including follow-on support) of defense articles and defense services to detect, track, and destroy armed unmanned aerial systems that threaten the United States and its partners in Israel, Jordan, and on the Arabian Peninsula.”
• (ADDING DOS AUTH BILL TO NDAA) SA 3608, offered by Risch (R-ID and Shaheen (D-NH), to add to the NDAA the full text of the FY26 Department of State Authorization Act, which includes: Sec. 5401, FOREIGN INFORMATION MANIPULATION AND INTERFERENCE STRATEGY; Sec. 5503. Report on security conditions in Damascus, Syria, required for the reopening of the United States diplomatic mission; and Sec. 5744. Repeal of Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019.
• (IRAN) SA 3623, offered by Risch (R-ID and Sullivan (R-AK), to add a section entitled “ENHANCED IRAN SANCTIONS.”
• (SYRIA) SA 3635, offered by Shaheen (D-NH), to add a section entitled, “CAPACITY BUILDING FOR DEFENSE FORCES,” authorizing the Department of Defense “to provide counter-ISIS support and training assistance to the Syrian authorities– (1) to build their capacity to contribute to counterterrorism needs in Syria; and (2) to support core United States national security objectives.”
• (SYRIA) SA 3636, offered by Shaheen (D-NH) to add a section entitled, “COUNTERING CAPTAGON PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION.”
• (SYRIA) SA 3637, offered by Shaheen (D-NH), to add a lengthy new subtitle entitled, “Syria Support Act of 2025.”
• (SYRIA) SA 3662, offered by Shaheen (D-NH) and Paul (R-KY), to add a section entitled,  “REPEAL OF CAESAR SYRIA CIVILIAN PROTECTION ACT OF 2019.”
• (WEST BANK) SA 3756: Offered by Kaine (D-VA), to add a section, “PROHIBITION AGAINST THE DEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES IN GAZA AND THE WEST BANK.”
• (ANS) SA 3748: Offered by Wicker (R-MS), deleting the entire text and replacing it with an amended version of the entire bill.
• (STATE AUTH BILL) SA 3767: Offered by Risch (R-ID), to add the full text of the FY26 State Department Authorization Act to the bill, including various provisions related to Iran and Syria.
• (STATE AUTH BILL) SA 3779: Offered by Risch (R-ID), to add the full text of the FY26 State Department Authorization Act to the bill, including various provisions related to Iran and Syria.
• (STATE AUTH BILL) SA 3791: Offered by Risch (R-ID), to add the full text of the FY26 State Department Authorization Act to the bill, including various provisions related to Iran and Syria.

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(FY26 NDAA – HOUSE) HR 3838: Introduced6/9/25 by Rogers (R-AL), the “Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.” This bill will be marked up in the House Rules Committee the week of September 8. Once passed by the House, HR 3838 will become the basis of negotiations with the Senate over the final text of the NDAA. The deadline for amendments was close of business 8/28/25. As of this writing (1:30pm ET on 9/5/25), 1122 amendments have been submitted (all after #937 are LATE; table below is updated to include late amendments related to Israel/Middle East). As always, many of the submitted amendments deal Israel, Iran, and other areas of the Middle East – see table below for details. And as always, regardless of whether a given amendment gets a vote and/or is ultimately attached to the bill, it is useful to pay attention to all the amendments, since they offer valuable information about members’ priorities and intentions.

Of special note (as highlighted in last week’s Round-Up):

• Lawler (R-NY) and Gottheimer (D-NJ) offered an amendment to add the “IGO Anti-Boycott Act” (HR 867) – the current iteration of the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (IABA) to the NDAA. As a reminder, on 5/2/25, the GOP House leader published a list of bills to be considered by the House on 5/5/25 under suspension of the rules. That list included HR 867. That announcement sparked backlash on social media, including from some House Republicans and some major Republican influencers. Subsequently, on 5/4/25 the GOP House leader published a new notice listing bills to be considered 5/5/25 under suspension of the Rules – HR 867 was not on that new list. For full details see the 5/9/25 edition of the Round-Up.
• Goldman (D-NY) has offered an amendment to enforce the IHRA definition of antisemitism as the foundation for mandatory antisemitism training for all Department of Defense personnel.
• Tenney (R-NY) has offered an amendment to compel DOD to use the term “Judea and Samaria” instead of “the West Bank.”
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) has offered an amendment to bar DOD contracts with any party that boycotts Israel or settlements.
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) has offered an amendment to attach the “STOP HATE” Act to the NDAA (legislation targeting free speech/criticism of Israel [for details see the 7/25/25 edition of the Round-Up).

Media & Social media:

• Middle East Eye 9/4/25: US lawmakers target Turkey over Hamas and F-35s, clash with Trump administration
• Jewish Insider 9/3/25: Lawmakers take aim at Turkey in 2026 defense bill
• DropSite News 9/3/25: X-post – “NEW: Back in May, the House nearly moved on the so-called ‘IGO Anti-Boycott Act’ — legislation that would punish Americans with up to 20 years in prison or $1 million fines for joining boycotts of Israel or its settlements, if the boycotts are promoted by the UN, EU, or other international bodies. That standalone bill never came to a vote. Now, pro-Israel lawmakers are trying again — this time by tacking the same measure onto the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act for 2026. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) filed amendments to fold the ‘IGO Anti-Boycott Act’ into the NDAA. The markup for the NDAA starts Sept. 8. The amendments will be decided in committee starting next week — and if approved to move forward, they could be debated and voted on by the full House later in September. Rights groups warn these provisions criminalize constitutionally protected political expression and entrench U.S. support for Israeli apartheid and settlement expansion under the guise of “defense policy.”
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 9/2/25: X-post – “We must stand up against Turkey’s aggression toward our allies and partners. I’m leading a bipartisan amendment to block the sale or transfer of U.S. weapons to Turkey to stop Turkey’s repeated violations of our allies’ sovereignty. Threats against Cyprus, Greece, or Israel will not be tolerated.”

Middle East/Israel-related Amendments Submitted to HR 3838
(as of 9/5/25)

Rules Committee Amdt #	Topic	Sponsors & link to text	Short description
9	Iran	Houlahan (D-PA), Bacon (R-NE), Obernolte (R-CA)	“Prohibits export or sale of petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran.”
12	Israel/Turkey	Titus (D-NV)	“Ensures Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge against Turkey.”
40	Syria	Titus (D-NV)	“Requires an Intelligence Community Assessment on Syria.”
41	Turkey/Syria/Iraq	Bilirakis (R-FL)	“Requires the Department of Defense and Secretary of State to issue a report assessing the Turkish Government’s activities in Syria, Iraq, and Turkey and whether those actions support terrorist organizations, money laundering, and/or contribute to humanitarian crises among civilians of those nations.”
42	Turkey/Iran	Bilirakis (R-FL)	“Requires the Department of Defense and Secretary of State to issue a report on Turkish-Iranian cooperation to evade sanctions imposed by the United States.”
44	Turkey	Bilirakis (R-FL)	“Prevents the sale or license for the export of F-35 aircraft to the Government of Turkey unless the President certifies such sale is in the national interest of the U.S. among other prerequisites.”
46	Israel	Omar (D-MN)	“Strikes section 1205, “Research, Develpoment, Test, and Evaluation of Emerging Technologies to further the warfighting capabilities of the United States and certain partner countries.'” [This section is focused on defense collaboration with Israel]
57	Israel (& others)	Tlaib (D-MI)	“Prohibits the use of funds for foreign military sales to any country (a) subject to a case before the International Court of Justice over violations of the Genocide Convention with provisional measures to prevent genocide issued by the court; or (b) the current government of which includes officials that have outstanding arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.”
100	Iran, Saudi Arabia, arguably Israel	Omar (D-MN)	“Bans arms sales to any country engaged in transnational repression against U.S. citizens.”
101	Israel	Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Wilson (R-SC), Schneider (D-IL), Carter (R-GA)	“Reauthorizes the United States-Israel Energy Cooperation program and expands the types of eligible energy projects. It is identical to H.R. 2280 (119th Congress).”
145	Free Speech/Protest/Criticism of Israel	Gottheimer (D-NJ), Tenney (R-NY)	“Requires a certification from the Secretary of Defense that no contractor of the Department participates in or is engaged with the BDS movement.”
146	Iran	Harrigan (R-NC), Vasquez (R-NM)	“Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a strategy by January 1, 2030, to end reliance on adversarial nations, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Belarus, for key pharmaceutical raw materials.”
147	General	Gottheimer (D-NJ), Tenney (R-NY)	“Requires a report from Treasury that outlines any financial institution that has provided services that support a state sponsor of terrorism and any foreign financial institution that has conducted significant transactions for a person sanctioned by the U.S. for international terrorism or any human rights violation.”
150	The ICC/international law/Israel	Gottheimer (D-NJ), Tenney (R-NY)	“Includes a sense of Congress that the Secretaries of Defense and State must use every opportunity at forums involving NATO or major non-NATO allies to ensure that such allied countries do not enforce warrants issued by the ICC against members of the armed forces of the U.S. or of its other allies.”
157	Turkey	Bilirakis (R-FL)	“Prohibits the sale or license for the export of F-16 aircraft or F-16 aircraft upgrade technology to the Government of Turkey unless the President certifies such transfer is in the national interest of the United States, among other prerequisites.”
162	UAE	Omar (D-MN)	“Requires a report on UAE foreign policy in specific countries in East and North Africa, including an assessment on whether U.S.-origin equipment sent to the UAE is being for gross violations of human rights in those countries”
164	Syria	Omar (D-MN)	“Repeals two different Syria sanctions statutes (Caesar and the Syria parts of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012.).”
169	Israel	Omar (D-MN)	“Repeals the War Reserve Stockpile Authority for Israel.”
193	IHRA definition of Antisemitism	Goldman (D-NY)	“Establishes a mandatory antisemitism training program for all personnel of the Department of Defense.” [the amendment explicitly defines “antisemitism” to mean the IHRA definition, including its examples]
197	Free Speech/Protest/Criticism of Israel	Gottheimer (D-NJ), Bacon (R-NE)	“Inserts the text of the STOP HATE Act. Requires social media companies to release detailed reports of violations to their terms of service and how they are addressing content generated by Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) or Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) and requires social media companies to explain the standard by which they would judge whether content generated or proliferated by terrorists would be deemed in a violation of the company’s terms of service.”
211	Iran	Nadler (D-NY)	“Requires a report detailing the battle damage assessment (BDA) of the US strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, including the impact on the nuclear program, the remaining capabilities, any resulting difference in breakout time, an assessment of any remaining nuclear material, and an assessment of the impact of the strike on Iranian ballistic missile program and proxy activity.”
224	Syria	Kamlager-Dove (D-CA)	“Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a process to create Women’s Advisory Boards to advise on the U.S. policy response in conflict-affected countries, with the goal of integrating and meaningfully including the perspectives of locally affected women in conflict-resolution activities. This would replicate the UN’s Syrian Women Advisory Board which was created to ensure women had a direct and meaningful role in the peace process.”
239	Turkey/Hamas	Goldman (D-NY), Malliotakis (NY), Self (TX), Gottheimer (NJ), Kean (NJ)	“Requires a report on the Government of Turkey’s relationship with Hamas and its affiliates, including financial, political and military assistance.”
265	Jordan	Gosar (R-AZ)	“Requires expeditious disclosure of all records relating to the January 28, 2024, attack on Tower 22 in Jordan.”
287	Iran	Ansari (D-AZ)	“Establishes a special envoy for Iranian women, girls, and human rights.”
304	Egypt	Beyer (D-VA), Doggett (D-TX)	“Requires the Department of Defense to provide a detailed policy justification to the appropriate congressional committees for the provision of any DOD funds to the Government of Egypt.”
328	Syria	Gosar (R-AZ), Omar (D-MN)	“Nullification of Executive Order 13338, National Emergency declaration relating to Syria.”
329	Iran	Panetta (CA), Wilson (SC), Zinke (MT), Kim (CA)	“Leverages the Defense Departments cyber pilot program (section 398a of title 10 USC) to enhance the cyber capabilities of foreign security forces and other entities to conduct cyber operations aligned with U.S. national security interests, by identifying and vetting Iranian organizations with cyber expertise that could weaken the regime’s ability to control information and repress dissent.”
330	Iran	Panetta (D-CA), Wilson (R-SC), Zinke (R-MT)	“Directs the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to support the development of low-cost, easily scalable, and rapidly deployable technologies to counter internet shutdowns or limitations on network access abroad, particularly those imposed by adversary countries such as Iran.”
353	Greece/Cyprus/Israel	Malliotakis (R-NY), Gottheimer (NJ), Goldman (NY), Kean (NJ)	“Establishes a counterterrorism and maritime security partnership. The amendment also authorizes appropriations for new facilities and equipment at key locations in Greece and the Republic of Cyprus. Identical to H.R. 2510, the ‘American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.'”
360	Iran	Neguse (D-CO)	“Prohibits the use of funds to reduce or reallocate funding from NIST’s laboratory programs unless the Secretary of Defense certifies that such changes will not harm U.S. competitiveness in semiconductors, cybersecurity, quantum standards or other national security interests. The certification must include a summary of China, Iran, North Korea and Russia’s investments in core national defense technology advancements.”
365	Iran/Hezbollah/Lebanon	Shreve (R-IN)	“Requires the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, to develop a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran’s and Hezbollah’s propaganda, missionary networks, and influence operations in Latin America. Identical to H.R. 4531 (119th Congress).”
369	Israel/Iran	Gottheimer (D-NJ), Lawler (R-NY)	“Inserts the text of the bipartisan Bunker Buster Act, legislation that authorizes the president to support Israel’s defense by providing the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), or “bunker buster” bomb, and the aircraft required to deploy it — to take out Iran’s underground nuclear infrastructure. This transfer of the MOP can only happen if Iran is determined to be in noncompliance with the NPT Safeguards Agreement and IAEA is unable to provide confidence as to Iran’s undeclared nuclear facilities.”
373	Antisemitism/Free Speech/Protest/Criticism of Israel	Gottheimer (D-NJ), Lawler (R-NY)	“Requires a report on the nature and disposition of the most recent six years of substantiated administrative investigations or instances of antisemitism within the Equal Opportunity Program.”
385	Antisemitism/Free Speech/Protest/Criticism of Israel	Gottheimer (D-NJ), Lawler (R-NY)	“Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure that the Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) includes specific questions to assess the prevalence, nature, and impact of antisemitism within the military service academies.” [doesn’t mention IHRA but for sure that is the intent]
391	Israel, Palestine	Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Directs the Treasury to deploy a financial attache to the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem to develop and execute the financial and economic policy of the United States Government and the international fight against terrorism, money laundering, and other illicit finance.”
404	Iran, Syria	Pfluger (R-TX)	“Extends existing State Department post-government employment (PGE) restrictions to more government employees, enacting a permanent lifetime ban for Agency Heads, Deputies, and senate-confirmed employees lobbying on behalf of countries of concern (China, Russia, Iran, N. Korea, Syria, Cuba).”
412	Iran	Pfluger (R-TX)	“Rescind specific waivers and licenses that allowed the transfer of frozen Iranian funds and prohibits reissuing such waivers or licenses in the future, effectively preventing Iran from accessing those accounts or similar funds. Identical to H.R. 2575 (119th Congress), and H.R.5947 (118th Congress) which passed the house.”
414	Iran	Pfluger (R-TX)	“Amends existing sanctions law to prohibit Iraq’s government from importing natural gas from Iran.”
421	Saudi Arabia, Iran, arguably Israel	Pfluger (R-TX)	“Establishes the Transnational Repression Working Group within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to monitor and analyze actions by foreign governments that threaten or intimidate citizens, residents, or other people present in the United States, as well as any related terrorism threats. Identical to H.R. 2158 (119th Congress).”
453	Israel (and others)	Tlaib (D-MI)	“Prohibits security assistance to any country that has, in the past ten years, used military force against a medical facility, the UN, a refugee camp, aid workers, or journalists, has committed or aided in the commission of the crime of forcible transfer, or impeded the delivery of humanitarian aid.”
481	Iran	Pfluger (R-TX)	“Imposes additional sanctions and export restrictions concerning Iranian airlines and the provision of US-origin components to Iranian airlines.”
489	Israel/West Bank/settlements	McGovern (D-MA)	“Requires an annual report from the Secretary of State to Congress, in consultation with Secretary of Defense, that assesses the status of Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank.”
499	Israel	Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Expresses support for joint U.S.-Israel cooperation between NASA and the Israel Space Agency, including joint U.S. Air Force and Israel’s newly created Space Force in areas of research, development, test, and evaluation.”
501	Syria	Luttrell (R-TX)	“Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to evaluate the threat posed to the United States by individuals in Syria with ties to Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) or a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization (STGT). Identical to HR 1327 (119th Congress).”
510	Turkey	Gottheimer (D-NJ), , Malliotakis (NY), Goldman (NY), Kean (NJ)	“Prohibits the transfer or license of any defense articles or services to Turkey until the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Defense, provides a report to Congress detailing the steps taken to ensure that Turkey is no longer violating the sovereignty of any member of NATO, a major non-NATO ally, or Cyprus; the steps taken to prevent Turkey from purchasing defense systems from U.S. adversaries; the steps taken to prevent the use of U.S. arms to facilitate the occupation of Cyprus; and the steps taken by Turkey to prevent future attacks on U.S. servicemembers or their families. The report requirement sunsets once the President certifies to Congress that Turkey is no longer violating the sovereignty of any member of NATO, a major non-NATO ally, or Cyprus.”
520	Israel	Steube (R-FL)	“Requires annual report on U.S.-Israel military exercises, emphasizes mutual benefit of U.S.-Israel relationship.”
525	Lebanon/Iran/Hezbollah	Steube (R-FL)	“Conditions aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces via an 8-point plan to remove Hezbollah and Iranian influence across Lebanon.”
535	Syria	Wilson (R-SC), Panetta (D-CA)	“Repeals the Caesar Act.”
537	Iran	Steube (R-FL)	“Extends and modifies annual report on Iranian military.”
538	Syria	Gosar (R-AZ)	“Requires the Director of National Intelligence to expeditiously make public all intelligence community records relating to the Timber Sycamore weapons and training program in Syria.”
542	Israel	Steube (R-FL)	“Requires briefing on the status of deliveries to the Government of Israel of any military aircraft or air-launched munitions approved for transfer that are undelivered or partially delivered.”
545	Iran	Wilson (R-SC), Cohen (TN), Hudson (NC)	“Counters the influence of the Chinese Communist Party, the Iranian Regime, and the Russian Federation in the nation of Georgia by providing discretionary tools to the President. Identical to HR 36 119th Congress, as passed by the House”
548	Israel/Egypt	Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Requires a study on steps Israel, the U.S., and Egypt can take to enhance international security measures on the border between Gaza and Egypt to ensure Hamas and other actors cannot use tunnels or methods via the Mediterranean Sea to smuggle weapons and illicit goods. Additionally, report will outline/ map existing tunnel networks.”
571	Israel	Stefanik (R-NY)	“Convenes the U.S.-Israel Defense Industrial Base Working Group to study the potential for defense industrial base integration between the United States and Israel, including the possibility of inclusion into the national technology and industrial base (as defined in section 4801 of title 10, United States Code).”
588	Free Speech/Protest/Criticism of Israel	Lawler (R-NY), Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to include international governmental organizations (IGOs) in existing anti-boycott laws. This change targets harmful and inherently antisemitic BDS efforts at IGOs, such as the UN, by extending protections already in place for boycotts instigated by foreign countries. [This is the extremely controversial IGO Anti-Boycott Act, which is the current iteration of the extremely controversial Israel Anti-Boycott Act]
594	Israel	Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Establishes the United States–Israel Artificial Intelligence Center to leverage the experience, knowledge, and expertise of institutions of higher education and private sector to develop more robust research and development cooperation regarding machine learning, object detection, data labeling, among other key areas in the AI space.”
629	Israel	Massie (R-KY), Khanna (D-CA)	“Provides that none of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2026 may be used to transfer MK-84 2000-pound bombs to Israel”
632	Iran	Gillen (D-NY)	“Adds a Sense of Congress on Iran’s illegal nuclear weapons program and encourages European allies to invoke snapback sanctions on Iran.”
633	Iran	Wilson (R-SC)	“Requires Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy to be submitted to Congress, aimed at encouraging defections by senior Iranian security officials and members of the armed forces.”
643	Iran	Lawler (R-NY), Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL)	“Expands and strengthens secondary sanctions on foreign entities enabling Iran’s illicit oil trade.”
647	Israel, normalization, Iran	Lawler (R-NY), Moskowitz (D-FL)	“Improves arms sales processes to U.S. partners that have normalized relations with Israel and are actively working with the United States to counter Iran and its terrorist proxies. Specifically, narrows the timeline for congressional consideration after arms sales are accepted, while maintaining existing eligibility criteria for arms sales themselves.”
648	Iran	Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Requires the Department of Defense, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and Department of Homeland Security, to produce an annual threat assessment on Iranian-linked sleeper cells within the United States.:
683	Iran, Israel	Gonzales (R-TX)	“Authorizes the award of an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, to be known as the ‘Operation Midnight Hammer Medal,’ to eligible personnel who served during the 2025 Iran–Israel conflict, including Operation Midnight Hammer.”
744	Israel	Steube (R-FL)	“Requires report on U.S.-Israel cooperation on increased production capacity and inventory of the Arrow interceptor.”
747	Iran	Gonzales (R-TX)	“Prohibits Department of Defense cloud service contractors from employing citizens or nationals of China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea in positions with access to DoD networks or environments.”
757	Iran	Steube (R-FL)	“Sanctions and designates certain Iranian proxies and militias as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.”
771	Turkey	Goldman (D-NY), , Malliotakis (R-NY), Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Requires a report on the security impacts of Turkey’s illegal occupation of Cyprus to the US, its allies, and partners — including the presence of foreign terrorist organizations, past terror attacks and attempts, and threats to military installations and personnel.”
779	Israel	Fine (R-FL), Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Establishes a grant program to increase cooperation on post-traumatic stress disorder research between the United States and Israel.”
793	ICC/Intl Law	Cline (R-VA)	“Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on the role of the Department of Defense in supporting whole-of-government efforts to conduct international legal operations and to counter hostile international legal operations by foreign adversaries and strategic competitors of the United States.”
802	Palestinians/Gaza	Sherman (D-CA)	“Designates and sanctions the Popular Resistance Committees, which are the 3rd largest terrorist militia in Gaza and have claimed responsibility for the murder of Israeli and American civilians. It is an amendment version of the bipartisan, bicameral Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act (H.R. 2346).”
806	AUMF	Meeks (D-NY), Roy (TX), Jacobs (CA), Massie (KY)	“Inserts the text of H.R. 1488, repealing the 2002 and 1991 AUMFs.”
824	Israel	Ogles (R-TN)	“Requires the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the DNI to contduct a continual assessment of the impact of arms embargoes, sanctions, restrictions, or limitations imposed by foreign states or international organizations on Israel’s defense capabilities.”
826	Qatar (gift of plane to Trump)	Meeks (D-NY)	“Inserts the text of H.R. 3405, requiring the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a report regarding the transfer of an aircraft from Qatar.”
829	Israel/West Bank (Greater Israel)	Ogles (R-TN)	“Establishes that it is the policy of the United States to reject efforts to impose sanctions or other punitive measures against Israel on the basis of its lawful administration of the Judea and Samaria area, its efforts to confront, apprehend, and eliminate terrorist threats, or its status as a Jewish state.”
835	Israel	Nunn (R-IA), Davis (D-NC)	“Directs the Secretary of Defense to work with our counterparts in the Israeli Ministry of Defense to establish a DIU field office within Israeli territory. This effort increases hands-on RDT&E, allows for faster communication, provides live feedback from the field, and shortens go-to-market time for new defense products. This effort is a continuation of 22 U.S.C. §8606. United States-Israel cooperation on energy, water, homeland security, agriculture, and alternative fuel technologies, in particular under the Statutory Note Strategic Partnership on Defense Industrial Priorities Between the United States and Israel.”
844	Israel	Ogles (R-TN)	“Establishes the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense and its agencies should not participate in international defense exhibitions if they or the jurisdictions in which they are held block the participation of Israeli companies or use restrictions or the threat of restrictions as a means of deterring Israel from defending itself.”
850	Israel	Nunn (R-IA)	“Directs the Secretary of Defense to work with Israeli counterparts to determine the feasibility of a broader U.S. military base in the region. Given the ongoing conflicts in the CENTCOM AOR, additional U.S. resources in the region can help detect and deter adversarial aggression, resupply allies, and decrease the timeframe for logistical implementation. This study will allow the DOD to understand what is possible in the region and how to best utilize U.S. resources if deemed necessary.”
862	Iran	Tenney (R-NY)	“Requires Congressional notification for any sanctions relief on Iran.”
863	Israel/West Bank (Greater Israel)	Tenney (R-NY)	“Prohibits funding for materials that refer to Judea and Samaria by ‘the West Bank.”
892	Saudi Arabia	Sherman (D-CA)	“Prevents a nuclear deal or transfer of any nuclear reactors, equipment, or technologies to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia unless the President certifies that Saudi Arabia has signed and implemented an Additional Protocol to its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA and is not engaging in nuclear enrichment or reprocessing.”
929	Israel	Nunn (R-IA)	“This amendment requires the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a report outlining the status of integrated air and missile defense in the CENTOM AOR, particularly Israel. This report is requested so U.S. and Israeli military commanders can update their operational plans in relation to drone attacks, THAD missile production capabilities, and further expansion of Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Iron Beam capabilities.”
939	Iran	Khanna (D-CA)	“Late Prohibits unauthorized military force in or against Iran.”
981	Bahrain	McCormick (R-GA)	“Late Directs the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the strategic importance and potential expansion of the US-Bahrain Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement signed on September 13, 2023.”
1003	Israel	Greene (R-GA)	“Late Strikes $500 million in missile defense foreign aid to Israel.”
1007	Iraq, Lebanon, Kurdistan, Syria	Greene (R-GA)	“Late Strikes foreign aid funding to Iraq, Lebanon, Kurdish forces, and Syrian groups.”
1010	Israel	Greene (R-GA)	“Late Strikes foreign aid funding for US-Israel anti-tunnel cooperation and US-Israel cooperation to counter unmanned systems.”
1022	Israel	Boebert (R-CO)	“Late Prohibits the entering into contracts with entities engaged in a boycott of the state of Israel.”
1037	Targeting Terrorism but also & almost certainly free speech	Edwards (R-NC)	“Late Requires the Secretary of Defense to suspend or revoke a security clearance or access to classified information for any retired or active member of the uniformed service or civilian employee of the Department of Defense who expressing support for terrorist organizations or engages in demonstrations that support terrorist organizations.”
1039	Targeting “violent antisemtism” but also & almost certainly Free Speech/Protest/Criticism of Israel	Vindman (D-VA)	“Late Directs DOD to develop a report on the threat posed by violent antisemitism as a component of transnational extremist movements. Text is identical to H.R. 5011, the Violent Antisemitism Threat Assessment Act.”
1073	Iran	Mackenzie (R-PA)	“Late Eliminates the sunset clause in the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996.”
1075	The ICC	Roy (R-TX)	“Late Codifies Executive Order 14203 imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC).”
1094	Tunisia	Wilson (R-SC)	“Late Amendment to restrict financial assistance from DOD being provided to the government of Tunisia.”
1096	General	Omar (D-MN)	“Late Expresses the sense of Congress that an FTO designation is not an AUMF.”
1110	Yemen/Saudi Arabia	Hoyle (D-OR)	“Late Prohibits U.S. funding from being used for unauthorized U.S. military involvement in the war in Yemen if the Saudi-led coalition resumes aerial hostilities against the Houthis in Yemen.”
1112	Gaza	Casten (D-IL)	“Late Prohibits any funds from being used to provide assistance to or enter into contracts with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and instructs the State Department to coordinate Gaza aid solely through established international organizations that are not linked to terrorist groups and that implement strong vetting and oversight mechanisms.”

 

3. Letters

• (TARGETING UNGA/IRAN) 9/5/25: Lawler Calls On President Trump to Restrict Visas for Iranian Regime Officials Ahead of UN General Assembly [letter text]
• (TARGETING NORWAY) 9/5/25: McCormick urges Trump administration to retaliate against Norges Fund’s BDS move (Jewish Insider 9/5/25) [letter text]
• (TRUMP ADMIN SILENCE OVER GAZA) 9/4/25: Pressley, Pettersen Slam Rubio’s Silence to Demands for Surge in Aid and Infant Formula to Gaza [letter text]
• (TARGETING PALESTINE SOLIDARITY/ORGANIZING) 9/4/25: Chairman Smith Exposes U.S. Nonprofit as Likely CCP-Funded Propaganda Arm Operating Under Tax-Exempt Status [letter text]
• (TARGETING AMERICAN EXPERT ON IRAN, AGAIN) 9/3/25: Cotton to FBI and DoD: Investigate Alleged Iranian Agents Working for U.S. Government [letter text]. This is the latest in a years-long campaign by some in Congress targeting Iranian-American policy expert Ariane Tabatabai (and other Iran experts working in and with the US intelligence community).
• (TARGETING ACTIVISM FOR PALESTINIAN LIVES/RIGHTS) 9/3/25: Cotton to FBI: Investigate Palestinian Youth Movement for Inciting Violence Against U.S. Military Assets [letter text]. Also see: Cotton X-post – “The Palestinian Youth Movement has repeatedly endangered our national security and while its leaders promote violent anti-American rhetoric. It’s time for a full investigation into their dangerous activities.“; Exclusive — Sen. Tom Cotton Calls on FBI to Investigate ‘Dangerous’ Activities of the Palestinian Youth Movement (Breitbart 9/3/25); The Shift: Tom Cotton targets PYM (Mondoweiss 9/4/25); Cotton tells FBI to investigate conference speaker who called for halting F-35 production (Jewish News Syndicate 9/4/25)
• (WE <HEART> SOMALILAND) 9/2/25: Smith, Moolenaar send letter to Sec. Rubio imploring State Department to distinguish Somaliland from the Federal Republic of Somalia in its travel advisory report [letter text]. Final line of letter: “…Somaliland is also keen on working with like-minded partners wherever possible, such as with its close cooperation with Taiwan on healthcare, infrastructure, and maritime cooperation and growing ties with Israel through its solid support of the Abraham Accords….”
• (TARGETING THE GAZA HUMANITARIAN FOUNDATION) 8/31/25: Warren, Van Hollen, Welch Demand State Department End $30 Million Contract With Shady Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, Investigate Organization’s Role in Gaza Famine [letter text]. Also see: Progressive senators demand answers on Gaza Humanitarian Foundation funding (Jewish New Syndicate 9/4/25)
• (TARGETING PROTEST/FREE SPEECH FOR PALESTINIAN LIVES/RIGHTS IN PA ACADEMIA) 8/28/25: McCormick, Fetterman urge Pa. colleges to focus on Jewish student safety (Jewish Insider 9/3/25) [letter text]. Also see: Fetterman, McCormick send letter to Pa. universities urging action against antisemitism (Penn Live 9/3/25)

4. Hearings & Markups 

September 3, 2025: Huckabee briefs House committee on West Bank, Gaza war (Jewish Insider 9/4/25). Also see: Lawler (R-NY) 9/4/25: X-post – “An honor to host a roundtable with U.S. Ambassador to Israel @GovMikeHuckabee. We discussed the current outlook in Judea and Samaria and the West Bank. It was great for members to hear directly from the Ambassador on the current governance structure, the historical significance of this area, and US initiatives to reduce terrorism and violence.”

September 3, 2025: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing to consider a number of Trump Administration nominees, including Dan Negrea to be the US Ambassador to the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), as well as to be an Alternate US Representative to the UN General Assembly. In his written testimony, Negrea claims that ECOSOC “has strayed into socially divisive programs, has promoted worldviews antithetical to America’s founding ideals, and has drifted into an obsessive anti-Israel bias.” Also see: UN body ‘antithetical’ to US ideals, displays ‘anti-Israel bias,’ US nominee says (Jewish News Syndicate 9/4/25). Also see: hearing video

September 9, 2025: The House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions will hold a hearing entitled, “Unmasking Union Antisemitism”.  Also see: House hearing to address ways labor laws ‘warped’ to advance Jew-hatred [“A spokesman for the House Committee on Education and Workforce told JNS that the hearing will reveal how ‘unions are escalating antisemitic discrimination.’”] (Jewish News Syndicate 9/2/25). No witnesses have been announced as of this writing.

September 9, 2025: The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission will hold a two-panel hearing entitled, Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs: Human Rights Implications. Witness will be: Gina Romero, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Professor Suparna Chaudhry, Lewis & Clark College; Daniel Hegedüs, German Marshall Fund; Ana María Méndez Dardón,  Washington Office on Latin America; Michael Shellenberger, University of Austin; and Almut Rochowanski, Independent researcher; for 20 years manager of U.S., UK and European NGOs for civil society development in former Soviet Union

September 10, 2025: The House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s  Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education will hold a hearing entitled, “From Playground to Classroom: The Spread of Antisemitism in K-12 Schools“. No witnesses have been announced as of this writing.

• Scott (R-FL) 9/5/25: X-post – “Absolutely right, @LeoTerrellDOJ. The United States will ALWAYS stand with the Jewish people and against all forms of antisemitism. We must never forget the evils Hamas terrorists have inflicted on Abigail, her parents, and so many others for 699 days now. These innocent hostages MUST be released NOW!“
• Fetterman (D-PA) 9/5/25; X-post – “I reject this in the strongest terms. My party’s ongoing and escalating betrayal of Israel is gross and outrageous.” With pic of headline from The Hill, “Pair of Senate Democrats charge Israel with ‘ethnic cleansing’ of Palestinians”
• Fetterman (D-PA) 9/3/25: X-post – “Once again, Israel’s attacks and our Operation Midnight Hammer were both absolutely necessary and just. Fully support another strike, if it becomes necessary, and for Israel to continue to eliminate their nuclear scientists.“
• Cotton (R-IN) 9/3/25: X-post – “President Trump is right. Hamas terrorists started this war. They could end it today. All the destruction in Gaza is Hamas’s fault.” With GIF of POTUS Truth Social post, “Tell Hamas to IMMEDIATELY give back all 20 hostages (not 2 or 5 or 7!), and things will change rapidy. IT WILL END” [a post that directly contradicts what has been the Trump Admin’s position in negotiations].
• Budd (R-NC) 9/3/25: X-post – “Nearly two years since October 7th, two American citizens, Itay Chen and Omer Neutra, remain held in Gaza. All of the hostages must be released immediately!”  With GIF of POTUS Truth Social post, “Tell Hamas to IMMEDIATELY give back all 20 hostages (not 2 or 5 or 7!), and things will change rapidy. IT WILL END” [a post that directly contradicts what has been the Trump Admin’s position in negotiations].
• Bacon (R-NE) 9/2/25: X-post – “Tell Hamas to give up the hostages they’ve had for nearly two years and this will get resolved.”
• Scott (R-FL) 9/2/25: X-post – “The horrors of October 7th continue as 48 hostages have remained in the hands of Hamas terrorists for 697 days now. It’s been nearly two years. It’s time to bring EVERY hostage home and destroy Hamas!”
• Sherman (D-CA) 8/31/25: X-post – “Israel did not kill the Prime Minister of Yemen. The Houthi are not the government of Yemen – they are a terrorist organization that is occupying Yemen and terrorizes ships of all nations in the Red Sea.“
• Graham (R-SC) 8/30/25: X-post – “The Houthi terrorists have attacked American shipping and sailors. They constantly attack Israel. They are religious Nazis. This strike is deserved – with more action to follow. My goal is that 2025 is the year that Iranian proxies are destroyed.”
• Scott (R-FL) 8/30/25: X-post – “Thank God another hostage’s family can get closure and finally put their loved one to rest. Every family victimized by Hamas deserves justice and peace. They’ve waited too long. 694 days later, many families still wait for their loved ones’ return. Bring them all home!“
• Graham (R-SC) 8/29/25: X-post – “Thank you, Mr. Ambassador. God Bless Israel.” Responding to 8/29/25 X-post from the Israeli ambassador to the US – “Senator @LindseyGrahamSC is spot on. 1. Hamas is to blame for the war and for any food shortages in Gaza. 2. ⁠This war will end as soon as Hamas is defeated, which should happen ASAP. 3. ⁠ @GHFUpdates is doing a great job distributing aid to Gazans, not to Hamas…” Linked to article: ‘Blame Hamas’ for humanitarian aid issues in Gaza, Graham says (Jewish News Syndicate 8/29/25)

• Amo (D-RI) 9/5/25: X-post – “Netanyahu’s dangerous offensive to flatten Gaza City will only increase the severity of the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. He needs to let in a surge of aid for civilians and end this war to stop more death & destruction for Palestinians, while finally securing the release of all the remaining hostages.“
• Magaziner (D-RI) 9/5/25:  Magaziner Statement on Co-Sponsoring H.R. 3565 to Stop the Transfer of Certain Offensive Weapons to Israel
• McCollum (D-MN) 9/4/25: X-post – “Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich announced his plan to annex the majority of the West Bank — a move explicitly designed to destroy any possibility of a Palestinian state. I denounce this this far-right attempt to implode prospects for peace.” Linked to New York Times article, Far-Right Israeli Minister Calls for West Bank to Be Annexed
• Rosen (D-NV) 9/4/25: X-post – “I’ve always been clear that I oppose the annexation of the West Bank. The Abraham Accords is critical to normalization and long-term peace in the Middle East, which annexation would make next to impossible.” Linked to article, New York Times article, Far-Right Israeli Minister Calls for West Bank to Be Annexed
• Houlahan (D-PA) 9/4/25: X-post – “Weaponization of hunger is a war crime. Targeted killings of innocent civilians is a war crime. It’s long past time for the atrocities in Gaza to end. I mourn for the senseless loss of life that began with Hamas’s unspeakable violence against innocent Israelis on October 7 and continues with the loss of life of tens of thousands in Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu has the power to stop this now. I’m outraged by his cruelty and disregard for human life. I called on President Biden to stop this war, and now I’m calling on President Trump to do as he has promised and bring peace to the region. There will be no peace in the region without a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a surge of food and medical aid to Gaza.” Linked to AP article, With Israeli advance looming, Palestinians in Gaza City ask when to leave and where to go
• Doggett (D-TX) 9/4/25: X-post – “The far-right Netanyahu government is rapidly leading Israel down a path of no return. Its prioritization of endless war over the suffering of the hostages and Palestinian civilians—and threats to annex the West Bank and destroy a Palestinian state—all lead to one end: an Israel isolated from the allies it needs to survive.“
• Green (R-GA) 9/4/25: X-post – “This war is going to have immense devastating effects for generations to come on both sides. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Instead it has led to horrific mass killing of innocent children and people in Gaza, debilitating lifelong PTSD for Israeli soldiers, and Oct 7th hostages are used as the pawns to prolong it all. Silence is complicity. It must end.” With pic of Wall Street Journal headline, “The Israeli Army Is Struggling to Get Reservists to Show Up”
• Welch (D-VT) 9/3/25: podcast interview with New Jewish Narrative – Sanctions to Stop Settler Violence: U.S. Policy and the Path Forward, with Senator Peter Welch (including transcript)
• Casten (D-IL) 9/3/25: X-post – “Smotrich’s annexation plan would violate international law, extinguish Palestinian’s right to self-determination, and fuel regional instability. The Israeli government must reject this dangerous proposal, which threatens its own democracy and would severely undermine the U.S.–Israel relationship.“
• Tran (D-CA) 9/2/25: X-post – “The United States is a beacon of freedom and democracy across the globe. We must honor that commitment and press Israel to allow robust humanitarian aid and reach a ceasefire in Gaza. Palestinians and Israelis deserve to live in security and dignity; U.S. materiel support to its allies and partners should reflect that.“
• Smith (D-WA) 8/29/25: X-post – “The U.S. must leverage arms sales to push Israel to reach a Gaza ceasefire, surge humanitarian aid and stop settlement expansion in the West Bank. Thankful for the opportunity to be on Pod Save America to discuss.“

Targeting the PLO/PA — and pretty much ALL Palestinians – with Visa Ban

• Welch (D-VT) 9/4/25: X-post – “President Trump says he wants peace between Israel and Gaza. But he’s denying visas for Palestinian civilian representatives to even attend UN peace discussions in New York. If he truly wants peace, he shouldn’t be scared of peaceful discussions. He should reverse this.”
• Daines (R-MT) 9/3/25: X-post – “Secure borders & a safe nation- exactly what the American ppl wanted. That’s why I intro’d the GAZA Act, which closes our borders to foreign nat’ls w/ Palestinian Authority passports. Glad to see @POTUS deliver on his promises & put U.S. national security first.”
• Fine (R-FL) 9/1/25: X-post – “Send them all home. Foreigners who hate our country should not be allowed to stay here. @SecRubio continues to deliver.” [responding to news of the suspension of visas for virtually anyone traveling on a Palestinian travel document]
• Risch (R-ID) 8/30/25: X-post – “President Trump’s decision to deny these individuals access to U.S. soil should not come as a surprise. If you choose to support terrorism, the U.S. will not give you a free pass – it’s as simple as that.” Responding to X-post from the State Department Spokesman, “Today the Trump Administration is announcing it will deny and revoke visas from members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly per U.S. law. Before we take them seriously as partners in peace, the PA and PLO must completely reject terrorism and stop counterproductively pursuing the unilateral recognition of a hypothetical state.“
• Tuberville (R-AL) 8/30/25: X-post – “GREAT. Thank you, @SecRubio. If you support TERRORISTS and the DESTRUCTION OF AMERICA, you shouldn’t be rewarded with a visa.“
• Cotton (R-AR) 8/29/25: X-post – “The Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization pay terrorists to kill civilians, including Americans in Israel. The terrorists who run this pay-for-slay scheme have no business setting foot in the United States.” Linked to FoxNews article, Rubio denies visas to Palestinian leaders for UN General Assembly, citing terror support
• Scott (R-FL) 8/29/25: X-post – “This is a historic decision by @POTUS and @SecRubio to revoke and block PA officials and PLO leaders from attending the UNGA, including the ‘Two-State Solution’ conference, due to their anti-Israel actions.“
• Van Hollen (D-MD) 9/29/25: X-post – “Why have a State Department bureau on the Middle East if Trump and @SecRubio are taking their orders from Netanyahu? We can save a lot of money by cutting out the middle man.” Linked to CNN article, US announces it will deny visa to Palestinian Authority president and other officials ahead of UN General Assembly
• Merkley (D-OR) 9/29/25: X-post – “This move gets an “F.” Blocking international diplomats from participating in U.N. debates damages American leadership in the world and undermines the ability of the U.N. to serve as a forum for debating and addressing challenging world issues.” Linked to Reuters article, US bars Palestinian leader Abbas from UN as allies back statehood

Targeting Free Speech/Protest/Academia/NGOS/ICC

• Gimenez (R-FL) 9/4/25: X-post – “Finally!! After over a year of denouncing & exposing the rampant anti-semitism on campus, President Michael Schill has RESIGNED at @NorthwesternU! We hope the university will take concrete steps to put an end to the culture of hate & discrimination on campus.“
• Owens (R-UT) 9/4/25: X-post – “Even as @NorthwesternU tried to stonewall @EdWorkforceCmte, we exposed how the university caved to antisemitic mobs, empowered anti-Israel activists, and failed to protect Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Michael Schill’s resignation is long overdue.” Linked to New York Post article, Northwestern President Michael Schill resigns after tenure rocked by protests, $800M Trump funding freeze, hazing scandal
• Cotton (R-AR) 9/4/25: X-post – “Anyone that assists the ICC’s illegitimate investigations into America or our allies should face severe sanctions. I’m glad to see @SecRubio and President Trump sanction these “human rights” groups for trying to undermine Israel’s sovereignty.“
• Risch (R-ID) 9/4/25: X-post – “I’m glad to see the Trump Administration hold the line on the @IntlCrimCourt<‘s outrageous judicial overreach. Israel and the U.S. are not parties to the Rome Statue and any investigation violates the ICC’s own rules.” [in response to sanctions of 3 Palestinian human rights groups for their engagement with the ICC]
• Walberg (R-MI) 9/4/25: Chairman Walberg Statement on Resignation of Northwestern University President Schill [“President Schill will leave behind a legacy of not only failing to deter antisemitism on campus but worsening it. These students not only deserve better, but the law requires it. Northwestern’s next president must take prompt and effective action to protect Jewish students from the scourge of antisemitism.”]
• Fine (R-FL) 9/2/25: X-post – “Boom. Muslim terrorists are not welcome in Florida’s Universities.” Responding to news that a student who was captured on video yelling at another student who was wearing an IDF t-shirt (in comments that were focused 100% on Israel and never mentioned anything to do with Judaism or Jews) and appearing to try to slap the drink he was holding, has been expelled and is also being sued.

Marjorie Taylor Green on AIPAC, Aid to Israel

• Green (R-GA) 9/5/25: X-post – “The argument of which drives the national debt more, Social Security or U.S. spending on Israel/foreign countries/foreign wars, is fundamentally America First versus America Last…The reality is Americans have been chained in over $37 TRILLION in debt and Americans deserve their Social Security money they were FORCED to pay! The nuclear armed secular government of Israel is such a successful country that they have less than $400 billion in national debt and provide government funded healthcare and education to their citizens. Daily, Israel is proving that on their own, they are more than capable of destroying their enemies with no one’s help, as they not only destroy their enemies, they also destroy innocent lives. Saying stop giving Israel $3.8 billion dollars a year isn’t Jew hatred or antisemitism, it’s just as simple as saying America can’t afford it anymore and shouldn’t have to continue paying. Instead, defending continued funding of Israel over American’s own rights to Social Security is Israel First and America Last.”
• Greene (R-GA) 8/28/25; X-post – “Instead of lying about me, have all you foreign agents at AIPAC registered under FARA yet? Not only are you a bunch of liars, you are breaking the law.” In response to AIPAC X-post, “.@RepMTG has gone full Squad. Same message, same legislation, same anti-Israel vision. The horrible war is only happening because Hamas refuses to free the hostages & surrender power. Yet, MTG and her friends in the Squad won’t take any action to pressure Hamas to end it. Why?“

• Britt (R-AL) 9/4/25: U.S. Senator Katie Britt Highlights National Security Priorities in Senate Banking Committee Nominations Hearing
• Kennedy (R-LA) 9/4/25: Kennedy on European sanctions against Iran: “Make sure that the world understands that these sanctions are real”
• Budd (R-NC) 9/3/25: X-post – “Last week, our European allies triggered broad snapback sanctions on Iran due to its continued efforts to acquire a nuclear weapon. The United States and our allies must follow through with maximum pressure until Iran abandons its nuclear program.”
• Frankel (D-FL) 9/2/25: X-post – “A nuclear-armed Iran is an existential threat to Israel and endangers global security. The E3’s snapback sanctions are a vital step to ensuring Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon—our safety, and that of Israel and our allies, depends on it.”
• Moran (R-TX) 9/2/25: X-post – “I stand in strong support of these sanctions. Iranian oil funneled through shell firms undermines global security by propping up Iran’s terror activities. Striking at Tehran’s ability to fund attacks on America and our allies is critically important to our national security, and to the stability of the Middle East.“
• Risch (R-ID) 9/2/25: X-post – “Iraq will wither in Iran’s shadow if its leaders do not crack down on Tehran’s schemes. I’m glad to see President Trump’s maximum pressure continue to keep Americans safe by denying Iran funds to destabilize its neighbors and support international terrorism.“

Straight-Up Anti-Muslim Hate & Incitement

• Fine (R-FL) 9/2/25: X-post – “America is NOT, and will NEVER be, a Muslim country.“
• Fine (R-FL) 9/2/25: X-post w/ video clip – “This is the ugly face of Islam in America. Believe them when they say they are just getting started. It’s up to us to stop them.” Video clip shows Rep. Tlaib (D-MI) speaking recently at the People’s Conference for Palestine in Detroit [Fine appears to be labeling Tlaib the “ugly face of Islam in America“.]

Other

• Risch (R-ID) & Shaheen (D-NH) 9/5/25: Risch, Shaheen Urge Lebanon to Disarm Hezbollah
• Smith (D-WA) 9/4/25: X-thread – “Trump ran as the peace candidate?!! The guy who would end wars? What a joke. He wants a department of war, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza are worse than when he was elected and he’s after starting a war with Venezuela. He’s picking economic fights with every country in the world, driving India into an alliance with Russia, China and NK, gutting US diplomacy and foreign aid and siding with Putin over our allies in Europe. The US is less safe and the world a more dangerous place because of Trump.“
• Pallone (R-NJ) 9/4/25: X-post – “We lost hundreds of New Jersey neighbors—including many from my district—on 9/11. Their families have waited nearly 25 years for answers. Judge Daniels’ decision to let the case against Saudi Arabia proceed is a long overdue step toward justice and accountability.“

6. Selected Media

Politics/Elex

• Jewish Insider 9/5/25: Thune and NRSC’s Scott endorse Rep. Ashley Hinson in race to replace Ernst [“Thus far in the race, Hinson is facing Jim Carlin, a Republican former state senator who initially entered the contest to challenge Ernst from the right after delivering a 27% showing in his primary against Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in 2022, and Joshua Smith, a former libertarian and podcast host with a record as a critic of the U.S.-Israel relationship and Zionism. Smith has also espoused virulently anti-Israel beliefs on his X account, posting in March of this year that Israel is a ‘fake state of anti Jesus heathens who are fine with killing children’ and claiming in a post last May that Jewish people suffer from a ‘Jewish victim complex.’”]
• Salon 9/5/25: Progressive Dems pick their latest primary target — and it’s a modest surprise [“Rep. Jimmy Gomez says he’s a progressive — but Justice Democrats want to take him down over pro-Israel money”]
• Jewish Insider 9/5/25: Ro Khanna to appear at conference featuring pro-terrorism, antisemitic speakers [“The ArabCon convention is being hosted by the Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee”]
• The Forward 9/4/25: From Jewish teen magician to congressional contender: Meet Micah Lasher, Jerry Nadler’s heir apparent [“The Upper West Side lawmaker enters a race that will test Jewish representation and progressive politics“]
• Washington Times 9/4/25: Democrats’ likely new ‘Squad’ member: Arizona’s Adelita Grijalva [“The anti-Israel congressional candidate holds views increasingly representative of the left“]
• Common Dreams 9/4/25: Progressive Group Supports Angela Gonzales-Torres’ Primary Challenge to AIPAC-Backed Jimmy Gomez [“This is about standing up to corruption, calling out a genocide when we see one, and building a Los Angeles that we can afford,” said Angela Gonzales-Torres, the candidate endorsed by Justice Democrats.“]
• Jewish Insider 9/4/25: Leading Democratic Senate recruit in Iowa backed conditions on U.S. support for Israel [“Josh Turek, a state representative, is running for the seat of retiring GOP Sen. Joni Ernst“]
• Prem Thakkar/Zeteo 9/4/25: X-post w/ video clip – “Another Democratic candidate says ‘Genocide.’ In a new Justice Democrats endorsement video, Angela Gonzalez-Torres (whose dad was deported when she was 15) slams Rep. Jimmy Gomez for taking cash from Pharma, prison companies that run ICE centers, and AIPAC.“
• Jewish Insider 9/2/25: Graham Platner’s anti-Israel fixation in the Maine Senate race
• Jewish Insider 9/2/25: Nadler’s handpicked successor drawing scrutiny over Mamdani endorsement [“Like the retiring congressman, New York Assemblyman Micah Lasher endorsed the anti-Israel mayoral nominee”]
• Arab Weekly (Jim Zogbly) 9/2/25: Democratic voters want change on Palestine [“Sixty-eight percent agreed that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, only eight percent disagreed.“]
• X-post from Graham Platner, running for Senate in Maine against Collins (D-ME) 9/2/25: “It’s not complicated: Not one more taxpayer dollar for genocide.” Accompanied by GIF with text, “Our taxpayer dollars can build schools and hospitals in America, not bombs to destroy them in Gaza.”
• TikTok post by Robert People, running for FL-15 9/2/25: Video declaring “…Just so I am clear, I am not taking any money from AIPAC…”
• Instagram post by Curtis Morrison, challenging Darrell Issa (CA-28) 9/1/25: “Unlike Darrell Issa, I do not take money from AIPAC because Israel is doing in Gaza is immoral…“
• New York Times 9/1/25: Nadler, Pillar of Democratic Party’s Old Guard, Will Retire Next Year [“‘I don’t know what to say at this point,’ he said. ‘I can’t defend what Israel is doing.’ Mr. Nadler has been sharply critical of Hamas, still believes in a two-state solution for the region and does not agree with those who say Israel is carrying out genocide in Gaza. But he said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel was committing mass murder and war crimes in Gaza ‘without question.’ And for the first time, Mr. Nadler said that when Congress returns later this month, he plans to join a growing number of Democratic lawmakers trying to use congressional authority to block the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel. (He said he will still vote to fund Israel’s missile defense systems.)“]
• Times of Israel 8/31/25: The times they are a-changin’ – can AIPAC adapt? [“The age of 90% bipartisan pro-Israel votes is over. A new strategy is needed amid waning support from Democrats and Trump’s MAGA base“]
• Daily Kos 8/31/25: A Sign Of Things To Come? Democratic Congressman Morgan McGarvey Will No Longer Take AIPAC Money.
• Courier Journal 8/30/25: McGarvey campaign will no longer accept pro-Israel AIPAC money, rep says
• The Intercept 8/29/25: Facing Voter Pressure, Swing-State Democrat Swears Off AIPAC Cash [“Rep. Deborah Ross became the latest Democrat to swear off AIPAC amid pressure to hold Israel accountable for its genocide in Gaza.”]
• Jewish Insider 8/29/25: Iowa Senate primary could pit establishment, MAGA wings of GOP against each other
• Common Dreams 9/29/25: Democratic Voters Are Sick of Funding Israel. Will the Leaders Listen? [“It’s necessary for us to continue making the case for the Democratic Party to abandon the unelected donor class and become a party of the working class that promotes peace and justice at home and abroad.”]

Congress & Changing Views on Israel

• The Hill 9/5/25: Influential Jewish political groups are way out of step with American Jews
• Providence Journal 9/5/25: Magaziner joins 40 Democrats to cosponsor bill cutting off US offensive weapons to Israel
• The New Arab 9/5/25: People’s Conference for Palestine: It isn’t Congress that will free Palestine
• Sacramento Bee 9/5/25: Sens. Schiff and Padilla continue arming Israel, ignoring genocide, famine
• Salon 9/5/25: Democrats may already be signaling a retreat on Israel [“After a Senate vote on limiting arms to Israel, party leaders face pressure to address voters’ preferences”]
• The Hill 9/5/25: Pair of Senate Democrats charge Israel with ‘ethnic cleansing’ of Palestinians
• In These Times 9/4/25: Democratic Leadership Still Hasn’t Caught Up to the Party’s Base on Gaza
• Jewish Insider 9/4/25: Amb. Leiter: Nature of U.S.-Israel aid may change in coming years 
• Jewish News Syndicate/Jonathan Tobin 9/3/25: Jerry Nadler and the moral collapse of American Jewish liberals [“The career of the retiring Manhattan congressman demonstrates the way partisan Democrats have abandoned support of Israel for leftist applause.”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/2/25: Trump ‘surprised’ Israel lobby no longer has ‘total control’ over Congress [“‘There was a time where you couldn’t speak bad,’ the U.S. president said. ‘But today, you have AOC plus three, and you have all these lunatics.‘”]
• Fox News 9/2/25: Trump surprised Israel no longer has ‘total control over Congress,’ warns Gaza war hurting global support
• Electronic Intifada 9/2/25: Buoyed by AIPAC dollars, Wesley Bell pushes AIPAC lies
• Daily Caller 9/1/25: EXCLUSIVE: Trump Acknowledges Israel Is Losing Control Of Congress
• Jewish Insider 9/2/25: Negotiations for next U.S.-Israel aid deal faces uphill battle with changing political tides
• The Forward 9/2/25: Analysis: Nadler’s exit marks the end of an era for Jews in Congress. Will the next generation ‘do better’? [“Nadler’s departure reflects a party in transition on Israel“]
• Informed Comment 9/1/25: Why Even “Progressive” Dem Leaders won’t Stand up on Gaza: AIPAC’s Undue Influence
• Fox & Friends 9/2/25: X-post w/ video clip – “‘She sounds like an activist who has no responsibility to the people who elected her.’ Former Biden White House advisor responds to Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s expletive-filled rant at a conference, where she called America ‘genocide-enablers.’ Another speaker called America ‘evil.‘”
• Responsible Statecraft 9/1/25: Israel’s foreign influence is the most unrelenting in US history [“There were a handful of times when external powers tried to steer us, but there is no comparing the decades-long grip of the Likud Party on Washington“]
• Algemeiner 9/1/25: Rashida Tlaib Slams US for Enabling ‘Gaza Genocide’ at Pro-Hamas Conference in Detroit
• Detroit News 8/31/25: Tlaib tells pro-Palestinian activists to continue protest: ‘We are winning’
• DropSite News 8/31/25: X-post w/ video clip – “Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib addressed the People’s Conference for Palestine in her hometown of Detroit today, where she paused to deliver a message to the ‘genocide-enablers’ in the halls of power: ‘Look at this room, motherfuckers! We ain’t going anywhere.’ The crowd erupted as Tlaib — the first and only Palestinian American in Congress — continued: ‘They thought they could kill us, rape us, imprison us, violently uproot us from our olive tree farms, starve our children to death, and we would disappear. Well, guess what? Now we’re in Congress.’”
• Moguldom 8/30/25: Charlamagne: Top Democrat Hakeem Jeffries is a Puppet, I Call Him ‘AIPAC Shakur’
• The Forward 8/29/25: A majority of Democrats are changing their views on Israel. What does that mean for the US-Israel relationship? [“More and more Democratic politicians are beginning to support limiting certain weapons transfers to Israel”]
• The North Star with Shaun King 8/29/25: It’s Not Left vs. Right Anymore — It’s Bought vs. Un-Bought. Let Me Explain. [“From Tucker Carlson to Rashida Tlaib, from Marjorie Taylor Greene to Hasan Piker, the loudest voices against genocide aren’t ideological. They’re un-bought.“]

Recess Travel

• Fox News 9/5/25 (Gottheimer, D-NJ, op-ed): We must ensure aid gets into the hands of innocent Palestinians, not Hamas
• Jewish Insider 9/4/25: Rep. Latimer: Israel’s critics are overlooking Hamas’ responsibility for Gaza war, aid crisis [“The freshman New York congressman also said that Israel must do more to pursue an end to the war, make its case to the world and provide aid in Gaza”]
• Jerusalem Post 9/3/25: Fall of the Assad dictatorship as symbolic as fall of Berlin Wall, says US congressman – interview [“In the interview with the Post, Wilson spoke about the new Syria he witnessed and the opportunities that lie ahead.”]
• Oregon Public Broadcasting 9/2/25: Oregon’s U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley returns from Gaza, Israel: ‘There has to be an end to this war’
• Jewish News Syndicate 9/2/25: Democratic senators say Israel barred their entry to Gaza [“One of the senators also used language that U.S. Jewish organizations say evokes centuries-old antisemitic conspiracy theories.“]
• Religion News 9/2/25: What Speaker Johnson missed in the Holy Land (and Senator Van Hollen didn’t)
• Haaretz 9/1/25: Just Outside Gaza, Two U.S. Democratic Senators Call Out Israel’s ‘Propaganda’ Amid ‘Devastation and Starvation’
• Ithaca.com 9/1/25: Josh Riley Faces Backlash From Constituents After Taking AIPAC Trip to Israel

Defending Israel, No Matter What it Does

• New York Post 9/4/25: GOP Rep. Tim Burchett tussles with anti-Israel protester on Capitol Hill
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/29/25: ‘Blame Hamas’ for humanitarian aid issues in Gaza, Graham says [“‘I have never bought into the narrative that Israel is intentionally starving the people of Gaza as a tool of war,’ the Republican senator said after visiting the Kerem Shalom crossing.”]

Targeting Other Countries & UN  for Not Lining Up with US/Israel

• Jewish Insider 8/28/25: Graham floats retaliatory tariffs, visa restrictions over Norway BDS move

Other

• TRT World 9/3/25: US Army veteran disrupts Senate hearing, denounces Gaza genocide [“Anthony Aguilar, a retired Green Beret and whistleblower on US-funded Gaza aid operations, says he witnessed Israeli forces shooting starving civilians at distribution sites.“]
• The Hill 8/30/25:  Senate Dems press State Department to boost delivery of baby formula to Gaza amid famine [letter covered in last week’s edition of the Round-Up]
• Covington 8/29/25: Congress Weighs Foreign Agent Disclosure and Registration Bills

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

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New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 8/29/25: The Holocaust, the Nakba, the Genocide in Gaza & How the I.H.R.A. Definition of Antisemitism Censors Scholars, ft. FMEP fellow Ahmed Moor in conversation with Marianne Hirsch, Professor Emerita of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University. Professor Hirsch made news recently when she withdrew from classroom teaching because Columbia instituted the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism, telling the Associated Press that “A university that treats criticism of Israel as antisemitic and threatens sanctions for those who disobey is no longer a place of open inquiry…I just don’t see how I can teach about genocide in that environment.’
• 8/25/25: How Israel Targets Palestinian Journalists in Gaza, ft. FMEP fellow Peter Beinart in conversation with Laila Al-Arian, the executive producer for Fault Lines, an award-winning current affairs program on Al Jazeera English.
• 8/19/25: Necroviolence: On Israel’s Corpse Captivity Policy and Palestinian Practices of Dignity & Defiance, ft. FMEP Fellow Hilary Rantisi in conversation with researcher Randa Wahbe about the Israeli policy and practice of holding Palestinian corpses as part of the broader Israeli regime of control over Palestinians.

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(FY26 NDAA – HOUSE) HR 3838: Introduced6/9/25 by Rogers (R-AL), the “Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.” This bill will be marked up in the House Rules Committee the week of September 8. Once passed by the House, HR 3838 will become the basis of negotiations with the Senate over the final text of the NDAA. The deadline for amendments was close of business 8/28/25. As of this writing, 938 amendments have been submitted (and additional amendments will be submitted late). As always, many of the submitted amendments deal Israel, Iran, and other areas of the Middle East – see table below for details. And as always, regardless of whether a given amendment gets a vote and/or is ultimately attached to the bill, it is useful to pay attention to all the amendments, since they offer valuable information about members’ priorities and intentions. Of special note:

• Lawler (R-NY) and Gottheimer (D-NJ) offered an amendment to add the “IGO Anti-Boycott Act” (HR 867) – the current iteration of the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (IABA) to the NDAA. As a reminder, on 5/2/25, the GOP House leader published a list of bills to be considered by the House on 5/5/25 under suspension of the rules. That list included HR 867. That announcement sparked backlash on social media, including from some House Republicans and some major Republican influencers. Subsequently, on 5/4/25 the GOP House leader published a new notice listing bills to be considered 5/5/25 under suspension of the Rules – HR 867 was not on that new list. For full details see the 5/9/25 edition of the Round-Up.
• Goldman (D-NY) has offered an amendment to enforce the IHRA definition of antisemitism as the foundation for mandatory antisemitism training for all Department of Defense personnel.
• Tenney (R-NY) has offered an amendment to compel DOD to use the term “Judea and Samaria” instead of “the West Bank.”
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) has offered an amendment to bar DOD contracts with any party that boycotts Israel or settlements.
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) has offered an amendment to attach the “STOP HATE” Act to the NDAA (legislation targeting free speech/criticism of Israel [for details see the 7/25/25 edition of the Round-Up).

Rules Committee Amdt #	Topic	Sponsors & link to text	Short description
9	Iran	Houlahan (D-PA), Bacon (R-NE), Obernolte (R-CA)	“Prohibits export or sale of petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran.”
12	Israel/Turkey	Titus (D-NV)	“Ensures Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge against Turkey.”
40	Syria	Titus (D-NV)	“Requires an Intelligence Community Assessment on Syria.”
41	Turkey/Syria/Iraq	Bilirakis (R-FL)	“Requires the Department of Defense and Secretary of State to issue a report assessing the Turkish Government’s activities in Syria, Iraq, and Turkey and whether those actions support terrorist organizations, money laundering, and/or contribute to humanitarian crises among civilians of those nations.”
42	Turkey/Iran	Bilirakis (R-FL)	“Requires the Department of Defense and Secretary of State to issue a report on Turkish-Iranian cooperation to evade sanctions imposed by the United States.”
44	Turkey	Bilirakis (R-FL)	“Prevents the sale or license for the export of F-35 aircraft to the Government of Turkey unless the President certifies such sale is in the national interest of the U.S. among other prerequisites.”
46	Israel	Omar (D-MN)	“Strikes section 1205, “Research, Develpoment, Test, and Evaluation of Emerging Technologies to further the warfighting capabilities of the United States and certain partner countries.'” [This section is focused on defense collaboration with Israel]
57	Israel (& others)	Tlaib (D-MI)	“Prohibits the use of funds for foreign military sales to any country (a) subject to a case before the International Court of Justice over violations of the Genocide Convention with provisional measures to prevent genocide issued by the court; or (b) the current government of which includes officials that have outstanding arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.”
100	Iran, Saudi Arabia, arguably Israel	Omar (D-MN)	“Bans arms sales to any country engaged in transnational repression against U.S. citizens.”
101	Israel	Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Wilson (R-SC), Schneider (D-IL), Carter (R-GA)	“Reauthorizes the United States-Israel Energy Cooperation program and expands the types of eligible energy projects. It is identical to H.R. 2280 (119th Congress).”
145	Free Speech/Protest/Criticism of Israel	Gottheimer (D-NJ), Tenney (R-NY)	“Requires a certification from the Secretary of Defense that no contractor of the Department participates in or is engaged with the BDS movement.”
146	Iran	Harrigan (R-NC), Vasquez (R-NM)	“Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a strategy by January 1, 2030, to end reliance on adversarial nations, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Belarus, for key pharmaceutical raw materials.”
147	General	Gottheimer (D-NJ), Tenney (R-NY)	“Requires a report from Treasury that outlines any financial institution that has provided services that support a state sponsor of terrorism and any foreign financial institution that has conducted significant transactions for a person sanctioned by the U.S. for international terrorism or any human rights violation.”
150	The ICC/international law/Israel	Gottheimer (D-NJ), Tenney (R-NY)	“Includes a sense of Congress that the Secretaries of Defense and State must use every opportunity at forums involving NATO or major non-NATO allies to ensure that such allied countries do not enforce warrants issued by the ICC against members of the armed forces of the U.S. or of its other allies.”
157	Turkey	Bilirakis (R-FL)	“Prohibits the sale or license for the export of F-16 aircraft or F-16 aircraft upgrade technology to the Government of Turkey unless the President certifies such transfer is in the national interest of the United States, among other prerequisites.”
162	UAE	Omar (D-MN)	“Requires a report on UAE foreign policy in specific countries in East and North Africa, including an assessment on whether U.S.-origin equipment sent to the UAE is being for gross violations of human rights in those countries”
164	Syria	Omar (D-MN)	“Repeals two different Syria sanctions statutes (Caesar and the Syria parts of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012.).”
169	Israel	Omar (D-MN)	“Repeals the War Reserve Stockpile Authority for Israel.”
193	IHRA definition of Antisemitism	Goldman (D-NY)	“Establishes a mandatory antisemitism training program for all personnel of the Department of Defense.” [the amendment explicitly defines “antisemitism” to mean the IHRA definition, including its examples]
197	Free Speech/Protest/Criticism of Israel	Gottheimer (D-NJ), Bacon (R-NE)	“Inserts the text of the STOP HATE Act. Requires social media companies to release detailed reports of violations to their terms of service and how they are addressing content generated by Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) or Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) and requires social media companies to explain the standard by which they would judge whether content generated or proliferated by terrorists would be deemed in a violation of the company’s terms of service.”
211	Iran	Nadler (D-NY)	“Requires a report detailing the battle damage assessment (BDA) of the US strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, including the impact on the nuclear program, the remaining capabilities, any resulting difference in breakout time, an assessment of any remaining nuclear material, and an assessment of the impact of the strike on Iranian ballistic missile program and proxy activity.”
224	Syria	Kamlager-Dove (D-CA)	“Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a process to create Women’s Advisory Boards to advise on the U.S. policy response in conflict-affected countries, with the goal of integrating and meaningfully including the perspectives of locally affected women in conflict-resolution activities. This would replicate the UN’s Syrian Women Advisory Board which was created to ensure women had a direct and meaningful role in the peace process.”
239	Turkey/Hamas	Goldman (D-NY), Malliotakis (NY), Self (TX), Gottheimer (NJ), Kean (NJ)	“Requires a report on the Government of Turkey’s relationship with Hamas and its affiliates, including financial, political and military assistance.”
265	Jordan	Gosar (R-AZ)	“Requires expeditious disclosure of all records relating to the January 28, 2024, attack on Tower 22 in Jordan.”
287	Iran	Ansari (D-AZ)	“Establishes a special envoy for Iranian women, girls, and human rights.”
304	Egypt	Beyer (D-VA), Doggett (D-TX)	“Requires the Department of Defense to provide a detailed policy justification to the appropriate congressional committees for the provision of any DOD funds to the Government of Egypt.”
328	Syria	Gosar (R-AZ), Omar (D-MN)	“Nullification of Executive Order 13338, National Emergency declaration relating to Syria.”
329	Iran	Panetta (CA), Wilson (SC), Zinke (MT), Kim (CA)	“Leverages the Defense Departments cyber pilot program (section 398a of title 10 USC) to enhance the cyber capabilities of foreign security forces and other entities to conduct cyber operations aligned with U.S. national security interests, by identifying and vetting Iranian organizations with cyber expertise that could weaken the regime’s ability to control information and repress dissent.”
330	Iran	Panetta (D-CA), Wilson (R-SC), Zinke (R-MT)	“Directs the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to support the development of low-cost, easily scalable, and rapidly deployable technologies to counter internet shutdowns or limitations on network access abroad, particularly those imposed by adversary countries such as Iran.”
353	Greece/Cyprus/Israel	Malliotakis (R-NY), Gottheimer (NJ), Goldman (NY), Kean (NJ)	“Establishes a counterterrorism and maritime security partnership. The amendment also authorizes appropriations for new facilities and equipment at key locations in Greece and the Republic of Cyprus. Identical to H.R. 2510, the ‘American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.'”
360	Iran	Neguse (D-CO)	“Prohibits the use of funds to reduce or reallocate funding from NIST’s laboratory programs unless the Secretary of Defense certifies that such changes will not harm U.S. competitiveness in semiconductors, cybersecurity, quantum standards or other national security interests. The certification must include a summary of China, Iran, North Korea and Russia’s investments in core national defense technology advancements.”
365	Iran/Hezbollah/Lebanon	Shreve (R-IN)	“Requires the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, to develop a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran’s and Hezbollah’s propaganda, missionary networks, and influence operations in Latin America. Identical to H.R. 4531 (119th Congress).”
369	Israel/Iran	Gottheimer (D-NJ), Lawler (R-NY)	“Inserts the text of the bipartisan Bunker Buster Act, legislation that authorizes the president to support Israel’s defense by providing the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), or “bunker buster” bomb, and the aircraft required to deploy it — to take out Iran’s underground nuclear infrastructure. This transfer of the MOP can only happen if Iran is determined to be in noncompliance with the NPT Safeguards Agreement and IAEA is unable to provide confidence as to Iran’s undeclared nuclear facilities.”
373	Antisemitism/Free Speech/Protest/Criticism of Israel	Gottheimer (D-NJ), Lawler (R-NY)	“Requires a report on the nature and disposition of the most recent six years of substantiated administrative investigations or instances of antisemitism within the Equal Opportunity Program.”
385	Antisemitism/Free Speech/Protest/Criticism of Israel	Gottheimer (D-NJ), Lawler (R-NY)	“Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure that the Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) includes specific questions to assess the prevalence, nature, and impact of antisemitism within the military service academies.” [doesn’t mention IHRA but for sure that is the intent]
391	Israel, Palestine	Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Directs the Treasury to deploy a financial attache to the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem to develop and execute the financial and economic policy of the United States Government and the international fight against terrorism, money laundering, and other illicit finance.”
404	Iran, Syria	Pfluger (R-TX)	“Extends existing State Department post-government employment (PGE) restrictions to more government employees, enacting a permanent lifetime ban for Agency Heads, Deputies, and senate-confirmed employees lobbying on behalf of countries of concern (China, Russia, Iran, N. Korea, Syria, Cuba).”
412	Iran	Pfluger (R-TX)	“Rescind specific waivers and licenses that allowed the transfer of frozen Iranian funds and prohibits reissuing such waivers or licenses in the future, effectively preventing Iran from accessing those accounts or similar funds. Identical to H.R. 2575 (119th Congress), and H.R.5947 (118th Congress) which passed the house.”
414	Iran	Pfluger (R-TX)	“Amends existing sanctions law to prohibit Iraq’s government from importing natural gas from Iran.”
421	Saudi Arabia, Iran, arguably Israel	Pfluger (R-TX)	“Establishes the Transnational Repression Working Group within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to monitor and analyze actions by foreign governments that threaten or intimidate citizens, residents, or other people present in the United States, as well as any related terrorism threats. Identical to H.R. 2158 (119th Congress).”
453	Israel (and others)	Tlaib (D-MI)	“Prohibits security assistance to any country that has, in the past ten years, used military force against a medical facility, the UN, a refugee camp, aid workers, or journalists, has committed or aided in the commission of the crime of forcible transfer, or impeded the delivery of humanitarian aid.”
481	Iran	Pfluger (R-TX)	“Imposes additional sanctions and export restrictions concerning Iranian airlines and the provision of US-origin components to Iranian airlines.”
489	Israel/West Bank/settlements	McGovern (D-MA)	“Requires an annual report from the Secretary of State to Congress, in consultation with Secretary of Defense, that assesses the status of Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank.”
499	Israel	Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Expresses support for joint U.S.-Israel cooperation between NASA and the Israel Space Agency, including joint U.S. Air Force and Israel’s newly created Space Force in areas of research, development, test, and evaluation.”
501	Syria	Luttrell (R-TX)	“Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to evaluate the threat posed to the United States by individuals in Syria with ties to Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) or a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization (STGT). Identical to HR 1327 (119th Congress).”
510	Turkey	Gottheimer (D-NJ), , Malliotakis (NY), Goldman (NY), Kean (NJ)	“Prohibits the transfer or license of any defense articles or services to Turkey until the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Defense, provides a report to Congress detailing the steps taken to ensure that Turkey is no longer violating the sovereignty of any member of NATO, a major non-NATO ally, or Cyprus; the steps taken to prevent Turkey from purchasing defense systems from U.S. adversaries; the steps taken to prevent the use of U.S. arms to facilitate the occupation of Cyprus; and the steps taken by Turkey to prevent future attacks on U.S. servicemembers or their families. The report requirement sunsets once the President certifies to Congress that Turkey is no longer violating the sovereignty of any member of NATO, a major non-NATO ally, or Cyprus.”
520	Israel	Steube (R-FL)	“Requires annual report on U.S.-Israel military exercises, emphasizes mutual benefit of U.S.-Israel relationship.”
525	Lebanon/Iran/Hezbollah	Steube (R-FL)	“Conditions aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces via an 8-point plan to remove Hezbollah and Iranian influence across Lebanon.”
535	Syria	Wilson (R-SC), Panetta (D-CA)	“Repeals the Caesar Act.”
537	Iran	Steube (R-FL)	“Extends and modifies annual report on Iranian military.”
538	Syria	Gosar (R-AZ)	“Requires the Director of National Intelligence to expeditiously make public all intelligence community records relating to the Timber Sycamore weapons and training program in Syria.”
542	Israel	Steube (R-FL)	“Requires briefing on the status of deliveries to the Government of Israel of any military aircraft or air-launched munitions approved for transfer that are undelivered or partially delivered.”
545	Iran	Wilson (R-SC), Cohen (TN), Hudson (NC)	“Counters the influence of the Chinese Communist Party, the Iranian Regime, and the Russian Federation in the nation of Georgia by providing discretionary tools to the President. Identical to HR 36 119th Congress, as passed by the House”
548	Israel/Egypt	Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Requires a study on steps Israel, the U.S., and Egypt can take to enhance international security measures on the border between Gaza and Egypt to ensure Hamas and other actors cannot use tunnels or methods via the Mediterranean Sea to smuggle weapons and illicit goods. Additionally, report will outline/ map existing tunnel networks.”
571	Israel	Stefanik (R-NY)	“Convenes the U.S.-Israel Defense Industrial Base Working Group to study the potential for defense industrial base integration between the United States and Israel, including the possibility of inclusion into the national technology and industrial base (as defined in section 4801 of title 10, United States Code).”
588	Free Speech/Protest/Criticism of Israel	Lawler (R-NY), Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to include international governmental organizations (IGOs) in existing anti-boycott laws. This change targets harmful and inherently antisemitic BDS efforts at IGOs, such as the UN, by extending protections already in place for boycotts instigated by foreign countries. [This is the extremely controversial IGO Anti-Boycott Act, which is the current iteration of the extremely controversial Israel Anti-Boycott Act]
594	Israel	Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Establishes the United States–Israel Artificial Intelligence Center to leverage the experience, knowledge, and expertise of institutions of higher education and private sector to develop more robust research and development cooperation regarding machine learning, object detection, data labeling, among other key areas in the AI space.”
629	Israel	Massie (R-KY), Khanna (D-CA)	“Provides that none of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2026 may be used to transfer MK-84 2000-pound bombs to Israel”
632	Iran	Gillen (D-NY)	“Adds a Sense of Congress on Iran’s illegal nuclear weapons program and encourages European allies to invoke snapback sanctions on Iran.”
633	Iran	Wilson (R-SC)	“Requires Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy to be submitted to Congress, aimed at encouraging defections by senior Iranian security officials and members of the armed forces.”
643	Iran	Lawler (R-NY), Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL)	“Expands and strengthens secondary sanctions on foreign entities enabling Iran’s illicit oil trade.”
647	Israel, normalization, Iran	Lawler (R-NY), Moskowitz (D-FL)	“Improves arms sales processes to U.S. partners that have normalized relations with Israel and are actively working with the United States to counter Iran and its terrorist proxies. Specifically, narrows the timeline for congressional consideration after arms sales are accepted, while maintaining existing eligibility criteria for arms sales themselves.”
648	Iran	Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Requires the Department of Defense, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and Department of Homeland Security, to produce an annual threat assessment on Iranian-linked sleeper cells within the United States.:
683	Iran, Israel	Gonzales (R-TX)	“Authorizes the award of an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, to be known as the ‘Operation Midnight Hammer Medal,’ to eligible personnel who served during the 2025 Iran–Israel conflict, including Operation Midnight Hammer.”
744	Israel	Steube (R-FL)	“Requires report on U.S.-Israel cooperation on increased production capacity and inventory of the Arrow interceptor.”
747	Iran	Gonzales (R-TX)	“Prohibits Department of Defense cloud service contractors from employing citizens or nationals of China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea in positions with access to DoD networks or environments.”
757	Iran	Steube (R-FL)	“Sanctions and designates certain Iranian proxies and militias as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.”
771	Turkey	Goldman (D-NY), , Malliotakis (R-NY), Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Requires a report on the security impacts of Turkey’s illegal occupation of Cyprus to the US, its allies, and partners — including the presence of foreign terrorist organizations, past terror attacks and attempts, and threats to military installations and personnel.”
779	Israel	Fine (R-FL), Gottheimer (D-NJ)	“Establishes a grant program to increase cooperation on post-traumatic stress disorder research between the United States and Israel.”
793	ICC/Intl Law	Cline (R-VA)	“Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on the role of the Department of Defense in supporting whole-of-government efforts to conduct international legal operations and to counter hostile international legal operations by foreign adversaries and strategic competitors of the United States.”
802	Palestinians/Gaza	Sherman (D-CA)	“Designates and sanctions the Popular Resistance Committees, which are the 3rd largest terrorist militia in Gaza and have claimed responsibility for the murder of Israeli and American civilians. It is an amendment version of the bipartisan, bicameral Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act (H.R. 2346).”
806	AUMF	Meeks (D-NY), Roy (TX), Jacobs (CA), Massie (KY)	“Inserts the text of H.R. 1488, repealing the 2002 and 1991 AUMFs.”
824	Israel	Ogles (R-TN)	“Requires the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the DNI to contduct a continual assessment of the impact of arms embargoes, sanctions, restrictions, or limitations imposed by foreign states or international organizations on Israel’s defense capabilities.”
826	Qatar (gift of plane to Trump)	Meeks (D-NY)	“Inserts the text of H.R. 3405, requiring the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a report regarding the transfer of an aircraft from Qatar.”
829	Israel/West Bank (Greater Israel)	Ogles (R-TN)	“Establishes that it is the policy of the United States to reject efforts to impose sanctions or other punitive measures against Israel on the basis of its lawful administration of the Judea and Samaria area, its efforts to confront, apprehend, and eliminate terrorist threats, or its status as a Jewish state.”
835	Israel	Nunn (R-IA), Davis (D-NC)	“Directs the Secretary of Defense to work with our counterparts in the Israeli Ministry of Defense to establish a DIU field office within Israeli territory. This effort increases hands-on RDT&E, allows for faster communication, provides live feedback from the field, and shortens go-to-market time for new defense products. This effort is a continuation of 22 U.S.C. §8606. United States-Israel cooperation on energy, water, homeland security, agriculture, and alternative fuel technologies, in particular under the Statutory Note Strategic Partnership on Defense Industrial Priorities Between the United States and Israel.”
844	Israel	Ogles (R-TN)	“Establishes the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense and its agencies should not participate in international defense exhibitions if they or the jurisdictions in which they are held block the participation of Israeli companies or use restrictions or the threat of restrictions as a means of deterring Israel from defending itself.”
850	Israel	Nunn (R-IA)	“Directs the Secretary of Defense to work with Israeli counterparts to determine the feasibility of a broader U.S. military base in the region. Given the ongoing conflicts in the CENTCOM AOR, additional U.S. resources in the region can help detect and deter adversarial aggression, resupply allies, and decrease the timeframe for logistical implementation. This study will allow the DOD to understand what is possible in the region and how to best utilize U.S. resources if deemed necessary.”
862	Iran	Tenney (R-NY)	“Requires Congressional notification for any sanctions relief on Iran.”
863	Israel/West Bank (Greater Israel)	Tenney (R-NY)	“Prohibits funding for materials that refer to Judea and Samaria by ‘the West Bank.”
892	Saudi Arabia	Sherman (D-CA)	“Prevents a nuclear deal or transfer of any nuclear reactors, equipment, or technologies to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia unless the President certifies that Saudi Arabia has signed and implemented an Additional Protocol to its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA and is not engaging in nuclear enrichment or reprocessing.”
929	Israel	Nunn (R-IA)	“This amendment requires the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a report outlining the status of integrated air and missile defense in the CENTOM AOR, particularly Israel. This report is requested so U.S. and Israeli military commanders can update their operational plans in relation to drone attacks, THAD missile production capabilities, and further expansion of Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Iron Beam capabilities.”

 

2. Letters

• (TARGETING WIKIPEDIA, INCL OVER ISRAEL) 8/27/25: Comer and Mace Investigate Efforts to Manipulate Information on Wikipedia [letter text]. The first issue raised in the letter is: “…One recent report raised troubling questions about potentially systematic efforts to advance antisemitic and anti-Israel information in Wikipedia articles related to conflicts with the State of Israel.” The letter demands information including, “Any analysis conducted or reviewed by the Wikimedia Foundation (or by a third-party acting on its behalf) of patterns of manipulation or bias related to antisemitism and conflicts with the State of Israel.” Also see: Republicans investigate Wikipedia over allegations of organized bias (The Hill 8/27/25); House panel probing organized efforts to distort Wikipedia, including entries on Israel (Jewish News Syndicate)
• (TARGETING US AID TO TUNISIA) 8/27/25: Rep. Wilson (R-SC) posted on X: “Will you agree with me that a good first step would be for your regime to stop taking American taxpayer dollars? We appreciate Tunisia!” This was accompanied by an image of a letter that Wilson addressed to two “ILLEGITIMATE Members of the FAKE Parliament of Tunisia” in which he attacked them for speaking out against foreign influence in Tunisian politics while the government of Tunisia also accepts US foreign aid  (emphasis in original) [letter text]. For context see Wilson’s 2/19/25 X-post: “In 2024, Tunisian dictator Saied went to visit his masters in Iran and met the Ayatollah, the last time a Tunisian head of state visited Iran was 1965. Why should Americans fund this country with military aid? Cut the aid and freeze his banks accounts.“; his 2/1/25 X-post: “Tunisian dictator Kais Saied was a major supporter of the brutal Assad regime in Syria. Assad is not laughing anymore and Saied will go the way of Assad. ‘If the people want life, then it is certain destiny will respond.‘”; and his 2/1/25 X-post: “Syria was first Next is Iraq Then Tunisia Then the Houthis Iran’s puppets will all fall You too Ivanishvili“
• (REVERSE VISA BAN FOR PALESTINIAN KIDS) 8/27/25: Rep. Panetta Urges State Department to Reverse Halt on Humanitarian Visas for Children from Gaza [letter text]
• (FEED BABIES IN GAZA) 8/26/25: Pressley & Pettersen Lead Over 100 House Colleagues, Urge Secretary Rubio to Demand Surge of Infant Formula into Gaza [letter text]. Many signers of the letter issued statements and posted on social media about their concern for starving babies. Also see: 100-plus Congress members demand US facilitate ‘massive surge’ in Gaza aid (Jewish News Syndicate 8/27/25);
• (TARGETING ACADEMIA, YET AGAIN) 8/25/25: Chairman Walberg Investigates Antisemitism at University of Illinois, UCSF, and UCLA Medical Schools [letter to University of Illinois College of Medicine (UICOM), letter to University of California, San Francisco, letter to University of California, Los Angeles Geffen School of Medicine] Also see – House Education Committee to investigate antisemitism at UCSF, UCLA, Illinois medical schools (Jewish Insider 8/25/25); University of Illinois College of Medicine faces congressional antisemitism investigation (Chicago Tribune 8/26/25); GOP widens UC antisemitism investigations, hitting UCLA, UC San Francisco medical schools (LA Times 8/25/25); House ed panel probes medical schools in California, Illinois over Jew-hatred (Jewish News Syndicate 8/25/25); House Republicans give California medical schools two-week deadline in antisemitism probe (F0x News 8/26/25); House GOP probes antisemitism claims at 3 blue state medical schools (New York Post 8/26/25); Congressional Education c’mtee investigating NEA for ‘antisemitic positions’ (Jerusalem Post 8/25/25); Walberg probes medical schools over their campus antisemitism response (Politico 8/25/25)
• (TARGETING PALESTINE ACTIVISM) 8/22/25: Cotton to IRS: Investigate Palestinian Youth Movement’s Funding and Ties to Terrorism [letter text] Also see: Cotton calls on IRS to investigate Palestinian Youth Movement’s funding (Jewish News Syndicate 8/25/25)

3. Recess Travel to Israel & West Bank & beyond

Israel & West Bank

• Van Hollen (D-MD) 8/29/25: X-post w/ video clip – “This week @SenJeffMerkley & I returned to Kfar Aza—a kibbutz brutally attacked by Hamas on Oct 7. We witnessed the evidence of the atrocities committed that day & saw the homes of 2 young men still held hostage. The message from a kibbutz leader: Bring them home and end the war.”
• Merkley (D-OR) 8/28/25: X-post – “At Ashdod Port, @ChrisVanHollen and I saw how Israel’s onerous screening process blocks badly needed food aid. Gaza is being starved, and @WFP is working tirelessly to get people the food they need.“
• Merkley (D-OR) 8/28/25: X-post – “We met with families at Hostage Square who have endured unbearable loss. I stand with them in demanding that the Netanyahu government deliver a ceasefire and the immediate return of all the loved ones held in Gaza.“
• Merkley (D-OR) 8/28/25: X-post – “This week, @ChrisVanHollen and I are traveling to Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, and Egypt to press for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza—where it’s desperately needed as famine sets in—and to continue our calls for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate return of all hostages.”
• Merkley (D-OR) 8/28/25: X-post w/ video clip – “At Kerem Shalom Crossing, @ChrisVanHollen and I got a rosy briefing about aid reaching Gaza. But the reality is different. Far too little food gets through.“
• Van Hollen (D-MD) 8/28/25: X-post w/ video clip – “I visited Kerem Shalom, one of the 2 main crossings between Israel and Gaza, where @SenJeffMerkley & I pointed out that the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s delivery system is fatally flawed. People are starving. The Netanyahu government must let more food into Gaza NOW.“
• Van Hollen (D-MD) 8/28/25: X-post – “.@SenJeffMerkley and I were just in Israel to discuss the situation in Gaza and press to end the war and return all the hostages. We visited a @WFP “
• US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee 8/28/25: X-post – “Senator @LindseyGrahamSC toured @GHFUpdates aid sites to observe first-hand how this U.S.-backed effort delivers humanitarian assistance directly to those who need it most, and keeps it out of the hands of Hamas terrorists.“
• Israel President Isaac Herzog 8/28/25: X-post – “President @Isaac_Herzog met today with US Senator @LindseyGrahamSC in Jerusalem. The President praised the Senator’s long-standing commitment to progress and cooperation in the region: “You are a true friend of Israel, a true friend of the Jewish people, and a true ambassador for peace and progress in the region. We greatly appreciate your unwavering moral clarity and dedication to building a better future for the Middle East, to bringing the hostages home, to standing up for freedom and against the threat of terror, and to expanding the circle of peace and cooperation.”
• Reuters 8/28/25: X-post w/ video clip – “US Senator Lindsey Graham speaks in Tel Aviv“
• Haaretz 8/26/25: Telling Israel ‘This Is Not Right’: Democratic U.S. Senators Meet Gaza Hostage Families in Tel Aviv
• Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu 8/25/25: X-post w/ pic – “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with US Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) at his office in Jerusalem“
• Ernst (R-IA) 8/25/25: X-post w/ pic – “Thank you, @netanyahu for your steadfast support in bringing home all of the hostages.   Israel will always have a friend in America.“
• Jewish Insider 8/25/25: Rep. John McGuire advised Netanyahu to ‘get the job done’ in Gaza during Israel trip
• Cisneros (D-CA) 8/22/25: Rep. Cisneros Statement on Trip to Israel [“Along with a group of Democratic Members of Congress, I traveled to Israel to demand answers about the status of the situation in Gaza. We met with Israeli and Palestinian government officials about the continuing conflict. We met with the team from the U.N.’s World Food Program and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation on the status of food distribution. I did not go on this trip to kiss the ring of Prime Minister Netanyahu or undermine the suffering happening in both Israel and Palestine; rather, I went to conduct oversight into what is really happening with aid distribution, dispel misinformation, and ask hard questions of both governments. All human life is precious, and no civilian—Israeli or Palestinian—should be subject to fear, starvation, and violence. On the trip we discussed the shortcomings of the current aid systems.  As it stands, the aid deliveries in Gaza are falling unacceptably short of the humanitarian need. It is the duty of Israel, Palestine, and international partners to ensure that aid trucks make it into Gaza quickly and effectively to prevent civilian suffering. In Congress, I have advocated for a two-state solution that would give both Israelis and Palestinians a safe and permanent home. Both the Israeli and Palestinian people want the war to end and all involved parties must work to return the hostages, agree to a ceasefire, and end the suffering.”]

Lebanon

• SFRC Dems 8/28/25: READOUT: Ranking Member Shaheen’s Travel to Lebanon and Meetings with Lebanese Leaders
• Shaheen (D-NH) 8/28/25: X-post w/ video clip – “One of the reasons we’re here is to try to ensure that Lebanon continues the progress and the really difficult, courageous decisions that are being made here right now.“
• Wilson (R-SC) 8/27/25: X-post – “Grateful to join @SenatorShaheen @USAmbTurkiye @MorganOrtagus @LindseyGrahamSC for important meetings with leaders in Lebanon to promote vision of the Trump administration and bicameral bipartisan Congress for stability, prosperity and independence for the people of Lebanon.“
• LBC 8/26/25: US congressional delegation in Beirut discusses disarmament of Hezbollah, LAF support, Israeli perspective
• Al Anadolu 8/26/25: US senator links Lebanon’s future, regional ties to disarming Hezbollah – Lindsey Graham raised prospect of US-Lebanon defense agreement
• The Cradle 8/26/25: US officials confirm plan for ‘Trump economic zone’ in south Lebanon
• Jewish Insider 8/26/25: Graham advocates for mutual defense agreement with Lebanon during bipartisan visit [“We all see Lebanon is at a point of change. We’re here to tell you that we’re buying into that change,’ Graham said, citing the country’s ‘religious diversity’”]
• SFRC Dems 8/26/25: X-post – “Ranking Member @SenatorShaheen spoke with Lebanese Prime Minister @NawafSalam
• SFRC Dems 8/26/25: X-post – “@SenatorShaheen met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun @LBPresidency on a bipartisan delegation with @LindseyGrahamSC Ranking Member, @RepJoeWilson, @USAmbTurkiye and @MorganOrtagus<.  The United States stands with the people of Lebanon on the government’s commitment to disarming Hezbollah and the economic recovery of Lebanon.”
• SFRC Dems 8/26/25: X-post – “Ranking Member @SenatorShaheen met with Speaker of the  Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri on a bipartisan delegation with @LindseyGrahamSC and @RepJoeWilson. They discussed the decommissioning of Hezbollah’s arms and ensuring the Lebanese Armed Forces have full control of [Lebanese flag icon]“
• SFRC Dems 8/26/25: X-post – “Ranking Member @SenatorShaheen sat down with prominent Druze leader @WalidJoumblatt today in #Lebanon with @RepJoeWilson and @USAmbTurkiye. They discussed Lebanon’s economic reforms, the bipartisan delegation’s recent travel to Syria and decommissioning Hezbollah’s arms.“
• Wilson (R-SC) 8/26/25: X-post – “Grateful to join @USAmbTurkiye Tom Barrack, @MorganOrtagus, @SenatorShaheen @LindseyGrahamSC in meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. There is a great opportunity for a stable and prosperous Lebanon in what is happening in the region and President Trump has made clear Lebanon’s future will be bright if the government follows through on its policy of disarming Hezbollah. Congress is ready to support President Trump in supporting Lebanon.“
• Wilson (R-SC) 8/26/25: X-post – “Grateful to join @SenatorShaheen, @USAmbTurkiye Tom Barrack, @LindseyGrahamSC and @MorganOrtagus in meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressing our gratitude for the Lebanese government’s decision to disarm Hezbollah which must be followed through on. President Trump is providing a major opportunity to Lebanon, and Congress is ready to support his vision in a bipartisan way.”
• Graham (R-SC) 8/25/25: X-post- “A very special and moving opportunity to pay my respects at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon to fallen U.S. Marines and others who died in service of their country. They made the ultimate sacrifice and we should all be eternally grateful. Semper Fi.”
• Jerusalem Post 8/25/25: US diplomats in Israel, Lebanon push for action on Hezbollah disarmament – analysis
• NNA 8/25/25: Salam meets U.S. congressional delegation, local officials on security, reform, and development
• L’Orient Le Jour 8/25/25: Salam meets US Congress delegation at Grand Serail
• MTV 8/25/25: Salam meets US congressional delegation
• LBC 8/25/25: US Congressman praises Lebanese reforms, urges continued support for army

Syria

• Shaheen (D-NH), Ernst (R-IA), & Wilson (R-SC) 8/28/25: Ranking Member Shaheen, Senator Ernst, Representative Wilson Statement on Israeli Strikes in Damascus [“We just returned from Syria, where we heard directly from interim President Al Sharaa, cabinet ministers and Syrians from across ethnic and religious communities. The message was clear: Syria needs a chance to succeed and move past the violence and strife that consumed the country for over 14 years. Last night’s destabilizing strikes on Syria by Israel make that goal more difficult to achieve. We commend President Trump for taking the bold step of lifting sanctions off Syria earlier this year. Through the work of the President’s Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, a once-unthinkable and historic meeting occurred directly between the Syrian and Israel governments just this month. The Syrians are prepared to move forward with Israel to advance peace. It is unclear how long the door to this opportunity will remain open. We call on Israel to seize the moment and immediately cease hostilities so the progress made by Syrians and Special Envoy Barrack can continue. A stable and secure Syria is the only path toward freedom from Iran’s reach and containment of the ISIS threat.”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/28/25: Legislators call on Israel to ‘cease hostilities’ in Syria after Damascus strikes
• Jewish Insider 8/28/25: Ernst, Shaheen, Wilson criticize Israel’s Syria strikes as ‘destabilizing’
• Alsharq Al-Awsat 8/26/25: Bipartisan Pair of US Lawmakers Pushing to Lift Syria Sanctions After Visit
• Arab News 8/26/25: Senior members of US Congress meet Syrian leader in Damascus
• SFRC Dems 8/26/25: X-post – “‘Today’s meeting with leaders from many faiths was a testament to the Syrian people’s common cause: a country free from violence where people of many backgrounds can work together toward a brighter future.’ – @SenatorShaheen at the St. Ephraim Monastery“
• SFRC Dems 8/26/25: X-post w/ video clip – “‘We are here supporting lifting the Caesar sanctions, supporting what we can do to promote Syria’s future, and help @USAMBTurkiye in his efforts.’ – @SenatorShaheen offering a retrospective on leading a bipartisan delegation to at the Monastery of St. Ephraim”
• Shaheen (D-NH) 8/25/25: READOUT: Ranking Member Shaheen’s Travel to Syria and Meeting with President Ahmed Al-Sharaa
• SFRC Dems 8/25/25: X-post – “Ranking Member @SenatorShaheen met with Syrian President Al-Sharaa today in Damascus on a bipartisan delegation with @USAMBTurkiye and @RepJoeWilson. They discussed the security situation in Syria and the path to a democratic, prosperous Syria for all Syrians.”
• SFRC Dems 8/25/25: X-post – “Ranking Member @SenatorShaheen .”
• Wilson (R-SC) 8/25/25: X-post – “It was my honor to meet with President Ahmed al-Sharaa as part of a bipartisan delegation with @USAMBTurkiye and Ranking Member Shaheen of @SFRCdems to discuss a bright, unified, and stable future for Syria. This trip was particularly meaningful for me, and I am grateful for the warm reception. The time for FULL Caesar repeal is NOW. As a priority of President Trump’s administration, I remain committed to this critical and bipartisan goal. #MakeSyriaGreatAgain”
• Wilson (R-SC) 8/25/25: X-post – “I have always been inspired by the Syrian people, those I met in the refugee camps as well as Syrian Americans I met as they advocated for a Free Syria. Assad’s regime declared me an enemy of the state. He is now in Moscow while I, by God’s grace, am in Damascus! #MakeSyriaGreatAgain”
• Wilson (R-SC) 8/25/25: X-post – “An honor to join @USAmbTurkiye Tom Barrack and @SFRCDems @SenatorShaheen to meet Syrian Church leaders at a historic interfaith conference featuring religious clerics of all religions and denominations at the St. Ephraim Syriac Orthodox Monastery of Sayadnya, Syria. I am inspired by their efforts to strengthen freedom of religion post-Assad. Make Syria Great Again“
• Wilson (R-SC) 8/25/25: X-post – “Grateful for the deep insights of @MorAphremII the Patriarch and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church in Sayadnaya, Syria. The Syrian people are an inspiration. Make Syria Great Again“
• New York Times 8/25/25: Lawmakers Visit Syria to Push for Repealing Sanctions Law
• Reuters/US News & World Report 8/25/25: Syrian President Discusses Developments in Syria With US Envoy in Damascus

Jordan

• Shaheen (D-NH) 8/25/25: READOUT: Ranking Member Shaheen’s Travel to Jordan and Meeting with HM King Abdullah of Jordan
• Wilson (R-SC) 8/25/25:X-post – “Grateful to join @SenatorShaheen in meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan for an important discussion on strengthening our countries relations as well as the importance of peace, prosperity, and stability for Syria . Jordan is an essential ally of the United States!“
• The Media Line 8/25/25: Jordan’s King Abdullah Urges Gaza Ceasefire, Syrian Sovereignty in Meeting With US Congressional Delegation
• SFRC Dems 8/24/25: X-post w/ pix: “Ranking Member @SenatorShaheen at a warehouse in Jordan where much-needed aid donated by Americans waits to be delivered to Gaza.”
• SFRC Dems 8/24/25: X-post – “Ranking Member @SenatorShaheen and @RepJoeWilson thanked His Majesty King Abdullah II of @RHCJO for his ongoing support of the ironclad U.S.-Jordan partnership. They discussed advancing our shared goals of peace and prosperity in the Middle East, including in Syria and Gaza”
• Wilson (R-SC) 8/23/25: X-post – “Grateful to meet the President of the Jordanian Senate @SenateJordan Faisal Al-Fayez in Amman to discuss our important relationship with our friends in Jordan a valued partner!”
• Wilson (R-SC) 8/24/25: X-post – “Grateful to meet along with @SenatorShaheen with Jordanian Foreign Minister @AymanHSafadi
• Royal Hashemite Court 8/24/25: King receives US Congress delegation
• Yaffa News Network 8/24/25: The Jordanian King affirms to members of Congress his rejection of the occupation of Gaza and settlement in the West Bank
• Arab News 8/24/25: Jordan’s King Abdullah, foreign minister hold talks with US Congress delegation

• Crane (R-AZ) 8/28/25: X-post – “The Soros Crime Family has unleashed terror on We the People for far too long. Thank you for taking action, President Trump.” Responding to Trump post on Truth Social calling for prosecution of George Soros and his son using RICO for funding protests.
• Nehls (R-TX) 8/27/25: X-post – “Liberal billionaire George Soros and his son are the architects of violent protests and riots that we’ve seen across the country. They should be held accountable. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Responding to Trump post on Truth Social calling for prosecution of George Soros and his son using RICO for funding protests.
• Ogles (R-TN) 8/27/25: X-post – “There is no doubt that George Soros has funded violent insurrection and riots in America. Charge him.” Responding to Trump post on Truth Social calling for prosecution of George Soros and his son using RICO for funding protests.
• Tlaib (D-MI) 8/27/25: X-post – “UM students and workers organizing for divestment from Israel’s genocide and a Free Palestine have been met with violent suppression, surveillance, and slander from UM officials. Today I joined community members to demand an end to UM’s biased, targeted retribution campaign.”
• Lankford (R-OK) & Rosen (D-NV) 8/25/25: As New School Year Begins, Chairs of Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism Call on Universities to Protect Jewish Students
• Barrett (R-MI) 8/22/25: X-post – “America is under no obligation to allow convicted criminals and terrorists into our country to incite violence and antisemitism. That’s why I joined @RepMoolenaar in sending a letter urging the administration to prevent extremist Hussam Shaheen from traveling to Michigan to speak at the People’s Conference for Palestine in Detroit.” [covered in last week’s Round-Up]
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 8/22/25: X-post – “The ADL reported 719 antisemitic incidents in New Jersey last year alone. That’s why I’m fighting to make the IHRA definition of antisemitism law in Jersey and across the country. We must do more to protect our Jewish community from the record levels of antisemitism.“
• Bilirakis (R-FL) 8/22/25: X-post – “As Co-Chair of the International Religious Freedom Caucus, I’m proud to see my friend @TheLeoTerrell taking a bold stand against antisemitism. He’s made it clear: universities will be held accountable for protecting the rights and safety of Jewish students. There is absolutely no place for antisemitism in our country — not on campus, not anywhere.“

Iran

• House Foreign Affairs Committee-GOP 8/29/25: X-post – “Positive step by our European allies. A nuclear-armed Iran is a threat to the entire world.”
• Cornyn (R-TX) 8/29/25: X-post – “The snap-back decision is a victory for U.S. diplomacy, and President Trump can keep the pressure on Iran by finally enforcing oil sanctions.“
• Harrigan (R-NC) 8/29/25: X-post – “I applaud our European allies for triggering snapback sanctions on Iran. Strength is the only language the ayatollahs understand, and this move starves their terror network while tightening the vise on their nuclear ambitions.“
• Lankford (R-OK) 8/29/25: X-post – “The UN’s decision to wind down its peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, in southern Lebanon is a good thing for Lebanon, Israel, and the region as a whole. Despite UNIFIL’s presence, Hezbollah flourished. Empowering Lebanon to root out Hezbollah and be the sole security guarantor for the Lebanese people is the right call, and a win for Israeli security.“
• Rosen (D-NV) 8/29/25: X-post – “I applaud the decision by the UK, France, and Germany to reinstate sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, and today’s announcement is an important step in that effort.”
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 8/29/25: X-post – “Iran’s nuclear program and support for terror threaten Israel, our allies, and the entire world. I’ve long called for our European partners to issue snapback sanctions, and I’m glad to see them follow through. We must all stand together in the fight against Iran’s reign of terror.“
• Markey (D-MA) 8/28/25: X-post – “Trump’s military attacks on Iran did not stop its nuclear program. Hitting Iran with more sanctions now will only escalate the crisis. Instead of provoking Iran, the EU should work with Iran to resume full international inspections. Only diplomacy—not more war—can solve this.”
• Wilson (R-SC) 8/28/25: X-post – “Grateful that our European partners have triggered the snapback mechanism reimposing all UN sanctions on the Iranian regime! This is the first time in a decade since full UN sanctions have been imposed on Iran! Iran’s regime is on the ropes and the Iranian people will soon show the region the way forward in their efforts for freedom.“
• Tenney (R-NY) 8/28/25: X-post – “If true, this is huge. I have led the charge for two years to get the E3 to invoke snapback sanctions through numerous letters, resolutions, & meetings. Snapback reimposes all UN sanctions on Iran, including their nuclear and ballistic missile programs. This will help keep the U.S. & the entire Western world safe.“
• McCaul (R-TX) 8/28/25: X-thread – “I am pleased our European allies are taking steps to initiate proceedings to ‘snapback’ UN sanctions on Iran. These sanctions—which until 2022 included an arms embargo and missile ban, in addition to nuclear restrictions—should never have been lifted to begin with. The Iranian regime has a proven disinterest in peace. Since the JCPOA was signed, Iran has only bolstered its nuclear program and leveraged its terrorist proxies to wreak havoc throughout the Middle East.I urge the UN Security Council to judge Iran not on empty words, but on these consistent disruptive and destabilizing actions, in clear violation of its JCPOA commitments. Only sustained global pressure can force Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. That is exactly why it’s vital that all UN sanctions be fully reimposed in 30 days time.“
• Nunn (R-IA) 8/28/25: X-post – “Snapback sanctions are a good first step. In Congress, we’re leading the Maximum Pressure Act—the toughest sanctions ever proposed in Congress—to cut off Tehran’s cash flow, prevent a nuclear Iran, and dismantle its global terrorist network.”
• McCormick (R-PA) 8/28/25: X-post – “Now that our European allies have invoked the “snapback” sanctions against Iran over its illicit nuclear program, it is imperative that the United States ensure the old UN sanctions regime is enforced among all UN member states. This is critical to ensuring Iran cannot revive its nuclear program and curtailing its ballistic missile development.“
• Tillis (R-NC) 8/28/25: X-post – “I applaud @POTUS Trump and @SecRubio for working with our European allies to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran. The Iranian regime continues to act in bad faith, and we must ensure that it can never build a nuclear weapon.“
• Self (R-TX) 8/28/25: X-post – “I applaud the E3—Germany, France, and Great Britain—for its “snapback” of the pre-2015 nuclear deal sanctions against Iran.   The United States and its closest allies must remain united against Iran’s global support for terrorism and nuclear blackmail.“
• Risch (R-ID) 8/28/25: Risch Statement on the European Snapback of UN Sanctions against Iran
• Cotton (R-AR) 8/28/25: Cotton Applauds Initiation of Snapback Sanctions on Iran
• Lankford (R-OK) 8/28/25: X-post – “For decades, Tehran has fueled attacks on Americans, Israel, and our allies. The United States must fully support the reinstatement of snapback sanctions to ensure Iran never has the ability to produce a nuclear weapon. These crippling measures will cut off the regime’s ability to finance terror and remind Iran that the world will not tolerate threats against Americans, Israel, or our allies.“

Other stuff

• Fine (R-FL) 8/27/25: X-post – “Devastated to learn about the attack in Minneapolis. On October 7th, it was Jews they targeted. Today it was a Christian school. Having served during Parkland, my heart breaks for the victims. We have got to speak with one voice against evil.“

5. Selected Media

Politics/Elex

• Jewish Insider 8/28/25: Contentious Wesley Bell town hall portends a potential primary challenge – Former Rep. Cori Bush or a political ally could attempt to unseat the first-term congressman
• Jewish Insider 8/28/25: Pro-Israel groups go from offense to defense ahead of the midterms
• NBC News 8/27/25: Sen. Susan Collins heckled by protesters at Maine ribbon-cutting event [“The Republican senator is one of several politicians who’ve had to deal with angry protests in recent months.“]
• Jewish Insider 8/27/25: Top N.H. congressional candidate balances support of U.S.-Israel relationship with criticism of its Gaza aid strategy
• New Jersey Monitor 8/26/25: First-term NJ congresswoman facing intensifying attacks from both sides
• Jewish Insider 8/25/25: Bernie Sanders campaigns with Israel critics running for Senate [“Vermont’s democratic socialist senator is on a campaign swing as part of his ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour”]
• Common Dreams/Jim Zogby 8/25/25: Will Democrats Finally Change Their Stance on Gaza?
• Common Dreams/Normal Solomon 8/25/25: Will the DNC End Their Complicity in Israeli Genocide or Double Down?
• The Register-Guard 8/25/25: What Rep. Val Hoyle said about Gaza, Trump at Eugene town hall
• Jewish Insider 8/25/25: Israel’s future in a fractured America [“Longtime observers of the U.S.-Israel relationship expressed concern that Jerusalem has not developed a strategic long-term approach to deal with the emerging political realities in the U.S.”]
• CAIR-LA 8/23/25: Dear Congress, Americans Are Done With Israel’s Genocide. Are You Listening?
• Daily Herald (Chicago) 8/23/25: Lawmakers continuing public events despite disruptive pro-Palestinian protests
• The Beacon 8/22/25: Where Maine’s Congressmembers stand on Palestine

Opposing Israeli Actions/Policies, or At Least Being Concerned About Them

• The Forward 8/28/25: ‘Be a human being about this’: Ritchie Torres, Adam Friedland and a sensational confrontation over the Israel-Hamas War
• Jewish Insider 8/26/25: Leading moderate House Democrat calls for ‘leveraging’ arms sales to Israel
• Al Andadolu 8/26/25: US lawmakers slam Israeli strikes on Gaza hospital
• DropSite News 8/24/25: X-post w/ video clip – “US Senator Jeanne Shaheen: Israel is starving Gaza ‘We have people dying because they are systematically being starved to death, because Israel is refusing to allow in the humanitarian aid that people need to keep alive.’ — Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee told CBS. Speaking from Amman, Shaheen called Gaza’s famine a ‘shameful black mark on humanity’ that ‘Israel has allowed to happen.’ She said a US-supported Jordanian program is trying to send 150 trucks of aid daily — but Netanyahu’s government is obstructing them. She called Israel’s claim that famine reports are ‘blood libel,’ an unacceptable deflection. Shaheen admitted Congress had failed to act: “We should be doing more and we should have done more. Absolutely. Everybody should have said more sooner.”
• The Guardian 8/23/25: Marjorie Taylor Greene joins Bernie Sanders in urging US to end Gaza famine
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/22/25: Dem senators, Sanders say Israel hasn’t proven Anas al-Sharif of ‘Al Jazeera’ was part of Hamas [covered in last week’s Round-Up]

Defending Israel, No Matter What it Does

• Jewish News Syndicate 8/28/25: Stop an anti-Israel act making its way through Democrats in Congress
• The Adam Friedland Show 8/27/25: Interview with Ritchie Torres [in which Torres, among other things, lectures Friedland in defense of Israel and at one point suggests that Friedland, a Jew, is justifying antisemitism] [clip; full Israel-related part of the interview starts 41:31 in the interview]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/25/25: Sanders’s criticism of Israel helps its enemies

Targeting Other Countries & UN  for Not Lining Up with US/Israel

• New Republic 8/28/25: Lindsey Graham Calls for Sanctions on Norway After Major BDS Move
• Jewish Insider 8/28/25: Graham floats retaliatory tariffs, visa restrictions over Norway BDS move

Free Speech/Protest

• Jewish Insider 8/28/25: Wasserman Schultz: Trump admin not concerned with antisemitism, only about ‘maintaining power’
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/26/25: Jew-hatred as bad in US as ever, California Jewish politicians say [“’In my lifetime, it’s never been tougher to be a Jew in America,’ Rep. Brad Sherman told JNS.”]
• Jewish Insider 8/26/25: Jewish groups to urge Senate to confirm antisemitism envoy, religious freedom ambassador
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/26/25: As schools start, Senate task force co-chairs urge colleges to fight Jew-hatred
• Jewish Insider 8/26/25: Mahmoud Khalil, Rep. Rashida Tlaib slated to headline August events at University of Michigan
• Jerusalem Post 8/25/25: Congressional Education c’mtee investigating NEA for ‘antisemitic positions’ [covered in last week’s Round Up]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/22/25: Bipartisan legislation would create report on Jew-hatred within US extremist groups
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/22/25: US on lookout for possible visa bid from terror supporter to speak in Detroit, senior official says
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/21/25: House ed panel investigates Jew-hatred in ranks of national teachers’ union [covered in last week’s Round-Up]

Other

• Sludge 8/25/25: Torres Invested in Weapons Makers as He Backed Billions in Arms for Israel

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Recess Travel to Israel & West Bank (to show support for/solidarity with Israel & Greater Israel)
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(OPENING THE DOOR FOR US DIPLOMATIC FACILITIES IN SETTLEMENTS) HR 4983 (bill text): Introduced 8/15/25 by Lawler (R-NY), “To repeal a prohibition against the use of funds for site acquisition, development, or construction of any facility in Israel, Jerusalem, or the West Bank.”  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: press release – Chairman Lawler Introduces Bill to Repeal Inactive Restrictions on Building U.S. Facilities in Israel; Lawler bill would repeal decades-old provision on U.S. diplomatic facility construction in Israel (Jewish Insider 8/15/25)

(TRACKING “VIOLENT ANTISEMITISM”) HR 5011: Introduced 8/19/25 by Vindman (D-VA) and Bacon (R-NE), the “Violent Antisemitism Threat Assessment Act.“ Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. Also see: press release – Vindman, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Track & Combat Antisemitism in Extremist Movements; Vindman X-post – “Antisemitism is fueling violent extremism and threatening both Jewish Americans and our democracy. That’s why I’m working with @RepDonBacon on a bipartisan bill to require a report to Congress on how this hatred is used by extremist movements — so we can take action and keep our communities safe.”

2. Letters

• (MORE TARGETING OF THE NEA) 8/21/25: Chairman Walberg Presses Largest Teachers Union over Pattern of Antisemitism [letter text]
• (BAN PALESTINIAN SPEAKER AT DETROIT EVENT) 8/21/25: Moolenaar, Michigan GOP Delegation Urge Trump Admin to Stop Terrorist Speaker in Detroit [letter text]. Also see: Walberg (R-MI) X-post – “Outrageous that murderous terrorists were invited to address this anti-Israel conference in Detroit.“
• (KILLING OF JOURNOS IN GAZA) 8/21/25: Schatz Leads Group of 17 Senators in Pressing Trump Administration About Killing of Journalists in Gaza; Urging Increased Protections, Access for Press [letter text]. Also see: Democrats Press Marco Rubio About ‘Catastrophic’ Killing Of Journalists In Gaza (Huffington Post 8/20/25)
• (TURKEY & THE F-35 PROGRAM) 8/21/25: X-post from FDD Action’s Tyler Stapleton, “In response to Congressional pressure, the State Department reiterates U.S. policy that Turkey remains barred from the F-35 program based on its acquisition of the Russian S-400 system and that section 1245 of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act remains in effect.” [letter – page 1, page 2]
• (IRAN-CHINA OIL SALES) 8/19/25: Krishnamoorthi Presses Trump Administration on Apparent Retreat from Sanctions on Iranian Oil Sales to China [letter text]
• (WEST BANK SETTLER VIOLENCE) 8/18/25: Gallego Leads Colleagues in Calling for Investigation, Sanctions for Israeli Settlers’ Violence and Obstruction of Aid in Gaza [letter text]. Also see: Gallego (D-AZ) X-post – “I’m deeply concerned by reports that Israeli settlers are blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza and attacking Palestinian civilians, including U.S. citizens, in the West Bank. I’m urging the State and Treasury Departments to investigate swiftly and calling on Israeli authorities to ensure accountability and protect humanitarian operations.” Also see: Democratic senators call for Magnitsky sanctions over ‘settler violence’ (Jewish News Syndicate 8/19/25)
• (RECOGNIZE SOMALILAND!) 8/14/25: Sen. Cruz Calls for U.S. Recognition of Somaliland [letter text]. Excerpt from the letter – “…it possesses capable armed forces and contributes to regional counterterrorism and piracy operations. It has enabled the opening of a Taiwanese Representative Office in the capital of Hargeisa, sought to strengthen ties with Israel, and voiced support for the Abraham Accords. It has proposed hosting a U.S. military presence near the Red Sea along the Gulf of Aden and is open to critical minerals agreements that would support our supply chain resilience…” Also see: Cruz cites effort to boost Israeli ties in call for US recognition of Somaliland (Jewish News Syndicate 8/15/25)

3. Recess Travel to Israel & West Bank & beyond

Jewish Insider 8/20/25: Rep. Laura Gillen returns from Israel doubly committed to a strong U.S.-Israel relationship

AIPAC 8/18/25; X-post w/ video – “Members of Congress from both parties spent time in Israel together with AIEF. They traveled around Israel’s border with Gaza, visited communities decimated by Hamas on Oct. 7, met with survivors & spoke with families of hostages still captive.”

Olszewski (D-MD) 8/18/25: X-post w/ video clip- “Prime Minister Netanyahu was told directly: the war must end. Aid must reach Gaza, hostages must be freed, and Hamas must not return to power. I spoke with @CNN’s @AudieCornish about my meeting with the Prime Minister — lasting peace and protecting innocent lives cannot wait.”

Riley (D-NY) 8/17/25: X-post – “Last weekend, I visited Israel, including the West Bank and the Gaza border, to see the situation for myself and to speak directly with leaders there, including the head of the UN World Food Program, Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and senior intelligence officials. The history and politics of the region are complicated, but a few things are clear to me: First, there is a severe and undeniable humanitarian crisis in Gaza. More food is now entering Gaza, but it still is not getting to those who need it most. I am demanding that the UN and Israeli government jointly develop an aggressive operation to surge aid to innocent civilians. I pressed President Herzog on this issue, making clear that it is both a moral and a strategic imperative. Second, there can be no lasting peace for either Israelis or Palestinians so long as Iran continues to arm and finance terrorist proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Hamas is inflicting unimaginable suffering in the region–torturing hostages, depriving innocent Gazans of basic needs, terrorizing Israelis, and unnecessarily prolonging the war that it started on October 7. Hamas needs to release the hostages, surrender its arms, and cede control to leaders who put the Palestinian people ahead of the Iranian regime. Third, I appreciate that so many of you feel so passionately about the war. As a dad to two little kids, it’s heartbreaking to see images from this war where so many children–Israeli and Palestinian–are caught in the middle. As Upstate New Yorkers, I hope we can give each other the benefit of the doubt and start from our shared values, knowing that we all want the suffering to end and none of us supports violence against anyone because of how they worship. And we should recognize that we can stand with our allies and their people when they are under attack while still speaking honestly (and critically) to their governments–just as we’d expect them to do with us.”

• Bush (D-MO) 8/21/25: X-post – “Constituents were told to stay after Bell’s townhall if they had questions. They stayed & were brutalized. As Trump deepens our country into a police state, it breaks my heart to see the same violence and anti-democratic tactics in STL. Silence & violence are not representation.“
• Welch (D-VT) 8/20/25: X-post – “Prime Minister Netanyahu’s plan is clear: remove Palestinians from northern Gaza. A new offensive will not bring back the hostages or feed starving Palestinian children. It will only prolong the suffering.“
• Magaziner (D-RI) 8/20/25: X-post – “The situation in Gaza continues to be horrific, and aid must be urgently surged. I am proud that Rhode Island is stepping up, with @EdesiaNutrition preparing to ship lifesaving food aid to children in Gaza.” Linked to article, Edesia to Move Plumpy’Nut Lifesaving Food from Rhode Island to Israel to Gaza to Feed Children [“…We also asked about security protocols for making sure the food doesn’t get taken by the Hamas on its way to the children, which has been a constant problem in food shipping to Gaza in general. We also asked about airdrops as a delivery method. Salem responded that the boxes are being sent by plan to Israel, where it will be drive to Gaza. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) are protecting the sites, and ‘while I cannot guarantee anything, we have done our best to choose partners with valuable experience’ – adding – ‘We are not involved in any airdrops – unsafe, too expensive and inhumane.’”]
• Booker (D-NJ) 8/19/25: Sen. Booker Calls for Immediate Re-Instatement of Temporary Medical-Humanitarian Visas For Gazans [“Donald Trump promised to secure a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in his first week in office, and now Secretary Rubio is compounding this administration’s failure of leadership with a policy that leaves Gazans who qualify for temporary medical and humanitarian visas— including seriously injured children and civilians who have been caught in the crossfire through no fault of their own— without this lifesaving recourse. Throughout this conflict, my office has relied on crucial humanitarian tools like this one to save innocent lives, and I have worked closely with the State Department under both the Trump and Biden Administrations to evacuate individuals in critical need of medical care and improve access to humanitarian aid and medical personnel and services in Gaza. Secretary Rubio must immediately reinstate the use of these temporary medical and humanitarian visas so we can save lives now and double down on the work needed to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region.”] Also see Booker X-post 8/19/25
• Stansbury (D-NM) 8/18/25: X-post – “Millions have raised their voices, including thousands in the streets yesterday calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The unrelenting and escalating violence, mass starvation, and annexation being carried out by Netanyahu and his allies are not only a blatant violation of humanitarian rights, but a blatant violation of international law. The killing of Palestinian families and children, journalists, and aid workers must stop. Food, medicine, water, and humanitarian aid must be allowed in. Hostages must be released. And, the United States government must stop the flow of weapons being used to enable these atrocities. We have a fundamental moral responsibility to act, and to act now.”
• Doggett (D-TX) 8/18/25: X-post – “Former top Israeli defense officials are right to call the Netanyahu government an existential threat to Israel. Their war by starvation in Gaza, plans to reoccupy Gaza and annex the West Bank, and total destruction of any future Palestinian state will condemn Israelis and Palestinians to perpetual violence and insecurity. Fundamentalism can never guarantee peace.”
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 8/17/25: X-post w/ video clip – “Humanitarian aid must reach Gazans in need — not Hamas terrorists who continue to steal food from innocent civilians. We must bring home every hostage, surge humanitarian aid to innocent civilians, and end Hamas’ brutal reign of terror.”

The cruelty toward Palestinians, including injured children, is the point

• Simon (D-CA) 8/20/25: X-post – “The point is cruelty. The war has already resulted in unimaginable destruction over the past two years. The three children from Gaza being treated in the Bay Area, including in Oakland, are getting basic health care after surviving horrific bombings and third-degree burns. Republicans pausing visas for people simply trying to survive is despicable.“
• Doggett (D-TX) 8/19/25: X-post – “Too weak to stand up to Netanyahu and end the war in Gaza, Trump is now cruelly blocking seriously injured Palestinian kids from receiving treatment in the US after Gaza’s health system has been destroyed.”
• Tiffany (R-WI) 8/18/25: X-post – “Last year, the Biden administration tried to resettle Palestinians here. I introduced the GAZA Act to stop it. The correct number of Palestinians we should import is zero.”
• Ramirez (D-IL) 8/18/25: X-post – “After supplying the bombs to kill, wound, and displace Palestinians and eliminate every working hospital in Gaza, the Department of State is denying children visas for emergency medical care. We must end the support of Netanyahu’s genocidal campaign, Block the Bombs, and ensure Palestinian children get the care they need.”
• Fine (R-FL) 8/18/25: X-post – “Deport every Gazan in the United States. And every foreigner who supports them. NOW.”
• Merkley (D-OR) 8/17/25: X-post – “Obscene: Blocking visas for injured children from Gaza.” Linked to article, U.S. halts visitor visas for Gazans, including humanitarian medical visas (Washington Post)
• Bush (D-MO) 8/17/25: X-post- “I stand with HEAL Palestine, all the children & families they’ve helped, the medical team, and supporters.”
• Roy (R-TX) 8/16/25: X-post – “Step 1.” Responding to State Department X-post – “All visitor visas for individuals from Gaza are being stopped while we conduct a full and thorough review of the process and procedures used to issue a small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas in recent days.“
• Fine (R-FL) 8/16/25: X-post – “No Gazans should be entering the United States. Period.”
• Fine (R-FL) 8/16/25: X-post – “BREAKING: @realDonaldTrump and @SecRubio have immediately halted visas to Gazans that were being issued by deep state actors while we get to the bottom of how this national security risk was allowed. Massive credit needs to be given to @LauraLoomer for uncovering this and making me and other officials aware. Well done, Laura.“
• Lee (R-UT) 8/15/25: X-post – “Oh, hell no!” Responding to Roy (R-TX) 8/15/25: X-post – “Deeply concerned about the incoming flights – including to Texas – allegedly filled with folks from Gaza as reported by @LauraLoomer. Inquiring.”
• Fine (R-FL) 8/15/25: X-post – “I am troubled by reporting uncovered by  @LauraLoomer that indicates that Gazans are being allowed into the United States. If true, this is absolutely unacceptable. My office will be working with the relevant authorities to confirm the truth, understand how it happened, and seek immediate expulsion.“
• Massie (R-KY) 8/15/25: X-post – “Instead of accepting refugees from Gaza, the United States should quit giving munitions to Israel to create refugees.“

Concern about E-1 approval

• Carter (D-LA) 8/15/25: X-post – “I remain steadfast in my call for a two-state solution that guarantees the rights and security of both Israelis and Palestinians. The announcement from Israel’s government approving the unlawful E-1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank would effectively split the West Bank in two and deliberately block Palestinian self-determination and statehood. It is dangerous, it is wrong, and it is the work of those who stand in the way of peace. I oppose it in the strongest possible terms.“
• Van Hollen (D-MD) 8/15/25: X-post – “Another outrageous “plan” from Israel’s far-right minister Smotrich to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank to destroy the possibility of a Palestinian state. The US must flatly reject this & push for security & self determination for ALL  as part of a two-state solution.” With link to article, Israeli settlement plans will ‘bury’ idea of Palestinian state, minister says (BBC 8/14/25)

WE STAND WITH ISRAEL!!!!

Elex & Politics

• Jewish Insider 8/20/25: Klobuchar rebukes Fateh campaign staffers who glorified Oct. 7 attacks
• St. Louis Public Radio 8/20/25: Protesters confront U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell at town hall about his support of Israel
• The Forward 8/20/25: Meet the Jewish senator emerging as Chuck Schumer’s heir apparent [“Brian Schatz’s rise to Democratic whip, and Schumer’s weakening hold, signal the next chapter of Jewish leadership“]
• Jewish Insider 8/20/25: Susan Collins hits newly minted challenger over his anti-Israel rhetoric [“Democrat Graham Platner entered the race accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza”]
• Zeteo 8/19/25: Meet the Disillusioned Veteran Who Thinks He Can Beat Susan Collins in Maine
• Jewish Insider 8/19/25: Brad Sherman keeps a wary eye on younger primary opposition [“Sherman, a stalwart pro-Israel Democrat, is facing several politically connected Democratic challengers in next year’s“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/19/25: The Democratic deux-face on Israel [“Every equivocation, every moral equivalence between Israel and Hamas, and every gratuitous swipe at the Jewish state’s leadership chips away at trust.“]
• Substack – Waleed Shahid 8/19/25: Inside Uncommitted: The 1-Year Anniversary of a Missed Turn at the DNC
• Christian Broadcasting Network 8/19/25: Emerging Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres Stands Boldly for Israel
• Politico 8/16/25: Americans Are Changing Their Views of Israel. That’s a Problem. [“Eventually Israel could find it has a lot in common with apartheid-era South Africa.“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/15/25: Democratic Socialists of America votes to expel members who support Israeli self-defense [“A recent measure passed by the organization also states that members can be expelled for opposing the movement to boycott Israel.”]
• Axios 8/15/25: No. 2 House Democrat Katherine Clark calls Gaza war a “genocide”
• Jewish Insider 8/15/25: Klobuchar, Walz staying silent over Fateh staffers’ antisemitism

Standing up to Israel (to varying degrees, more or less)

• Responsible Statecraft 8/21/25: Does the House have the grit to ‘Block the Bombs’ to Israel? [“Lawmakers returning from recess have a chance to do what their constituents are telling them to — stop US complicity in Gaza carnage”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/19/25: Maryland Jewish congressman latest Dem to sponsor arms restrictions against Israel – The Block the Bombs Act would require congressional approval to transfer a variety of weapons systems to Jerusalem.
• Jewish Insider 8/19/25: Top D.C. Jewish official urges Jamie Raskin to withdraw from anti-Israel resolution
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/18/25: No. 2 House Democrat clarifies comment about Gaza ‘genocide’ [“’I want to be clear that I am not accusing Israel of genocide,’ House Minority Whip Katherine Clark told JNS.“]
• The Megan Kelly Show 8/19/25: X-post w/ video clip – “’Israel is the only country I know of that has some sort of incredible influence and control over nearly every single one of my colleagues…’ @mtgreenee on AIPAC and the Israel lobby’s power in Washington, D.C.“
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/19/25: Maryland Jewish congressman latest Dem to sponsor arms restrictions against Israel [“The Block the Bombs Act would require congressional approval to transfer a variety of weapons systems to Jerusalem.”]
• Times of Israel 8/18/25: Jewish Democrat Jamie Raskin joins lawmakers backing bill to restrict arms to Israel [“House Minority Whip Katherine Clark becomes highest ranking member of Congress to call war in Gaza ‘genocide,’ amid notable decline in party of support for Israel”]
• Jewish Insider 8/17/25: Raskin backs bill severely restricting U.S. arms transfers to Israel [“One of the most visible and well-known progressive Jewish lawmakers in Congress became a cosponsor of the ‘Block the Bombs Act’”]
• Jewish Insider 8/15/25: No. 2 House Democrat describes war in Gaza as ‘genocide’ [“Rep. Katherine Clark is the highest-ranking Democrat to have used the term, even as only a small number of other lawmakers have done so“]

Unconditional Support for Israel!

• Jewish Insider 8/21/25: Greg Landsman: Israel is ‘close’ to ending Gaza war [“The Ohio Democrat, who visited Israel last week, also called for pressure on Qatar to push Hamas officials in Doha to end the war and release the remaining 50 hostages“]
• Al Anadolu 8/20/25: US lawmaker exposes Israeli lobby’s ‘incredible influence and control’ on Congress [“‘Israel is the only country I know of that has some sort of incredible influence and control over nearly every single one of my colleagues,’ says Marjorie Taylor Greene”
• Politico 8/19/25: Katherine Clark backs off Gaza ‘genocide’ comments — Her statement comes after saying the “genocide and destruction” in Gaza needs to end.
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/15/25: ‘Flooding’ Gaza with food makes Hamas looting less likely, six Dem House members claim [“The United Nations has yet to release data from this year’s ceasefire to indicate whether an abundance of aid disincentivizes looting.”]

Other stuff

• Jewish Insider 8/21/25: Qatar’s Washington lobbyist invokes old antisemitic tropes in push for influence

Of special note

• X-thread w/ links by @JonathanACBrown 8/16/25: “Everyone should be aware of the newest US government effort to designate “the Muslim Brotherhood” (whatever that means, considering that there are dozens of national organizations of different degrees of relation to the original Egyptian org) a terrorist organization. The reason that Islamophobes/Pro-Israel activists have been pushing this for 20 years is that it would allow US law enforcement to threaten basically every single Muslim activist, intellectual or organization in the West, since almost all of them have some link, especially back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, with one of these many “Muslim brotherhood” organizations. It would be the equivalent of Democrats making “conservative activism” a terrorist organization to go after Republicans. For example, if you were a member of the Muslim Student Association in college, well the MSA was founded back in 1963 by students from Iraq, Lebanon etc. who had been in their countries’ MB branches. As part of this effort, Sec. of State Rubio is also discussing designating the main American organization that advocates for American Muslim rights, CAIR, a terrorist organization.“

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Recess Travel to Israel & West Bank (to show support for/solidarity with Israel & Greater Israel)
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 8/15/25: “No Way But Forward”: Life in the Gaza Strip — ft. guest interviewer Matt Duss (former FMEP President, now Executive Vice President of the Center for International Policy) in conversation with professor & author Brian Barber, author of the recently published book, No Way But Forward: Life Stories of Three Families in the Gaza Strip.
• 8/13/25 – “Palestinian Citizens of Israel, the Future, and Inconsequential Palestinian State Recognition“– ft. FMEP fellow Hilary Rantisi in conversation with Palestinian-Canadian lawyer and analyst Diana Buttu.

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(LEGISLATING IRAN SANCTIONS & EXPANDING THEM TO MEDIA) HR 4923: Introduced 8/8/25 by Gonzales (R-TX), “To impose sanctions on persons who knowingly provide content or media services to sanctioned foreign propaganda outlets, and for other purposes,” aka the “Stop Foreign Propaganda Act.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, along with the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, Oversight and Government Reform, and Ways and Means. This legislation would (1) codify into law Trump’s 8/6/17 Executive Order Executive Order 13846—”Reimposing Certain Sanctions With Respect to Iran“; and (2) impose sanction on “any person who knowingly provides material support or media services, and receives compensation, barter, or any other form of consideration therefor, to a covered foreign media entity“.

(TARGETING THE UN, INCL ICC & PALESTINIANS) HR 4941 [bill text] Introduced 8/8/25 by Steube (R-FL), “To direct the Secretary of State to implement certain travel conditions for officials of certain countries, entities, and United Nations organizations for attending any official meeting of the United Nations at the United Nations Headquarters Building in New York City,” aka the “Limiting Extremist Travel to the U.N. Act.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary. This legislation would impose restrictions — or codify and expand existing restrictions — on some officials coming to the US for UN meetings, putting geographic limits on where they can go (no leaving a 25-mile radius of the UN HQ), restricting their time in the US to the UN meeting plus one day before/after, and with respect to officials working for UN orgs the US & Congress hate, barring their presence at universities even within the 25-mile radius of the UN [apparently to protect vulnerable student brains at New York-area universities from being exposed to these purveyors of evil…]. The first 2 restrictions apply to “(1) Any official of Iran. (2) Any official whom the Secretary of State certifies maintains any official association or membership with any Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), to include any political wing of such organization.” All 3 restrictions apply to ” Any official of a United Nations organization to which the United States is not a member” — a category comprising officials of the ICC, UNESCO (as of 12/31/26, when US withdrawal takes effect), the UN Human Rights Council, and UNRWA.   Also see: press release – Rep. Steube Introduces Limiting Extremist Travel to the U.N. Act

2. Letters

• (SETTLER VIOLENCE) 8/15/25: Zeteo reports – EXCLUSIVE: Centrist Ruben Gallego Circulating Letter Pushing Trump to Investigate Israeli Settler Violence
• (WE STAND 100% WITH ISRAEL & URGE ISRAEL TO AID GAZA BECAUSE IT IS GOOD FOR ISRAEL) 8/14/25: Moulton, Houlahan, Ryan, Panetta, Deluzio, Vindman Urge Israel to Expand Humanitarian Aid to Gaza [letter text]
• (US & INTL NGOS TO CONGRESS – SUSPEND MILTARY AID TO ISRAEL!) 8/13/25: NGO sector – More than 80 Organizations Call on Congress to Uphold US Law and Suspend Security Assistance to Israel [letter text & signers embedded in the press release, which was released by multiple groups that signed the letter]
• (TEXAS SCHOOLS MUST PREVENT ANTISEMITISM – EG, STUDENTS WEARING KEFFIYEHS, ALLOWING NON-PRO-ISRAEL MATERIALS, & PERMITTING STUDENT FREE SPEECH) 8/6/25: Rep. Fallon (R-TX) X-post 8/12/25: “Antisemitism holds no place in America, especially in our school systems. In light of many reports of hateful behavior across numerous campuses, @RepKeithSelf [R-TX] and I demand that the Plano ISD swiftly stand up to this hateful ideology in North TX schools. Read our full letter here:” [letter text: page 1, page 2, page 3]. Excerpts from letter: “Many of the antisemitic actions center around the wearing of the keffiyeh. The origins of the keffiyeh are as a traditional article of clothing covering the head while outside to protect from the intensity of the Middle Eastern sun [Nope. It’s been a political symbol since at least the 1930s]. But, it has increasingly become a political statement among those with no ties to Middle Eastern culture. Especially prevalent is the black and white version, often referred to as the ‘Arafat scarf,’ [Nope. Literally NOBODY calls it that (except, based on a quick google search, some foreigners/racists selling them online)] which has close ties to Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine [Nope. It is a symbol of Palestinian identity, not affiliation with any particular group. Also, you’re calling it an “Arafat Scarf” and now saying it is closely linked to two groups that were at odds with Arafat? Seriously? ], both organizations which the United States has designated as terrorist organizations. Since this attire has only become widespread on your campuses after the attacks of October 7, 2023, it is clear that these are meant as a symbol and violate the district’s dress code policy against attire that is demeaning or inciting of violence.” But wait, there’s more! “Several instances have been reported of instructors presenting materials that can be considered non-neutral in nature and insisting that students take a pro-Palestinian viewpoint as the correct response. When contacted about this material, the administration repeatedly responded that the material was not approved. It is, however, the duty of the administration to verify that the approved curriculum is the one being taught. Beyond the curriculum, state-sponsored pro-Palestinian walkouts were permitted, where the students chanted ‘From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free.’ The documentation for these protests indicates that school would provide ‘excused absences’ for the involved students rather than enforcing the Student Code of Conduct.” Also see: GOP lawmakers warn Texas school district over ‘anti-Israel’ curriculum, students wearing ‘Arafat scarf’ (Christian Post 8/12/25); No swastikas, no hoods, no keffiyehs (Jewish News Syndicate 8/13/25); X-post from Sen. Cornyn (R-TX) 8/13/25: “Antisemitism has no place in Texas or anywhere else. I applaud the @TheJusticeDept for investigating these allegations so Jewish students & families in Plano ISD & across the Lone Star State can feel safe as they begin a new school year.“

3. Recess Travel to Israel & West Bank & beyond

Media

• Jewish Insider 8/15/25: Freshman House Republicans discuss their recent trip to Israel [“Both Reps. Julie Fedorchak and Randy Fine slammed European leaders, saying they are making it harder to get hostages released“]
• Mondoweiss 8/14/25: The Shift: House Democrats take summer vacation with AIPAC in Israel
• Politico 8/14/25: Pou takes heat over Israel trip
• Zeteo journalist Prem Thakker on X 8/14/25: “‘Reject AIPAC’ says AIPAC now ‘definitively’ a pariah: —One of smallest groups of freshman Dems on Israel trip —Foushee & Dexter, who AIPAC spent millions on, want to block arms to Israel; Foushee now rejects AIPAC —Majority Senate Dems oppose arms sales to Israel for first time” [Reject AIPAC statement – Page 1, Page 2]; Thakker further quotes: “As the Democratic Party looks towards regaining majorities in 2026 and 2028, it is clear that for many of its voters, an AIPAC endorsement will be a political liability.”
• Jewish Insider 8/14/25: Democrats discussed Gaza aid, day-after plans with Israeli leadership, Schneider says [“Rep. Brad Schneider told JI that a recent Democratic delegation to Israel conveyed continued bipartisan U.S. support as well as concerns about Israel’s conduct“]
• Baltimore Sun 8/13/25: Elfreth among Dems to bail on trip to Israel amid hunger crisis in Gaza
• Spokesman.com 8/12/25: Back from weeklong trip to Israel, Baumgartner reflects on ‘misery’ of ongoing conflict and what it would take to end it
• The Center Square 8/11/25: Arizona congressman visits Jerusalem and Damascus
• Jewish Insider 8/11/25: Eleven freshmen Democrats visit Israel on AIPAC trip [“The delegation, which makes up a third of freshman Democratic House members, demonstrates the organization’s continued pull even amid heightened tensions between Dems and Israel”]. Also see Jewish Insider X-post – “A group of 14 House Democrats, including 11 first-term lawmakers, are currently visiting Israel with the AIPAC-affiliated American Israel Education Foundation. The group includes Reps. Tim Kennedy (D-NY), Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Josh Riley (D-NY), Nellie Pou (D-NJ), Wesley Bell (D-MO), Laura Gillen (D-NY), Johnny Olszewski (D-MD), Eugene Vindman (D-VA), Luz Rivas (D-CA), Herb Conaway (D-NJ) and George Latimer (D-NY).“
• Jerusalem Post 8/11/25: Behind the journey: Why did Congressman Hamadeh travel from Jerusalem to Damascus? – analysis [“US Congressman Abraham J. Hamadeh travelled to Syria to ‘discuss the Congressman’s continuing efforts to bring Americans home’ and advance peace”]
• Axios reporter Andrew Solender on X 8/8/25: “Source sends along this photo from House Democrats’ AIPAC-led trip to Israel. Reps in the photo include: Pete Aguilar, Brad Schneider, Johnny Olszewski, Nellie Pou, Gil Cisneros, Laura Gillen, Tim Kennedy, Luz Rivas and Wesley Bell” – with pic of members posing in an underground passage that is part of the”City of David” complex in East Jerusalem [as confirmed by this tourism website pic]. For more on City of David, see “Information for Visitors
  to the City of David National Park” from the Israeli archeology NGO Emek Shaveh. Also from Emek Shaveh, see this report on how the excavation of the underground area in which the members of Congress were photographs has come at the expense of the Palestinian neighborhood on the surface – for more see: Fissures and Cracks – Damage to homes in the Wadi Hilweh neighborhood of Silwan

Members on the Record

• More sing-for-your-supper video testimonials filmed/posted in conjunction with the current AIPAC/AIEF trip, in which members express their joy at visiting Israel, sing Israel’s praises, and recite versions of the catechism of AIPAC talking points including unconditional solidarity with and support for Israel (with a heavy dose of Christian Zionism): Gillen (D-NY); Latimer (D-NY); Gill (R-TX); Stutzman (R-IN) filming “from Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip“; Shreve (R-IN); Brecheen (R-OK); Aguilar (D-CA) and Emmer (R-MN), who “led the bipartisan group in a tree planting ceremony at the Nova Festival site”; Cisneros (D-CA), Conway (D-NJ), Aguilar (D-CA), Schneider (D-IL), Landsman (D-OH), Hoyer (D-MD), Conaway (D-NJ)
• Harris (R-NC) X-post w/ video clip – “The horrific devastation from Hamas’ October 7th attack was heart-wrenching to witness. My prayers are with Israel as they work to end this conflict. Hamas’ reign of terror must be stopped!”
• Harris (R-NC) 8/13/25: X-post with audio clip – “Hamas is flooding the media with their propaganda—and so many are falling for it! Let me clear the air: Hamas is a terrorist organization, inhumanely starving Israeli hostages and forcing them to dig their own graves. We must continue to stand with Israel to decimate Hamas.“
• Harris (R-NC) 8/12/25: X-post – “Europe’s hostility toward Israel is a disturbing betrayal of Western values. European countries jail people for posting memes and praying on sidewalks. Now the UK and France want to reward Hamas with statehood? We must stand with Israel in its fight against our mutual enemies.“
• Hamadeh (R-AZ) 8/12/25: X-post – “Congressman Hamadeh hopes this groundbreaking journey advances the expansion of the Abraham Accords & leads to peace for all ethnic & religious minorities in the region. The Congressman is proud to be an emissary of @POTUS’s Peace Through Strength agenda.“
• Baumgartner (R-WA) 8/11/25: X-post – “Just back to the US after an outstanding visit to Israel with other Republican and Democratic members of Congress! Highlights involved visiting the heartbreaking site of the Oct 7 Nova massacre of young people by Hamas, visiting historical Holy sites and walking at the Sea of Galilee with Speaker Johnson, discussions with Israeli leaders and peace negotiators and joint US/Israeli missile defense programs to protect against attacks from Iran and their proxy militia groups. Israel is a special place with special people and I appreciate the country’s friendship with America. We stand united against terror. As a member of the Middle East Sub-Committee on House Foreign Affairs, I found the trip extremely educational and helpful for my work in Congress. Thank you @AIPAC for helping to make it happen! I first visited the Middle East 30 yrs ago when I studied in Syria and Jordan for the summer. This trip reaffirmed my commitment to the effort to defeat terrorism and filled me with renewed optimism that all of the people of every religion in the region deserve peace and will one day find it.“
• Hamadeh (R-AZ) 8/11/25: X-post – “Congressman Hamadeh remains dedicated to bringing Kayla Mueller’s remains back home & giving her parents, Carl and Marsha, much-needed closure. The Congressman made interim Syrian President al-Sharaa well aware that it’s critical for his country to help facilitate Kayla’s return.“
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 8/10/25: X-post w/ video clip – “When I was in Israel this week, I met with families of hostages still held by Hamas terrorists — forced to watch their loved ones starved and made to dig their own graves for Hamas propaganda. I left angrier than I’ve ever been with a renewed sense of urgency. We must do everything possible to bring every hostage home.“
• Hamadeh (R-AZ) 8/10/25: Congressman Abraham Hamadeh Makes Historic Trip to Syria to Meet with President Ahmed al-Sharaa

Others

• Israeli President Isaac Herzog 8/11/25: X-post – “President @Isaac_Herzog met today and yesterday, with delegations from both sides of the US Congress, Republicans and Democrats, who came to Israel with @AIPAC to show solidarity with the Israeli people, and to see for themselves the facts on the ground. President Herzog said: “These visits show the bi-partisan, steadfast alliance between the United State and I srael, and of the true shared values between our peoples. I told them that Israel continues to operate in accordance with international law, that it was dramatically increasing the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and that Israel continues to strive with all its might and in every way possible to bring our hostages home. I also made clear that Hamas continues to hold, starve, torture and abuse the hostages, holding 50 still in captivity, in a deliberate and flagrant crime against humanity. I told them it was Hamas which was looting and stealing the aid, preventing the distribution to the civilians in Gaza. And that Hamas was blocking and rejecting a deal that would bring an end to the suffering.”
• CAIR 8/13/25: CAIR Condemns 34 Lawmakers Who Spent August Recess on AIPAC Propaganda Trip Instead of Meeting Constituents
• Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) 8/12/25: X-post w/ pic – “These 15 Democrats just took an AIPAC-funded vacation to Israel. They met with Israeli president Herzog whose call to kill all Palestinians in Gaza is included in the genocide case against Israel currently before the ICJ. They should all be deeply ashamed.“

• Jerusalem Post 8/15/25: Can Israel’s loss of bipartisan support be repaired? [“The pro-Israel core in each party is shrinking – faster among Democrats but among Republicans too, particularly those under the age of 50.”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/14/25: In release on Jew-hatred, entire Oregon Democratic congressional delegation attacks Netanyahu
• Mediaite 8/14/25: Marjorie Taylor Greene Explodes at GOP Colleague Lindsey Graham Over ‘1,000% False’ Speech on Israel: ‘P***** ME OFF!’
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/14/25: North Carolina Democrat spurns AIPAC, in latest sign of party’s growing distance from Israel [“Rep. Valerie Foushee’s pledge not accept pro-Israel lobby’s money comes as Democratic National Convention weighs a resolution that would call for an arms embargo to Israel and recognition of Palestinian statehood.”]
• YNet (Israel) 8/13/25: Nuclear Israel and Jewish money: The battle between the MAGA women who have Trump’s ear [“Marjorie Taylor Greene faces backlash from MAGA ally Laura Loomer after accusing Israel of genocide and labeling AIPAC a foreign agent, exposing growing rifts within Trump’s base  over Israel policy“]
• WGBH 8/12/25: Mass. Congressional delegation condemns Israel’s escalation in Gaza
• Current Affairs 8/11/25: Rep. Delia Ramirez on Her “Cowardly” Colleagues, Israel’s Genocide, and the “Pedophile” in Office [“…I think we need to be very clear: Bibi Netanyahu, Donald Trump, (Nayib) Bukele, who is an authoritarian profiting off of the deportation of his very own people—they are all the same…It is all interconnected. There’s a reason why so many of my colleagues have taken so long to call for a ceasefire, despite of the fact that the majority of their constituents have been calling for it for the last year and a half. It’s this fear of losing elections; it’s this fear of retaliation; and it’s this fear that they will not be well with the fascist people in power.” and “…Why is it that there’s only one country in the world that we will stand with unconditionally? It doesn’t matter what they do; it doesn’t matter who they kill; it doesn’t matter how many people they starve; it doesn’t matter if they violate international law. Why is it that we are willing to so proudly say that? Why is it that we say that “(Israel) is a proud democracy” when their very own people are calling for Bibi Netanyahu to be removed? And yet we continue to support them. There is so much dissonance, even in that statement. And I think the question that a lot of my constituents, and their constituents, are asking is: ‘Why is it that you’d rather spend money in bombing children than funding education in my own home, in my own neighborhood? Why is it that you take my money to starve children, instead of taking my money to put into infrastructure in my local neighborhood?’ People are asking those questions, and I think that you’re beginning to see the tides change. But the reality is that we should be asking ourselves, like: ‘What does unconditional support mean?’ I will not unconditionally support Donald Trump. Why unconditionally support Bibi Netanyahu? And why, if we are all about democracy, why is okay to criticize or dissent in this country, when a president—be it a Republican or a Democrat—is violating the Constitution but when a president in Israel is violating the Constitution, we can’t question that?…A foreign power that is violating international law every single day; a foreign power that is committing a genocide; a foreign power that is actually making our domestic national security weaker, who is threatening our national security? That is where the money is going. And I think that people need to continue to ask those questions, and we as members of Congress have to be able to respond: why? Why? Why are we okay with this? How do we bomb ourselves into peace? You can’t say that you want to see peace in the region and continue to send those bombs. You can’t say that you feel horrible about the images of starving children and continue to stand with Bibi Netanyahu. Furthermore, I want to come back to the oath that we take as members of Congress and elected officials. We took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States, not its president. And I think people need to remember that, not as the Democratic Party, not as the Republican Party, but the Constitution of the United States of America. So for those that want to question my my patriotism here, I would push back and ask them: What oath did you take? Do you remember what you said, and who are you representing? And for those that are asking if my allegiance is to another country, I would also tell them: I don’t take money from Super PACs that represent other countries. And I’m talking about AIPAC.“
• Jewish Inside 8/11/25: AIPAC’s limitations in a world of online activism [“The change in how young voters get information is driving the shift in public opinion on a wide range of issues”]
• The Hill 8/10/25: Sanders says Netanyahu made Israel ‘almost a pariah state’
• American Conservatives 8/10/25: Israel Is Not an Ally—It’s a Liability
• New York Sun 8/10/25: Marjorie Taylor Greene Ramps Up Her Criticism of AIPAC After Group Labels Her ‘Anti-Israel’ [“‘I can’t be bought and I’m not backing down,’ the firebrand Republican says on X.“]
• Washington Examiner 8/10/25: Matt Gaetz claims he found AIPAC ‘dude’ in hotel room on congressional trip to Israel
• Jerusalem Post 8/9/25: Bipartisan US criticism grows over Israel’s Gaza City takeover plan
• Jacobin 8/9/25: The Problem With Israel Is So Much Bigger Than Netanyahu
• Zeteo 8/9/25: Is Israel Losing the Argument – and Its Supporters?
• Jewish Insider 8/9/25: Growing number of pro-Israel Democrats voice opposition to Israel’s Gaza City plan
• Mondoweiss 8/9/25: Democrats seek to blame only the ‘Netanyahu government’ for the Gaza genocide, but the true responsibility rests with Zionism
• Axios 8/8/25: Even Republicans have questions about Israel’s plan to occupy Gaza City
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/8/25: Pro-Israel Democrats divided, skeptical over Netanyahu’s Gaza plan [“Rep. Brad Schneider called the decision ‘tactically questionable and strategically self-defeating.’“]
• Puck 8/7/25: The Coming MAGA Israel Battle

Standing With Israel, Supporting Genocide, Etc.

• Mediaite 8/14/25: ‘God Will Pull the Plug on Us’ if We Don’t Support Israel, Warns Lindsey Graham
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/11/25: Sen. Graham to Israel: ‘Enough already, destroy Hamas’

Other stuff

• Israeli‑American Civic Action Network (ICAN) 8/15/25: ICAN Endorses Congressional Efforts to Designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
• New York Sun 8/14/25: Florida Congressman Introduces ‘Thump Thump Bill’ To Allow Drivers To Run Down Those Convicted of Rioting [HR 4846, covered in last week’s Round-Up]
• Armenian Weekly 8/14/25: ANCA welcomes Sen. Van Hollen’s call to protect Armenian Christians in Jerusalem [see last week’s Round-Up for details of Van Hollen’s letter to Huckabee]
• Legal Insurrection 8/13/25: The BDS Movement is Fueling Antisemitism in Higher Education” [in support of the “the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2025” – HR 4795 [legislation that would set up a 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), and establish the basis for private legal action against an universities based on allegation of support for BDS as the reason for the absence of any specific engagement/partnership. For more see the 8/1/25 edition of the Round-Up]
• RTE (Ireland) 8/8/25: Govt intends to continue with OTB [Occupied Territories Bill] after US Congress letter – Harris

 

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Recess Travel to Israel & West Bank (to show support for/solidarity with Israel & Greater Israel)
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 8/6/25: Destroying the Conditions of Life: Physicians for Human Rights-Israel on Israel’s Genocide in Gaza, ft. FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaking with Aseel Aburass, Director of the Occupied Palestinian Territory Department at Physicians for Human Rights Israel and one of the authors of PHRI’s new report: “Destruction of Conditions of Life: A Health Analysis of the Gaza Genocide.”
• 7/31/25 (posted 8/1/25): Music & Dance in Jerusalem: The Power of Culture in the Face of Israeli Repression, ft. FMEP Fellow Hilary Rantisi in converation with Rania Elias, former director of  the Yabous Cultural Centre and the Jerusalem Festival, speaking about Palestinian culture in Jerusalem, both the powerful potential for activities like dance and music to revive Palestinian society as well as the challenges of maintaining culture under occupation, in addition to Israeli efforts to repress Palestinian culture, including through arrests, detention, and other forms of control, including against children.

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(TARGETING WEST BANK SETTLER TERRORISTS) S. 2672 (bill text): Introduced 8/1/25 by Welch (D-VT) and 4 cosponsors – Sanders (I-VT), Durbin (D-IL), Van Hollen (D-MD), and Merkley (D-OR), “A bill to codify Executive Order 14115 imposing certain sanctions on persons undermining peace, security, and stability in the West Bank” aka the “Sanctions and Accountability for Non-Compliance and Transparent Investigative Oversight for National Security (SANCTIONS) in the West Bank Act.” Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Also see:

•  press release – Welch, Van Hollen Reintroduce Bill to Codify West Bank Sanctions [which as of 8/7/25 does not yet show up in the Congressional Record] and fact sheet/summary
• This legislation was previously introduced in both chambers in December 2024 – HR 10343/S. 5467 – see the 12/13/24 edition of the Round-Up for details.
• Welch (D-VT) X-post 8/5/25: “U.S.—based security companies contracting American military veterans in Gaza are reportedly instructing them to use lethal force against starving, unarmed civilians at aid distribution sites. My colleagues and I are demanding answers.“

(WEST BANK SETTLER VIOLENCE) S. 2667 (bill text): Introduced 8/1/25 by Booker (D-NJ) and 5 Democratic cosponsors, “A bill to prevent violence in the West Bank and authorize the imposition of sanctions with respect to any foreign person endangering United States national security and undermining prospects for a two-state solution by committing illegal violent acts,” aka the “West Bank Violence Prevention Act.” This is the Senate version of HR 3045 (covered in the 5/2/25 edition of the Round-Up).  Also see:

• press release 8/4/25: Booker, Shaheen, Warner, Reed, Coons, and Bennet Introduce West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025
• Media: Senate Democrats seek to reimpose sanctions on Israelis (Jewish News Syndicate 8/5/25)
• Nadler (D-NY) – primary sponsor of HR 3045 – on X – “I warmly welcome the introduction of the Senate companion to my West Bank Violence Prevention Act and I thank @SenBooker, along with @SenatorShaheen, @SenJackReed, @MarkWarner, @ChrisCoons, and @SenatorBennet for leading this effort in the Senate. As I have said many times, violence in the West Bank is at epidemic levels and recent events have unfortunately shown how deadly, disastrous, and destabilizing this violence can be. I urge every member of the House and Senate to join our effort to prevent violent acts by extremists in the West Bank regardless of their nationality. Only then can Israelis and Palestinians make real strides towards peace through a negotiated and viable two-state solution.”

(LEGISLATING, GLEEFULLY, THE RIGHT FOR PEOPLE TO RUN OVER PROTESTERS WITH THEIR CARS) HR 4846:  Introduced 8/1/25 by Fine (R-FL), “To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for an affirmative defense in a criminal or civil action relating to motor vehicle incidents if cases in which a certain party is convicted of riot,” aka, per Fine, as the “Thump Thump Act.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Also see:

• Fine (R-FL) 6/27/25: X-post – “The Thump Thump Act will allow Americans to run over these Muslim Terrorists. They don’t try this in Florida because of the bill I helped pass in the Legislature to allow them to be run over. It’s time to take it national. Thump thump.“
• Fine (R-FL) 6/17/25: X-post – “Blocking a road is a form of terror. It stops medical emergencies. It keeps people from living their lives. In Florida, I helped pass a bill to allow you to run them over. Now I’m taking it national. The Thump Thump Act is coming. Drive away.”

(TARGETING ACADEMIA) HR 4902 [bill text]: Introduced 8/5/25 by Steube (R-FL) (and, per Steube’s press release, Sullivan, R-AK, but his name does not so far show up as a cosponsor in the Congressional Record), “To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit institutions of higher education from receiving gifts from or entering into contracts with foreign countries of concern,” aka the “Securing Academia from Foreign Entanglements (SAFE) Act.”  Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. Notably, this legislation would empower whatever administration is in power to simply declare that any given country is “engaged in conduct that is detrimental to the national security or foreign policy of the United States” — for example, for the sin of disagreeing with the US on the question of whether international law is applicable to anything Israel does — and based solely on that declaration bar U.S. universities from accepting funding or entering into contracts with such countries.

(SEIZING IRANIAN ARMS & GIVING THEM TO OUR FRIENDS) S. 2642 (bill text): Introduced 8/1/25 by Budd (R-NC) and Kelly (D-AZ), “A bill to authorize the President to treat as stocks of the United States any weapon or material seized by the United States while in transit from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Houthis in the Republic of Yemen,” aka the “Seized Iranian Arms Transfer Authorization (SEIZE) Act.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: Budd (R-NC) 8/1/25: Senators Budd, Kelly Introduce SEIZE Act to Authorize Transfer of Confiscated Iranian Weapons to U.S. Partners

(NO ABSENTEE BALLOT UNLESS YOU ACTUALLY RESIDE IN THE STATE WHERE YOU WANT TO VOTE!) HR 4851: Introduced 8/1/25 by Hamadeh (R-AZ) and two Republican cosponsors, “To amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to require nonmilitary overseas voters to provide evidence of residence in a State as a condition of receiving an absentee ballot under such Act, and for other purposes,” aka the “Proving Residency for Overseas Voter Eligibility (PROVE) Act.”  Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. NOTE: In the unlikely event this were to pass into law, it would have potentially huge impact with respect to American citizens who reside in Israel (and in West Bank settlements), but who vote in US elections, particularly where they vote in large numbers in key districts. Also see press release – Congressman Abe Hamadeh Introduces PROVE Act to Ensure Election Integrity by Requiring Voters to Prove State Residency

(JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF TERRORISM) HR 4863: Introduced 8/1/25 by Sessions (R-TX), “To amend the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act to provide for lump sum catch-up payments for certain 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

(FY26 NDAA – Senate) S. 2296: When Congress comes back from recess, S. 2296, the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will come up for amendment/debate on the Senate floor. As always, the base bill includes some key provisions related to the Middle East and funding for Israel. Also, as always, a huge number of amendments to the bill were offered (649 as of this writing), including many related to the Middle East and Israel. Many/most of these may not get a vote on the floor, but they are all worth paying attention to, since NDAA amendments are good indicators of members’ priorities (with respect to both policy and grandstanding. For full Middle East/Israel-related provisions in the base bill, as well as Middle East/Israel-related proposed amendments, see my comprehensive analysis.

2. Letters

• (TARGETING IRELAND FOR CONSIDERING TAKING A SOVEREIGN DECISION REGARDING ISRAEL/SETTLEMENTS) 8/7/25: Congresswoman Tenney Leads Letter to Treasury Urging Review of Ireland’s Boycott of Israel Under U.S. Anti-Boycott Law [letter text]. Also see Tenney’s X-post – “If Ireland supports Hamas & BDS by boycotting Israel, the U.S. must enforce our anti-boycott laws to protect U.S. companies. I’m calling on @SecScottBessent to investigate Ireland’s proposal. U.S. companies should never be forced to isolate our allies & side with terrorists“; US Congress members call for Ireland to be added to list of countries boycotting Israel if OTB passed (Irish Independent 8/7/25); Occupied Territories Bill: US Congress group asks that Ireland be added to list of countries boycotting Israel (Irish Times 8/7/25). Also see X-post from Greene (D-GA) responding to a post about this letter- “What is happening??? America’s economic power and success should not be used as a blunt force weapon against other countries on behalf of Israel’s economy. And I’m a big supporter of Secretary Bessent as he is working hard to level the playing field for AMERICA, but Congress who is overwhelmingly controlled by multiple foreign governments especially the secular government of Israel is fighting for Israel first! I’ll give you an example. I’m in Texas visiting family and I’ve talked to a lot of people here. Beef is at an all-time high and I’m happy for those cattle ranchers because they got hurt a few years back from a big drought however that is hitting people hard at the checkout line at the grocery stores. The average American is barely getting by and this is what Congress should be fighting for! My confused colleagues are blinded and have forgotten that their job title is ‘Representative’ in the United States House of Representatives! Wake up!!!“
• (TARGETING TURKEY) 8/7/25: Pappas Leads Bipartisan Call for State Department to Reject Turkey’s Request to Rejoin F-35 Program [letter text]. Also see: 40 House members urge administration to refuse F-35 sales to Turkey (Jewish Insider 8/8/25)
• (RELIGIOUS FREEDOM OF CHRISTIANS IN THE HOLY LAND) 8/5/25: Van Hollen Urges U.S. Diplomatic Efforts with Israel to Protect Religious Freedom of Christians in Holy Land [letter text]
• (TARGETING COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS FOR ALLEGED TIES TO HAMAS & MB) 8/5/25: Cotton to Long: Investigate CAIR for Ties to Terrorists [letter text]. Also see: Cotton X-post – “CAIR purports to be a civil rights organization that protects the rights of American Muslims. But evidence confirms @CAIRNational has deep ties to terrorist organizations.  I’ve asked the IRS to investigate their nonprofit status. This status is a privilege, not a right.”  Sen. Cotton urges IRS to investigate CAIR, consider revoking its tax-exempt status (Jewish Insider 8/5/25); Cotton asks IRS to review CAIR’s tax-exempt status, cites terror ties (Jewish News Syndicate 8/5/25). Reminder:  On 6/24/25, Rep. Fine (R-FL) introduced HR 4097, the “Designate CAIR as a Terrorist Organization Act”
• (END GAZA WAR/SURGE AID) 8/1/25: Meeks, DeLauro, Himes, Raskin Call on Trump to Negotiate End to War in Gaza and Surge Humanitarian Aid [letter text]
• (IMMEDIATE HUMANITARIAN ACCESS IN GAZA) 8/1/25: Congressional Doctors Call for Immediate Humanitarian Access in Gaza [letter text]
• (RECOGNIZE PALESTINIAN STATE!) House Democrats sign on to letter urging Trump to recognise Palestinian statehood (The Guardian 8/4/25); House Democrats Begin Push for U.S. to Recognize Palestine (The New Republic 8/4/25);  Rep. Ro Khanna’s leaked letter pushes for recognition of Palestinian state (Jewish News of Norther California 8/1/25). Also see: Khanna’s X-post 8/1/25: “I will not be intimidated. You don’t know me or my grandfather. ‘Khanna…whose district has significant Israeli Americans.. could face significant backlash from the Bay Area Jewish community…Ro Khanna has disappointed many,’ warned Tali Kilma.“
• (PROTECT JEWISH GRAD STUDENTS FROM EVIL UNION!) 7/30/25: Nonprofit asks House ed panel to protect Jewish grad students from antisemitic union (Jewish News Syndicate 8/4/25) [letter text]

3. Recess Travel to Israel & West Bank (to show support for/solidarity with Israel & Greater Israel)

Media

• Jewish Insider 8/7/25: House Intelligence Committee members visit Israel, meet with top officials [“The group also visited a Gaza Humanitarian Fund staging site on the Gaza border and met with hostage families”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/6/25: Netanyahu meets with congressional delegations in Jerusalem [“’Our resolve to stand alongside the Jewish community, bring the hostages home and end Hamas’s terror once and for all remains stronger than ever,’ the House majority whip said.”]
• Punchbowl News 8/6/25: Members flock to Israel as Gaza war deepens [“Roughly 20 Democrats will travel to Israel today led by House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), one of Israel’s staunchest supporters among Hill Democrats. A similar-sized GOP group is being led by House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, according to Jewish Insider. These trips are sponsored by AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel organization.  The members are expected to meet with Netanyahu and opposition leader Yair Lapid, among other top Israeli officials.  Speaker Mike Johnson — a vocal Israel supporter — is currently leading a group of members to Israel as well. Johnson visited an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, calling it Israel’s ‘by right,’ Israeli media reported. Johnson’s comments triggered an angry response from Palestinian officials, who denounced it as a ‘blatant violation of international law.’Johnson is accompanied on this trip by GOP Reps. Michael McCaul (Texas), Michael Cloud (Texas), Claudia Tenney (N.Y.) and Nathaniel Moran (Texas). The trip is being sponsored by a group called the U.S. Israel Education Association. The USIEA ‘values the Judeo-Christian heritage and the historical and biblical significance of Israel,’ its website states.“]
• Jerusalem Post (editorial) 8/5/25: Republican recognition grants Israel historic chance to cement West Bank sovereignty – editorial [“Today, America’s conservatives stand beside us, urging the same resolve. It is an invitation Israel should embrace with confidence.”]
• The Forward 8/5/25: A US official just made history in the West Bank — did he imperil prospects for peace? [“Support for settlements is fundamentally incompatible with support for a democratic, Jewish-majority Israel”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/5/25: Johnson: Judea, Samaria belong to Israel ‘by right’ [“‘The world may not see it that way, but we do,’ said the House Speaker, according to the Ariel Municipality.”]
• Democracy Now 8/5/25: Mike Johnson Visits Illegal West Bank Settlement After Israeli Forces Kill Another U.S. Citizen
• Times of Israel 8/5/25: US Speaker Mike Johnson dines with Netanyahu in West Bank settlement of Shiloh [“Dinner also attended by US Ambassador Mike Huckabee and Republican members of Congress; comes as Johnson becomes highest-ranking US official to visit settlements”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/5/25: Netanyahu, Johnson meet in ancient Shiloh [West Bank illegal settlement], along with Congress members
• DropSite News 8/4/25: X-thread w/ pics – “U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson visited the Ariel settlement in the occupied West Bank during a private trip on Monday, August 4, 2025. He and his delegation planted a tree there. Ariel, like all West Bank settlements established after 1967, is considered illegal under international law. The United Nations, the International Court of Justice, and longstanding global consensus maintain that such settlements are a ‘grave breach’” of the Fourth Geneva Convention. This tour was organized by a pro-Israel advocacy group and did not involve any official U.S. congressional delegation. During his speech, Mike Johnson said: ‘Every corner of this land is important to us. Being here, in the place where our faith began — this has great significance. The Bible teaches that Judea and Samaria were promised to the Jewish people, and they belong to you by right. The world may not see it this way, but we do.’ U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee added, ‘We have many allies, but only one true partner — Israel. God gave the Jewish people a mission and land, even if it is the smallest and most complex. This is not a matter of human debate — it is God’s will.’“
• The Guardian 8/4/25: Speaker Mike Johnson visits occupied West Bank to support Israeli settlers [“Palestinian foreign ministry condemns Republican visit for ‘undermining efforts to stop the war and cycle of violence’”]
• Axios 8/4/25: Speaker Johnson visits Israeli settlement in occupied West Bank
• Times of Israel 8/4/25: US Speaker Johnson makes landmark visit to West Bank settlement of Ariel [“Johnson is now highest ranking US official ever to visit a settlement; while in Ariel, he reportedly says ‘the mountains of Judea and Samaria were promised to the Jewish people’”]
• Israel’s i24 News 8/4/25: X-post w/ pic – “House Speaker Mike Johnson becomes the first U.S. Speaker to visit Ariel in the West Bank. Hosted by the Yesha Council, Johnson declared: ‘Judea and Samaria is an integral part of Israel.’”
• Israel Hayom 8/4/25: Historic visit: Second in line to the US presidency tours Samaria [“With White House approval, US House Speaker Mike Johnson makes historic visit, becoming the highest-ranking American official to visit the area. Johnson said that the mountains of Judea and Samaria are the rightful property of the Jewish people.“] NOTE: Analyst/writer Jasper Nathanial notes on X (with screenshots of relevant text) 8/7/25: “A detail included in @IsraelHayomHeb’s Hebrew article but omitted from the English version: House Speaker Mike Johnson reviewed maps and documents related to Israel’s plans to annex the West Bank during his settlement visit.”
• Axios 8/4/25: Speaker Johnson visits Israeli settlement in occupied West Bank; Barak Ravid on X: “The trip isn’t an official congressional delegation and is designated as a private trip. Three Israeli officials told me the trip was organized by Heather Johnston, the founder of the U.S. Israel Education Association, a conservative pro-Israeli advocacy group” Also see post from researcher/author Ben Lorber w/ link to video, “Christian Zionist operative Heather Johnston once stated that she founded USIEA, based in a West Bank settlement, to ‘play a hidden role’ in ‘helping facilitate unfolding prophecies.’ Mike Johnson & other Congresspeople visited today & pledged full support for Israeli annexation”
• Fox News 8/4/25: Johnson dines with Netanyahu in landmark visit, highest US official to visit disputed West Bank [“Private trip to Judea and Samaria comes as Israeli officials push for annexation plans”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/3/25: House speaker prays at Western Wall for US to ‘always stand with Israel’ [“‘We are grateful for the privilege of being here in Israel today, on the day we recognize the destruction of the Temple twice in history,’ Mike Johnson said.”]
• Al Jazeera 8/4/25: US House Speaker Mike Johnson visits Israeli West Bank settlement [“Johnson becomes the highest-ranking US official to visit an illegal settlement in the occupied Palestinian territory.”]
• Jewish Insider 8/3/25: House Speaker Mike Johnson arrives in Israel

Members on the Record

• Sing-for-your-supper video testimonials filmed/posted in conjunction with the current AIPAC/AIEF trip, in which members express their joy at visiting Israel, sing Israel’s praises, and recite versions of the catechism of AIPAC talking points including unconditional solidarity with and support for Israel (with a heavy dose of Christian Zionism): Speaker Johnson (R-LA), Goldman (R-TX), Baumgartner (R-WA), Onder (R-MO), McGuire (R-VA), Emmer (R-MN), Harris (R-NC), Fine (R-FL), Hageman (R-WY), Downing (R-MT), Hurd (R-CO), Wied (R-WI), Schmidt (R-KS), Jack (R-GA), Fedorchak (R-ND), Reschenthaler (R-PA),

• Gottheimer (R-NJ) 8/8/25: X-post w/ pix – “My trip to Israel was vital to understanding what must be done to bring the hostages home, surge humanitarian aid to civilians, and end Hamas’ reign of terror in Gaza. I visited the Kerem Shalom border crossing and a GHF coordination site to see firsthand the efforts to get aid into Gaza. We must ensure aid can reach Gazans in need, not Hamas terrorists who continue to steal food from innocent Palestinians. With so much misinformation, there is no better way to understand the situation than to see it firsthand. Promoting stability in the Middle East strengthens U.S. national security.“
• Khanna (D-CA) 8/7/25: X-post – “Let me understand: Republicans shut down Congress because they didn’t want to pass @RepThomasMassie & my bill for the full release of the Epstein file and so they could meet Netanyahu?“
• Harris (R-NC) 8/7/25: X-post – “Proud to stand with our great friend and ally, Israel“. Responding to X-post by Netanyahu (translated from Hebrew) – “I met last night with a delegation of Republican congressmen on behalf of AIPAC. I reviewed the course of the war in the Gaza Strip, and I addressed at length the issue of humanitarian aid and the false campaign that Hamas is waging against the State of Israel. I also spoke about the efforts to free our abductees, and I answered their questions that dealt with regional issues and the expansion of the Abraham agreements. During the meeting, Congressman Ibrahim Hamda, who came with his mother who grew up in Al-Sweida province, wanted to thank me for Israel’s support of the Druze in southern Syria.“
• Goldman (R-TX) 8/6/25: X-post – “What a tremendous honor to join the @GOPMajorityWhip and so many of my freshmen @HouseGOP colleagues as we met with the @IsraeliPM in Jerusalem.“
• Crawford (R-AR) 8/6/25: House Intel Chairman Crawford Leads First Bipartisan CODEL to Israel Since War with Iran
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 8/6/25: Gottheimer Co-Leads Bipartisan House Intelligence Committee Trip to Israel
• Emmer (R-MN) 8/5/25: X-post – “This week, I have the honor of leading a delegation of House members on a trip to Israel with our friends from @AIPAC. We just got out of a very productive meeting with Israeli Prime Minister @netanyahu. Our resolve to stand alongside the Jewish community, bring the hostages home, and end Hamas’ terror once and for all remains stronger than EVER.“
• Fine (R-FL) 8/4/25: X-post- “It was an honor to meet with Israeli Finance Minister @bezalelsm Smotrich today and to talk about our mutual fight to save Western Civilization. I look forward to working together.”

US Israel Education Association (USIEA)

[from their website re their congressional tours: “USIEA facilitates privately sponsored Congressional tours through Israel with a specific focus on the geopolitical dynamics inside of Judea and Samaria…The members’ firsthand experience in the region equips them with vital information on: Modern Israel in the context of the region’s history, including the two primary security fronts of Judea and Samaria…Efforts to build an integrated economy between Israelis and Palestinians in Judea and Samaria as a grassroots peace movement… “]

• 8/7/25 X-post w/ video – “WATCH: A behind-the-scenes look at a USIEA Congressional tour. During this year’s trip, USIEA visited the site of the Nova Festival, where young Jewish Americans gathered in song to honor the memory of those brutally murdered by Hamas on October 7. That day marked not just a shift in foreign policy, it deeply impacted Jewish Americans across the country. To truly understand the meaning of October 7, you have to see it with your own eyes. That’s why USIEA brings senior members of Congress to Israel, to underscore both Israel’s role as a critical ally and its deep significance to American constituents. Learn more by visiting the link in our bio.”
• 8/6/25 X-post w/ pics – “In this historic trip, USIEA was fortunate enough to facilitate a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson in Judea and Samaria. This meeting was the first of its kind. Johnson’s meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister marked the most senior visit from a U.S. official inside Judea and Samaria, commonly referred to as West Bank. Speaker Mike Johnson also met with Israeli officials in the city of Ariel earlier that day just over 10 miles away from the Green Line which marks the borders between Israel and the disputed Palestinian territories. The meeting also included U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, his daughter Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, as well as members of Congress Michael McCaul, Claudia Tenney, Michael Cloud, and Nathaniel Moran. As USIEA’s historic congressional tour continues to unfold, visit the link in our bio to learn more about our role in the U.S.-Israel relationship.”
• 8/5/25: X-post w/ video – “NEW: For the first time in American history, a sitting Speaker of the House has arrived in Judea and Samaria. Speaker Mike Johnson now stands as the highest-ranking U.S. official to ever visit the region—sending a strong message of support at a critical moment. Judea and Samaria, often referred to as the West Bank, has long been the subject of international dispute. Israel captured the territory during the 1967 Six Day War, and Jordan formally relinquished its claim in 1988. Despite this history, many still label Israeli civilians in the area as “settlers,” denying their rightful connection to the land. By setting foot in Judea and Samaria, Speaker Johnson’s visit marks a powerful moment of recognition that this land is a vital part of Israel. USIEA is honored to have played a historic role in bringing Speaker Johnson, and we look forward to sharing more from this landmark tour in the days ahead.“
• 8/3/25: X-post w/ video – “NEW: Speaker Mike Johnson reaffirms the United States commitment to a strong relationship with Israel while on USIEA’s Congressional Tour. ‘America will always stand with Israel.’ Speaker Mike Johnson is one of several leaders in Congress who attended this year’s USIEA Congressional Tour. ‘We are grateful for the privilege of being here in Israel today, on the day we recognize the destruction of the Temple twice in history,’ Speaker Johnson also stated, highlighting this important date. The Western Wall is one of the many historic stops in USIEA’s tour of Israel, stay tuned for more updates!“

Others

• The Western Wall Heritage Foundation 8/6/25: House Majority Whip Tom Emmer During Visit to the Western Wall
• Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu 8/6/25: X-thread with pix – “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met yesterday evening with an @AIPAC-organized delegation of Republican members of the US Congress. The Prime Minister briefed the members of Congress on the war in the Gaza Strip and commented on the issue of the humanitarian assistance and the mendacious campaign being waged by Hamas against the State of Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu also referred to the efforts to release our hostages, and answered questions from the members of Congress on regional issues and expanding the Abraham Accords. During the meeting US Representative Abraham Hamadeh, who arrived together with his mother, who grew up in the Suwayda district, thanked the Prime Minister for Israel’s support for the Druze in southern Syria.” Also see press release – PM Netanyahu Meets with US Congressional Republican Delegation
• Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu 8/5/25: X-thread with pix – “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu met last night with the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Mike Johnson and his wife Kelly Johnson, in the community of Shilo in Samaria. The Prime Minister and his wife were invited to a joint dinner attended by @USAmbIsrael Mike Huckabee and his wife; members of Congress Michael McCaul, Claudia Tenney, Michael Cloud and Nathaniel Moran; and Yesha Council chairman and head of Binyamin Regional Council Israel Ganz. Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife also met, during the event, with Ditza Or, the mother of the hostage Avinatan Or.”
• US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee 8/6/25: X-post w/ pic – “Great to host Congress members @RepRickCrawford @RepJoshG @RepRonnyJackson at @usembjerusalem So grateful they came to be eyewitness to situation in Israel & what is really happening in Gaza.”
• Israel Genocide Tracker 8/5/25: X-post w/ pic – “American Zionists inside Al-Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied city of Hebron. A lone American war criminal meets Zionist U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson in desecrating the holy mosque during his West Bank tour.“
• Netanyahu Advisor Caroline Glick [US citizen, sister of Bonnie Glick, who was Trump’s Deputy USAID administrator 2019-2020 – more here] 8/5/25: X-post w/ pic – “It was wonderful to see @SpeakerJohnson last night with his delegation at ancient Shiloh. As PM @netanyahu says, the best way to stand with Israel is to tell the truth. Speaker Johnson is a profound and courageous truthteller. America and Israel are blessed with him. Thank you.“
• Israeli Minister of Economy Nir Barkat 8/6/25: X-post w/ pics (translated from Hebrew) – “On a special tour in Hebron together with the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, and a delegation of Republican members of Congress. I thanked them for their support of Israel, even in the most challenging times, under the leadership of President Trump. We will continue to strengthen the historic alliance between Israel and the United States.“

• Jewish Insider 8/8/25: Pro-Israel Democrats criticize Netanyahu’s Gaza takeover gambit
• New York Daily News (Nathan Daimant) 8/7/25: Dems move from Joe Lieberman to Mamdani
• The Intercept 8/6/25: The Week the World Woke Up to the Genocide in Gaza [“Pressure is mounting against Israel in the U.S. and around the world. Will it mean anything on the ground in Palestine?”]
• Axios 8/5/25: Scoop: Inside Democrats’ growing push for Palestinian statehood
• Semafor 8/5/25: Slotkin to Democrats: Keep it simple on the economy [“You said you would have voted for the resolutions cutting military aid to Israel right now, and wanted a course correction. What would be enough of a course correction from Israel for you to say, ‘I am comfortable voting for military aid again’? Letting more food into Gaza? For me, it was a very important data point to see [Benjamin] Netanyahu cut off aid, even to the point where members of the IDF were coming out publicly against the plan. Retired military officers that I’m in touch with in Israel were flagging it as a major problem. Some sort of course correction would have to include allowing in sufficient aid so that particularly children were able to eat and have medicine and have basic humanitarian standards.  I know they’re now airlifting things in. That’s a start, but you can’t possibly get the volume of food in there that you need via an airlift. So I think that’s what I’m looking for. In the meantime, enough with Hamas and this piecemeal crap on hostages. Release all of them, living and dead, and let’s end the war. I personally think that whatever happens to Hamas leadership, they have it coming. I have no problem with the targeting and killing of Hamas leadership and anyone associated in any way with October 7.  One of the things that happened right before the vote, last week, was that I had a rabbi and a Muslim leader come together here in Michigan, and come to me with a specific proposal. I wrote to [Marco] Rubio about it. It was: If you don’t have the trust to bring in a huge volume of food, at least allow infant formula and clean water to make baby formula. The Michigan community, Jews and Muslims, we’ll raise the money, buy whatever we need. That shows you the level of exhaustion we have here. Do you support the proposals to recognize Palestine as a state?  I just don’t believe that we should be recognizing a new state in the middle of an active hot war. I don’t believe that’s sustainable. I don’t believe that is a way that’s going to set off a new state on the right foot. I have always believed in two states living next door to each other in peace. I believe in a Jewish state in Israel. I don’t know how you do that without two states living side by side. And some of the most important changes in the region came after the darkest moments in the region. I can only hope that such cataclysmic violence will bring about something different.”]
• Current Affairs 8/5/25: Why Won’t U.S. Politicians Say “Genocide”? The international human rights community has been clear in its language. Yet even Bernie Sanders refuses to speak of a Gaza genocide. Also see X-post from the author of the article Nathan Robinson – “NEW: I asked every US senator’s office whether they accept the international human rights community’s assessment that Israel is committing genocide. Only one of them would comment”
• The Hill 8/4/25: Hunger crisis in Gaza deepens criticisms of Israel on Capitol Hill
• Sludge 8/4/25: Senators Claim to Care About Starvation in Gaza, Then Vote for More Bombs; also see Sludge X-post – “NEW: Senate Democrats sent a letter calling for urgent aid delivery in Gaza—then more than a dozen voted for the sale of more weapons to Israel, which is blocking humanitarian NGOs. Some of the lawmakers are getting an influx of AIPAC campaign donations.“
• Moment Magazine 8/4/25: Dems Turn on Israel As Anger Over Gaza Grows
• Politico 8/4/25: Moderate Democrats change their tone on Israel [“Ritchie Torres is threading a needle after emphatic defense of Israel for most of the war.“]
• The Independent 8/4/25: Moderate Democrats now changing tune on Israel over starvation of Gaza: ‘Moral obligation’
• Jewish Insider 8/4/25: MARYLAND – Sen. Alsobrooks flip-flops from pledge to maintain aid to Israel during Senate campaign [“Many Maryland Jewish leaders are wary of speaking out against the Maryland Democrat’s votes to block arms sales to Israel”]
• Jewish Insider 8/3/25: ILLINOIS – Illinois Senate field splits over resolutions to block Israel aid [“Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton opposed the Sanders-led resolutions, but Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) said she would have voted for them”]
• CNN 8/3/25: Pro-Israel Democrats try breaking with Netanyahu to stop party’s shift amid Gaza crisis
• UnHerd 8/3/25: Israel is losing the US front -The Jewish state faces a generational vice grip
• Jewish Insider 8/2/25: MINNESOTA – Klobuchar explains her flip against Israel in supporting cutoff to military aid
• Zeteo 7/29/25: Who Says Israel Is Committing a Genocide in Gaza? Everyone on This List [excerpt: “US Politicians – Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Al Green (D-Tex.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.)]

Standing With Israel, Supporting Genocide, Etc.

• Jerusalem Post 8/7/25: ‘Just win, stop apologizing’: Florida rep. Randy Fine urges Israel to ignore global critics
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/6/25: Republican schism on Israel is a mainstream media myth [“Extremists and antisemites on the far right have united with the left to spread blood libels about the Jewish state. But Trump and most of the GOP are sticking with Jerusalem.“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/6/25: Netanyahu has ‘no interest in long-term Gaza occupation,’ Gottheimer says [“After meeting with the Israeli prime minister, the New Jersey Democrat told JNS that Israel’s goal is to “crush Hamas” and seek a multinational governance structure for the enclave.”]

Other stuff

• The Forward 8/7/25: A Florida college student said ‘F— Israel.’ Now she’s under federal investigation [“…Rep. Randy Fine, a Florida Republican who believes the case’s treatment should serve as a national model, said that Deckerhoff might elicit pity from those who ‘feel bad for this kid whose life is over.’ But Fine, who is Jewish, is unbothered. ‘Live by the Muslim terror sword, die by the Muslim terror sword,’ he said in an interview with the Forward…Florida State said on social media that Rodrig had reported the incident on Wednesday and that it was investigating. But Fine, the south Florida congressman who refers to himself as the ‘Hebrew Hammer,’ saw the footage on Thursday evening and demanded the school expel Deckerhoff, who he called ‘a Muslim terrorist.’ Minutes later he followed up to announce that he’d contacted the school and they had agreed to suspend Deckerhoff  ‘until an expulsion hearing’ and ban her from campus. ‘It took only one call,’ Fine boasted. Florida State would not answer questions about what role Fine played, but six minutes after his social media post the university released a new statement stating Deckerhoff ‘has been prohibited from returning to campus’ and referring to her behavior as an ‘instance of antisemitism.’ ‘I think I was helpful,’ Fine said in an interview from Israel, where he was traveling this week. Roughly 20 minutes after Florida State announced that Deckerhoff had been banned from campus, Attorney General Pam Bondi said that Dhillon and the local U.S. attorney were investigating the case. ‘Antisemitism will not be tolerated in Florida or anywhere else,’ she wrote.”]
• Times of Israel 8/7/25: GOP congressman says US will push for Israeli withdrawal if Lebanese army secures Lebanon
• Jewish Insider 8/4/25: Landsman calls on Qatar to detain Hamas leaders until hostages are freed
• Campus Reform 8/4/25: Lawmakers push bill to defund schools backing BDS movement [“Two U.S. representatives have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at holding colleges accountable for involvement in the anti-Israel Boycott, Divest, Sanctions (BDS) movement. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Virginia Foxx (R-NC) introduced the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, which seeks to cut federal student aid to institutions that engage in commercial or academic boycotts promoted by BDS“] COVERED IN LAST WEEK’S ROUND-UP
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/4/25: Nonprofit asks House ed panel to protect Jewish grad students from antisemitic union

When Congress comes back from recess, S. 2296, the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will come up for amendment/debate on the Senate floor. As always, the base bill includes some key provisions related to the Middle East and funding for Israel. Also, as always, a huge number of amendments to the bill were offered (877 as of 10/3/25), including many related to the Middle East and Israel. See below for details from the base bill, followed by a list of Middle East-related amendments. Many/most of these may not get a vote on the floor, but they are all worth paying attention to, since NDAA amendments are good indicators of members’ priorities (with respect to both policy and grandstanding).

NOTE: As of 9/4/25, the base text of the bill that the Senate is amending is NOT the bill itself, but is the text of Senate Amendment 3748, an Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute offered by Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Wicker (R-MS) [which mirrors all the Middle East/Israel provisions discussed below].

Middle East/Israel in S. 2296 (bill text being brought to the floor)

Subtitle B–Matters Relating to Syria, Iraq, and Iran

• Sec. 1211. Extension of authority for reimbursement of certain coalition nations for support provided to United States military operations.
• Sec. 1212. Extension and modification of authority to support operations and activities of the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq.
• Sec. 1213. Extension of authority to provide assistance to vetted Syrian groups and individuals.
• Sec. 1214. Extension and modification of authority to provide assistance to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
• Sec. 1215. Extension and modification of authority to provide certain support.
• Sec. 1216. Security and oversight of al-Hol and Roj camps.
• Sec. 1217. Limitation on use of funds for reduction or consolidation of United States Armed Forces bases in Syria.
• Sec. 1218. Limitation on availability of funds for the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq.

Subtitle E–Other Matters

• Sec. 1251. Middle East integrated air and missile defense architecture. [Requires the Secretary of Defense to “continue to seek to cooperate with allies and partners in the Middle East with respect to implementing an integrated air and missile defense architecture to protect the people, infrastructure, and territory of such allies and partners from cruise and ballistic missiles, manned and unmanned aerial systems, and rocket attacks from Iran and groups linked to Iran.” Also requires a detailed report on “further implementation of an integrated air and missile defense architecture in the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command.”]
• Sec. 1253. Enhancing security partnership with Jordan and Lebanon. [Requires the Secretary of Defense, pursuant to existing authorities, to “provide assistance, including training, equipment, logistics support, supplies, and services, to the Government of Jordan and the Government of Lebanon for the purpose of supporting and enhancing efforts of the military forces of Jordan and the military forces of Lebanon to ensure the territorial security of Jordan and Lebanon.” Also requires the submission of a detailed report to Congress describing the plan to provide this assistance.]
• Sec. 1255. Extension and modification of United States-Israel anti-tunnel cooperation. [Increases funding for this program from the previous $50 million to $80 million, and extends the program’s end date from 12/31/26 to 12/31/28.]
• Sec. 1256. Extension and modification of United States-Israel cooperation to counter unmanned aerial systems. [Increases funding for this program from the previous $55 million to $75 million, and extends the program’s end date from 12/31/26 to 12/31/28.]

Subtitle C–Missile Defense

• Sec. 1534. Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system and Israeli cooperative missile defense program co-development and co-production. [Provides: not more than $60 million to Israel for Iran Dome; not more than $40 million for Israel for the David’s Sling Weapon System; and not more than $100 million for Israel for the Arrow 3 Upper Tier Interceptor Program]

Middle East/Israel-related Amendments Submitted to S. 2296

(IRAN) SA 2917, offered by Schatz (D-HI), to add a section, “REPORT ON IMPACTS OF SANCTIONS ON MILITARIES OF CERTAIN ADVERSARIES.” This section would require a report to Congress on “the impacts of sanctions imposed by the United States on the armed forces and proxy forces of the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

(IRAN) SA 2925, Offered by Coons (D-DE), to add to the bill a new subtitle, “Defending International Security by Restricting Unacceptable Partnerships and Tactics,” aka the “DISPRUPT Act,” targeting Iran, China and North Korea

(IRAN, & OTHERS – MAYBE EVEN ISRAEL?) SA 2943, offered by Merkley (D-OR), to add a section entitled, “STATEMENT OF POLICY WITH RESPECT TO DEFINITION OF TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION.” Per this statement, “It is policy of the United States that the term `transnational repression’ refers to a range of tactics deployed by a foreign government, or agents or proxies of a foreign government, to reach beyond their borders to intimidate, silence, harass, coerce, or harm individuals, such as political dissidents, activists, journalists, political opponents, religious and ethnic minority groups, international students, and members of diaspora and exile communities.” NOTE: this definition seemingly could apply to Israeli government efforts to influence US laws and policies in a manner designed to suppress criticism/activism of Israel in the United States…

(QATAR) SA 3067, offered by Murphy (D-CT), to add a section entitled, “PROHIBITION ON TRANSFER OF EXECUTIVE AIRLIFT AIRCRAFT OF FOREIGN ORIGIN TO NONGOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES.” The section – which is clearly aimed at Qatar gifting a plane to Trump – states, “No executive airlift aircraft of foreign origin may be transferred to a nongovernmental entity until the aircraft has served as an executive airlift aircraft for at least its entire service life.”

(ISRAEL/BOYCOTTS) SA 3103, offered by Scott (R-SC), to add a section entitled,, “REPORTS ON FOREIGN BOYCOTTS OF ISRAEL.”

(HEZBOLLAH) SA 3207, offered by Curtis (R-UT) and Rosen (D-NV), to add a section entitled, “KEEPING HEZBOLLAH OUT OF LATIN AMERICA.”

(HEZBOLLAH) SA 3229, offered by Curtis (R-UT), to add a section entitled, “STRATEGY TO COUNTER IRANIAN AND HEZBOLLAH INFLUENCE OPERATIONS IN LATIN AMERICA.”

(IRAN & FRIENDS, MAYBE EVEN ISRAEL?) SA 3243, offered by Kennedy (R-LA), to add a section entitled, “PROHIBITION ON ALLOCATIONS OF SPECIAL DRAWING RIGHTS AT INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND FOR PERPETRATORS OF GENOCIDE AND STATE SPONSORS OF TERRORISM WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORIZATION.”

(IRAQ AUMF) SA 3337, offered by Kaine (D-VA) and Young (R-IN), to add a section entitled, “REPEAL OF AUTHORIZATIONS FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAQ.” PASSED BY VOICE VOTE 10/9/25

(IRAN) SA 3338, offered by Scott (R-SC), to add a section entitled, “REPEAL OF SUNSET OF IRAN SANCTIONS ACT OF 1996.”

(TURKEY) SA 3390, offered by Schiff (D-CA), to add a section entitled, “SENSE OF CONGRESS RELATING TO THE ARREST AND CONTINUED DETENTION OF EKREM IMAMOGLU.”

(IRAN/YEMEN) SA 3417, offered by Budd (R-NC and Kelly (D-AZ), to add a section entitled, “DISPOSITION OF WEAPONS AND MATERIEL IN TRANSIT FROM IRAN TO HOUTHIS IN YEMEN.”

(MIDDLE EAST INTEGRATION/NORMALIZATION) SA 3425, offered by Ernst (R-IA) to add a section entitled, “MIDDLE EAST DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION COOPERATION INITIATIVE.”

(SPYWARE – COULD IMPACT ISRAEL) SA 3496, offered by Van Hollen (D-MD) and Blackburn (R-TN), to add a section entitled “FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SPYWARE.”  This section would impose visa restrictions for misuse of foreign commercial spyware and a report on misuse of such spyware.

(ARMS EXPORTS/HUMAN RIGHTS – WHAT ABOUT ISRAEL?) SA 3575, offered by Cornyn (R-TX) and Warner (D-VA), to add a section entitled, “REVIEW OF EXPORT CONTROLS ON ITEMS WITH CRITICAL CAPABILITIES TO ENABLE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES.”

(NO $$ FOR US MILITARY OPS IN YEMEN W/O CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL) SA 3590, offered by Sanders (I-VT) and Welch (D-VT), to add a section entitled, “LIMITATION ON MILITARY OPERATIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN YEMEN.” This section bars the Department of Defense from engaging in military operations or activities “in or affecting the territory, airspace, or waters of the Republic of Yemen, unless such operations or activities have been authorized by Congress.” It also clarifies that this section does not prohibit operations against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula or ISIS-Yemen, nor does it “limit or disrupt any non-lethal intelligence, counterintelligence, or investigative activities in the Republic of Yemen by the United States Government.”

(GAZA HUMANITARIAN) SA 3592, offered by Sanders (I-VT), Welch (D-VT), Schiff (D-CA), Van Hollen (D-MD) and Kaine (D-VA), to add a section entitled, “SENSE OF CONGRESS ON HUNGER IN GAZA,” stating that it is the sense of Congress that: “(1) the humanitarian crisis and acute suffering of the Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the suffering of the hostages and hostage families is gravely concerning; and (2) the President, the Secretary of State, and the heads of other relevant United States Government agencies should urgently use all available diplomatic tools to bring about the release of the hostages, immediate cessation of the blockade on food and humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians, and a durable end to the conflict in Gaza.”

(NO $$ FOR US MILITARY OPS IN GAZA) SA 3593, offered by Sanders (I-VT) and Welch (D-VT), to add a section entitled, entitled “PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS TO DEPLOY FORCES TO GAZA.” This section bars the use of Dept of Defense 2026 funds “(1) to deploy the United States Armed Forces to Gaza; (2) for any activity, with respect to Palestinians, related to their displacement within or removal from Gaza, or forced transfer to designated zones; or (3) to participate in, fund, approve or concur on a license for, approve or concur on a license for export of United States-origin weapons in support of, issue a contract for, or facilitate armed security activities or services in Gaza by United States persons, unless such activities or services have been authorized by an Act of Congress.”

(NO $$ TO SUPPORT ISRAELI ANNEXATION OF WEST BANK) SA 3595, offered by Sanders (I-VT), Welch (D-VT), and Schatz (D-HI), to add a section entitled, ”PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS TO ASSIST IN ANNEXATION OF THE WEST BANK.” The section bars the use of Dept of Defense 2026 funds “to carry out any activity, including negotiations or policy discussions, that recognizes the sovereignty of Israel over Gaza, the West Bank, or other geographic areas which came under the administration of the Government of Israel after June 5, 1967.”

(MIDDLE EAST MILITARY INTEGRATION/NORMALIZATION) SA 3622, offered by Risch (R-ID), to add a section entitled “COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS TO COUNTER UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS.” Among other things, it authorizes the President “to enter into cooperative project agreements with Israel, Jordan, and countries on the Arabian Peninsula under the authority of section 27 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2767) to carry out research on and development, testing, evaluation, and joint production (including follow-on support) of defense articles and defense services to detect, track, and destroy armed unmanned aerial systems that threaten the United States and its partners in Israel, Jordan, and on the Arabian Peninsula.”

(ADDING DOS AUTH BILL TO NDAA) SA 3608, offered by Risch (R-ID and Shaheen (D-NH), to add to the NDAA the full text of the FY26 Department of State Authorization Act, which includes: Sec. 5401, FOREIGN INFORMATION MANIPULATION AND INTERFERENCE STRATEGY; Sec. 5503. Report on security conditions in Damascus, Syria, required for the reopening of the United States diplomatic mission; and Sec. 5744. Repeal of Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019.

(IRAN) SA 3623, offered by Risch (R-ID and Sullivan (R-AK), to add a section entitled “ENHANCED IRAN SANCTIONS.”

(SYRIA) SA 3635, offered by Shaheen (D-NH), to add a section entitled, “CAPACITY BUILDING FOR DEFENSE FORCES,” authorizing the Department of Defense “to provide counter-ISIS support and training assistance to the Syrian authorities– (1) to build their capacity to contribute to counterterrorism needs in Syria; and (2) to support core United States national security objectives.”

(SYRIA) SA 3636, offered by Shaheen (D-NH) to add a section entitled, “COUNTERING CAPTAGON PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION.”

(SYRIA) SA 3637, offered by Shaheen (D-NH), to add a lengthy new subtitle entitled, “Syria Support Act of 2025.”

(SYRIA) SA 3662, offered by Shaheen (D-NH) and Paul (R-KY), to add a section entitled,  “REPEAL OF CAESAR SYRIA CIVILIAN PROTECTION ACT OF 2019.”

(WEST BANK) SA 3756: Offered by Kaine (D-VA), to add a section, “PROHIBITION AGAINST THE DEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES IN GAZA AND THE WEST BANK.”

(ANS) SA 3748: Offered by Wicker (R-MS), deleting the entire text and replacing it with an amended version of the entire bill. PASSED BY VOICE VOTE 10/9/25, as amended.

(STATE AUTH BILL) SA 3767: Offered by Risch (R-ID), to add the full text of the FY26 State Department Authorization Act to the bill, including various provisions related to Iran and Syria.

(STATE AUTH BILL) SA 3779: Offered by Risch (R-ID), to add the full text of the FY26 State Department Authorization Act to the bill, including various provisions related to Iran and Syria.

(STATE AUTH BILL) SA 3791: Offered by Risch (R-ID), to add the full text of the FY26 State Department Authorization Act to the bill, including various provisions related to Iran and Syria.

(SAUDI ARABIA) SA 3804: Offered by Markey (D-MA), to add a new section entitled the “Stopping Activities Underpinning Development In Weapons of Mass Destruction Act” or the “SAUDI WMD Act” (see S. 4946, introduced 12/2/20)

(STATE AUTH BILL) SA 3819: Offered by Shaheen (D-NH) and Risch (R-ID), to add the full text of the FY26 State Department Authorization Act to the bill, including various provisions related to Iran and Syria. PASSED BY VOICE VOTE 10/9/25

(MIDDLE EAST NORMALIZATION) SA 3822, to amend SA 3748 (the ANS): Offered by Ernst (R-IA), to add a new section entitled “Middle East Defense Technology Innovation Cooperation Initiative”

(STATE AUTH BILL) SA 3830: Offered by Risch (R-ID) and Shaheen (D-NH), to add the full text of the FY26 State Department Authorization Act to the bill, including various provisions related to Iran and Syria.

(LIFTING SYRIA SANCTIONS) SA 3870: Offered by Shaheen (D-NH), to repeal the “Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003” and the “Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012”

(LEGISLATING TRUMP’S ANTI-ICC EXECUTIVE ORDER) SA 3871 to SA 3748: Offered by Moody (R-FL), to add a new section to the bill entitled, “Imposing, Maintaining, and Enforcing Sanctions With Respect to the International Criminal Court.”

(SYRIA REPORT & CERTIFICATION) SA 3889 to SA 3748: Offered by Graham (R-SC), to require a report every 180 days on the government of Syria.

(SYRIA REPORT) SA 3899 to SA 3748: Offered by Graham (R-SC), to require a report every 180 days on the government of Syria. PASSED BY VOICE VOTE 10/9/25

(MIDDLE EAST PEACEKEEPERS IN GAZA) SA 3905 to SA 3748: Offered by Cantwell (D-WA), to add a new section to the bill entitled, “Sense of Congress on Role of Multinational Peacekeeping Missions in Supporting Peace in the Middle East.” Also see: Cantwell press release – Cantwell Introduces Proposal to Establish Multinational Peacekeeping Force to Deliver Humanitarian Aid to Gaza [“Cantwell amendment to the pending National Defense Authorization Act would say Congress wants an immediate ceasefire, organization of a multinational force to deliver food, water & medical supplies in Gaza”]

(MIDDLE EAST PEACEKEEPERS IN GAZA) SA 3914 to SA 3748: Offered by Cantwell (D-WA), to add a new section to the bill entitled, “Sense of Congress on Role of Multinational Peacekeeping Missions in Supporting Peace in the Middle East.” NOTE: This is a slightly tweaked version of SA 3905, above.

 

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

New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 7/29/25: Destroying Palestinian Life in Gaza in a Systemic, Deliberate Way: “Our Genocide” – ft. FMEP fellow Peter Beinart in conversation with Yuli Novak, executive director of the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem, about how and why B’Tselem has concluded that Israel is now and has been committing genocide in Gaza for nearly two years.

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(DISAPPROVING OF ARMS SALES/EXPORTS TO ISRAEL) S. J. Res. 34 & S. J. Res. 41: Introduced 3/10/25 and 3/27/25, respectively, by Sanders (I-VT) and  both cosponsored by Welch (D-VT) and Merkley (D-OR). The first is “providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services.” The second is “providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export of certain defense articles to Israel.” On 7/30/25, both resolutions were brought to a vote on the Senate floor. S. J. Res. 34 was defeated by a vote of 24-73; S. J. Res. 41 was defeated by a vote of 27-70. Floor consideration of the bill is here. Voting for either or both of the resolutions (w/ links to statements/X-posts): Alsobrooks (D-MD), Baldwin (D-WI), Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Duckworth (D-IL), Durbin (D-IL), Heinrich (D-NM), Hirono (D-HI), Kaine (D-VA), Kim (D-NJ), King (I-ME), Klobuchar (D-MN), Lujan (D-NM), Markey (D-MA), Merkley (D-OR), Murphy (D-CT), Murray (D-WA), Ossoff (D-GA), Reed (D-RI), Sanders (I-VT), Schatz (D-HI), Shaheen (D-NH), Smith (D-MN), Van Hollen (D-MD), Warnock (D-GA), Warren (D-MA), Welch (D-VT), Whitehouse (D-RI). Also see:

Before the votes:

• 7/29/25 press release- Sanders to Force Votes to Block Arms Sales to Israel Amid Starvation in Gaza
• 7/30/25 Sanders X-post w/ video clip: “End U.S. military aid to Israel“
• Members: Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) 7/30/25: Ocasio-Cortez Statement on Senator Sanders’ Resolutions to Block Weapons Transfers to the Israeli Government; Welch (D-VT) 7/30/25: Welch Cosponsors Sanders’ Resolutions to Block Certain Offensive Weapons Sales to Israel 
• Jewish Insider 7/29/25: Sanders introduces another resolution to block arms transfer to Israel, Jewish Insider 7/30/25: Sen. Slotkin says she’d look at cutting off offensive weapons for Israel; Huffington Post 7/30/25: In Major Milestone, Dozens Of Senators Vote To Block U.S. Weapons To Israel; Politico 7/30/25: Senate votes down Israel arms sales ban, despite growing Democrat support; The Hill 7/30/25: Record number of Senate Democrats vote to block weapon sales for Israel; Times of Israel 7/31/25: Over half of US Senate Democrats back failed measures to block arms sales to Israel; Common Dreams 7/31/25: ‘The Tide Is Turning,’ Says Sanders as Majority of Senate Dems Vote to Block Arms Sales to Israel; Time 7/31/25: Full List of Senators Who Voted To Block Israel Arms Deal [with additional commentary/analysis]

After the votes:

• Press release – NEWS: Sanders Statement on Majority of Democratic Caucus Supporting Effort to Block Arms Sales to Israel; X-post – “By a vote of 27-17, Senate Democrats voted to stop sending arms shipments to a Netanyahu government which has waged a horrific, immoral and illegal war against the Palestinian people. The tide is turning. Americans don’t want to spend billions to starve children in Gaza.“
• Slotkin (D-MI) 7/31/25: ““Last night I unfortunately missed a vote series on two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval regarding the sale of weapons to Israel. I have struggled with this Joint Resolution of Disapproval more than any previous votes in the nearly two years since Hamas initiated the attacks of October 7. I represent a state with a large Arab and Muslim population and a large Jewish population. And over these last two years, few issues have been as raw as this one. I have therefore worked very hard to call balls and strikes based on my experience and the facts on the ground, even as most people fall firmly into one side or another, and are often reluctant to consider new information.  I owe it to my state to make clear where I stand: Had I made it back for the vote yesterday, I would have voted yes to block offensive weapons to Israel based on my concerns over lack of food and medicine getting to civilians in Gaza…it appears today that the Netanyahu government thinks that there are no limits to what they can do while still receiving U.S. support. And so I believe a message has to be sent. Should similar votes on offensive weapons come up in the future, I will take them on a case-by-case basis, with the hope of important humanitarian course corrections. I continue to support the U.S.-Israel security relationship and sale of defensive weapons such as the Iron Dome…”  Also see: Slotkin says she supports resolutions on blocking arms sales to Israel [“Michigan Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow also voiced support for cutting off offensive weapons to Israel“]; Slotkin says she’d have backed Israel arms block resolutions after missing votes for TV appearance (Michigan Advance 8/1/25)
• Booker (D-NJ) 7/31/25: “The suffering, starvation, and atrocities happening in Gaza are unacceptable. I will continue fighting for humanitarian aid now. It’s time for the conflict in Gaza to end– there must be an immediate ceasefire that stops the fighting, ends the suffering for innocent civilians caught in the crossfire, brings the hostages home, and dramatically increases humanitarian aid. These Joint Resolutions of Disapproval would restrict our country’s ability to provide future security guarantees without achieving the goal of ending this war now or increasing vital humanitarian aid. Donald Trump promised to secure a ceasefire in his first week in office, yet the suffering and death in Gaza continues. It’s time for Trump to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. The Trump administration must facilitate an immediate ceasefire between the Israeli government and Hamas to end this conflict. And we all must work to bring about a just and lasting peace, one that guarantees Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state and ensures the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and a state of their own.”
• Carter (R-GA) 7/31/25: X-post – “Radical Jon Ossoff just voted with Bernie Sanders to BLOCK arms sales to Israel He stands with Hamas terrorists, not our ally Israel or the people of Georgia.“
• Tlaib (D-MI) 7/31/25: X-post – “For the first time in history, a majority of Senate Democrats voted to block weapons to the Israeli government that are being used to carry out the genocide of the Palestinian people. Thank you to these 27 senators for listening to their constituents and voting to save lives. Shame on every senator who voted to continue arming the Israeli apartheid regime or didn’t even have the courage to show up and vote.”
• Media: Record number of Senate Democrats vote to block US weapons sales to Israel [“The senators joining the vote included several who had not previously voted against such sales“] (The Forward 8/1/25); Fed Up With Netanyahu and Handling of Gaza War, Democrats Rebuke Israel (New York Times 7/31/25); Israel’s support in the U.S. becomes a partisan divide (Jewish Insider 7/31/25); Majority of Senate Democrats vote to block U.S. aid to Israel (Jewish Insider 7/30/25); In a First, Majority of Democratic Senators Vote to Stop Arming Israel (Zeteo 7/30/25);  (Jewish Insider 8/1/25); Ossoff’s vote to block arms sale to Israel hampers his Jewish outreach efforts (Jewish Insider 8/1/25); Sen. Shaheen on why more Dems voted to block weapons to Israel: ‘Things need to change’ (PBS 7/31/25); Fed Up With Netanyahu and Handling of Gaza War, Democrats Rebuke Israel (NYT 7/31/25); A Majority of Senate Democrats Voted to Block Weapons Sales to Israel. Is the Party Turning? (Time 7/31/25); The Senate Inches Closer To Taking Away Israel’s Blank Check (Reason 7/31/25)

(DISAPPROVING OF ARMS SALES/EXPORTS TO ISRAEL) S. J. Res. 70: Introduced 7/28/25 by Sanders (I-VT) and Welch (D-VT), “A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export of certain defense articles to Israel.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

(UNIVERSITIES *MUST* WORK WITH ISRAEL/SETTLEMENTS OR THEY WILL BE PUNISHED FOR BOYCOTTING, EVEN IF THEY DON’T HAVE A POLICY OF BOYCOTTING) HR 4795 [bill text]: 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,” aka the “Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act.” Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.  Also see:

• Foxx press release 7/30/25: Foxx, Gottheimer Introduce Bill to Hold Higher Education Accountable for BDS Activity [“The Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act would: Require colleges and universities to annually certify that the institution is not engaging in a non-expressive commercial boycott of Israel or forgo ability to receive federal student aid.  Define “non-expressive commercial boycott of Israel” to mean a commercial action (including engaging in refusals to deal with Israel and terminating business activities) intended to limit commercial relations with Israel or persons or entities conducting business in Israel or in Israeli-controlled territories. Direct the Department of Education to make publicly available a list of all institutions who do not certify. Requires colleges and universities that are recipients of International Education Programs (Title VI) funding do not allow academic boycotts but instead engage in academic exchange reciprocity.“]
• Gottheimer X-post 7/31/25: “The antisemitic, hate-fueled BDS movement seeks to destroy Israel — and has no place on our college campuses. Jewish students are being harassed and assaulted. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan Protect Economic Freedom Act to help stop this hate and protect our students.“
• 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].
• Also see: Jewish Insider 7/30/25: Foxx, Gottheimer aim to restrict federal funding to colleges that boycott Israel [“The Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act would require schools to certify annually that they are not engaged in a ‘nonexpressive commercial boycott’ of Israel”]

(TARGETING PROTEST & NON-PROFIT SECTOR) HR 4620: Introduced 7/22/26 by Van Duyne (R-TX) and 2 Republican cosponsors (both from Texas), “To amend title 18, United States Code, to include rioting in the definition of racketeering activity,” aka the “Stop Financial Underwriting of Nefarious Demonstrations and Extremist Riots (Stop FUNDERs) Act. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. NOTE: this is the House companion bill to S. 2376, introduced 7/22/25 by Cruz (R-TX) and 6 Republican co-sponsors, and covered in last week’s Round-Up.  Also see: press release – Rep. Van Duyne Introduces the Stop FUNDERs Act to Include Rioting as a Form of Racketeering Under the RICO Act

(MAKING AN EXAMPLE OF THE NEA FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP DARING TO DISAGREE WITH THE ADL ON ISRAEL) HR 4658 [bill text]: Introduced 7/24/25 by Fitzgerald (R-WI) and 7 Republican cosponsors, “To amend chapter 1511 of title 36, United States Code, to impose certain requirements on the National Education Association, and for other purposes,” aka the “Stopping Teachers Unions from Damaging Education Needs Today (STUDENT) Act.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. NOTE: this is the House companion bill to S. 2428, introduced 7/24/25 by Lummis (R-WY) and 4 Republican cosponsors and covered in last week’s Round-Up. Also see: press release – Rep. Fitzgerald and Senator Lummis Introduce Legislation to Reform the National Education Association Federal Charter

(FURTHER TARGETING THE NEA) S.2516:  Introduced 7/29/25 by Blackburn (R-TN), “A bill to prohibit the National Education Association from engaging in lobbying activities.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: Blackburn Introduces Legislation to Ban the National Education Association from Influencing Congress [Excerpt – “Background – The National Education Association (NEA) voted to fight against President ‘Trump’s embrace of fascism,’ promote LGBTQ events in public schools, and members backed severing all ties with the Anti-Defamation League. These latest examples of NEA’s blatant political bias, along with its recent promotion of hatred and antisemitism, are a clear departure from the organization’s intended purpose.“]

(FY26 NDAA – SENATE) S. 2296: Introduced 7/15/25 by Wicker (R-MS), the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026“.  Stay tuned for full analysis of Mideast provisions of the bill and in the proposed amendments in an upcoming edition of the Round-Up.

(FY26 NSRP APPROPS – formerly known as SFOPS) HR 4779:  On 7/23/25, the House Appropriations Committee held a Full Committee Markup of Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Bill (NSRP), at which they marked up and passed (by a party-line vote of 35-27) the base text of the FY26 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Bill (previously known as the State and Foreign Operations – SFOPS) bill and its accompanying report. That hearing (video here) featured – predictably – lots of focus on Israel, Gaza, and the Middle East, including plenty of grandstanding in support of Israel and point-scoring against Palestinians, including via amendments (see all amendments). Also see the Committee (GOP) press release, Committee Approves FY26 National Security, Department of State Appropriations Act, which notes the adoption of an amendment offered by Diaz-Balart (R-FL), adopted by a vote of 34-27, that among other things “strengthens Iran sanctions and enforcement” and “confronts Muslim Brotherhood threats” and combats CCP-linked scam centers that target Americans. Next up: On 7/25/25 the FY26 NSRP Appropriations bill was reported out of the Appropriations Committee, and formally introduced as HR 4779. Stay tuned for timing on debate/amendments on the House floor.

• For more details, see: my comprehensive analysis of the Mideast-related provisions in the bill and accompanying report.

2. Letters

• Axios 8/1/25: Scoop: Dems threaten investigation if Harvard cuts deal with Trump [“‘We are alarmed that Harvard would contemplate a settlement of this magnitude under apparent political pressure,’ the Democrats wrote in a letter first obtained by Axios. The letter was led by Rep. Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.), along with Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).“]
• Jewish Insider 7/31/25: Rep. Khanna, progressives push for U.S. recognition of Palestinian state [“A letter signed by prominent House progressives said such a state ‘will need to fully recognize Israel’ and guarantee ‘the disarmament of and relinquishing of power by Hamas’“]
• (HOLDING US COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR ACTIONS IN GAZA): 7/31/25: Welch, Van Hollen, Castro, Jacobs Demand U.S. Security Companies Answer for Deadly Actions in Gaza [letter text]. Also see: Democratic lawmakers press for answers from US firms involved in controversial Gaza aid organization (CNN 7/31/25)
• (URGENT AID TO GAZA) 7/30/25: Slotkin, Alongside Michigan Jewish and Muslim Leaders Urge Immediate Humanitarian Action to Save Children in Gaza [letter text]. Also see: Slotkin’s X-post; Michigan senator elevates interfaith plea to get formula to Gaza’s babies (Detroit News 7/30/25)
• (OVERSIGHT OVER GAZA HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS) 7/30/25: Casten, 92 House Democrats Demand Oversight Into Humanitarian Efforts in Gaza Amid Starvation Crisis  [letter text]. Also see Casten (D-IL) X-post – “NEWS: I led 92 House Democrats in demanding an investigation into the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation – a private, unqualified U.S.-linked aid organization at the center of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. GHF’s reckless aid distribution tactics have led to mass panic and mass casualties. Netanyahu’s blockade and GHF’s dangerously mismanaged aid sites are directly contributing to the ongoing starvation crisis. The United States must ensure that humanitarian aid is delivered swiftly.” Also see X-posts from: Trahan (D-MA), Amo (D-RI), Thompson (D-CA), Houlahan (D-PA), Ruiz (D-CA), Garcia (D-TX), Carbajal (D-CA), Pocan (D-WI), Craig (D-MN), Nadler (D-NY)
• (QATAR: CRACK DOWN ON HAMAS!) 7/29/25: Landsman Declines Qatari Ambassador Invite’s for Staff to Visit Qatar [letter text]
• (ALARM AT HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN GAZA, ETC) 7/29/25: Sens. Schiff, Schatz, Schumer, Rosen Lead 44 Senate Democrats in Calling for Large-Scale Expansion of Humanitarian Aid in Gaza and Resumption of Diplomatic Efforts to Secure a Ceasefire and End the War [letter text]. Also see: Senate Democrats call out humanitarian crisis in Gaza, say GHF failed (Jewish Insider 7/29/25); X-posts/press releases: Smith (D-MN), Cantwell (D-WA),
• (NO MORE US $$ FOR GHF) 7/27/25:  Van Hollen, Welch, 19 Senators Call for Answers on Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, Press Administration to Cease Funding GHF [letter text]. Also see: Senate Democrats urge U.S. to stop funding GHF, resume support for U.N. food distribution in Gaza as more starve (CBS News 7/28/25); Van Hollen (D-MD) X-post – “Families in Gaza are starving to death. Meanwhile, Trump & Netanyahu are using US taxpayer dollars to replace international aid orgs in Gaza with mercenaries — leading to even more deaths. ENOUGH. I led 20 Senators in calling on Trump to stop supporting this barbarity“

3. Hearings & Markups

7/31/25: The Senate Appropriations Committee marked up and passed its version of the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act and the accompanying report by a vote of 26-3 (mark-up video). As summarized in the Committee’s press release touting passage of the Committee’s passage of the bill, the bill includes: “U.S.-Israeli Missile Defense: $500 million for Israel Cooperative Programs including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow missile defense. The bill also includes $75 million for counter-drone cooperation, $47.5 million for emerging technology cooperation, and $80 million for anti-tunneling cooperation with the State of Israel.” REMINDER: All of this funding is IN ADDITION to the more than $3 billion in funding for Israel in the annual foreign aid bill, now called the NSRP bill.  Also, per the bill summary published in advance of the mark-up, “the bill provides $1.299 billion for security cooperation with allies and partners, including an additional $50 million above the request level for
Jordan, and an additional $50 million for Bahrain. The bill also provides $35 million above the budget request, for a total of $50 million, to support the Lebanese Armed Forces in stabilizing southern Lebanon, and fully funds the Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund for Iraq and Syria.” This bill will eventually become the text the Senate adopts as “an amendment in the nature of a substitute” to HR 4016, the House-passed version of the bill. Also see:

• press release: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Bills [including noting that the Committee rejected, by a party-line 15-14 vote, an amendent offered by Murphy (D-CT) to the Defense Approps bill, to prevent the transfer of any presidential aircraft to a non-governmental entity—ensuring President Trump cannot take the plane gifted by Qatar with him after leaving office and the plane cannot be transferred to a future Trump presidential library.]
• Mediaite 7/31/25: Senate Republicans Vote to Allow Trump to Keep Gifted Qatari Jet After Leaving Office
• Jewish Insider 8/1/25: Senate Appropriations Committee pushes for increase in U.S.-Israel defense funds [“The bill includes a total of $80 million in additional funding, as compared to 2025, for several cooperative programs with Israel”]
• ALSO SEE: Senate Appropriations committee debates Trump’s campus antisemitism crackdowns (Jewish Insider 8/1/25) – reporting on Murphy amendment to the Education Approps bill (part of the same mark-up). Discussion of that amendment starts around 3:29:00 in the mark-up video.

Members finding creative ways to say they care about Gaza famine without suggesting Israeli responsibility (indeed, it almost feels like some templates are circulating on the Hill to help members craft statements of “concern” that boil down to standard WE STAND WITH ISRAEL, EVERYTHING IN GAZA IS HAMAS’S FAULT, CREDIT ISRAEL FOR HELPING! talking points…) 

• Cotton (R-AR) 7/31/25: X-post w/video clip – “I’d like to set the record straight. Children in Gaza aren’t going hungry because of Israel. They’re suffering because Hamas uses food and aid as a weapon to stay in power.” [text of full floor statement]
• Torres (D-NY) 7/30/25: X-post – “The free world has a moral responsibility to Palestinians in distress. Flood Gaza with food.“
• Titus (D-NV) 7/31/25: X-post – “Hostages are suffering. Children are starving. Old alliances are crumbling. The war in Gaza must end now!“
• Sherrill (D-NJ) 7/31/25: “I am deeply concerned by the famine and perilous security situation in Gaza. In February 2024, I went to the Rafah Crossing in Egypt and saw the backlog of aid trucks being kept out of Gaza. I took my concerns about keeping aid from reaching civilians directly to Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Biden. Restricting life saving aid from reaching civilians was as dangerous then as it is today. Failure to take immediate action now will lead to the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians, including women and children, and the perpetuation of the war. I was encouraged to see the announcement earlier this week that increased humanitarian aid would be allowed to enter Gaza, but it is not enough. The previous system of distributing aid through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was ineffective and directly led to the deaths of civilians at aid sites within days of beginning the operation. It needlessly endangered civilian lives. I immediately called on President Trump to work with the Israeli government and humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza to develop a safer method of delivery aid, but no action was taken. It is unacceptable that Hamas walked away from the last round of ceasefire negotiations and rejected the proposal agreed to by Israel, the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. I again urge both parties to return to the negotiating table immediately to reach a ceasefire and bring the hostages home. But that alone will not lead to the end of this conflict. For that to happen, the human suffering must end.  It is past time that President Trump stands up for American values and works with the Israeli government to ensure that aid reaches the innocent civilians who desperately need it. Limiting the delivery of aid has only allowed Hamas and criminal gangs to exploit the situation. Ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is vital to maintaining America’s values, weakening Hamas’s support, and permanently ending the conflict.”
• Smith (D-WA) 7/31/25: “William Galston’s op-ed in the Wall Street Journal acknowledges a hard truth: Hamas will never surrender. That truth underscores the urgent need for a fundamental shift in strategy. After nearly two years of war, it’s clear that the complete destruction of Hamas is not a feasible or sustainable goal and the cost of continuing to try is far too high. Hamas is a terrorist organization and bears full responsibility for the horrific October 7 attacks. But continuing this war indefinitely, with devastating consequences for innocent Palestinian civilians, will not bring peace or security to Israel or the region. There are Palestinians who reject Hamas’s violence and extremism and they must be empowered to lead. A new path forward is the only way to achieve long-term peace and security. The current course of continued military operations, displacement, and indefinite occupation risks even greater instability, can undermine key regional partnerships, and diminishes Israel’s moral and strategic standing. It is time for an immediate ceasefire to address the humanitarian crisis and for Israel to accept a permanent ceasefire in exchange for the return of the remaining hostages. Israel must begin working with the United States, Arab partners, and the international community to support credible Palestinian alternatives to Hamas to govern Gaza and the West Bank. We can continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself while recognizing that the military campaign has reached its limits. The time has come to shift from endless war to a political strategy that brings hostages home, delivers humanitarian relief, and builds the foundations for lasting peace. The United States must lead that effort.” Responding to WSJ op-ed: Hamas Will Never Surrender
• McDonald Rivet (D-MI) 7/31/25: X-post – “The mass suffering and starvation in Gaza is unconsionable, and the GHF has proven wholly incapable of meeting the moment. We need massive increases in the amount of food, water, and medicine being sent to Gaza, we need to send it through entitites and channels with the capacity to distribute it safely and at scale, and neither Israel nor Hamas can impede the aid reaching civilians. In a situation this dire, there can be no excuses. Two years of this war has caused immeasurable pain and suffering for civilians on both sides. Hamas should have accepted the ceasefire agreement on the table last week. Now, we need a durable ceasefire that brings the remaining hostages home, allows aid to flow safely and durably into Gaza, and lays out a vision for the future of Gaza. Sustained peace is critical for the security and well-being of both Israelis and Palestinians.“
• Rosen (D-NV) 7/30/25: X-post – “Supporting Israel and increasing humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza aren’t mutually exclusive. Starvation in Gaza is worsening by the day and current aid efforts are failing to meet the scale of need. More must be done to prevent innocent people from suffering. I’m calling on the Trump Admin to push for a large-scale expansion of humanitarian assistance. We must bring ALL the hostages home, deliver life-saving aid to Palestinian civilians, and urge for an end to this war.“
• Gimenez (R-FL) 7/30/25: X-post – “ll that is needed to stop the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is for Hamas to surrender and release all the hostages.”
• Moulton (D-MA) 7/30/25: X-post – “What’s happening in Gaza right now is an avoidable human tragedy. Access to food, water, shelter, and medical care is a basic human right, and it’s a moral imperative for the Netanyahu government to alleviate this suffering. Hamas bears primary responsibility, but Israel has the ability and the obligation to help. I want Israel to succeed in defeating Hamas and bringing the hostages home. But that won’t happen if its policies undermine its own mission, and you cannot win a war against terror by allowing civilians to starve. I fought in a counterinsurgency in Iraq. We knew then that protecting civilian lives was more than a moral responsibility—it was a tactical and strategic imperative. We worked to build trust with local communities and present an alternative to the insurgents, not fuel the next generation of extremists. Last week, I told the Israeli ambassador directly: what’s happening in Gaza is unacceptable. While Netanyahu has tried to deny the severity of the crisis, thankfully, it seems the Israeli government is now beginning to reverse course. We need lasting change. Israel should flood Gaza with aid, denying Hamas the leverage to control and profit from a scarce resource. Criticizing the Israeli government’s policy is not the same as opposing Israel’s right to exist or defend itself. Friends tell each other hard truths and hold each other accountable to our shared values and goals. This hunger crisis is a humanitarian failure. It is counterproductive to Israel’s long-term security and to lasting peace in the region.”
• Olszewski (D-MD) 7/30/25: “As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen, the images of widespread suffering—especially among innocent civilians and children—are heartbreaking and demand urgent action. I remain steadfast in my support for Israel’s right to defend itself and its people from acts of terror, including the brutal attacks by Hamas. At the same time, we must not turn a blind eye to the dire humanitarian conditions faced by innocent Palestinians caught in the crossfire. A just and secure future for both Israelis and Palestinians requires us to uphold our shared values of compassion, human dignity, and international responsibility. That is why I join my colleagues in urging all parties to do more to ensure immediate and sustained humanitarian aid reaches those who desperately need it in Gaza, while minimizing the diversion of aid. We must accelerate access to food, water, medical supplies, and other essentials, while continuing to work toward a durable ceasefire and the safe return of all hostages. Israel’s actions this weekend to increase humanitarian deliveries in Gaza are a welcome step but must be sustained. American leadership must remain committed to peace, security, and the protection of innocent life—no matter where it’s threatened.“
• Kelly (D-AZ) 7/30/25: X-post w/ video clip – “Kids are starving to death, and Trump’s funding cuts are only making it worse. I’ve been speaking with @WFPChief Cindy McCain about just how dire the crisis is on the ground in places like DRC, Uganda, Haiti, Sudan, and Gaza. Instability abroad also makes Americans less safe.“
• McClintock (R-CA) 7/29/25: X-post – “The suffering in Gaza can be ended instantly with the unconditional surrender of Hamas. Gaza elected Hamas in 2006 and has since tolerated its crimes. It sowed the wind on October 7 and now reaps the whirlwind. The best way to aid the people of Gaza is to eradicate Hamas NOW.“
• Moran (R-KS) 7/29/25:X-post – “I agree with Pres. Trump — food aid must reach those in Gaza who need it, & Hamas must release the 20 hostages still held captive. U.S. programs like Food for Peace must be used efficiently & our allies should play a greater role in feeding those in need.“
• Levin (D-CA) 7/29/25: “I am deeply concerned by reports of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Extreme shortages of food and medicine facing innocent civilians demand that Israel — in coordination with international aid organizations, regional partners, and the United States — continue to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza without disruptions. I welcome Israel’s recent commitment to expand secure supply corridors, aid drops, and daily humanitarian pauses. Israel and humanitarian organizations must now work together to improve delivery mechanisms and routes that ensure all aid is safely and swiftly disbursed to civilians, and not diverted to Hamas. Last week, Hamas refused a ceasefire deal that would have stopped the fighting, released hostages, and surged humanitarian aid. Once again, Hamas’s bad faith negotiations show they care more about their grip on power than the wellbeing or self-determination of Palestinians. Hamas started the war. Hamas can end it but they continue to refuse to do so.”
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 7/29/25: “Since October 7, when Hamas terrorists brutally kidnapped, raped, and murdered 1,200 people, including dozens of Americans, I have been consistent in my calls for the immediate release of every hostage and the end to Hamas’ reign of terror. Without this, Israel’s security cannot be ensured. I’ve been clear since day one: humanitarian aid must reach Palestinian civilians who need it most — not Hamas terrorists who seize it. That’s why I welcomed Israel’s recent announcement to expand aid drops, open more humanitarian corridors, and make food more widely available to civilians in Gaza. These steps show Israel is committed to minimizing civilian suffering, even as it defends itself from a terrorist enemy that hides behind civilians. Israel should continue and expand these efforts with the support of the international community. But let’s be clear: the blood of this war, and the humanitarian crisis in the region, is on Hamas’ hands. Hamas has never shown an ounce of concern for innocent Palestinian families and children, who have been repeatedly used as human shields. As they have done for years — and as tunnel after tunnel proves — Hamas has systematically stolen food and supplies from innocent Palestinian families and children to fuel their terror operations. Just last week, Hamas walked away from talks with Israel. They also launched a rocket at an aid distribution site in southern Gaza, where food packages were being handed out to civilians in need. Hamas doesn’t want peace — they want power, headlines, and chaos. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that they are a terrorist organization with ties to Iran, the parent company of terror in the Middle East. Although getting additional aid into the region is a positive step, the responsibility is not Israel’s alone. More must be done. While Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE have conducted humanitarian airdrops, there is now an opportunity for all Arab states to step up and immediately surge their humanitarian support, not just levy criticism, as most have done. Egypt and Qatar must also use every tool at their disposal to pressure Hamas to return to the negotiating table. Moreover, while our European partners, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, have announced their intent to provide some humanitarian aid to Gaza, they must significantly and consistently increase their contributions. This is especially true for President Macron, who has repeatedly criticized Israel, even going so far as to announce plans to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state. This performative gesture is a one-sided move that only rewards Hamas’ terrorism, undermines prospects for a two-state solution, and fails to do anything to ease suffering on the ground. Instead of putting out vacuous, uninformed statements to the press, Macron should focus on real action, starting with delivering significantly more aid to Gaza. Other world leaders should do the same. It’s time for them to step up to the plate. Together, we must bring home every hostage, end the suffering of innocent civilians, and work toward a future in Gaza without Hamas — for the safety of both Palestinians and Israelis.”
• Peters (D-CA) 7/29/25: “It is long past time to end the Gaza conflict, with the return of all hostages and the end of military operations. But an active war zone is no excuse for not doing everything possible to prevent the unnecessary suffering confronting Palestinians who are caught in the crossfire between Israel and Hamas. This week’s announcement of multiple air drops and aid convoys, humanitarian pauses in fighting, and the designation of secure routes for the wider dissemination of assistance provides renewed hope. But hundreds of truckloads of aid are currently sitting at the Gaza border waiting to be distributed. This is unacceptable. There must be immediate action to deliver the desperately needed humanitarian aid to the starving. Now is the time for the Israeli government, the United Nations, the Trump Administration, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, and all who have the responsibility and ability, together to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches Palestinian civilians in Gaza. And Hamas must not interfere with or weaponize the delivery of this aid. There is no justification for delay.”
• Landsman (D-OH) 7/29/25: X-thread w/ video clips – “The situation in Gaza is bad and the humanitarian crisis must end. Five really important things to know that I believe will help end this crisis. 1. It’s a very good thing that the Netanyahu government is surging aid — something I’ve personally pushed the Prime Minister on many times. They set up new distribution centers (to go around Hamas) and, while it’s worked to some extent, it’s not enough. So, Saturday’s decision to send even more aid in was the right one — and a strengthened partnership with the World Food Programme should help significantly. The daily, ten-hour humanitarian aid pauses with the establishment of humanitarian corridors were also the right move — and it should make a difference. 2. Hamas is core to the problem. Not only did they commit the most barbaric terror attack ever, and built hundreds of miles of tunnels under hospitals and schools to protect themselves at the expense of Palestinian women and children. They steal food. Hamas has diverted a staggering number of aid trucks to fund their war — aid that was supposed to go to Palestinians. Please call out Hamas — every day until they give Gaza back to the Palestinians. They care about what happens on social media. If they believe they are losing support, they are less likely to reject a ceasefire deal (as they continue to do now). 3. The UN and UNRWA have serious issues to address. They refuse to distribute hundreds of trucks of food; food sitting inside Gaza. They won’t accept help from Israel because they don’t want to be seen as biased. Israel has offered them protection but they don’t want to work with IDF soldiers. Please put pressure on the UN, too. Tell them to work with Israel to distribute aid and to reform its work in Gaza. They need to be both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli. They need to put Gaza first. 4. Qatar is a huge barrier. They fund Hamas and continue to provide a safe haven for Hamas leaders. I sent a letter to Qatari officials this week, informing them we will not send staff on their upcoming trip. They need to put maximum pressure on Hamas to release the hostages so this awful war can end. Qatar should take into custody every Hamas leader in Qatar until every hostage is released and the war is over. AND they should join Israel and others in delivering aid — to the Palestinian people. 5. Iran Put pressure on Iran to dismantle its terror armies — Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. The humanitarian crisis and war in Gaza has to end. Put pressure on Netanyahu to do more, but don’t stop there. Call out Hamas, put pressure on the UN and UNRWA, demand Qatar use every means possible to end Hamas’ terror in Gaza, and do the same with Iran. We should all be pushing to surge aid, get the hostages home, end the war, and support a coalition of nations working with Israel and the Palestinians to rebuild Gaza. The dynamic of our collective, international voices must shift. The Israeli government can and must do more, but the free pass that too many have given to Hamas, the UN and UNRWA, Qatar and Iran must end. This is the best way out of this terrible nightmare.“
• Risch (R-ID) 7/29/25: X-post – “The horrific hunger crisis in Gaza is the fault of Hamas–they continue to make life miserable for the people living there by taking their food and using civilians as human shields. The President and the world would like to see things done differently, and these food centers could help.“
• Petterson (D-CO) 7/29/25: X-post – “My heart is broken reading the news about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. I have continued to call on President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu to prioritize food and medical aid to the Palestinians urgently. While I’m relieved to see some steps being taken, the US, Israel, the UN, and our allies must do everything in their power to surge food, water, and medical aid immediately. Like so many, I am desperate for an end to this war and recognize a resolution must involve a return of all hostages and an end of Hamas rule in Gaza, the end of Israel’s military operations, and a plan to rebuild Gaza. While these negotiations continue, we cannot allow these dire conditions to threaten the lives of Palestinian families.“
• Marshall (R-KS) 7/29/25: X-post – “America is a Christian nation, and we should never squelch compassion. Everyone, regardless of politics, should support President @realDonaldTrump in his desire to immediately supply food to starving children and women in Gaza.”
• Fetterman (D-PA) 7/29/25: X-post – “The suffering in Gaza is crushing and real—we’ve all seen the same images. Many people blame Israel, but Hamas is responsible for this hell on earth and they could end this today for peace in the region. Where’s the global outrage for Hamas to disarm and send the hostages home?“
• Lee (D-NV) 7/28/25: X-post – “I have been a staunch supporter of Israel since the barbaric invasion and hostage taking by Hamas on October 7, 2023. I have also staunchly supported the provision of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The starvation of innocent children is unbearable to watch. In addition to providing aid to Israel, the U.S. must be resolute in ensuring that food and medical supplies gets to people in need. We must continue to press to bring parties back to the table to negotiate a cease fire and, in the meantime, aid must be allowed into Gaza. We have the means, we must also have the will.“
• Fletcher (D-TX) 7/28/25: X-post – “What we are witnessing in Gaza is an urgent humanitarian crisis. As a co-sponsor of H.Res. 473 calling for delivery and disbursement of aid to civilians, I support immediate, sustained humanitarian aid into Gaza and urge Israel to take action to prevent widespread starvation.“
• Quigley (D-IL) 7/28/25: X-post – “The Israeli government is finally allowing limited aid to enter #Gaza after months of restrictions, but it is not enough. Palestinians in Gaza continue to die of starvation, and more than 1,000 civilians have been killed since May while seeking aid.   The international community must come together to end this humanitarian crisis.”
• Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) 7/28/25: “Since Hamas’ horrific terrorist attacks on October 7th, I’ve remained steadfast in my commitment to securing the safe return of all Israeli hostages and ending Hamas’ cruel and oppressive control in Gaza — for the safety and future of both Israelis and Palestinians. At the same time, I have been deeply disappointed by the Netanyahu government’s continued failure to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the Palestinian civilians who are in desperate need. The scale of starvation and suffering in Gaza is overwhelming. The current approach isn’t working. We need proven delivery methods that reach civilians and prevent diversion by Hamas. This weekend’s announcement that Israel would allow airdrops and open humanitarian corridors — alongside Arab partners — is long overdue. It is a necessary step, but much more must be done. I also urge Egypt, Qatar, and other Arab nations to pressure Hamas to return to the negotiating table and accept the deal it recently rejected. Hostages must be returned, the humanitarian crisis must be addressed with urgency, and the war must come to an end.”
• Kaptur (D-OH) 7/28/25: X-post – “While lasting peace and end to the conflict in Gaza must involve a return of hostages and end of Israeli military action, the need to get aid to starving people is urgent and must be swift. If action isn’t taken more innocent people will starve and die. Our nation and our world must act.“
• Schneider (D-IL) 7/28/25: “I’m glad Israel is expanding its approach and opening new humanitarian corridors, conducting airdrops, and taking other crucial steps to ensure needed food makes it to civilians in Gaza. It’s equally important that the United Nations and affiliated organizations do their part, working together with Israel to ensure aid is delivered to those who need it as swiftly and efficiently as possible, while also minimizing diversion of aid by Hamas.  This war began because Iran-backed Hamas murdered 1200 people and took hundreds of hostages on October 7, 2023. This would be over tomorrow if Hamas released the remaining hostages and laid down its arms. Israel beat Hezbollah and Iran and must defeat Hamas too.”
• Pelosi (D-CA) 7/27/25: X-post – “The humanitarian crisis and mass starvation in Gaza—particularly affecting children and infants—is a catastrophic moral emergency. The United States must urgently press for an immediate and sustained ceasefire which ensures safe delivery of life-saving assistance to Palestinians and secures the return of all hostages.”
• Meeks (D-NY)/House Foreign Affairs Committee (Dems) 7/27/25: X-post – “RM @RepGregoryMeeks: While initial improvements to the humanitarian response in Gaza are welcome, walking away from ceasefire talks is the wrong move. Witkoff should be pressing all parties to continue diplomacy to bring the hostages home, deliver urgent aid to Gaza, and end this war. Instead, he offers no realistic alternatives to negotiations.“
• Menendez (D-NJ) 7/27/25: X-post – “The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is both incredibly dire and devastating. The situation needs to be resolved and urgent action taken to prevent mass starvation. To do so, Israel must work with the U.S. and international partners to ensure aid is able to enter Gaza and quickly reach those most in need. I’ve been advocating for increased humanitarian aid for Gaza since the beginning of this conflict, and it’s imperative that there are no delays and no excuses. We must also recognize that Hamas’s decision to continue holding hostages in Gaza since October 7th continues to be a barrier to the conflict ending and the beginning of working towards a future that ensures a durable peace in which collective suffering of so many is never experienced again. That is an obligation we owe to all Israelis and Palestinians. That process must start with a negotiated, short term ceasefire and eventually, a long term, two-state solution. Only then can both people live in peace, security and dignity.”
• Cisneros (D-CA) 7/27/25: X-post – “Nobody deserves to go hungry. The humanitarian corridors are a necessary step to ensure food and aid can reach civilians. Hamas is the enemy, not the Palestinian people.“
• Bell (D-MO) 7/27/25: X-post – “I am encouraged to see Israel expanding humanitarian access to help civilians in Gaza. The UN and other international agencies must ensure that humanitarian aid in their possession on the Gaza side of the border is getting to those in need without delay. We must also continue to demand that Hamas release the hostages who have been brutally held for more than 660 days. This would end tomorrow if Hamas released them and laid down their arms. The international community should be outraged that the hostages continue to endure this unspeakable horror.”
• Sorensen (D-IL) 7/27/25: X-post – “Millions of innocent people are starving in Gaza. If we don’t do anything soon, thousands will die. We desperately need to bring home the hostages while allowing enough food, water, and medical supplies into Gaza to help those who have nothing to do with this war. Hamas must be defeated, but now is the time to urgently negotiate a lasting peace.”
• Friedman (D-CA) 7/27/25: X-post – “Today’s announcement by Israel to open humanitarian corridors and implement daily pauses in military activity is a necessary step and should have come much sooner. The U.S. and President Trump must do more to ensure that aid flows freely, hostages are released, and the ceasefire is restored. Too many civilians are suffering, and far too many children are going without food, water, and medical care. Aid must reach those in need without delay.“
• DeLuzio (D-PA) 7/27/25: X-post – “The starvation of so many in Gaza is a humanitarian crisis. Malnourished kids are dying and many of the doctors and medical workers are too hungry and under-supplied to help. Aid must be surged in now.“
• Espaillat (D-NY) 7/26/25; X-post – “The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the surrounding region has reached a critical juncture as families and children starve daily. It is heartbreaking and deeply troubling to watch the region fall deeper into despair, and I urge an immediate global response and intervention to provide relief and aid for those affected.“
• McClellan (D-VA) 7/26/25: “Every day, death and mass starvation take a greater toll on the people of Gaza. They face a humanitarian crisis that has cost thousands of lives and prolongs suffering in the region. This crisis is reaching an inflection point and deserves swift, immediate and continued action to avoid further loss of life and worsening conditions.  Following the Biden-Harris Administration’s success in reaching a ceasefire agreement, the Trump Administration has utterly failed to meet this critical moment and secure a similar deal between Israel and Hamas. By walking away from negotiations and shifting focus to unnamed ‘alternative options,’ this Administration has abandoned a leadership role in facilitating a lasting peace to the region. I urge the Trump Administration to use every tool at its disposal to reach a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that releases the hostages, delivers desperately needed aid into Gaza, and develops a two-state solution that will allow both parties to coexist with dignity and self-determination. I have joined my colleagues in the House to urge the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and will continue to advocate for further relief to innocent civilians.”
• Lofgren (D-CA) 7/26/25: “I am deeply alarmed by the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where widespread starvation and malnutrition are threatening the lives of over a million people, many of them children. International humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations and World Food Programme, have sounded urgent warnings that famine is imminent unless immediate, unrestricted aid is delivered. Food should never be a weapon. Civilians, especially children, must never be the casualties of geopolitical conflict. The Netanyahu government, who controls entry into Gaza, has the responsibility to prevent famine there. The United States has a responsibility to use its influence to push for immediate action. We must ensure that aid reaches those who need it most. And, as I have stated before, we must work towards a long-term, two-state solution that provides both security and recognition between Israel and Palestine. Anything less is unacceptable.“
• Bennett (D-CO) 7/26/25: X-post – “The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is abhorrent and worsening daily. People are starving and dying, especially children.  President Trump must demand that Israel enable a large-scale expansion of assistance throughout Gaza immediately.”
• Booker (D-NJ) 7/26/25: X-post – “Witnessing the catastrophic hunger and suffering of civilians, especially children, women, the sick and elderly, in Gaza has been heartbreaking. The crisis in Gaza must be met with an immediate and drastic surge in life-saving resources, such as desperately needed food, water, and medicine–including therapeutic foods for those suffering from severe malnutrition. It is our collective moral duty to ensure that humanitarian relief reaches those who need it most urgently. The strategy of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has not worked. Proven methods to get humanitarian aid to those in need while preventing diversion to Hamas must be used to flood the zone now. Every moment of delay will cost lives and cause irreparable harm to the health of children, pregnant women, and other civilians. We must do all we can to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as part of the strategy to save lives, decrease Hamas’s influence and capabilities, release all remaining hostages, strengthen Israel’s security, and ultimately end this war. These goals are not mutually exclusive, rather they go hand-in-hand.”
• Goldman (D-NY) 7/25/25: X-post – “Gaza is on the brink of mass starvation. Israel, the U.S. and the international community must collaborate to ensure a massive surge of humanitarian relief immediately. This war must end. And let’s be clear: Hamas could end it today if they wanted to. Israel has agreed to a ceasefire proposal, Hamas has rejected it. Release the hostages and end this travesty.“
• Auchincloss (D-MA) 7/25/25: X-post – “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is unconscionable. Children are starving. Hamas has the singular power to end this catastrophe. Instead, it rejected the latest ceasefire offer from Israel. Hamas would rather hold onto hostages than feed the children of Gaza.”
• Larson (D-CT) 7/25/25: X-post – “Lifesaving aid must resume immediately to civilians in Gaza. Food deliveries remain far below what the population needs and 95% of households continue to face water shortages. The U.S. and Israel must do everything they can to ensure the free flow of aid – not stand in the way.”
• Smith (D-WA) 7/25/25: X-post – “Israel must take immediate action and work with all possible humanitarian aid organizations to rush critically needed food and other supplies to the people in Gaza. The level of the crisis there demands emergency action. Israel’s new arrangement on delivering aid simply is not working. Israel must take all possible steps to facilitate a surge of aid into Gaza. Additionally, the United Nations and other international aid organizations must work with Israel to resolve their differences and work together so all parties can maximize the capacity of humanitarian efforts. It is unconscionable that Hamas continues to block a negotiated ceasefire, refusing both to surrender their illegitimate power in Gaza and to release the hostages that should never have been taken in the first place. It is also unconscionable that Hamas siphons off critically needed food and supplies intended for the people of Gaza and uses it instead to prop up their terrorist organization, while at the same time fighting their war against Israel by embedding themselves into the civilian population. But given all of this, right now it falls to Israel to take the steps necessary to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe facing the civilian population in Gaza. I urge President Trump and his administration to work with Israel to implement a ceasefire and dramatically increase the flow of aid into Gaza. I believe we can both continue to support Israel in their effort to defend themselves against Hamas, Iran and others in the region who continue in their efforts to attack and destroy Israel, and work immediately to relieve the suffering of the people in Gaza.”
• Crow (D-CO) 7/25/25: X-post – “The widespread suffering in Gaza is unbearable. Children starving to death and near famine. The aid distribution process is failing.  The U.S. and Israel must work with independent aid groups to surge food immediately and drastically change approach.  Hamas must accept the ceasefire proposal and release the remaining hostages. This must end.“
• Scanlon (D-PA) 7/26/25: X-post – “The images of starving children in Gaza are heart-wrenching. It is unconscionable that children and families are being starved to death while humanitarian aid is blocked. The United States and Israel must do everything in their power to allow aid to enter and be delivered to those in need in Gaza.
• Jeffries (D-NY) 7/25/25: X-post – “During the first six months of Donald Trump’s time in office, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a breaking point, hostages are still being held by Hamas despite the President’s promise they would be released and the pre-existing ceasefire the administration inherited has been breached. The starvation and death of Palestinian children and civilians in an ongoing war zone is unacceptable. The Trump administration has the ability to bring an end to this humanitarian crisis. They must act now. It is imperative that humanitarian aid be surged into Gaza immediately, the remaining Israeli hostages be released and the ceasefire negotiated by the Biden administration restored. We need a just and lasting peace. Ultimately, that will only occur through a two-state solution that facilitates a safe and secure Israel living side by side with a Palestinian state that provides dignity, self-determination and prosperity for its people.“

Not bothering to even pretend to be concerned about Palestinians in Gaza being subjected by Israel to humanitarian catastrophe

• Daines (R-MT) 7/31/25: “100% 100% 100% Daines: ‘The problem is not Israel. It is Hamas’’; touts Trump’s ‘moral clarity’ on Gaza war” Linked to Times-Leader article, Daines: ‘The problem is not Israel. It is Hamas’’; touts Trump’s ‘moral clarity’ on Gaza war
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 7/31/25: X-post – “I’m glad the Arab League has recognized what we’ve long known: Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization that cannot be allowed to remain in power in Gaza. It’s time to bring the hostages home and end Hamas’ reign of terror.“
• Graham (R-SC) 7/31/25: X-post – “I find it odd that Arab leaders are calling for Hamas to disarm and accept safe passage out of Gaza while European leaders are threatening to recognize a Palestinian state if Israel doesn’t accept a ceasefire. To our friends in Europe, you’re enticing Hamas to stay in the fight. Stop it.” Responding to Trump’s Truth Social post 7/31/25 – “The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!” 
• Scott (R-FL) 7/31/25: X-post – “Thank you, @POTUS! Iran-backed Hamas attacked Israel and started this war. That is a fact. For 664 days, Hamas terrorists have held innocent people hostage in Gaza under the cruelest conditions. This isn’t over until we BRING EVERY HOSTAGE HOME and Hamas is destroyed.“
• Senate GOP 7/31/25: X-post – “President Trump is correct. The only thing standing in the way of peace is Hamas, which started this war and still refuses to surrender or release the remaining hostages.” Responding to Trump’s Truth Social post 7/31/25 – “The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!” 
• Kennedy (R-LA) 7/31/25: X-post – “.@POTUS is right. Hamas has had every opportunity to free the innocent people still held captive in Gaza. But they won’t, because they’re not interested or serious about peace.” Responding to Trump’s Truth Social post 7/31/25 – “The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!“
• Gimenez (R-FL) 7/31/25: X-post – “@POTUS is absolutely right. The fastest and only path to ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is for Hamas to surrender and release all the hostages — NOW!  Responding to Trump’s Truth Social post 7/31/25 – “The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!“
• Daines (R-MT) 7/31/25: X-post – “Canada, the UK, and France should be calling for the release of innocent hostages held captive in Gaza rather than appeasing & rewarding Hamas for their atrocities. America stands firmly with Israel.“
• LaLota (R-NY) 7/31/25: X-post – “The U.S. must keep up pressure on Iran until they stop funding terror groups like Hamas and all hostages are freed. Anything less is unacceptable.”
• Cornyn (R-TX) 7/31/25: X-post – “Gaza Starvation Photos Tell a Thousand Lies by <@EFischberger” Linked to Wall Street Journal op-ed – Gaza Starvation Photos Tell a Thousand Lies
• Scott (R-FL) 7/30/25: X-post – “For 663 days, Hamas terrorists have kept innocent civilians hostage and needlessly tortured them all while they steal aid from those who need it the most. Hamas cannot be rewarded for its evils. Now more than ever, we must stand with the hostages and our ally, Israel.“
• Graham (R-SC) 7/30/25: X-post – “The decision by a number of Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, to insist Hamas lay down their arms and give up political and military control of Gaza is a giant step forward. There is no peace with Hamas in charge.“
• Cotton (R-AR) 7/29/25: X-post – “Israel has no responsibility to provide any kind of aid into Gaza. They are repeatedly held to a different standard than the rest of the world.“
• Graham (R-SC) 7/29/25: X-post – “If Hamas lays down their weapons and their leaders take safe passage out of Gaza, then the possibility of a ceasefire and a new beginning for the West Bank and Gaza exists.    Anything short of Hamas disarming and leaving would be unacceptable.“
• Diaz-Balart (R-FL) 7/28/25: X-post – “President Trump has made it solidly clear that the United States stands firmly with Israel and against Hamas terrorists. The UN must abandon its obsessive anti-Israel bias and return to its original mission. That’s why my National Security and Department of State funding bill defunds the UN and UNRWA. Not one dollar of the U.S. taxpayer money should go to organizations that have lost all credibility and now serve as platforms for terrorist propaganda. We must continue to stand with Israel and against terror groups such as Hamas.“
• Bacon (R-NE) 7/27/25: X-post – “Until Hamas surrenders the hostages or is defeated, there will be a crisis in Gaza.”
• Scott (R-FL) 7/27/25: X-post – “Hamas terrorists are evil. They have spent 660 days holding people like this innocent young man, who had his whole life ahead of him, hostage. And as the hostages and people of Gaza starve, Hamas steals their aid to control the people. The United States won’t give up. We must bring every hostage home, and Hamas must be destroyed!“
• Graham (R-SC) 7/27/25: X-post w/ video clip – “Hamas stands in the way of peace. The hostages must come home.“
• Risch (R-ID) 7/25/25: X-post – “Hamas must either release hostages, including the remains of Americans Itay Chen and Omer Neutra, or Qatar should immediately eject Hamas from Doha. Hamas is a liability that is not worth the reputational risk of harboring terrorists.”
• Fine (R-NJ) 7/25/25: X-post – “You don’t get to start a genocidal war — raping and killing as many men, women, and children as you can — and then whine and complain when you start losing. If you don’t like the consequences of your decisions, there is one simple solution. Unconditional surrender.“

Concern for Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza & actually mentioning Israel responsibility (to varying degrees)

• Stansbury (D-NM) 7/31/25: X-post w/ video clip [watch the whole thing!] – “Today, we turn to Gaza. And, the unspeakable atrocities — including mass starvation, killing of families and children, intentional withholding of humanitarian aid, and open threats of annexation—which are not only a blatant violation of international law and human rights — but a shock to the moral conscience. The United States has a fundamental moral responsibility to stand against and stop enabling Netanyahu and his allies in committing these atrocities. The U.S. must act now.“
• Sanders (I-VT) 7/31/25: X-post – “Tony Aguilar is a retired Special Forces Green Beret who won a Purple Heart for his service to this country. He took a contract helping to distribute aid in Gaza. There, he witnessed atrocities committed using American taxpayer dollars. Please watch this important video.“
• Jayapal (D-WA) 7/31/25: X-post – “Benjamin Netanyahu said ‘there is no starvation in Gaza.’ He is lying. Children are dying of malnutrition and people are being killed by the IDF as they wait for food. Feed Gaza now.“
• Doggett (D-TX) 7/31/25: X-post – “Just one child killed is unspeakable—nearly 20,000 is inexplicable. Gaza’s children should never have been forced to pay the price for Hamas’s and Netanyahu’s obsession with power. To end the burial of those who have not even taken their first step, ending the war NOW must be the next step.” Linked to Washington Post article – 60,000 Gazans have been killed. 18,500 were children. These are their names.
• Welch (D-VT) 7/30/25: X-post w/ video clip – “The mass starvation in Gaza is caused by weapons provided by America and paid for by U.S. taxpayers.” Also see: full text of floor statement
• Vasquez (D-NM) 7/30/25: “The intentional starvation of innocent children in Gaza is undeniable and abhorrent. It is unacceptable that Prime Minister Netanyahu openly denies the effect of his own cruel actions in a way that clearly flies in the face of what millions around the world have seen with their own eyes. This stark violation of human rights calls on us to do everything we can to protect the lives of these innocent children. The administration must use every diplomatic tool possible to put an end to this atrocity and immediately pause all military assistance until a ceasefire is reached. Additionally, sanctions must be placed on Israeli officials who have ordered or condoned the killing of innocent civilians. The United States must hold those who have contributed to the killing of innocent people — including children — accountable, and President Trump must use his power to bring an end to this conflict and humanitarian crisis.“
• Warren (D-MA) 7/30/25: X-post – “Donald Trump promised peace in Gaza, but he’s abandoned ceasefire talks while babies starve. If Trump is too weak to act, then Congress must step up. No more U.S. military support for Netanyahu to wage war in Gaza.”
• Warren (D-MA) 7/30/25: X-post – “Netanyahu’s government has created an epic disaster in Gaza. 6,000 food trucks are lined up at the border, children are starving, and still Netanyahu blocks help. History will remember this moment.“
• Schatz (D-HI) 7/30/25: Floor statement on Gaza, including – “What started as a war with a just cause–to go after Hamas for the unspeakable atrocities it committed on October 7 and bring home the hostages–quickly turned unjust and immoral.  Now, everybody knows how complicated and fraught the Middle East is. Everyone knows that navigating this generations-long conflict requires nuance and depth and a historical understanding in order to try to get it right. Everyone knows that smart and sincere and decent people can disagree on this issue. But what is happening today is entirely different. There is no excuse for this horrific suffering. It is not making Israel or Israelis or Jews any safer, nor is it helping to bring home the 50 remaining hostages who have been in brutal captivity for almost 2 years. The fact that this catastrophe was preventable is precisely what makes it so indefensible. People have been warning for months that the Israeli Government’s actions would result in exactly this kind of tragedy, where children are dying by the dozens and hundreds of thousands of people have been starving for days…”
• Garamendi (D-CA) 7/30/25: X-post – “The Israeli government must act immediately to stop the man-made famine unfolding in Gaza. This disaster is preventable and unconscionable. I call on the Trump Administration to use every available lever to push Netanyahu to act now to save lives.“
• Merkley (D-OR) 7/30/25: X-post – “The words ‘killed before first birthday’ appear more than 900 times in this list. Children killed playing or sleeping. Children who should have grown up. Israel is starving and bombing Gaza. And the U.S. is complicit because we’re sending those bombs and not demanding more aid.” Linked to Washington Post article – 60,000 Gazans have been killed. 18,500 were children. These are their names.
• DeLauro (D-CT) 7/30/25: “More than 100 aid agencies and rights groups, including Mercy Corps, Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, and Oxfam, have warned about mass starvation currently taking place in Gaza. The last remaining pediatric ward treating child hunger in Gaza closed this last month, unable to find enough food and medical supplies. And the new, chaotic aid distribution system designed by Israel’s government and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has resulted in the Israeli armed forces shooting hundreds of Palestinians seeking food, just over the past few weeks. As a result of the Israeli military’s continued attacks on Gaza, and the near-total blockade of food, fuel, medicine, and other humanitarian supplies that Israel has imposed since March 2, the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 60,000 people, and even that is likely a significant undercount.  The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is a private, unaccountable organization, employing armed mercenaries and operating in direct opposition to norms and principles of international law around humanitarian aid distribution that have been in place since the ratification of the Geneva Conventions in 1949. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has received $30 million from the State Department, and has been exempted from a comprehensive audit usually required for first-time grant recipients working in Gaza. Contractors with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation have been documented using pepper spray, stun grenades, and live ammunition at nearly every aid distribution, and civilians have reported being fired at by tanks, drones, and helicopters in addition to soldiers on the ground. So far, over 700 starving people have been killed and nearly 5,000 injured while seeking food at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites. I have been calling for additional humanitarian aid surges into Gaza, and a stable ceasefire to enable negotiations and the return of hostages for over a year and half. On October 31 of 2023, less than a month after the October 7 attacks, I first called for a humanitarian pause to enable delivery of aid, and I have visited Israel multiple times since then to speak directly to Israeli government officials about the necessity of humanitarian aid delivery. I have condemned Israel’s efforts to defund and undermine UNWRA, the primary relief agency assisting Palestinians, and I fought to ensure that more than $9 billion for global humanitarian needs, including Gaza, was included in the national security supplemental spending bill passed in April of 2024.  The recent steps Israel has taken to allow a marginal amount of additional aid, through convoys and air drops, are a start, but they are nowhere near enough. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert wrote that the Israeli government is committing war crimes. Prime Minister Netanyahu has claimed that there is no starvation in Gaza. That is wrong.  Netanyahu cannot distort what the entire world sees clearly. He must let the aid flow.”
• Jayapal (D-WA) 7/30/25: X-post – “From the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to airdrops, recent efforts to get aid into Gaza have been wholly ineffective and insufficient. The United States cannot be complicit in starving Gaza. We must stop supplying the Israeli government with offensive weapons.”
• Welch (D-VT) 7/30/25: X-post w/ video clip – “The mass starvation in Gaza is caused by weapons provided by America and paid for by U.S. taxpayers.“
• Ramirez (D-IL) 7/30/25: X-post – “I have a bill that will help end Congress’s complicity in the genocide happening in Gaza. ANYONE who is calling for food to get into Gaza, that the bombing stops, and that lives are saved should cosponsor my Block the Bombs Act. No more excuses.“
• Smith (D-MN) 7/30/25: X-post – “The laws of war don’t just apply when it’s convenient.   Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization. But Netanyahu doesn’t get a pass. He is responsible for the pervasive starvation and famine, which is morally repugnant.   Feed Gaza.“
• Casar (D-TX) 7/29/25: X-post – “Tens of thousands of babies could starve to death because the Israeli government is blocking baby formula from Gaza. Airdrops and a few aid trucks aren’t enough. The US must apply all necessary pressure on Israel to end this now and surge aid in. It’s not too late to save millions of lives.“
• Smith (D-MN) 7/29/25: X-post – “If Trump were actually the strong-man he pretends to be, he’d tell Netanyahu to allow the food to flow, so innocent Palestinian children don’t die of starvation. Talking about how sad this is in between rounds at his golf course in Scotland is weak beyond words.   Feed Gaza.“
• Welch (D-VT) 7/29/25: X-post – “More than 60,000 Palestinians have now died in the Gaza war. The U.S. is still funding offensive weapons used to kill civilians. History will judge us for our complicity in this humanitarian catastrophe.”
• Welch (D-VT) 7/29/25: X-post with video clip – “I’m on the Senate floor calling for Congress to take action on the mass starvation in Gaza.“
• Van Hollen (D-MD) 7/29/25: X-post w/ video clip – “As starvation worsens by the day in Gaza, the Netanyahu govt has been using food as a weapon of war — with complicity from Trump & U.S. taxpayer dollars. This is painful to listen to but here’s what a U.S. Army veteran & Green Beret who witnessed it first-hand recounted to me:“
• Clarke (D-NY) 7/29/25: “The humanitarian crisis in Gaza stands at an unbearable breaking point. Over nearly two long years of war, its people have faced the full weight of a brutal retaliation against Hamas’ crime on October 7th. Tens of thousands of children, women, and men have lost their lives to this horrific conflict, and I am severely pained and distressed to see this already dire situation deteriorate even further. Let me be clear: the continuation of famine in Gaza is a moral catastrophe that America cannot and must not abide by. It is crucial that Israel takes every possible action to ensure food, water, and medicine flow into the Strip at once, and I urge the Trump Administration to use its immense influence to see that Israel does so. There can be no alternative. An overwhelming amount of aid must reach the people of Gaza, and it must reach them now. With every passing hour bringing us closer to the unthinkable, any further delay is totally unacceptable. While the horrors committed against the victims and hostages of October 7th are neither forgivable nor justifiable, their families, their communities, and their country will find no justice in the ruins of Gaza. This thirst for violence and vengeance must not continue. Israel has relentlessly proven its power since that tragic day two years ago, and its control over Gaza has remained absolute ever since. So, I am frankly not interested in excuses as to why starved children cannot have the food or medicine required to save their lives. I am not interested in accusations of fault behind why aid has not already been delivered. Two terrible years of war have made the well-being of the Palestinian people Israel’s responsibility, and only Israel can pull them back from this devastation. All the world can see that any efforts to do so thus far are wholly and unequivocally insufficient. For the sake of human decency and securing any chance at a stable and lasting peace in the region, freeing the hostages and feeding Gaza must be parallel priorities for the Israeli government. Without an immediate change, the two-state solution that I and millions of others have long advocated for will be permanently put out of reach by this ceaseless cycle of destruction. Ending it begins with ending the pain in Gaza.”
• King (I-ME) 7/28/25: “I cannot defend the indefensible. Israel’s actions in the conduct of the war in Gaza, especially its failure to address the unimaginable humanitarian crisis now unfolding, is an affront to human decency. What appears to be a deliberately-induced famine among a civilian population—including tens of thousands of starving children—can never be an acceptable military strategy. While clearly justified in responding to the horrific attack by Hamas on innocent Israeli citizens, that tragic event cannot in turn justify the enormous toll on Palestinian civilians caused by Israel’s relentless bombing campaign and its indifference to the current plight of those trapped in what’s left of Gaza. I in no way accept or condone the actions of Hamas, but recent events have placed a moral burden on Israel to ameliorate the current crisis, a burden it has thus far totally failed to meet.  For these reasons, I am through supporting the actions of the current Israeli government and will advocate—and vote—for an end to any United States support whatsoever until there is a demonstrable change in the direction of Israeli policy. My litmus test will be simple: no aid of any kind as long as there are starving children in Gaza due to the action or inaction of the Israeli government.”
• Castro (D-TX) 7/28/25: “The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza is unconscionable. Millions of Palestinians are trapped under siege conditions—with food, clean water, and medical supplies deliberately restricted. Israel’s blockade on aid—including fuel and flour—has led to mass starvation and the deaths of hundreds of innocent men, women, and children from hunger and dehydration. The use of forced starvation as a weapon of war is a clear violation of international law, and it must stop immediately. I urge the Israeli government to abandon its failed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and resume coordination with the United Nations and independent humanitarian organizations that have the experience, infrastructure, and legitimacy to safely deliver life-saving aid. The GHF has proven deadly and ineffective, creating dangerous aid bottlenecks and exposing desperate civilians to lethal force. Replacing neutral aid agencies with politically driven alternatives has only deepened this horrific crisis. This war must end. Hamas must release all remaining hostages immediately. At the same time, Israel must commit that once the hostages are freed, the war will end—not continue under new pretexts. The United States must use every point of leverage we have, with both Israel and Hamas, to end this catastrophic war before thousands more civilians die.”
• Durbin (D-IL) 7/28/25: “Quite simply, the humanitarian conditions in Gaza are appalling, unconscionable, and cruel. Following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s nearly 3-month blockade of humanitarian assistance, three-quarters of the population in Gaza is facing emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger. The tiniest of babies cannot even access formula and risk heartbreaking death…Yes, Hamas started this conflict in a heinous attack on Israel. Yes, Hamas is still unconscionably holding hostages. And yes, Hamas cynically uses civilians as human shields and brutally represses brave Gazans who are protesting for an end to this [Hamas’] despicable rule. But I have repeatedly appealed to Israel… be careful of decisions made in the fog of rage, pain, and loss and recognize there is no solely military solution to defeating a terrorist group.  Let me be clear. Continuing this war with no discernable end is not in Israel’s national security interest, and a lack of a viable plan and the humanitarian fiasco have been glaring mistakes, getting worse by the day.” Also see X-post with video clip.
• Beyer (D-VA) 7/28/25: X-post – “Netanyahu’s policy in Gaza has created a starvation crisis. Allowing this to occur, and propping up the failed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, has been a terrible failure of American policy as well.   As international pressure mounts, Israel has begun to announce changes that will hopefully allow the World Food Program and other international organizations to safely delivery food to people who desperately need it. The United States must not relent until the threat of starvation in Gaza is extinguished.”
• Carson (D-IN) 7/28/25: X-post – “Gaza isn’t starving. It’s being starved. The Israeli government has blocked humanitarian aid into Gaza for over 8 months. Over 150 Gazans have been killed by starvation, 82 of those children. On top of that, Israeli strikes are targeting dozens of people seeking the little aid there is at what’s being described as humanitarian death traps. This is a moral crisis. I’m calling for an Israeli arms embargo and a full surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Enough is enough.“
• Watson Coleman (D-NJ) 7/28/25: X-post – “Over 150 Palestinians have starved to death in Gaza. more than half were children. Netanyahu’s claim that there is “no starvation” is a disgusting lie. The Israeli military is using starvation as a weapon. It is a war crime. Aid must be allowed into Gaza, not as a pretext for shootings at distribution sites, but to feed starving civilians.“
• Jayapal (D-WA) 7/28/25: X-post – “‘Minimal’ amounts of aid will not save thousands from starvation and death. The Israeli government must provide a real, long-term solution to get meaningful food and resources into Gaza“
• Velasquez (D-NY) 7/28/25: X-post – “Despite Netanyahu’s claim ‘there is no starvation,’ horrifying accounts on the ground make it clear: mass starvation has become a defining part of life in Gaza. The US must use all tools to surge aid, secure a permanent ceasefire, & stop this catastrophe.“
• Nadler (D-NY) 7/28/25: Representative Nadler Delivers Remarks at Jews Cry Out: Let Food into Gaza Rally [excerpt – “In the past days and weeks, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s reign has brought horrific new images to our screens. Scenes of hunger and devastation, famine and drought, displacement and disease, ruin and despair have consumed mainstream media, feeding into our 24-hour news cycle—and all of it presented as if it is breaking news. Like many of us, I have been heartened by the scores of new voices who have spoken out as a result of this renewed focus. But let us be clear: the Gazan civilian pain, suffering, and starvation that we are all witnessing in the press is not new. Many of us have been speaking out and demanding an increase in humanitarian assistance since the beginning of the war almost 22 months ago. Six months after October 7th, I spoke at a rally not far from here in Manhattan. In my remarks I called for more humanitarian aid to Gaza, and some in our Jewish community booed. But many of us here today knew then what the world is seeing now: that additional aid was vital in the effort to prevent the crisis and disaster the world is witnessing today. We also knew then that a prolonged conflict in Gaza was a recipe for a humanitarian disaster. And today we are witnessing the consequences. While Prime Minister Netanyahu deserves tremendous blame for the situation today, unfortunately, there is another authoritarian-aspiring leader who has made matters worse: Donald Trump. The Trump administration’s actions have substantively and significantly exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They have done so by seeking to uproot the admittedly imperfect but nonetheless effective assistance delivery system designed and supervised by the Biden Administration, and implement its own shady and potentially corrupt organization. Trump’s Gaza Humanitarian Fund, or GHF, has been accused of heinous and abhorrent conduct. Earlier this month, two private contractors employed by GHF came forward as whistleblowers to the Associated Press. They detailed the use of live ammunition, stun grenades, and pepper spray regularly fired into crowds of desperate and hungry Palestinians at GHF aid distribution sites, resulting in injuries and deaths…“]
• Nadler (D-NY) 7/29/25: X-post – “Today, I spoke at the Jews Cry Out: Let Food into Gaza Rally in New York across from the Israeli consulate. We must make it clear to our government and to the Israeli government: bring home the hostages, end the war in Gaza, and surge humanitarian assistance to the starving people of Gaza.“
• Jayapal (D-WA) 7/28/25: X-post – “For over a year and a half, the Israeli government has repeatedly used weapons supplied by the U.S. to indiscriminately kill people in Gaza, violating American and international humanitarian laws. Now, they are using hunger as a weapon of war. As Pope Leo said, it is barbaric.“
• Pocan (D-WI) 7/28/25: X-post – “Half a million people in Gaza are starving. One in three hasn’t eaten in days. Children are dying. @Netanyahu has the ability to stop this and needs to allow more aid to enter and stop shooting people trying to get food.”
• Garamendi (D-CA) 7/28/25: “It’s impossible to look at the starvation caused by Israel’s dangerous and willful failure to enable humanitarian aid and not see a genocide being committed against the people of Palestine. Gaza has been in a devastating man-made crisis where starvation is widespread among children and adults, where one in three people are going multiple days without eating and many are dying because of malnutrition. This must end. Food is readily and immediately available. Earlier this year, it was found that 60,000 metric tons of U.S. food aid, enough for 3.5 million people, or the entire population of Gaza, was sitting in storage, untouched because of Trump’s dissolution of USAID. We know now from Israeli officials that there is little evidence of Hamas routinely stealing aid, a claim that has been used by the Israelis for not distributing aid. Israel has the ability and the means to deliver adequate food to the Palestinians. They also have the obligation under international law to deliver it; it’s the choice of Prime Minister Netanyahu not to feed Gaza. I have seen starvation like this. In the Peace Corps, I saw firsthand what starvation does to a child. I have repeatedly called for Israel to stop this war and to address the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. I was one of the only members to vote against military support for Israel, demanding that the U.S. cannot supply more weaponry to a country that is using it recklessly against innocent civilians. I have also joined 94 of my colleagues in demanding the Israeli government immediately resume shipments of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. I have also voted to block offensive weapons to Israel because I believe that America has an ethical imperative to ensure that humanitarian aid can promptly reach the population in Gaza. What Israel is doing is a horribly destructive attack on Gaza’s communities, and America should no longer provide destructive bombs and munitions to Israel. I unequivocally renew my call for Israel to immediately provide necessary humanitarian assistance and stop the purposeful starvation of Gaza.”
• Beyer (D-VA) 7/28/25: X-post – “Netanyahu’s policy in Gaza has created a starvation crisis. Allowing this to occur, and propping up the failed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, has been a terrible failure of American policy as well.   As international pressure mounts, Israel has begun to announce changes that will hopefully allow the World Food Program and other international organizations to safely delivery food to people who desperately need it. The United States must not relent until the threat of starvation in Gaza is extinguished.”
• Takano (D-CA) 7/27/25: X-post – “The Netanyahu-led government created the conditions for this mass starvation, and now offers a “tactical pause” as if it is a great mercy. This step is necessary, but grotesquely insufficient to end the suffering of civilians or achieve a durable peace in Gaza.”
• Garcia (D-IL) 7/27/25: X-post – “The horrors of mass starvation in Gaza are a policy choice—one in which the U.S. continues to be complicit as it provides Israel with military weapons and diplomatic cover. The U.S. must join the global movement to end Netanyahu’s war on Gaza, and demand both the entry of humanitarian aid and viable delivery mechanisms to distribute it.“
• Van Hollen (D-MD) 7/26/25: X-post – “Every day, the horrors in Gaza reach new, unimaginable depths. And as starvation spreads, Netanyahu and Trump remain complicit in a scheme to use US taxpayer dollars to replace humanitarian aid orgs with mercenaries — leading to more death and devastation. This cannot continue.“
• Van Hollen (D-MD) 7/26/25: X-post – “It’s way too late, but the truth has a way of coming out. Forget the airdrops and scrap GHF — let the UN organizations resume their humanitarian delivery operations NOW to stop the ongoing starvation“
• Ramirez (D-IL) 7/26/25: X-post – “For Netanyahu and his administration, annexation and control have always been the endgame. From Gaza to the West Bank to El Salvador to the United States, unaccountable leaders use violence, starvation, and death to steal our resources, our lands, our freedoms, and our lives. We have to fight back and challenge the authoritarian, imperialist policies that destroy life. We must end the U.S.’s complicity in the Netanyahu Administration’s regime of terror. Congress must do its oversight job, demand and end to the blockade and pass Block the Bombs.”
• Doggett (D-TX) 7/25/25: X-post – “These are the children who are paying the price for Netanyahu’s war by starvation in Gaza, just as the families of Israeli hostages are paying the price for his abandonment of their loved ones.“
• Pressley (D-MA) 7/25/25: X-post – “Newborns denied formula. Children denied food. Entire families murdered with weapons of war. This genocide must end. Israel must end the blockade immediately. We cannot and will not look away.“
• Schrier (D-WA) 7/25/25: X-post – “The tremendous suffering in Gaza, on top of nearly 2 years of a war that Hamas inflicted on both Gazans and Israelis, must end. That means an immediate surge of humanitarian aid to civilians. Israel and the U.S. must make every attempt to safeguard innocents. Hamas must release every hostage to their loved ones in Israel immediately, so this war can finally come to a conclusion.”
• Murphy (D-CT) 7/25/25: X-post – “Gaza is descending into famine and Trump is turning his back on this moral crisis. There is no excuse – ever – to deprive civilians of desperately needed food and water. Trump must press Israel to end this blockade.”
• Barragan (D-CA) 7/26/25: X-post – “This is unacceptable. Children are dying from hunger and doctors are collapsing from malnutrition in Gaza. Israel must allow far more food aid in. Trump Admin must demand that Israel allow the immediate entry of enough life-saving aid to meet this dire need“
• Jayapal (D-WA) 7/26/25: X-post – “First, the Israeli govt established the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to distract from their two month total blockade on aid. Now that the horrors of the GHF are being exposed, their new distraction is ineffective airdrops. This is not a real solution. The starvation must stop.”
• Courtney (D-CT) 7/26/25: X-post – “The Israeli Government should stop the stonewalling of the U.N. aid delivery system and put U.N. experienced experts back in control to get help into Gaza ASAP, where famine conditions have set in. Their own military assessment verified the U.N. was effective at providing aid.“
• Khanna (D-CA) 7/25/25: X-post – “I am sick of the tired platitude that for an ally like Israel we must not disagree publicly or in the media. Not when there is mass starvation. This is the time for every American to speak up publicly. PM Netanyahu, let in the food, medicine & aid. We must not be complicit.“

On Recognizing the State of Palestine

• Marshall (R-KS) 7/31/25: “Look, I think Americans are tired of the killing in Gaza, that Israel needs to end this war one way or another. We need to stop this famine. I would just ask, and Canada is making this really complicated. They’re hamstringing President Trump. And I would ask our friends in Canada, what type of statehood are they talking about? If you look at Palestinians’ past, they’ve been a failed government. They paid no attention to water, to sewers, to schools, to the economics of their country. I’ve been over there, and it’s a disaster right now. Instead, they focused on chaos, on terrorism, so I don’t think that’s a viable solution right now. Again, I think President Trump, if anyone can solve this, I think it’s going to be President Trump. And what Canada is doing there is not very helpful for the cause.”
• Hudson (R-NC) 7/31/25: X-post – “I unequivocally stand with Israel and condemn Canada’s recognition of a so-called Palestinian state. Gaza is controlled by the murderous terrorist group Hamas- who still hold hostages, are stealing food aid and are to blame for the mass starvation in Gaza. The recognition of a so-called Palestinian state would be rewarding the very people responsible for the suffering and the starvation. Prime Minister Carney says this recognition is conditional on Hamas stepping aside and elections being held. That’s like recognizing Canada as a U.S. state, on the condition they someday vote to become one. It’s nonsensical. This move doesn’t advance peace, it rewards terrorism, fails to recognize the hostages and undermines our ally Israel. The United States must reject this kind of naïve appeasement and stand firmly for our values.“
• Ricketts (R-NE) 7/31/25: X-post – “Instead of caving to Hamas apologists, our British, French, and Canadian allies should work towards a resolution that actually leads to Hamas’ surrender. When we end Hamas, we can end this conflict. This playbook has been tried and failed over and again. Every time the world threatens Israel, Hamas is emboldened to reject ceasefires, keep the hostages, and maintain its terrorist hold over Gaza. Hamas must surrender.“
• Carter (R-GA) 7/30/25: X-post – “Translation: UK to recognize Hamas terrorists. I’m proud that the U.S., under @realDonaldTrump’s leadership, stands with Israel.” Linked to article about the UK threat to recognize the state of Palestine.

On the Murder of Awdah Hathaleen in the West Bank by an Israeli Settler

• Dexter (D-OR) 7/31/25: X-post – “The horrific murder of Awdah Hathaleen—a nonviolent voice for justice—by Israeli settlers is not an isolated act of violence. It is the direct result of Netanyahu’s campaign to silence those who expose the brutality of his extremist, violent government.“
• Nadler (D-NY) 7/29/25: X-post – “I’m deeply disturbed by the murder of Awdah Hathaleen in the village of Umm al-Khair in the West Bank. I am especially troubled that this murder was committed by Yinon Levi, a violent settler extremist, previously sanctioned under the Biden administration. Violence in the West Bank has reached fever pitch levels. That is why I introduced the West Bank Violence Prevention Act. The bill seeks to prevent these exact kind of acts by legislating the Biden Administration’s Executive Order 14115. The bill would also punish all those who commit such violent acts in the West Bank, regardless of their nationality. In the wake of this devastating and brutal murder by a previously sanctioned individual, I invite my colleagues to cosponsor HR 3045 in Awdah’s memory and join the fight to try to prevent such violence from occurring. Only through such action can Israelis and Palestinians begin to contemplate living in peace, security, and stability and move forward in a process aimed at achieving a two-state solution.”
• Simon (D-CA) 7/29/25: X-post – “I am heartbroken by the killing of Awdah Hathaleen, an English teacher and father of three, who was shot and killed in his village of Umm al-Khair by an Israeli settler previously sanctioned for violence. Just last month, I joined my Bay Area colleagues in demandingn answers from the Administration after Awdah and his cousin, both holding valid visas, were unjustly detained and deported from SFO while traveling to my district for a multicultural faith dialogue. The settler who killed Awdah must be held accountable. We cannot and will not support violence. No one should live under the threat of demolition, displacement, or death. Our office calls on the State Department to conduct a full investigation. U.S. foreign policy must not shield or enable human rights violations.“
• Jayapal (D-WA) 7/29/25: X-post – “Awdah Hathaleen was a journalist and activist working toward justice. His killing is a tragedy. I was proud to show No Other Land in the Capitol—to bring its message from the West Bank to lawmakers. My heart goes out to his family and those mourning.“
• Jayapal (D-WA) 7/29/25: X-post – “Awdah Hathaleen was a journalist and activist working toward justice. His killing is a tragedy. I was proud to show No Other Land in the Capitol — to bring its message from the West Bank to lawmakers. My heart goes out to his family and those mourning.“
• Ramirez (D-IL) 7/29/25: X-post – “The murder of human rights activist Awdah Hathaleen by extremist settler Yinon Levi is a painful reminder that our government and Israel continue to enable and condone violence in the West Bank. Enough! We must reinstate the sanctions on West Bank settlers perpetrating violence and hold accountable all those whose extreme and escalating violence continues to rob us of our neighbors – including Trump and Netanyahu!”
• Khanna (D-CA) 7/29/25: X-post – “I condemn the killing of Awdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian activist and journalist. My heart breaks for his family and loved ones. We must speak out against violence and stand up for the dignity and rights of Palestinians.“
• Garamendi (D-CA) 7/29/25: “I am demanding answers about the reported tragic death of Awdah Hathaleen. Awdah, an English teacher and Palestinian activist, was previously denied entry to the United States after being invited to an Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity event to speak about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to recent reports, Hathaleen was shot by an Israeli settler in the West Bank village of Umm Al-Khair and later died of his wounds. Violence by Israeli settlers against peaceful Palestinians has been all too common and we must demand accountability. Unfortunately, this administration has shown little interest in pushing for peace. On day one of his second term, President Trump repealed sanctions on 30 Israeli settlers and settler organizations accused of engaging in violence in the West Bank. One of those settlers allegedly shot Hathaleen. Lifting sanctions on the very individuals who perpetrate these unacceptable acts only emboldens violent settlers and sends a signal that the United States won’t hold violent actors accountable. The West Bank has witnessed intolerable levels of settler violence for decades, and the war in Gaza has only further exacerbated this situation. Settler violence in the West Bank wreaks terror and forces the displacement of Palestinian communities, further destabilizing the Middle East region and putting the prospects for peace and security even further out of reach. This is unacceptable. Israel must rein in settler violence and ensure that Palestinians in the West Bank are able to live in peace, free from the threat of violence.”

Stoking Hate for Palestinians/Muslims/People Who Care about Palestinians, Etc

• Fine (R-FL) 7/26/25: X-post – “First they come for the Saturday people. Then they come for the Sunday people.” Amplifying post claiming “BREAKING: Multiple smoke bombs have been set off during Montreal church worship service by Islamists waving Palestinian flags.” The actual story: Montreal church fined $2,500 for hosting U.S. Christian singer without permit (National Post 7/26/25) – excerpt: “The City of Montreal has fined a local church for hosting a concert by the U.S.-based Christian musician Sean Feucht. Feucht’s controversial views and his status as a rising star in the MAGA movement have led officials to cancel his concerts in several Canadian cities in recent days. But on Friday evening, an evangelical church in Montreal allowed Feucht to perform a hastily scheduled concert over the objections of the city administration, and is now facing a $2,500 fine…”; also see: Protests erupt outside Montreal church where U.S. Christian musician held worship performance (National Post 7/26/25) Excerpt – “…As Feucht’s supporters began arriving, local activists gathered in front of the Spanish-speaking church on Roy St, chanting anti-Trump and anti-fascism slogans. Tensions grew as the crowd grew.”
• Fine (R-FL) 7/25/25: X-post – “Don’t Gaza my America.” Amplifying an X-post decrying a children’s choir at what the post claims is a school in Texas (if it is, it’s a private school, or just as likely it is at a Palestinian community group’s event) singing in Arabic while wearing keffiyas, with the comment: “Texas can never be allowed to become a Muslim state. America can never be allowed to become a Muslim country.“
• Fine (R-FL) 7/25/25: X-post – “CAIR is a terrorist organization. Their leaders celebrate genocide and want America to become a Muslim caliphate. Make no mistake, these are evil people, and my bill calls evil by its name by designating CAIR a foreign terrorist organization.“

Targeting the NEA

• Blackburn (R-TN) 7/28/25: X-post – “The National Education Association erased the word ‘Jewish’ when referencing the Holocaust in their handbook. After being caught red-handed, they erased the handbook from their website.   This blatant antisemitism is why we need to pass my NEA Charter Repeal Act.”
• Tenney (R-NY) 7/28/25: X-post – “The NEA’s new handbook mentions 12 million Holocaust victims from various backgrounds but somehow leaves out the Jews; the very people the Nazis tried to exterminate. Instead of teaching the truth, they attempt to smear Israel and push anti-Zionist propaganda. This isn’t education. It’s antisemitic, dishonest, and disgraceful.“
• House Committee on Education & Reform (GOP) 7/28/25: X-post – “The same handbook that tried to spread antisemitic materials and erase the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust. Seems America’s biggest teachers union is embarrassed now that they’ve been caught.” Responding to 7/25/25 Corey DeAngelis post, “BREAKING: The nation’s largest teachers union just scrubbed their 2025 handbook from their website. Too bad for them, I saved the 434-page document.“
• Lummis (R-WY) 7/26/25: X-post – “After @RepFitzgerald and I introduced legislation this week to hold the NEA accountable – and outlaw them from promoting antisemitism, Critical Race Theory, or engaging in partisan politics – they suddenly deleted their handbook. We will hold the NEA accountable.” Responding to 7/25/25 Corey DeAngelis post, “BREAKING: The nation’s largest teachers union just scrubbed their 2025 handbook from their website. Too bad for them, I saved the 434-page document.”

Other stuff

• Owens (R-UT) 7/31/25: X-post – “‘Woke is officially DEAD at Brown.’ Thanks to action from President @realDonaldTrump and  @usedgov, another college is finally stepping up, ending antisemitism, enforcing Title IX, and restoring merit. A BIG win for students, parents, and higher ed.“
• Greene (R-GA) 7/31/25: X-post (excerpt) – “Yesterday I spoke to a Christian pastor from Gaza. There are children starving. And Christians have been killed and injured, as well as many innocent people. If you are an American Christian, this should be absolutely unacceptable to you. Just as we said that Hamas killing and kidnapping innocent people on Oct 7th is absolutely unacceptable. Are innocent Israeli lives more valuable than innocent Palestinian and Christian lives? And why should America continue funding this? The secular government of nuclear armed Israel has proven that they are beyond capable of dealing with their enemies and are capable of and are in the process of systematically cleansing them from the land. Most Americans that I know don’t hate Israel and we are not antisemitic at all. We are beyond fed up with being told that we have to fix the world’s problems, pay for the world’s problems, and fight all the world’s wars while Americans are struggling to survive even though they work everyday. And many of us, even though we are Christians, no longer want to fund and fight nuclear armed secular Israel’s wars especially when it leads to starving children and killing innocent people including Christians. Of course we are against radical Islamic terrorism, but we are also against genocide. You see.. When you have worked your entire life, and will only receive a $1,000 Social Security check, but noncitizens were given $3,500 and more, you are pissed off. When you have worked your entire life, and all your elected federal officials have recklessly spent and sent your hard earned money to every foreign country and every foreign war and NGO to the point we are almost $40 TRILLION in debt and inflation has caused life to be unaffordable, you are pissed off. When you have worked your entire life, and your elected federal government officials refuse to fix the absurd problems that makes all insurance unaffordable, you are pissed off. And for the younger generations, who are trying their hardest to make it in this ridiculous system, they feel hopeless! And that makes me burn with anger. None of this is antisemitic and I, along with millions of Americans, refuse that manipulative label. It’s the consequences of decades of America LAST policies, nonstop foreign intervention, and the American people clearly seeing the truth and suffering. Here is where I stand. No American should face persecution of any kind because of their identity. Not Jewish American. Not Muslim American. Not Christian American. Not White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, mixed American. And on and on. We already have hate crime laws against that and that’s not who we are in America and we have and should continue to work hard to not allow ourselves to become that…”
• Risch (R-ID) 7/30/25: X-post – “.@USTreasury’s announcement today will deal a massive blow to Russia and Iran, and their destabilizing agenda. President Trump’s maximum pressure on Iran will continue as long as it insists on enriching uranium & refuses to negotiate.“
• Cohen (D-TN) 7/30/25: Congressmen Cohen and McClintock Condemn the Execution of Iranian Political Prisoners
• Massie (R-KY) 7/30/25: X-post – “Israel’s war in Gaza is so lopsided that there’s no rational argument American taxpayers should be paying for it. With tens of thousands of civilian casualties, there’s a moral dilemma too. I vote to stop funding their war and lobbyists for Israel pay for campaign ads against me.” Linked to article in The Hill – The American right is falling out of love with Israel
• House Committee on Education & the Workforce (GOP) 7/29/25: X-post – “Antisemitism has been out of control on Harvard’s campus. Jewish students and faculty faced rampant harassment with virtually no support from university leaders. We’re glad that the Trump administration is finally holding schools accountable for following the law and facing antisemitism head-on.“
• Goldman (D-NY) 7/29/25: Rep. Dan Goldman Convenes Boro Park Leadership Roundtable With Elected Officials, Law Enforcement, and Community Groups to Address Rise in Antisemitic Incidents
• Tlaib (D-MI) 7/28/25: X-post – “Adam Shapiro watched live as Israeli forces stormed the Freedom Flotilla in international waters and detained his wife, Palestinian American human rights lawyer Huwaida Arraf and 20 others for trying to deliver food to Gaza. Thank you Huwaida Arraf, for your courage and conviction. Michigan is with you.“
• Tlaib (D-MI) 7/28/25: X-post – “Congress is threatening to sanction South Africa for their courageous leadership against the Israeli regime’s genocide in Gaza. H.R.2633 is an extremist disgrace. Republicans and any Democrats who vote for this should forever keep Mandela’s name out of their mouths.“
• Tlaib (D-MI) 7/27/25: X-post – “.@StateDept seven Americans were on this ship. You must ensure the Israeli government doesn’t abuse their rights, torture or kill them. Americans have been getting killed in Israel with no accountability. Your mission is centered on protecting Americans abroad. Do your job.” Responding to a post reporting Israel’s interception of the Handala in international waters.
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 7/26/25: X-post – “I’m glad to see this bill adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism advance unanimously out of committee this week in the NJ Assembly. With antisemitic hate surging across our state, it’s time to get this done to protect our Jewish communities.“
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 7/26/25: X-post – “France’s decision is deeply misguided. It rewards Hamas for the atrocities of October 7 and is counterproductive to real, lasting peace. Peace in the region requires honest talks between Israelis and Palestinians, not unilateral declarations by foreign nations. This is a slap in the face to the victims of 10/7 and does nothing to advance a real Palestinian state.”

• Jewish News Syndicate 7/31/25: Pro-Israel lobbying costs, campaign donations up in 2025, in one case by 375% [“‘As the 2026 midterm elections approach, that increased involvement will ensure that the voice of the pro-Israel community will be heard,’ an AIPAC spokesman told JNS.”]
• Politico 7/31/25: A Democrat in the middle of the Israel firestorm – Rep. Sara Jacobs represents her party’s dilemma
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/31/25: Nadler gave ‘distorted picture’ of Oct. 7, conflict in Gaza, per Israeli consul NY
• Free Beacon 7/31/25: ‘Irredeemably Compromised’: Trump Admin Tells Congress Hamas-Linked UNRWA Must Be Dismantled [“The assessment indicates that the US has fully lost faith in the organization after months of revelations that at least a dozen UNRWA employees participated in Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attacks against Israel”]
• Zeteo 7/31/25: This (Fake) Senator Explains Why He Met with Netanyahu and Is Backed By AIPAC [“As Democrats scramble to speak up on Gaza, Zeteo’s Frank Cappello imagines what their latest equivocations would be.”]
• Reuters 7/31/25: Exclusive: Trump officials told Congress Israel agreed to match $30 million for GHF, sources say
• The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS – Israel) 7/31/25: Opposition to Israel’s Actions in Gaza Increases in The United States Congress and the American Public
• The Hill 7/31/25: Republican infighting expands to an unusual place: Israel
• Vox 7/31/25: Democratic voters have turned against Israel. Why won’t their leaders?
• Mondoweiss 7/30/25: Lawmakers pressure Trump on Gaza aid, as support for Israel craters among Democrats
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/30/25: Jew-hatred an ‘attack on very fabric of our society,’ congressman says [“Rep. Dan Goldman brought together politicians, Jewish leaders and law enforcement for a meeting in Brooklyn, N.Y.”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/30/25: California Dem congressman blames Israel for aid truckloads UN hasn’t delivered [“‘Hundreds of truckloads of aid are currently sitting at the Gaza border waiting to be distributed. This is unacceptable,’” Rep. Scott Peters said.”]
• Washington Post 7/30/25: I might lean left — but Marjorie Taylor Greene is winning my respect [“The congresswoman, who represents my district, has shown genuine political courage lately.”]
• The Hill 7/30/25: The American right is falling out of love with Israel [excerpt – “Shifting Republican attitudes on Israel are increasingly visible in Congress. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) stunned colleagues this month by proposing an amendment to eliminate upwards of $500 million in U.S. military aid for Israel’s missile defense. Greene cited Israel’s recent bombing of Gaza’s only Catholic church and railed against funding “nuclear-armed Israel’s missile defense system” while Americans face domestic needs. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) was the only GOP House member who voted with her, along with four Democrats. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), perhaps Congress’s most ardent pro-Israel voice, recently blasted violent attacks by Jewish settlers on Christians. ‘There was a Catholic church burned in the West Bank,’ Graham said angrily on Fox News, referring to a church compound torched by extremist Israeli settlers. ‘What’s happening in the West Bank bothers the hell out of me,’ he added, demanding that Netanyahu punish those responsible. When a stalwart like Graham is ‘incredibly upset’ by Israeli settler violence, it’s clear that the old consensus is cracking.”]
• Jewish Insider 7/30/25: Mike Johnson: ‘Suffering and misery’ in Gaza is ‘quite alarming to see’
• Times of Israel 7/30/25: Trump’s MAGA base defies conservative pro-Israel doctrine [“Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a leading far-right voice in Washington, this week became the first Republican lawmaker to call Israel’s military actions in Gaza a genocide“]
• Jewish Insider 7/30/25: Congress gridlocked over legislation to crack down on antisemitism [“ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt: ‘I’d like to see the extremes marginalized so the vast majority of members of Congress on both sides can get the stuff done that needs to happen’“]
• Jewish Insider 7/30/25: Nadler draws primary challenger calling for generational change [“…Elkind’s newly launched campaign is reportedly expected to draw significant financial backing from Reid Hoffman, the billionaire LinkedIn co-founder and a major Democratic donor who has previously supported moderate, pro-Israel candidates, fueling online criticism from the activist left.“]
• Jewish Insider 7/30/25: Ritchie Torres: Gaza war is turning into a ‘quagmire’ like Iraq [“Torres: ‘War becomes a process of mutual dehumanization which we’re seeing in real time’“]
• The Intercept 7/29/25: As Gaza Starves, Republicans Take Aim at Another Lifeline. Almost No One Noticed. [“It seems incredibly hypocritical to suddenly be shocked by these images when every humanitarian agency has said no one can replace UNRWA.”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/29/25: The Muslim Brotherhood: A terrorist organization the US must designate as such [“…The efforts are led by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy. Cruz has introduced the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025. Cruz said on July 16: ‘The Muslim Brotherhood is a terrorist organization, and it provides support to Muslim Brotherhood branches that are terrorist organizations. One of those branches is Hamas, which on October 7 committed the worst single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, which included the murder and kidnapping of at least 53 Americans. They are committed to the overthrow and destruction of America and other non-Islamist governments across the world, and pose an acute threat to American national security interests. American allies in the Middle East and Europe have already labeled the Brotherhood a terrorist organization, and the United States should do the same, and do so expeditiously.‘”]
• Al-Monitor 7/29/25: AIPAC denies pulling Randy Fine endorsement after derogatory comments on Gaza starvation; Mediate 7/29/25: AIPAC Hits Back At Report It Pulled Endorsement For House Republican Who Said Gaza Can ‘Starve Away’
• Times of Israel 7/29/25: AIPAC appears to drop endorsement of GOP lawmaker who called for Gaza to ‘starve away’ until hostages freed; The New Republic 7/28/25: Not Even AIPAC Wants to Be Associated With This GOP Rep Anymore
• Jewish Insider 7/29/25: Rep. Ritchie Torres offers muscular defense of Israel amid flurry of Dem criticism [“Torres: ‘The accusations against Israel, whether it’s genocide, apartheid or [deliberate] starvation, are all false. It’s all a propaganda campaign’”]
• New York Times 7/29/25: Greene Calls Gaza Crisis a ‘Genocide,’ Hinting at Rift on the Right Over Israel [“Marjorie Taylor Greene was the first Republican in Congress to use the term to describe the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. But others in the MAGA movement have expressed growing concern about Israel.“]
• Jewish Insider 7/29/25: Sen. McCormick lauds Israel’s efforts in creating more secure Middle East [“McCormick: ’We have to eradicate [and] destroy the evil’ that caused the Oct. 7 attacks”]
• The Hill 7/28/25: Sen. Angus King to oppose ‘any’ support for Israel amid Gaza crisis
• Maine Public 7/28/25: Angus King calls for withdrawing support for Israel ‘as long as there are starving children in Gaza’
• The Forward 7/28/25: Is starvation in Gaza really Israel’s fault? The facts are clear [“Some members of Congress, on both sides of the political aisle, have taken the line that aid would be allowed in if there were a ceasefire, and that Hamas is the party responsible for the lack of one. Rep. Dan Goldman, a Democrat from New York, posted, ‘Gaza is on the brink of mass starvation. Israel, the U.S. and the international community must collaborate to ensure a massive surge of humanitarian relief immediately,’ to which he added: ‘This war must end. And let’s be clear: Hamas could end it today if they wanted to.’“]
• The Forward 7/28/25: After Mamdani and Gaza, are Democrats turning against Israel? [“Pro-Israel New York Democrats are talking differently about Israel. Is the party’s direction changing after Mamdani’s victory?“]
• Jewish Insider 7/28/25: Ritchie Torres: Netanyahu has done ‘irreparable damage’ to relationship with Democrats [“The vocal pro-Israel Democrat said he has ‘no real relationship’ with the Israeli government”]
• Responsible Statecraft 7/28/25: AOC wrong: More civilians die when we send Israel ‘defensive weapons’  [“The progressive congresswoman deserves the heat she’s getting for her vote against a bill that would’ve held back aid to Jerusalem”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/28/25: Graham: ‘Israel to take Gaza down like we did in Tokyo, Berlin’ [“‘Hamas is a terrorist organization, chartered to destroy the State of Israel. They’re religious Nazis,’ the U.S. lawmaker said.”]
• NBC News 7/27/25: Sen. Lindsey Graham says there’s no way for Israel to negotiate an end to the war with Hamas [“The Republican senator said Israel will likely take control of Gaza and compared it to U.S. actions at the end of World War II in Japan and Germany.”]
• The Intercept 7/26/25: Israeli Parliament Votes for Making Apartheid Official. Fetterman: “I Haven’t Been Following It.” [“Israel’s Parliament voted in favor of annexing the West Bank. Other Democrats interviewed by The Intercept condemned the move.”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/25/25: Democrats warn of ‘starvation’ among Palestinians in Gaza Strip [“‘It is Israel’s responsibility, and within its capacity, to address and resolve the situation,’ stated Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois, who is Jewish.”]
• Information Liberation 7/24/25: AIPAC-Funded Reps Seek ‘Crack Down on Anti-Semitism’ With Bill to Censor Social Media
• Reuters 7/23/25: US lawmakers advance bill that could sanction South Africa over its foreign policy [covered in last week’s Round-Up]
• Arutz Sheva 7/23/25: Dozens of Congressmen express support for Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria [“30 Senators and Congressmen participated in a conference in support of Samaria with the participation of Council Chairman Yossi Dagan – the largest conference in Washington for Judea and Samaria ever“] -includes photos & video of the event