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

New:

• 3/13/25 episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast, Gaza Genocide, Disinformation, and the Death of Truth, ft, FMEP’s Lara Friedman in conversation with Dr. Assal Rad & Professor Marc Owen Jones.
• 3/12/25: FMEP’s Lara Friedman appeared on Owen Jones (UK) YouTube series: Trump LIES His Crackdown Is About Protecting Jewish Americans – Lara Friedman Exposes TRUTH

1. Bills & Resolutions

TARGETING FREE SPEECH/PROTEST FOR PALESTINIAN LIVES/RIGHTS

HR 2065: Introduced 3/11/25 by McDowell (R-NC) and 9 Republican cosponsors, “To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalty enhancements for committing certain offenses while in disguise, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Also see press release, Rep. Addison McDowell Introduces the Unmasking Hamas Act to Strengthen Penalties for Criminals in Disguise; U.S. lawmakers look to add tougher penalties for those who commit crimes in masks (Fox News 3/11/25)

 S. 936 [bill text]: Introduced 3/11/25 by Cotton (R-AR), “A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to apply a 6 percent excise tax on large endowments of certain private colleges and universities, and for other purposes,” aka the “Woke Endowment Security Tax Act.” Referred to the Committee on Finance.  Also see Cotton’s X-thread 3/11/25: “Today, I introduced two bills aimed at reforming the rotten culture on university campuses. First, any pro-Hamas protestor convicted of a crime should be ineligible for federal student loans, and federal student loan relief. The American people should not be on the hook for the tuition of Little Gaza inhabitants. Second, our elite universities need to know the cost of pushing anti-American and pro-terrorist agendas. The WEST Act would tax the largest university endowments to help pay down the national debt and secure our southern border.” Also see: press release – Cotton Reintroduces Woke Endowment Security Tax Act to Tax College Endowments; Exclusive — Sen. Tom Cotton Proposes Tax on ‘Woke’ Universities’ Endowments (Breitbart 3/11/25)

 S. 937 [bill text]:  Introduced 3/11/25 by Cotton (R-AR),”A bill to establish that an individual who is convicted of any offense under any Federal or State law related to the individual’s conduct at and during the course of a protest that occurs at an institution of higher education shall be ineligible to receive a Federal student loan or for forgiveness, cancellation, waiver, or modification of certain Federal student loans” aka the “No Student Loans for Campus Criminals Act.”  Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Also see Cotton’s X-thread 3/11/25: “Today, I introduced two bills aimed at reforming the rotten culture on university campuses. First, any pro-Hamas protestor convicted of a crime should be ineligible for federal student loans, and federal student loan relief. The American people should not be on the hook for the tuition of Little Gaza inhabitants.Second, our elite universities need to know the cost of pushing anti-American and pro-terrorist agendas. The WEST Act would tax the largest university endowments to help pay down the national debt and secure our southern border.” Also see: press release – Cotton: Taxpayers Shouldn’t Pay for Campus Criminals

S. 982: Introduced 3/12/25 by Banks (R-IN) and Ricketts (R-NE), “A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to disclose campus polices relating to responding to certain incidents of civil disturbance, and for other purposes” aka the “No Tax Dollars for College Encampments Act.” Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

ISRAEL & UAE ARMS SALES

(DISAPPROVING OF ARMS SALES TO ISRAEL) S. J. Res. 32, S. J. Res. 33, S. J. Res. 34, S. J. Res. 34: Introduced 3/10/25 by Sanders (I-VT) and no cosponsors, the first three are joint resolutions “providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services.”  All four resolutions were referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. The fourth is a joint resolution “providing for congressional disapproval of the report of enhancement or upgrade of sensitive foreign military related to a sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services.” All four were referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: Bernie Sanders introduces more resolutions opposing Israel aid, plans to seek votes (Jewish Insider)

(DISAPPROVING OF ARMS SALES TO UAE) HR 2059 and S. 935: Introduced 3/11/25 by Jacobs (D-CA) in the House, “To prohibit the issuance of licenses for the exportation of certain defense articles to the United Arab Emirates, and for other purposes“; and Van Hollen (D-MD) in the Senate, “to prohibit sales and the issuance of licenses for the export of certain defense articles to the United Arab Emirates, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.. Also see press releases: Rep. Sara Jacobs, Sen. Chris Van Hollen Reintroduce Bill to Prohibit U.S. Arms Sales to UAE Until They Cease Support of RSF in Sudan; Van Hollen, Jacobs Reintroduce Bill to Prohibit U.S. Arms Sales to UAE Until They Cease Support of RSF in Sudan

IRAN & HOUTHIS

(PERMANENT IRAN SANCTIONS) HR 2012: Introduced 3/10/25 by Self (R-TX) and 7 cosponsors (6 Republicans plus Moskowitz, D-FL), “To provide for congressional review of actions to terminate or waive sanctions imposed with respect to Iran.” Referred to the Committees on Foreign Affairs; Financial Services; the Judiciary; Ways and Means; Oversight and Government Reform; and Rules.

(TARGETING THE HOUTHIS) HR 2052: Introduced 3/11/25 by Green R-TN) and 3 Republican cosponsors, “To impose sanctions on the Houthis for attacks on international shipping, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on the Judiciary. Also see press release: Rep. Green Reintroduces Bill to Crush Iran-backed Houthi Threat

ANTI-PALESTINIAN & ANTI-HAMAS GRANDSTANDING

(WORLD MUST SUPPORT TRUMP PLAN TO ETHNICALLY CLEANSE GAZA, OR ELSE) HR 1136: Introduced 2/7/25 by Ogles (R-TN), “To impose sanctions on foreign persons failing to cooperate with the United States.” Referred to the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on the Judiciary. NOTE: This bill was included in the 2/14/15 edition of the Round-Up as something to watch — but at that time the bill text was not yet public, so its inclusion was based on a guess. Now that bill text is public, we know that this guess was correct.  This purpose of this bill, the “Make Gaza Great Again Act,” is “to specifically ensure the cooperation of Middle Eastern states, excluding the State of Israel, in offering humanitarian entry to Palestinians from Gaza.” The bill would impose sanctions not merely on countries that fail to cooperate with a Trump-backed or Trump-led effort to ethnically cleanse Gaza, but would impose far-reaching sanctions (similar to sanctions on people associate with Foreign Terrorist organizations) on individuals representing such countries [i.e., diplomats, legislators, elected officials. Also see: Exclusive – Rep. Andy Ogles Intros ‘Make Gaza Great Again’ Act to Provide Legislative Heft to Trump’s Gaza Plan (Breitbart 2/7/25 – sorry, missed this when it came out!)

(NO FUTURE ROLE FOR HAMAS IN THE GAZA STRIP) S. Res. 72: Introduced 2/11/25 by Graham (R-SC) and 4 cosponsors (bipartisan), “A resolution affirming that Hamas cannot retain any political or military control in the Gaza Strip.” Resolution agreed to in Senate 3/13/25 without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.  Also see: Graham X-post – “Very pleased and proud that the U.S. Senate unanimously adopted my resolution stating that Hamas, a brutal terrorist organization, cannot be allowed to have political or military control of Gaza. Tonight, the Senate spoke with moral clarity on one of the most important issues of our time. Barbaric terrorist organizations like Hamas are not legitimate and should never wield political or military power.“

 

PROTECTING IMMIGRANTS/MIGRANTS IN THE US

(REPEAL ALIEN ENEMIES ACT) HR 630 and S. 193 (not covered previously in the Round-Up): Introduced 1/22/25 in the House by Omar (D-MN) and having 49 cospsonsors (all Democrats), and in the Senate 1/22/25 by Hirono (D-HI) and 7 cosponsors (6 Democrats and 1 Independent), “To repeal the Alien Enemies Act“, aka the “Neighbors Not Enemies Act.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

(NO ROUNDING PEOPLE UP AND PUTTING THEM IN INTERNMENT CAMPS) HR XXX: On 3/12/25, Rep. Jayapal (D-WA) announced plans to introduce “the No Round Up Act, legislation to repeal the long-dormant immigration law that allowed for Japanese internment during World War II (WWII) as the Trump administration prepares to use it as a means of mass deportation.”

 

2. Letters

• (NO DEPORTATION OF GREEN CARD HOLDER FOR PROTECTED FREE SPEECH) 3/14/25: Jayapal, Raskin, Scanlon Demand Answers Over Detention and Attempted Deportation of Mahmoud Khalil [letter text – with more than 100 signers]. Excerpt:”…We write to express our grave concern over the constitutionally dubious use of an obsolete Cold War-era section of the Immigration and Nationality Act to have federal agents pick up a lawful permanent resident at his home, arrest him, and detain him simply for exercising his First Amendment right to free speech. The Administration does not allege that Mr. Khalil has committed any crime nor that he has ever been charged with a crime.  Instead, the Trump Administration is relying on vague language in the Immigration and Nationality Act to strip Mr. Mahmoud Khalil of his green card by claiming his speech has somehow had ambiguous ‘foreign policy consequences’ for the United States. And the Administration has failed to provide any explanation of what deleterious foreign policy consequences Mr. Khalil has caused by exercising his free speech rights. This deployment of a dusty old statutory section to punish speech is a dangerous attack on both the First Amendment and on all, including lawful permanent residents, who enjoy its protection. This maneuver evokes the Alien and Sedition Acts and McCarthyism. It is the playbook of authoritarians, not of elected officials in a democratic society who claim to be champions of free speech...” Also see: Dems ask Trump admin to explain Khalil’s arrest, calling it ‘playbook of authoritarians’ [“More than 100 House Democrats sent the letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.”] (Politico 3/14/25); House Democrats join letter questioning legality of Mahmoud Khalil’s detention [“More than 100 Democrats have signed the letter, which makes no specific mention or acknowledgement of the allegations of Khalil’s involvement in pro-Hamas and antisemitic activity”] (Jewish Insider 3/14/25)
• (EVANGELICAL ZIONISTS WANT HUCKABEE CONFIRMED ISRAEL AMB ASAP!) Jerusalem Post 3/13/25: Evangelical leader urges senators to confirm Huckabee as ambassador to Israel [“Mike Evans, the founder of the Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem, sent a letter to US senators on Tuesday urging them to confirm former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee as the next ambassador to Israel, describing him as potentially ‘the greatest US ambassador to Israel in history.'”]
• (ISRAELIS LOBBY CONGRESS TO SUPPORT JEWISH RIGHTS ON TEMPLE MT) Arutz Sheva 3/12/25: Ministers, MKs Urge US Congress to recognize Jewish rights to Temple Mount [“A group of Israeli ministers and MKs sent a letter to members of the US Congress, calling for official recognition of the Jewish people’s historical and religious connection to the Temple Mount“]; Jewish Press 3/12/25: Ministers, MKs Appeal to Senators: ‘Recognize the Right of the Jewish People to the Temple Mount’
• (NO DEPORTATION OF GREEN CARD HOLDER FOR PROTECTED FREE SPEECH!) 3/11/25: X-post from Rep. Tlaib (D-MI) – “I’m joining 13 of my colleagues to demand that the Trump Administration immediately releases Mahmoud Khalil. Their illegal actions set a dangerous precedent. We cannot allow them to shred our constitutional rights to free speech and due process. Free Mahmoud Khalil.” [Letter page 1, Letter page 2]. Also see: 14 House Dems Demanded Mahmoud Khalil’s Release. Where Are the Others? (The Nation 3/12/25)
• (NO DEPORTATION OF GREEN CARD HOLDER FOR PROTECTED FREE SPEECH!) 3/11/25: Representative Ocasio-Cortez Joins NYS Assemblymember Valdez and NYC Council Member Avilés on Letter to DHS Calling for the Release of Mahmoud Khalil [letter text]
• (USING PALESTINE AS HOOK TO SHUT DOWN & POTENTIALLY CRIMINALLY PROSECUTE ACT BLUE) 3/11/25: Exclusive: Amid Turmoil, ActBlue Faces Call for Terror-Financing Investigation (Free Press 3/11/25) [Issa letter to Secretary of Treasury]. The letter uses the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) and the Alliance for Global Justice as the hooks to attack ACT Blue, including alleging: “The undeniable and continued collaboration between ActBlue Charities and terror-tied entities amounts to the enabling of terrorism and may also constitute money-laundering crimes. In addition, the flagrant inability of progressive groups to address the appearance of skirting a full range of our laws – or call out the evils of Hamas and the BDS movement – raises critical questions if the activities and coalition building of ActBlue and ActBlue Charities are in reality part of a wider commitment to financing and facilitating attacks on Israel and Jewish people in America and around the globe.” The letter, which includes a list of questions, conclude: “I hope that the welcome new leadership you are providing the Treasury Department will include a careful review of this fundraising collaboration as well as what any funds raised ultimately supported to determine whether ActBlue or ActBlue Charities have violated relevant criminal statutes.” Also see: GOP lawmaker calls for FBI investigation into ‘alarming’ allegations against top Dem fundraising platform (Fox News 3/13/25)
• (NO NEW MUSLIM BAN) 3/7/25: Congressman Krishnamoorthi Calls On President Trump To Abandon Reported Plans To Revive And Expand Travel Bans [letter text]

3. Hearings

None.

4. Selected Members on the Record

[NOTE: As has been true pretty much every week since 10/7/23, there were lots of posts from Members in support of Israelis being held hostage by Hamas; this week ended with additional tweets praising the Trump Administration after Hamas agreed to release the last of those hostages who has American citizenship]

We Support Deporting Legal Permanent Residents for Constitutionally-Protected Free Speech! (and are happy to pretend this is about Jewish safety/antisemitism)

• Sullivan (R-AK) 3/14/25: X-post – “Senate Democrats are rallying around the terrorist-supporting, antisemitic campus protesters who harass Jewish students, celebrate Hamas, and call for the ‘total eradication of Western civilization.’ This is reprehensible.“
• Smith (R-MS) 3/14/25: X-post – “President Biden failed to protect our nation’s Jewish students when they were being targeted and harassed by agitators spewing Hamas propaganda. President Trump is cracking down on this harassment and demanding action from university administrators.”
• Graham (R-SC) 3/13/25: X-post – “Thank you to the crazy protestors for reminding us all how disgusting the pro-Hamas movement is. Sorry to all the people in Trump Tower who had to experience this garbage. May God bless Israel and may God bless President Trump. As to Mahmoud Khalil: Adios.“
• Kustoff (R-TN) 3/13/25: X-post – “Mahmoud Khalil is a former Columbia University student with known ties to Hamas. He has organized unauthorized protests and illegal occupation activity at Columbia since the invasion of Israel. Some Democrats’ continued support of him is extremely unsettling. Sadly, it is not shocking. Time after time, radical leftists choose to advocate for terrorist sympathizers. This should be plain and simple: every college student deserves to feel safe on their campus. Thank you @POTUS @realDonaldTrumpfor taking action to root out antisemitic hate and violence.”
• Green (R-TN) 3/13/25: X-post – “Exhibit A on the moral bankruptcy of Senate Democrats. This individual leads an organization with ties to Hamas that calls for the ‘eradication of Western Civilization.‘”
• Blackburn (R-TN) 3/12/25: floor statement attacking US universities and students [“…since Hamas’s barbaric attack on Israel on October 7 of last year, many of our Nation’s top universities have abandoned their Jewish students. Instead of providing a place to learn, they have become hotbeds of anti-Semitism, anti-American hatred, and open support for terrorism.“]
• Cruz (R-TX) 3/12/25: X-post – “America has no obligation to let people in who hate this country.“
• Crapo (R-ID) 3/12/25: X-post – “College campuses across the country have devolved into breeding grounds for antisemitic violence and harassment. Our focus should be on protecting Jewish students, not a pro-terrorist foreign national agitator.”
• Bacon (R-NE) 3/12/25: X-post – “Harassing Jewish-American students on college campuses because of anger towards Israel’s policies is anti-Semitism. It is racism. It is hate.“
• Moody (R-FL) 3/12/25: X-post – “The difference is clear as day: Republicans are fighting to free the American hostages. Democrats are fighting for a terrorist-supporting, anti-American, student agitator with a green card.”
• Lee (R-UT) 3/12/25: X-post – Gif with the statement on it: “Fight for Americans? The best I can do is the Palestinian guy who wants to destroy western civilization” [in response post by Senate Judiciary Democrats in support of Mahmoud Khalil]
• Senate Judiciary Republicans 3/12/25: X-thread – “Reports overwhelmingly indicate Mahmoud Khalil is a Hamas sympathizer who espouses violent, anti-American views. Here’s the shocking reality of who Democrats are defending. THREAD Khalil is a senior activist for the Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) student organization. He was CUAD’s ‘lead negotiator’ during the @Columbia protests, which caused multiple injuries, property damage and rampant harassment of Jewish students. Khalil’s CUAD group has called for the ‘total eradication of Western civilization.’ Khalil’s CUAD group publicly supported arsonist Casey Goonan. Goonan is accused of lighting a police car on fire at UC Berkely in protest of the U.S.’s support for Israel’s military operations. By all accounts, Khalil has stoked hatred for America and actively supported a group that foments violence and destruction on U.S. soil. Yet, Democrats continue to stand by him.”
• Tillis (R-NC) 3/12/25: X-post – “Democrats openly embracing pro-Hamas protestors who want to destroy Western Civilization. Not gonna happen under Trump’s watch.”
• Scott (R-SC) 3/12/25: X-post – “Yet again, Democrats choose to defend pro-terrorist, antisemitic foreign nationals over the safety and interests of the American people. Disgusting.“
• Daines (R-MT) 3/12/25: X-post – “We don’t sympathize with terrorist supporters here in the land of the free.”
• Barrasso (R-WY) 3/12/25: X-post – “President Trump is putting an end to the anti-Jewish protests that the previous administration allowed to infect college campuses.   These hateful protestors terrorized Jewish students and pushed pro-Hamas propaganda. They must be held accountable.“
• Senate Republicans 3/11/25: X-post – “Sen. Durbin and @JudiciaryDems are more focused on supporting pro-Hamas foreigners than standing up for American citizens. It’s indefensible.“
• Scott (R-FL) 3/11/25: X-post – “Democrats’ support of terrorist sympathizers is disgusting. If this guy hates America and proudly aligns himself with terrorists, why does he want to be in the United States in the first place?“
• Scott (R-SC) 3/11/25: X-post – “Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest is a step towards combating the pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic agendas spreading on our college campuses.  @POTUS’s commitment to holding these extremists accountable demonstrates real leadership and true commitment in standing with Israel and protecting American values.“
• Senate Republicans 3/11/25: X-post – “Translation: Senate Democrats are siding with pro-Hamas protestors.” [responding to Schumer, D-NY, X-post attacking Mahmoud Khalil’s political views but defending his rights under US rule of law and the Constitution]
• Senate Republicans 3/11/25: X-post – “Yesterday, Senator Durbin said hate against Jewish Americans ‘must be condemned.’ And then @SenatorDurbin and @JudiciaryDems called for releasing a pro-Hamas campus protestor who has harassed Jews. Moral bankruptcy.”
• Senate Republicans 3/11/25: X-post – “Sen. Durbin and @JudiciaryDems are more focused on supporting pro-Hamas foreigners than standing up for American citizens. It’s indefensible.“
• Senate Republicans 3/11/25: X-post – “Democrats like @SenatorDurbin voted for an arms embargo against Israel. Now, they want to release the campus Hamas protestors who are causing chaos across the country. Senator Durbin is radically anti-Israel.”
• Johnson (R-LA) 3/11/25: X-post – “If you are in America on a student visa, and you’re an aspiring young terrorist, who wants to prey upon your Jewish classmates, you’re going home. We will arrest you and send you back to where you belong.” [with video]
• Owens (R-UT) 3/10/25: X-post – “This individual—who used to work for the Hamas wing of the UN—violated America’s laws and spat at American hospitality. Good riddance.“
• Blackburn (R-TN) 3/10/25: X-post – “Federal law enforcement should investigate any student in the United States on a visa who has supported Hamas since October 7.”
• Cruz (R-TX) 3/10/25: X-post – “Promises Made, Promises Kept. Antisemitism has no place anywhere in the United States. This would have never been possible without President Trump and AG Bondi’s leadership.” Linked to White House X-post, “‘We will find, apprehend, and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our country — never to return again.’ –President Donald J. Trump “, with pic of Mahmoud with the words, “Shalom Mahmoud”
• Self (R-TX) 3/10/25: X-post – “We finally have a President who doesn’t back down. Thank you President Trump and @SecRubio. SEND MAHMOUD home!”; re-posted by HFAC/GOP account with comment – “SEND MAHMOUD home!!!” [note that Mahmoud — besides being a legal permanent US resident married to a US citizen and about to become the father of a US citizen — is a Palestinian born in Syria – so not a Syrian citizen and cannot go home to Palestine because…]
• Mast (R-FL) 3/10/25: Chairman Mast Issues Statement in Support of Trump Administration’s Arrest of Mahmoud Khalil
• Blackburn (R-TN) 3/10/25: X-post – “The left puts terrorists before citizens. Khalil’s activism propped up terrorist organizations who wish ill on our country. Is this who Democrats want freed?“
• Cruz (R-TX) 3/11/25: X-post – “Serious Q: if you are a Jewish Democrat, are you happy that Senate Dems are ALL IN in support of pro-Hamas protestors?“
• Harris (R-NC) 3/10/25: X-post – “Deport every Hamas sympathizer.“
• Tuberville (R-AL) 3/10/25: X-post – “Federal law bans terrorists or terrorist sympathizers from entering the U.S. If foreign nationals support Hamas, then they should get out of our country and go to Gaza. Don’t let the door hit you.”
• Van Duyne (R-TX) 3/10/25: X-post – “I fully support the Trump Administration’s crackdown on universities that allow antisemitism to fester. We’re working to deport Hamas supporters here on visas and use the power of the purse to force universities to protect all students’ civil rights“
• Babin (R-TX) 3/10/25: X-post – “No more free passes for Hamas sympathizers. Stand with terrorists? Then say goodbye to your visa and hello to a one-way ticket to Gaza.”
• House Foreign Affairs Committee (GOP) 3/10/25: X-post – “Shalom Mahmoud” [with screenshot of Trump post welcoming/justifying the detention and planned deportation]
• Blackburn (R-TN) 3/10/25: X-post – “Colleges and students on visas are on notice – we will revoke your funding and deport you to Gaza if you support terrorism.”
• Mullin (R-OK) 3/9/25: X-post – “Obtaining a U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right. Friends of Hamas—don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
• Cotton (R-AR) 3/7/25: X-post – “A green card or student visa does not give individuals the right to break our laws, harass our students, and openly sympathize with terrorists. I commend Secretary Rubio for taking swift action and revoking the visas of those involved in criminal activity.“
• Blackburn (R-TN) 3/7/25: X-post – “Thank you, @SecRubio, let’s keep it coming! I’ve long called for revoking visas of students who support terrorist groups like Hamas.”

We Oppose Deporting Green Card Holders for Constitutionally-Protected Free Speech is Not OK! (even as many of us feel compelled to distance ourselves from and denigrate this particular free speech)

• Sanders (I-VT) 3/12/25: X-post – “No, Mr. President, you cannot illegally arrest and detain legal US residents because of their political views or opinions. In America, we have a little something called the First Amendment. Throwing protesters in jail is yet another step on the path to authoritarianism.“
• Murphy (D-CT) 3/11/25: X-post – “There is a young man in jail today for protesting at his college. No charges. No criminal conduct. In dictatorships, they call this ‘a disappearance’. I want to tell you why this case should matter to you, even if you strongly disagree with what he said or did.” MUST WATCH VIDEO
• House Judiciary Democrats/Ranking Member Raskin (D-MD) 3/11/25: X-post – ““The Constitution guarantees that everyone in our country enjoys the protection of the First Amendment, including the right to speak freely without fear of retribution by the government. We cannot allow this nation to slide into a system of presidential authoritarianism, where people are seized at their homes, arrested, and detained simply for expressing disfavored political viewpoints.  The detention of Mahmoud Khalil is ripped straight from the authoritarian playbook. His arrest sets an extremely dangerous and chilling precedent from an administration that is hellbent on wielding fear and intimidation as weapons to crush political dissent. All Americans, including those who strongly disagree with Khalil’s speech, should be outraged by this brazen attack on our fundamental freedoms.  Meanwhile, House Republicans—even those among them who so valiantly decry censorship and government infringement on free speech—have now turned silent as Trump tramples the First Amendment. In their silence they too are complicit in this shocking assault on our right to speak freely.  Trump is at war with the Constitution. His lawlessness is a threat to our freedom. I am closely monitoring the situation.”
• Schumer (D-NY) 3/11/25: X-post – “I abhor many of the opinions and policies that Mahmoud Khalil holds and supports, and have made my criticism of the antisemitic actions at Columbia loudly known. Mr. Khalil is also legal permanent resident here, and his wife, who is 8-months pregnant, is an American citizen. While he may well be in violation of various campus rules regarding how the protests were conducted last year, that is a matter for the university to pursue, and I have encouraged them to be much more robust in how they combat antisemitism and maintain a harassment-free campus that protects the safety and security of Jewish and other students. The Trump administration’s DHS must articulate any criminal charges or facts that would justify his detention or the initiation of deportation proceedings against him. If the administration cannot prove he has violated any criminal law to justify taking this severe action and is doing it for the opinions he has expressed, then that is wrong, they are violating the First Amendment protections we all enjoy and should drop their wrongheaded action.”
• Smith (D-WA) 3/11/25: X-post – “The detention of Mahmoud Khalil is a deeply troubling attack on free speech. I have expressed concerns about protests that cross the line into threats, intimidation and criminal acts and I stand by that. But Khalil committed no crime. He shouldn’t be locked up for expressing his political views.“
• Senate Judiciary Committee (Democrats) 3/10/25: X-thread – “Just to recap… Mahmoud Khalil exercises his First Amendment rights. But, Donald Trump and Marco Rubio didn’t agree with what he said. A THREAD. So, ICE arrests Mahmoud, claiming his ‘visa’ was revoked. But, Mahmoud explains he’s *not* on a visa, but is a lawful permanent resident with a green card. ICE arrests and detains him anyway. Then, Marco Rubio announces that green card holders will be deported too. His pregnant wife—an American citizen—currently has no idea where he is. This should terrify everyone.”
• Nadler (D-NY) 3/10/25: X-post – “I am monitoring the situation regarding the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil and look forward to receiving additional information regarding the specifics of this case. But let’s be clear: The warrantless arrest of any legal permanent resident seemingly solely over their speech is a chilling, McCarthyesque action in response to the exercise of first amendment rights to free speech. Such action is a frightening violation of immigration law that will not make Jewish students safer on campus and will only feed the Trump Administration’s political war on education and hollow lip service on discrimination against minorities. If the Trump White House were serious about rooting out antisemitism in America, they should start with their own Administration.”
• Durbin (D-IL) 3/10/25: X-post – “Detaining a recent grad student for exercising his right to free speech is something we’d expect from Russia—NOT AMERICA. Punishing speech by revoking legal immigration status is dangerous.“
• Senate Judiciary Committee (Democrats) 3/10/25: X-post – “Free Mahmoud Khalil.“
• Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) 3/10/25: X-post – “If the federal government can disappear a legal US permanent resident without reason or warrant, then they can disappear US citizens too. Anyone – left, right, or center – who has highlighted the importance of constitutional rights + free speech should be sounding the alarm now.”
• Jeffries (D-NY) 3/10/25: “Mahmoud Khalil is a legal permanent resident whose wife, an American citizen, is eight months pregnant. To the extent his actions were inconsistent with Columbia University policy and created an unacceptable hostile academic environment for Jewish students and others, there is a serious university disciplinary process that can handle the matter. In the context of the arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil, DHS must produce facts and evidence of criminal activity. Absent evidence of a crime, such as providing material support for a terrorist organization, the actions undertaken by the Trump administration are wildly inconsistent with the United States Constitution. A judge has blocked this egregious removal pending further action and, along with Attorney General Letitia James, we will continue monitoring this developing situation closely.”
• Welch (D-VT) 3/10/25: X-post – “Mahmoud Khalil is a permanent legal resident who is entitled to First Amendment protections like everyone in this country. If Trump starts illegally revoking green cards from people because he doesn’t like their speech, we’re on the path to full-blown authoritarianism.“
• Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) 3/10/25: X-post – “Violating rule of law, actually. You are shredding the Constitution of the United States to go after political enemies. Seizing a person without reason or warrant and denying them access to their lawyer is un-American and tyrannical. Anyone celebrating this should be ashamed.” [responding to X-post by Katie Miller (wife of Trump Admin official Stephen Miller) posting that the arest of Mahmoud Khalil is “Law Enforcement enforcing the rule of law.”
• Tlaib (D-MI) 3/10/25: X-post – “Free Mahmoud Khalil. This is straight out of the fascist playbook. Criminalizing dissent is an assault on our First Amendment and freedom of speech. Revoking someone’s green card for expressing their political opinion is illegal. Protesting genocide is not a crime.”
• Lee (D-PA) 3/9/25: X-post – “Kidnapping an activist and jailing him in the middle of the night is a brazen act of authoritarianism. Punishing dissent by revoking legal status is a dangerous precedent to set.”
• Jayapal (D-WA) 3/9/25: X-post – “The Trump admin is going after students who have used their first amendment, Constitutional rights. This is unacceptable. Deporting legal residents solely for expressing their political opinions is a violation of free speech rights. Who’s next? Citizens?“
• Ramirez (D-IL) 3/9/25: X-post – “Criminalizing dissent is part of the authoritarian playbook. And it is being followed step by step by the Trump Administration. We should all be alarmed and standing opposed, because authoritarianism thrives when we surrender our right to dissent.”

Targeting Universities (Ostensibly Over Antisemitism)

• Owens (R-UT) 3/14/25: X-post – “Columbia expels ‘some’ students who occupied campus buildings on behalf of Hamas. A good start, but more expulsions need to follow.“
• Green (R-TN) 3/10/25: X-post – “Far-left university boards when they figure out they can’t support Hamas and receive taxpayer dollars at the same time.” [with gif of crying man]
• Scott (R-FL) 3/8/25: X-thread – “Thanks to President Trump, our higher education institutions are finally being held accountable for their disgusting toleration of violent antisemites and terrorist sympathizers. I was glad to hear he is canceling $400M to @Columbia. Here’s a thread of where he should look next – @UCBerkeley allowed literal turmoil, as Jewish students were scared to go to class, let alone step on campus. Jewish professors and students were targeted, and campus clubs banned and shut down any pro-Israel speakers. | @NorthwesternU allowed an encampment to take over campus, and as the violence erupted, the university negotiated instead of holding them accountable. When Congress questioned the president as to why he made this decision, he defended it. Disgusting. | .@GWtweets in Washington, D.C., was no better. I went myself and saw courageous Jewish students standing up to Hamas sympathizers as they took over the streets and disrupted campus for days before the university finally acted. These schools – and any others like them that allowed this hatred and targeting of Jewish students to take place – must be investigated and punished so this NEVER happens again.“
• Scott (R-FL) 3/7/25: X-post – “Pres. Trump is right to cancel this federal funding for @Columbia and any higher ed institution that refuses to enforce the law on campus, allowing hate-filled, anti-Israel mobs to take over. Proud to lead the Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act to make this law.”
• Kustoff (R-TN) 3/7/25: X-post – “As a former U.S. Attorney, I know the Biden Administration should have prosecuted the violent, disruptive, and pro-terrorist agitators who have illegally occupied college campuses since the October 7 attack on Israel. Thank you, @realDonaldTrump, for standing up to woke, rogue college administrators who have enabled this chaos. Every student in America deserves a safe and secure campus.“
• Self (R-TX) 3/7/25: X-post – “Joe Biden coddled Hamas sympathizers at Columbia. President Trump is cancelling $400 million of their school’s federal grants. BOOM.”
• Nadler (D-NY) and Espaillat (D-NY) 3/7/25: NADLER AND ESPAILLAT JOINT STATEMENT ON TRUMP CUTS TO COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

How dare the Heritage Foundation Suggest Cutting Aid to Israel over the next 22 years????

• Rosen (D-NV) 3/12/25: X-post – “I’ll always oppose anti-Israel proposals, whether they come from the left or the right. I hope my Republican colleagues will join me in denouncing this plan from their side of the aisle to fully cut off U.S. support for Israel, one of our closest allies.”
• Hoyer (D-MD) 3/12/25: Hoyer Statement on Leading Conservative Group Report Calling for Ending U.S. Aid to Israel

Other Issues

• McCormick (R-PA) 3/13/25: X-post – “As Chair of the @SenateForeign Middle East Subcommittee, I am reaching out to ambassadors in the region for the benefit of Pennsylvania, our country, and peace. Was honored to welcome Israeli Ambassador @yechielleiter to the Capitol. A Scranton, PA native who grew up 50 miles from my hometown before emigrating to Israel. Yechiel has a deep understanding of the special relationship between our countries and the region. We discussed defeating Hamas, deterring Iran, and expanding the Abraham Accords.”
• Ramirez (D-IL) 3/12/25: X-post – “No one more cent. No one more bomb. No one more excuse.  I joined 12 of my colleagues to demand Congress block any current and future sales of arms and weapons to the Israeli government. Phase 2 of the ceasefire must proceed and the collective punishment of the Palestinian people must end.”
• Sherman (D-CA) 3/12/25: X-post – “It’s up to those Republicans who claim to support Israel to tell Trump: No! No friend of #Israel would put Daniel Davis in a position of power.“
• Mann (R-KS) 3/12/25: X-post – “Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East. I met with @AIPAC to discuss ongoing threats to Israel and the life-saving role that U.S. security assistance plays in protecting our Israeli neighbors and friends. Audrey and I continue to pray for Israel, the recently released hostages, and the families whose loved ones never made it out of captivity. I am proud to stand with Israel and look forward to working with the Trump Administration to continue to strengthen the relationship between Israel and America.”
• Risch (R-ID) 3/11/25: X-post – “The massacre of unarmed Christians and Alawites in northwest Syria is abhorrent – a reminder of why the U.S. should proceed with caution in Syria. The Syrian interim authorities must exercise control over the use of force – militias outside of government control are a threat to the region and Americans.”
• Graham (R-SC) 3/11/25: X-post – “Congratulations to the Trump Team for negotiating high level discussions between Lebanon and Israel regarding border security. This is a major breakthrough and it is my hope that Lebanon — which is trending in a very positive direction — will continue to engage with Israel and be part of regional peace and stability rather than conflict. Lebanon following the path of peaceful coexistence and integration into the new Middle East would be a major accomplishment for the Trump Administration. It would also dramatically change the trajectory of Lebanon, which has so much to offer the world. Well done.“
• Fetterman (D-PA) 3/11/25: X-post – “For decades, Iran has sown terrorism and regional instability. As I’ve said, I fully support destroying Iran’s nuclear program.”
• Schneider (D-IL) 3/10/24: Schneider, Bilirakis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reclassify Turkey as a Middle Eastern country
• Sanders (I-VT) 3/10/25: X-post – “Cutting off humanitarian aid to millions of civilians is a war crime. That is exactly what the extremist Netanyahu government is doing now to Palestinians in Gaza. I’ve introduced resolutions to block billions in offensive arms sales to Israel & will demand votes on these bills.”
• Dean (D-PA) 3/10/25: X-thread – “There are some troubling headlines coming out about the Israel-Hamas war ceasefire. Let’s (briefly) talk about it.Humanitarian conditions in Gaza are dire. Innocent Palestinians must be allowed basic necessities — food, water, fuel, medical attention. Gazans have been living without steady access for more than a year. The first phase of the ceasefire is over, and negotiations are planned for what will hopefully become another agreement. I urge officials to faithfully participate in these negotiations – for the sake of 24 living hostages and 35 dead, including Americans — and for the thousands of innocents who will be in harms’ way should the war resume.“
• Moody (R-FL) 3/10/25: X-post – “An anti-Israel bias plagues the UN. They not only failed to condemn Hamas following the October 7th attack, but have done nothing to protect Jewish communities around the world. I met with @EliseStefanik today. She is passionate and committed to rooting out antisemitism at the UN. I am confident that as our ambassador, she and @realDonaldTrump will champion the interests of our greatest ally in the Middle East.”
• Welch (D-VT) 3/10/25: X-post – “First, Prime Minister Netanyahu blocked all humanitarian aid from reaching civilians in Gaza. Now, his government is cutting off electricity to the more than 2 million people there. These actions won’t make Israel safer. They will only result in more suffering and death.“
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 3/9/25: X-post – “We must push back against Turkey’s aggression under President Erdoğan. His goal is to destabilize the region while supporting terrorist groups like Hamas & aligning with dictators such as Putin. Any transgression against our allies—Cyprus, Greece, and Israel—will not be tolerated. Erdoğan’s embrace of Hamas & disregard for U.S. & NATO interests prove he cannot be trusted.“
• Welch (D-VT) 3/7/25: X-post – “I’ve introduced legislation to restore funding to UNRWA. As Gaza recovers from the devastation of the war, reinstating this small amount of aid to the most effective organization in the region will save thousands of lives.“
• House Foreign Affairs Committee (GOP) 3/7/25: X-post – “President Trump made it clear to Hamas: release all hostages or you’ll be executed.“

 

5. Selected Media

On the Detention & Potential Deportation of Green Card-Holder for Palestine-Related Views & Protests

• Washington Examiner 3/11/25: Ted Cruz argues VISA students are not protected under First Amendment
• Jewish Insider 3/11/25: Left-wing lawmakers condemn ICE detention of Columbia protest leader, while pro-Israel Democrats are more circumspect
• The Intercept 3/11/25: Dems for Some Reason Expect Trump to Follow the Law on Detention of Mahmoud Khalil
• Common Dreams 3/11/25:  After Khalil Abduction by ICE, Jeffries and Schumer ‘Not the Men for This Moment In History’ [“Democratic leaders ‘helped create the conditions for this framing anti-genocide speech as antisemitic/terrorism,’ said one journalist.”]
• Politico 3/11/25: House Judiciary Dems join chorus of outrage over Trump’s efforts to deport student
• Politico 3/11/25: Democrats divided over the arrest of Palestinian student for his role in Columbia protests [“House and Senate members seek to distance themselves from Hamas and antisemitism on campus.“]
• Common Dreams 3/10/25: ‘Free Mahmoud Khalil’: Progressives Demand Release of ‘Disappeared’ Columbia Grad [“‘If the feds can snatch up an American green card holder for speech they don’t like and get away with it, they won’t stop here. They’ll be able to erase the right to speech they don’t agree with and kidnap anyone who dares resist.‘”]

Other Stuff

• Jewish Insider 3/13/25: McConnell blasts ongoing Trump administration staffing concerns following DNI fracas
• Jewish Insider 3/13/25: Pro-Israel Dems needle Republicans over Heritage report on Israel aid [“DMFI says the plan is tied to ‘a dangerous trend: the lure of isolationism’“]
• Times of Israel 3/13/24: Jewish, Muslim groups condemn Trump’s use of ‘Palestinian’ as slur to put down Schumer
• Jewish Insider 3/13/25: Senate Republicans say Boehler needs to be sidelined after media blitz
• Jewish Insider 3/13/25: Democrats lambast Department of Education civil rights cuts, Republicans largely unconcerned
• Washington Free Beacon 3/12/25: Ilhan Omar’s Daughter Promotes Fundraiser For Pro-Hamas Activist in ICE Custody
• Jewish Insider 3/12/25: Senate Republicans unsettled by antisemitic Pentagon press secretary
• Jewish News Syndicate 3/12/25: Democrats still wobbly on antisemitism
• Politico 3/11/25: Republicans have hated universities for years. Anti-war protests gave them a reason to punish them.
• Jewish Insider 3/11/25: RJC says it will join Trump in backing potential primary challenge to Thomas Massie
• Jewish Insider 3/10/25:  Sen. Rick Scott reintroduces bill to expand Title VI and increase penalties for violating universities
• Jewish Insider 3/10/25: Rep. Abe Hamadeh brings a unique perspective to conflicts in Syria, Middle East

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

New:

• 3/6/25: Who Are ‘JINO Jews’ and Why Do Conservatives Hate Them? — Zeteo’s Mehdi Hassan interviews FMEP’s Lara Friedman
• 3/6/25: New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast- “Ceasefire Possibilities, Political Dynamics, Regional Aspirations, and the Trump Administration,” ft. FMEP non-resident fellow Peter Beinart in conversation with analyst Mouin Rabbani about the current state of affairs, including: the potential for Gaza ceasefire negotiations, Palestinian political dynamics and possibilities, Israeli aspirations and actions in Syria and the Syrian regime’s response, and the Trump administration’s unpredictable and erratic policymaking.

1. Bills & Resolutions

(NO FUNDS FOR LEBANESE ARMED FORCES) HR 1844 [bill text]: Introduced 3/5/25 by Steube (R-FL), “To prohibit the availability of Federal funds to support the Armed Forces of Lebanon, and for other purposes,” aka the “Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Radicalism” Act, aka the “PAGER Act.”  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: Steube Reintroduces PAGER Act to Protect U.S. Funding from Hezbollah; Steube X-post – “They killed our troops in Beirut. They attack Israel daily. Yet Washington still funnels money to Hezbollah. My PAGER Act ensures not a single cent helps these terrorists again.”

(SANCTIONS ON HOUTHIS) HR 1848:  Introduced 3/5/25 by Issa (R-CA) and 5 cosponsors (4 Republicans plus Sherman, D-CA), “To authorize the imposition of sanctions with respect to the Houthis, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on the Judiciary.

(SENDING A MESSAGE TO TURKEY) HR 1890: Introduced 3/5/25 by Schneider (D-IL) and 5 cosponsors (bipartisan), “To administratively reassign responsibility for the Republic of Turkey within the Department of State and for other purposes,” aka the “Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: House members seek to redesignate Turkey as Middle Eastern country (Jewish Insider 3/7/25); Bilirakis (R-FL) press release – Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance (CHIA) Caucus to Erdogan: It’s Time to Choose

(NO FOREIGN FLAGS ON CAPITOL HILL, NO OFFICIAL FUNDS TO PURCHASE FOREIGN FLAGS) S. 849: Introduced 3/5/25 by Moreno (R-OH),  “A bill to prohibit displaying the flag of a country other than the United States on Capitol Hill and to prohibit Members of Congress from using official funds to purchase the flag of a country other than the United States.“Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. [NOTE: Members of Congress often post/display Israel flags in and in front of their offices…]. Press release – New Moreno Bill to Ban Flags of Foreign Nations From Capitol

 

2. Letters

• (RESTORE UNRWA FUNDING) 3/3/25: UNRWA USA Leads 124 Groups Urging Congress to Restore US Funding for UNRWA [letter text]

3. Hearings

March 5, 2025: The Senate Judiciary Committee held a shameful excuse of a hearing entitled, Never To Be Silent: Stemming the Tide of Antisemitism in America (hearing video). Majority witnesses were: Adela Cojab, National Jewish Advocacy Center (Testimony); Alyza Lewin, The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (Testimony); and Asra Nomani, The Pearl Project (Testimony). Minority witnesses were: Kevin Rachlin, The Nexus Project (Testimony); and Meirav Solomon, Student at Tufts University (Testimony). In terms of content, the hearing is exactly what one would have expected, given the zeitgeist in this Congress and given the 3 majority witnesses: virtually no interest in talking about ACTUAL antisemitism and instead focusing entirely on criticism and activism opposing Israel’s actions and policies, and on anti-Zionism; and focus instead on blanket defamation of anyone who is standing up for Palestinian lives/rights, blanket conflation of free speech/activism for Palestinian lives/rights with antisemitism,  repeated insistence on the alleged imperative for Congress to adopt/enforce the IHRA definition of antisemitism, calls to arrest/punish/deport students, claims that US activists for Palestinian lives/rights are backed by or working in coordination with foreign states and terrorist groups, and more. To get a sense of the tenor of this sh*t-show of a hearing, see the opening statement from committee chair Grassley (R-IA) — Grassley Opening Statement on Stemming the Tide of Antisemitism in America. Also see:

• press releases: Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Combating The Rise Of Antisemitism In America; Hawley Confronts Democrat Witness for Sympathizing with Violent Antisemitic Protesters, Discriminatory DEI; U.S. Senator Katie Britt Calls for Strengthening Title VI, Protecting Jewish Students; Durbin Discusses U.S.-Israel Relations, Antisemitism With JACPAC
• Media: Senate panel hearing addresses line between Jew-hatred, free speech (Jewish News Syndicate 3/6/25); Senate holds first dedicated antisemitism hearing since Oct. 7 (Jewish Insider 3/6/25);  3 Takeaways From Senate Hearing on Antisemitism (US News 3/5/25);  Hamas is Fighting a War for Our Brains, As We’ll See This Week in a Senate Hearing [co-authored by one of the witnesses at the hearing in question] (Jewish Journal 3/3/25); Anti-Israel group urges faculty to oppose Trump antisemitism measures ahead of hearing (Jewish Insider 3/3/25); Witness list for Senate antisemitism hearing draws from wide array of backgrounds [“Republican witnesses include Adela Cojab, Alyza Lewin and Asra Nomani; Democrats are calling Kevin Rachlin and Meirav Solomon”] (Jewish Insider 3/3/25);  The GOP Says It’s Fighting Antisemitism In Colleges. Some Students Call BS. (Yahoo News 3/5/25);
• Emily Tamkin (The Forward) on X 3/5/25: “At the hearing on antisemitism, Sen. Kennedy accused a Jewish witness of ‘dipping into your ketamine stash’ for saying that OCR should be funded to investigate antisemitism and for describing protests on college campus against the war on Gaza as he saw them.” [accusing Kevin Rachlin]
• X-thread on the hearing from Palestine Legal; X-thread on the hearing from JVP’s Beth Miller; X-thread on the hearing from Within Our Lifetime
• JVP press release 3/5/25: Congress Hearing on Antisemitism Does Nothing for Jewish Safety, Advances Authoritarianism  

March 5, 2025: The House Committee on Foreign Affairs held a hearing entitled, Bridging the Gap: Turkey Between East and West (hearing video). Witnesses were: Anna Borschevskaya, WINEP (statement); Jonathan Schanzer, FDD (statement); and Celeste Wallander, CNAS (statement). Also see:

• Europe Subcommittee Chairman Self Delivers Opening Remarks at Hearing on Turkey
• Jewish Insider 3/6/25: House hearing highlights tensions and opportunities in U.S.-Turkey relationship [“Lawmakers and experts discussed the merits of pressuring Ankara, which has a longstanding relationship with Hamas, or working cooperatively on shared goals, such as stability in Syria“]

March 4, 2025: The House Committee on Homeland Security held a hearing entitled, “The Digital Battlefield: How Terrorists Use the Internet and Online Networks for Recruitment and Radicalization” (hearing video).  Witnesses were: Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, Foundation for Defense of Democracies (statement); Aaron Zelin, WINEP (statement); Daniel Flesch, Heritage Foundation (statement – whose focus was Hamas and alleged support for Hamas in the US, boiling down to a sales pitch for Project Esther, concluding); and Kurt Braddock, American University (statement). Also see:

• MEDIA ADVISORY: Hearing on How Terrorists Use the Internet and Online Networks for Recruitment
• from Flesch’s bio: “From 2018-2021, Flesch served as Senior Advisor to Israel’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. He was the Founder and Executive Director of Fuel for Truth—D.C., an Israel education and advocacy program. Flesch also served in the 202nd Paratrooper Battalion of the Israel Defense Forces, where he was twice recognized as Outstanding Platoon Soldier. He wrote about his experiences and why Americans serve in the IDF for Commentary Magazine…”]

Nominations in the news

• Jewish Insider 3/4/25: Colby says nuclear Iran an ‘existential danger’ to the U.S., backpedaling on past views [“The nominee for undersecretary of defense for policy also moved to distance himself from controversial Middle East Pentagon official Michael DiMino”]
• Jewish Insider 3/3/25: Consequences of striking Iran worse than Iran getting nuclear weapons, Colby said in 2012

4. Selected Members on the Record

We Support Starving Everyone in Gaza &/or Trump’s Threat to Kill All Palestinians in Gaza

• Scott (R-FL) 3/6/25: X-post – “America stands with Israel! Thank you, President Trump. 517 days in the hands of Hamas terrorists is 517 days too long. BRING THEM ALL HOME!”
• Fetterman (D-PA) 3/5/25: X-post – “Free all the hostages or start killing Hamas members again. I fully agree with @POTUS.“
• Fallon (R-TX) 3/5/25: X-post – “President Trump has made clear he is committed to lasting peace & security in the Middle East through his steadfast support for our ally, Israel, and max pressure campaign on Iran. A welcome change from the past 4yrs of WH appeasement towards terrorists and their sympathizers.“
• Hagerty (R-TN) 3/5/25: X-post – “Unlike the Biden Admin, which only put pressure on our ally Israel, @realDonaldTrump puts the pressure exclusively where it belongs…on Hamas.”
• Feenstra (R-IA) 3/5/25: X-post – “Thank you to President Trump for standing strong with Israel and holding the vicious Hamas terrorists accountable for their crimes and barbarity. The United States stands with Israel.“
• Harrigan (R-NC) 3/5/25: X-post – “President Trump is right. Hamas must release the hostages or face the consequences. This is a fight between good and evil. Peace comes through strength, and America stands unequivocally with our greatest ally, Israel.“
• Graham (R-SC) 3/5/35: X-post – “President @realDonaldTrump, you have my complete and total support. This is why I believe President Trump is the right man at the right time to deal with the bad guys and bring peace to the world. This ultimatum should have been delivered to Hamas early on by the Biden Administration. Mr. President: You are right to say it and It’s imperative you do it if Hamas refuses.“
• Grassley (R-IA) 3/4/25: Grassley Stands with Israel, Demands Hamas Release all Hostages (video of floor speech)
• Scott (R-FL) 3/4/25: X-post – “Thank God for a President who stands with our nation’s Jewish community and our great ally, Israel!”
• Cotton (R-AR) 3/2/25: X-post – “We didn’t provide aid to Nazi Germany during World War II. The idea is preposterous. Why should Israel be forced to provide aid to Hamas-run Gaza?” [see responses, many of which remind Cotton that the ask today isn’t for Israel to provide aid to the more than 2 million Palestinian civilians suffering in Gaza; it is for Israel to stop preventing other countries/organizations from doing so]
• Tenney (R-NY) 3/2/25: X-post – “Despite Israel’s willingness to extend the ceasefire through Ramadan and Passover, Hamas is refusing — which will lead to a restart of the conflict. Hamas is unequivocally responsible for any resumption of efforts to free the hostages and eradicate Hamas in Gaza. If Hamas truly wants to end the conflict, it simply needs to release all of the hostages!“

YAY! MORE WEAPON FOR ISRAEL!!!

• Cotton (R-AR) 3/3/25: X-post – “I’m pleased that President Trump and Secretary Rubio are ending the Biden administration’s shameful arms embargo on Israel. Israel is in a war of survival against murderous terrorists and they shouldn’t be forced to fight with one hand tied behind their back. Today’s announcement will bring more well-paying jobs for American workers. And it is an important step towards securing peace in the region and bringing home the remaining hostages held by Hamas.“
• Bean (R-FL) 3/3/25: X-post – “America FINALLY has a leader back in the White House who supports our dear ally, Israel!”
• Hagerty (R-TN) 3/3/25: X-post – “The Biden Admin disgracefully folded to the pro-Hamas radical left by holding up security assistance Israel needs to defeat Hamas terrorists. Once again @realDonaldTrump>and his Administration take action to stand w/ our ally Israel and reverse the anti-Israel policies of the Biden Admin.”
• Budd (R-NC) 3/3/25: X-post – “.@SecRubio’s decision to expedite arms to Israel is the right decision as Hamas refuses to release additional hostages.   The Biden Administration’s partial arms embargo was disgraceful and only prolonged the war in Gaza“
• Tenney (R-NY) 3/2/25: X-post – “Under President Trump’s administration, America will continue to support Israel as it exercises its unequivocal right to defend itself. Justice will be served upon the terrorists who brutally kidnapped & killed American & Israeli citizens.”
• Lawler (R-NY) 3/1/25: X-post – “I applaud the @SecRubio and the Trump Administration for expediting $4B in military aid to Israel, ensuring they have what they need to dismantle Hamas. Shame on the Biden Administration for blocking support. Israelis can rest easier with a strong ally in the White House.“

We actually care (to varying degrees) about Palestinian Lives

• Tlaib (D-MI) 3/6/25: X-post – “Party leaders are wildly out of touch with our voters. More and more Americans can see the Israeli government’s crimes of genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people and are calling for action from their representatives. We cannot ignore them. We need an arms embargo.“
• Quigley (D-IL) 3/5/25: X-post – “October 7th was a day of unspeakable tragedy that left deep scars on the Israeli people. The war that ensued has devastated the Palestinian people in Gaza. The only way to ensure a lasting peace is to enter the second phase of the ceasefire deal, release all remaining hostages, deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, and lay the groundwork for a two-state solution. Anything less will be a disservice to the Israeli and Palestinian people.”
• Casar (D-TX) 3/3/25: X-post – “The Israeli government’s decision to block food, medicine, and all other aid from entering Gaza is collective punishment. That’s horrific and unacceptable. Both Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in January. That deal has saved lives — both parties should abide by it and ensure the agreement moves forward as intended.”
• DeLauro (D-CT) 3/2/25: X-post – “Cutting off humanitarian aid to Gaza is not a responsible negotiating tactic—it is already resulting in more hunger, especially for children. Both Israel and Hamas need to return to the negotiating table alongside ongoing delivery of aid, or any path to peace is at risk.“
• Simon (D-CA) 3/2/25: X-post – “Yesterday marked the start of Ramadan in the Muslim world, and Israel has chosen to block aid going to Gaza today. This breaks my heart. We must do everything to prolong the ceasefire by ending hostilities, returning all the hostages home, and ensuring aid reaches Gaza.“
• Jayapal (D-WA) 3/2/25: X-post – “The ceasefire has already saved lives and it is critical that it continues. I’m appalled that Israel is illegally halting all forms of humanitarian aid into Gaza as leverage in these negotiations. This collective punishment is especially cruel as Ramadan starts.“

Weaponizing “Fighting Antisemitism” to Target Academia, Free Speech, & Protest

• House Foreign Affairs Committee (GOP) 3/7/25: X-post – “Terrorist sympathizers are not welcome in the United States of America. Thank you @SecRubio and @POTUS for your leadership. Deport them all!“
• Tlaib (D-MI) 3/5/5: X-post – “President Trump claimed he ended ‘all censorship’ and restored free speech in America. He also threatened to expel, jail, and deport college students protesting the Israeli government’s genocide. He should reread the First Amendment.“
• Scott (R-SC) 3/5/25: X-post – “When antisemitism reared its ugly head across our nation following Hamas’s October 7th terror attack on Israel, the previous administration looked the other way. I’m thrilled to see clear-eyed, moral leadership return to the White House.” Linked to article, Trump threatens to deport, imprison foreign students for ‘illegal protests’
• Walberg (R-MI) 3/5/25: DOJ Investigates Workplace Antisemitism at University of California Following @EdWorkforceCmte Probe 
• Stefanik (R-NY) 3/5/25: X-post – “Under President @realDonaldTrump, colleges and universities will be held accountable. Antisemitism and anti-Israel hate will not be tolerated on American campuses. Promises made, promises kept. @realDonaldTrump @WhiteHouse“
• Walberg (R-MI) 3/4/25: Chair Walberg on Newsmax Talks Secretary McMahon’s Confirmation, Campus Antisemitism
• Walberg (R-MI) 3/3/25: Chair Walberg on State of Antisemitism in America’s Universities [“Today, Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) issued the following statement on the release of the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) 2025 Campus Report Card: ‘Today’s Campus Report Card is a painful reminder of the scourge of antisemitism that is infecting colleges across our country. Too often, we hear of terrorist-supporting mobs overtaking academic buildings, harassing Jewish students, and causing chaos on campuses—clearly breaking the rules laid out by schools.  I am grateful to organizations like the ADL, which work diligently to document and expose this kind of antisemitic hatred. ADL’s efforts bring much-needed attention to the plight of Jewish students across our country.  Now that this horrific activity has been exposed, it is time for university heads to take action. Follow through on your promises to stop caving to the radical mobs and organizers of illegal encampments. Follow through on your promises to hold bad actors accountable. Follow through on your promises to keep Jewish students safe! Your failure to do so will not be tolerated.”
• Stefanik (R-NY) 3/3/25: U.S. Ambassador-Designate To The United Nations Elise Stefanik Delivers Address At Anti-Defamation League’s “Never Is Now” Summit, The World’s Largest Summit on Combating Antisemitism 

Israeli Hostages

• Budd (R-NC) 3/6/25: Budd Hosts Bipartisan Meeting with Keith Siegel and Recently Released Hostages
• Stefanik (R-NY) 3/5/25: X-post – “Last night, I had a powerful conversation with rescued Israeli hostage Noa Argamani who was brutally kidnapped and taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th. Noa has bravely shared her story with the world and at the UN. I was so honored to see her last night at President @realDonaldTrump’s joint congressional address. I thanked her for her tremendous advocacy for hostages still brutally held by Hamas in Gaza. I was proud to wear Noa’s necklace on the House floor as a reminder to the world of the importance of bringing the hostages home. President Trump and his entire Administration are committed to bringing ALL the hostages home“
• Kustoff (R-TN) 3/5/25: X-post – “Yesterday, I met with recently released Israeli hostages Keith & Aviva Siegel and Dana & Milo Haggai. Their strength, resilience, and courage in the face of evil is truly inspiring. The U.S. stands firmly with our greatest ally in the Middle East, and we will not rest until all hostages return home. Thank you to @DesJarlaisTN04 for facilitating this important meeting.”
• Grassley (R-IA) 3/5/25: Grassley Stands with Israel, Demands Hamas Release all Hostages
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 3/3/25: Gottheimer and Leader Jeffries Host Parents of Last Living American Hostage for President’s Address to Joint Session of Congress
• Schumer (D-NY) 3/3/25: Democratic Leader Schumer Will Bring Two Parents Of Israeli Hostages To The Joint Session; Continues To Advocate For Safe Return Of All Hostages
• Suozzi (D-NY) 3/3/25: Suozzi Announces Ronen Neutra, Father of Fallen Hostage Omer Neutra, as Guest to Presidential Address

Targeting the ICC

• Crapo (R-ID) 3/7/25: X-post – “Last year, I joined my colleagues in the Senate in introducing the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act to sanction the International Criminal Court for its attempts to politicize retribution against the U.S. and our allies, particularly Israel. While this measure failed to pass the Senate, I will continue working with my colleagues to bring an end to the misconduct of the ICC. Fortunately, on February 6, 2025, President Trump imposed similar sanctions on the ICC. Israel has been and continues to be one of the most important allies for the U.S. in an increasingly unstable and dangerous region, and continued support of Israel is vital to our national security.“
• Crapo (R-ID) 3/3/25: The International Criminal Court [“…Neither Israel nor the United States is a member of the ICC, which does not have the jurisdiction to conduct such an investigation.  The ICC applying for warrants for Hamas and Israeli officials at the same time indicates a false equivalency between their actions, and I oppose any efforts by the ICC to arrest Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or other Israeli officials…I will continue working with my colleagues to bring an end to the misconduct of the ICC.”]

Other stuff

• Green (R-TN) 3/5/25: Rep. Green Applauds President Trump’s Designation of the Houthis As a Foreign Terrorist Organization
• Grassley (R-IA) 3/4/25: Grassley Report Reveals Obama-Biden State Department’s Refusal to Exact Justice Against Iranian Terrorists
• Lawler (R-TN) 3/4/25: X-post – “It’s alarming that Russia and Iran deepened their military cooperation last year as Iran was escalating their conflict with Israel. This is exactly why we must continue to stand firm against adversaries who threaten the global security of the U.S. and our allies.“
• Tenney (R-NY) 3/3/25: X-post – “>My bill, the RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria Act, would codify Chairman Mast’s directive to only refer to the West Bank as Judea & Samaria, recognizing Israel’s rightful claim over this historically & biblically important region!”

5. Selected Media

• Jewish Insider 3/7/25: How Senate Dems view the redesignation of the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization [“Sen. John Fetterman: ‘I support that. And if [Trump’s] next Truth Social post is about wasting them, I’d support that too’”]
• Jewish Insider 3/7/25: Democrats condemn antisemitic Pentagon press secretary, as Republicans remain mum [“‘It’s outrageous, and Secretary Hegseth must fire her now,’ Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement”]
• Jewish Link 3/6/25: Antisemitism Awareness Act Reintroduced in Congress
• Jewish Insider 3/6/25: Trump hostage envoy’s secret negotiations with Hamas draw muted Republican reaction [“Some Republicans who typically would reject meeting with a U.S.-designated terrorist group expressed an openness to the strategy, while others were more skeptical of that approach“]
• Libertarian Institute 3/5/25: Israel’s Lobby Launches Preemptive War on Thomas Massie
• Jewish News Syndicate 3/4/25: Parents of hostages to be Schumer guests at Trump address to Congress
• Jewish Insider 3/3/25: U.S. lawmakers say Israel likely to return to military operations in Gaza, after congressional visit [“Reps. Randy Weber, Morgan Luttrell and Mike Flood traveled for a week to Israel as part of a delegation led by Rep. Jim Jordan and organized by the AIPAC-affiliated American Israel Education Foundation“]
• Jewish Insider 3/3/25: Rep. Elise Stefanik’s claim that Trump would have prevented Oct. 7 booed at ADL conference [“Stefanik was otherwise well received with a message about Trump’s ardent support for Israel and commitments against antisemitism“]

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

New:

• SETA Foundation Webinar 2/27/25, Trump’s Gaza Plan and Regional Reactions, ft. FMEP President Lara Friedman, Khaled Elgindy (Visiting Scholar, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown University), and Kadir Ustun (SETA), moderated by Kilic Kanat (SETA).
• FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast 2/26/25: Harvard Professors on Censorship, Repression, and Opportunities for Speaking Up on Palestine, ft. FMEP non-resident Fellow Peter Beinart in conversation with two Harvard professors – Dr. Eman Ansari & Dr. Aaron Shakow – about censorship on college/university campuses and how scholars can respond.

1. Bills & Resolutions

(IRAN SANCTIONS/MAHAN AIR) HR 1489: Introduced 2/21/25 by Mills (R-FL) and 4 Republican cosponsors,  “To provide for the application of sanctions regarding Mahan Air.“  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

(TARGETING IRAN) S. Res. 101: Introduced 2/27/25 by Graham (R-SC), Fetterman (D-PA), and Britt (R-AL), “A resolution affirming the threats to world stability from a nuclear weapons-capable Islamic Republic of Iran.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (

OTHER STUFF

(REPEAL IRAQ AUMF) HR 1488: Introduced 2/21/25 by Meeks (D-NY) and 21 cosponsors (bipartisan), “To repeal the authorizations for use of military force against Iraq.”  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: press release – Rep. Roy, Meeks Re-Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Repeal the 1991, 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF)

2. Letters

• (ISRAELI SOVEREIGNTY OVER WEST BANK, NOW!) 2/25/25:  Congresswoman Tenney Calls for Trump to Support Israel’s Right to Sovereignty over Judea and Samaria [letter text] [“…While radical left-wing actors seek to remove historically significant statues and erase the legacy of our Founding Fathers, you have stood firm in defending our nation’s heritage. Your unwavering commitment to preserving our nation’s history reflects your understanding that our strength and resilience are deeply rooted in our connection to the past. Recognizing the critical role that Judea and Samaria have played in shaping our shared Judeo-Christian heritage will only further these efforts. As such, in anticipation of a potential policy announcement regarding Judea and Samaria in the next few weeks, we want to express our strong support for recognizing Israel’s right to declare sovereignty over this historically and biblically significant region…“] Also see: GOP lawmakers urge Trump to back Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria (Jewish News Syndicate 2/26/25); Tenney, colleagues ask Trump to recognize Israeli Judea, Samaria sovereignty (Jewish News Syndicate 2/27/25)

3. Hearings

March 5, 2024: The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing entitled, Never To Be Silent: Stemming the Tide of Antisemitism in America. No witnesses have been announced as of this writing. Also see: Senate Judiciary Committee to hold antisemitism hearing on March 5 (Jewish Insider 2/26/25 – “…Next week’s hearing will be the first specifically focused on antisemitism in the Senate since the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. No Senate committee held hearings focused on the subject in the last Congress, with Democrats and then Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) largely avoiding the issue while in control of the upper chamber.  The hearing’s singular concern with antisemitism marks a shift from how Democrats on the Judiciary Committee approached the issue when they held the majority. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), who chaired the committee until Republicans retook the Senate, declined requests from his GOP colleagues to hold a hearing specifically on rising antisemitism...” — NOTE — Jewish Insider’s summary of that last hearing omits the fact that Republican members of the Senate hijacked the hearing to attack the one Muslim-American on the panel, as reported in real time in the Round-Up, and as covered widely in the media, including: GOP senator insults Arab American advocate at hearing on hate crimes (Washington Post); Racist questions are asked as Arab American rights leader testifies at hearing (NPR); Senator tells activist to hide her ‘head in a bag’ during hate crimes hearing (AP); Sen. John Kennedy used a Senate hearing on hate crimes to spew hate (MSNBC)

March 5, 2025: The House Committee on Foreign Affairs will hold a hearing entitled, Bridging the Gap: Turkey Between East and West. Scheduled witnesses are: Anna Borschevskaya (WINEP); Jonathan Schanzer (FDD); and Celeste Wallander (CNAS).

February 26, 2025: The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE) held a hearing entitled, America Last: How Foreign Aid Undermined U.S. Interests Around the World. This hearing was exactly what one would expect, given the hearing title and 3 out of 4 of the witnesses (including grandstanding attacks — by members and witnesses — on USAID for allegedly funding terrorism in the form of support for anything related to Palestinians; attacks on Palestinians, attacks on UNRWA, etc). Those witnesses were: Max Primorac, The Heritage Foundation (statement); Gregg Roman, Middle East Forum (statement); and Tyler O’Neil, The Daily Signal (statement); a late-added minority witness was Noam Unger , Director of the Sustainable Development and Resilience Initiative, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) (statement). Also see:

• hearing video
• Committee press release 2/21/25: DOGE Subcommittee Chair Greene Announces Hearing to Expose How Foreign Aid Undermined U.S. Interests and Explore Solutions
• Committee Press release 2/26/25: DOGE Subcommittee Chairwoman Greene Opens Hearing by Exposing the “Dark Truth” About USAID’s Mission to Undermine U.S. Interests [with full text of opening statement, including, “Foreign aid from USAID to the UN – particularly the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East – is directly funding Hamas terrorists.“
• Committee press release 2/27/25: Hearing Wrap Up: America-First Foreign Aid Protects U.S. Interests at Home and Abroad
• Middle East Forum press releases — 2/25/25: Middle East Forum Exec. Dir. Gregg Roman to Highlight Failures in USAID’s Foreign Aid Program in Upcoming Congressional Testimony [“Testimony to Uncover $122 Million Funneled to Radical and Terror-Tied Organizations”]; 2/26/25: MEF Testimony Leads to USAID Terror Funding Probe; Possible Criminal Referrals

February 25, 2025: The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs held a hearing entitled, Emerging Global Threats: Putting America’s National Security First. This hearing was exactly what one would expect, given the hearing title and given the witnesses. Those witnesses were: Meaghan Mobbs, Director, Center for the American Safety and Security, Independent Women’s Forum (statement, which includes: “USAID poured money into projects that have ties to terrorist groups and have espoused anti-Israel commentary” and “reports surfaced that UN forces in Lebanon accepted bribes from Hezbollah, undermining their mission and endangering Israel“); Brent Sadler, The Heritage Foundation (statement); Jacob Olidort, Center for American Security, America First Policy Institute (statement); and late-add witness Minority Charles A. Kupchan, Professor of International Affairs, The School of Foreign Service and Government Department, Georgetown University (statement). The hearing including grandstanding aplenty using Hamas-related allegations as the hook.  Also see:

• hearing video
• Timmons Opens Hearing on Trump Administration’s America First Agenda to Restore U.S. International Leadership (with full opening statement from the subcommittee chairman)

February 25, 2025: The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to consider nominations to a number of posts in the Trump Administration, including Harmeet Dhillon to be an Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division (video). Among other things, the hearing included senator demanding that the Justice Department target protest for Palestinian lives/rights on campus in the name of fighting antisemitism, and Dhillon agreeing that this should and will happen. Also see:

• DOJ Will Crack Down on Campus Anti-Semitism, Trump Nominee for Civil Rights Division Says (Free Beacon 2/26/25)
• U.S. Senator Katie Britt Questions DOJ Nominees on Ensuring Election Integrity, Combatting Antisemitism on College Campuses (Sen. Britt, R-AL, press release 2/25/25)
• Harmeet Dhillon pledges to combat campus antisemitism at Senate confirmation hearing [“The former Trump lawyer said she sees antisemitic discrimination on college campuses as ‘an appropriate target’ for the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division”] (Jewish Insider 2/26/25)

February 25, 2025: The House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Defense held a Member Day (a day for members to lobby in the Committee around their own priorities for the Defense Appropriations bill the Committee is getting set to consider/pass. Usually such lobbying is linked to equities in their district, like military bases or local industry). However, Rep. Gillen (D-NY) delivered a 3-page statement focused on grandstanding in support of…aid for Israel (support for which is already bipartisan), in various defense programs/categories, totaling $547.5 million (this is  in addition to the more than $3 billion in military aid for Israel that will be included in the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill).

4. Selected Members on the Record

Reversing Biden Memo Theoretically Applying US Law to Arms Sales

• Meeks (D-NY) 2/25/25: Meeks Raises Alarm on Trump Reversal of Regulation on US Arms Transfers (no mention of Israel)
• Risch (R-ID) 2/24/25: Risch Statement on Trump NSM-20 Revocation

Re: Sanders’s Resolutions of Disapproval

• Senate Republicans 2/24/25: X-post – “Last year, Joe Biden sided with Hamas and blocked weapon shipments to Israel. Radical Senators like Bernie Sanders and Jon Ossoff went even further, voting for a near arms embargo against our closest ally in the Middle East. Now, they’re trying to do it again” [linked to Jewish Insider article on Sanders’s resolutions of disapproval]
• Senate Republicans [specifically targeting Sen. Ossoff, D-GA] 2/24/25: X-post – “Bernie Sanders is once again trying to block life-saving military aid to Israel. Will @SenateDems like @ossoff join him again?” [linked to Jewish Insider article on Sanders’s resolutions of disapproval]

Supporting Israel & Israeli Military Action Against Syria, Palestinians

• Bacon (R-NE) 2/28/25: X-post – “This week, I had a productive meeting with MK Amit Halevi of the Israel Knesset and @aviabelow to discuss the importance of continuing our support for Israel. Israel is one of our closest allies, and it’s in our national interest to support them.“
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 2/27/25: X-post – “The Ayatollah & the Iranian regime openly threaten Israel and the Jewish people. I won’t turn a blind eye to Iran continuing its efforts to obtain a nuclear weapon. America must stand firm to stop any threat to our national security and our allies.“
• Self (R-TX) 2/26/25: X-post – “Recently, I visited Israel with several of my House Republican colleagues. Walking through the kibbutzim in the south where Hamas slaughtered Israeli families was very sobering. We were also deeply moved by the incredible acts of courage and resilience that the Israeli people demonstrated. We stand with Israel now and always!”
• Fetterman (D-PA) 2/24/25: X-post – “Think of it as a PSA for what happens if you fire thousands of rockets at innocent Israeli civilians for months.” [commenting on Times of Israel headline: “On day of Nasrallah funeral, Israel publishes video of strike that killed him”]
• Hamadeh (R-AZ) 2/23/25: X-post – “Gaza was under Israeli control up until 2005, and there was not a single missile fired into Israeli territory. But after Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza, they elected Hamas, and there’s been destruction, chaos, and misery for all sides. President Trump understands the game Hamas is playing, and that’s why he’s taking such an active part in negotiations. Whatever solution is found in that region is not going to involve Hamas.“

Abraham Accords

• Schneider (D-IL) 2/21/25: SCHNEIDER, COLLEAGUES RELAUNCH BIPARTISAN ABRAHAM ACCORDS CAUCUS
• Wilson (R-SC) 2/24/25: X-post – “Working against peace is the new platform of the @_AfricanUnion and their diabolical attempts to sabotage the Abraham Accords, harming the achievements of President Trump! Israel’s African alliances remain, unbroken at the hands of failed dictator @CyrilRamaphosa“

Targeting Academia & Protest for Palestinian Lives/Rights

• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 2/28/25: X-post – “Violent anti-Israel protesters stormed a building and assaulted a staff member at Barnard College this week.    These disgusting acts of violence are completely unacceptable — full stop. We must pass my bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act into law to protect Jewish students.“
• Owens (R-UT) 2/27/25: X-post – “As Israel and the world mourned Shiri Bibas and her two young sons—murdered & paraded through the streets by Hamas—Columbia students defended their killers. Absolutely disgusting.” [including long video of protesters who at no point defend the killers of Bibas and her sons]
• Hudson (R-NC) 2/27/25: X-post – “Radical pro-Hamas mobs do NOT belong on college campuses or anywhere in America. There must be ZERO tolerance for antisemitism and anti-Israel hate. Barnard College and Columbia University — end this chaos NOW.“
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 2/21/25: Gottheimer Statement on Rutgers University Lecturer’s Participation in Hamas-Affiliated Webinar

Standing with US Jews = Support for Israel

• LaLota (R-NY) 2/23/25: X-post – “With ongoing events in the Middle East, it’s vital to support our Jewish community. Met with Rabbi Berel Lerman of the Center For Jewish Life of NY to discuss how we can stand together. The U.S. must continue to support Israel.“
• Sherman (D-CA) 2/21/25: X-post – “On this somber day of mourning in the Jewish community, it was comforting to spend time with friends at the annual Jewish National Fund @JNFUSA “Stand With #Israel” event.“

AIPAC conference

• Many members posted about their appearances at or attendance at AIPAC’s conference in DC this week; many more posted about their meeting with AIPAC-led groups on the Hill. Check members’ social media accounts and websites to see who posted what.

5. Selected Media

119th Congress Stands with [Greater] Israel!

• Jewish Insider 2/28/25: Rep. Craig Goldman says he’ll lean in on any opportunity to support Israel, promote Middle East peace [“The freshman Jewish Republican was recently named a co-chair of the House Abraham Accords Caucus, his first foray into Middle East policy leadership“]
• The Forward 2/27/25: What is the new ‘Judea and Samaria Caucus’ in Congress all about? [“It’s one of several signs of how Trump’s Republicans are reshaping the conversation around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (And: It has no Jewish members.)”]
• Jewish Insider 2/27/25: Schumer, other lawmakers condemn violent Barnard College anti-Israel protest [“Schumer said the school must ‘take prompt action,’ Stefanik called for participating students to be expelled and prosecuted“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/27/25: Being senator ‘small’ compared to courage of hostages, IDF, families, Fetterman says [“Dan Senor, who interviewed the senator on his Call Me Back podcast, told JNS that Fetterman ‘is a deeply empathetic person.‘”]
• Axios 2/26/25: Exclusive: GOP staffers told to call occupied West Bank Judea and Samaria; also — Jewish Insider 2/27/25: Mast directs Foreign Affairs Committee to refer to West Bank as Judea and Samaria [“The directive reflects growing interest among some conservative lawmakers in recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the territory”]; Haaretz 2/27/25: Make Israel Biblical Again: How Trump’s GOP Is Accelerating Israel’s West Bank Land Grab [“As U.S. President Donald Trump teases the idea of backing Israeli annexation of Palestinian land, his allies are already doing the groundwork by ordering staff to use ‘Judea and Samaria’ instead of ‘West Bank‘”]; Responsible Statecraft 2/27/25: Rep. Mast forces staff to call West Bank ‘Judea & Samaria’ [“The new chair of foreign affairs committee is a former Israeli soldier and one of AIPAC’s most reliable members“]
• Campus Reform 2/26/25: Senators introduce bill for Dept. of Ed to adopt IHRA definition of anti-Semitism
• Jewish Insider 2/26/25: In Cuomo endorsement, Rep. Ritchie Torres warns New Yorkers about far-left mayoral candidate
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/26/25: Cruz: ‘Israel’s right to Judea and Samaria starts in the Bible’ [“Israel has an ‘absolute right to determine what happens in Judea and Samaria,’ said Sen. Ted Cruz.“] Also see: JNS 2/25/25: Smotrich: Israel to seize land if Gaza hostages aren’t returned [“U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a passionate advocate of Israel, sent the conference attendees a recorded video message. ‘Israel has an absolute right to determine what happens in Judea and Samaria,’ said Cruz. ‘This right is described in the Bible and it extends through modern times. As you meet today, have confidence that the American people stand with you. And with President Trump and our new Republican Congress, the American government stands with you as well,’ he added.”]
• KQED 2/25/25: This Santa Cruz Congressman Received More Than $250,000 From a Powerful Pro-Israel Lobby
• Jewish Insider 2/24/25: Congressional leaders, Israeli officials, NSC’s Trager to address AIPAC summit [“Attendees will take to the Hill to advocate for legislation on Iran sanctions and U.S.-Israel cooperation“]
• The New Arab 2/24/25: US congressional candidate seeks to recognise Israeli sovereignty over West Bank, Gaza [“Randy Fine also equated Palestinian civilians with Hamas, and advocated for the destruction of Gaza.”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/23/25: NJ congressman slams Rutgers for ‘antisemitism’ after lecturer attends Hamas-linked webinar [“‘Rutgers University must not tolerate faculty members spewing vile antisemitism or conspiracy theories about the Jewish community,’ said Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.)”.]

How Dare Anyone in Congress NOT Stand With Israel 110%?

• Mondoweiss 2/27/25: The Shift: ‘Dual Loyalty,’ in theory and practice [“Right-wing lawmakers and pundits talk up the idea of ‘America First’ except when it comes to Israel.“]
• Jordan Times (Jim Zogby) 2/24/25: The damage done by pro-Israel forces
• Baltimore Sun 2/24/25: Where’s the outrage over Hamas’ murder of hostages? | GUEST COMMENTARY  [targeting MD members of Congress]
• Free Beacon 2/24/25: House Dem in Charge of Caucus-Wide Messaging Praises Activist Who Pledged To ‘Take’ Jews ‘Back to Poland’ [“Rep. Debbie Dingell oversees House Dems’ communications arm”]

Miscellaneous Other Stuff

• Jewish Insider 2/27/25: Washington coalesces around cautious sanctions relief for new Syrian government [“Lawmakers from both parties and policy experts agreed that sanctions should be slowly lifted in exchange for Syrian action on U.S. priorities“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/24/25: Gottheimer meets with Qatari prime minister to discuss hostage release; Also – Jewish Insider 2/24/25: Gottheimer visits Qatar to discuss Edan Alexander, phase two of hostage deal
• The Last American Vagabond 2/20/25: No, USAID Did Not Give 3 Million To A Gaza Based Rapper To Make Anti-Semitic Music

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

New:

• 2/21/25: New episode of Occupied Thoughts podcast, The Boomerang Effect: Power and Resistance in the U.S. and Palestine, ft. FMEP Fellow Ahmed Moor in conversation with human rights attorney Professor Noura Erakat about her relationship to Palestine, the movement for Palestinian freedom, and the how she sees the ties among different and overlapping movements for justice and liberation.
• 2/17/25: New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast, Dissent & Resigning from Harvard, ft. FMEP Fellow Ahmed Moor in conversation with Jay Ulfelder, a political scientist and former Program Director of the Nonviolent Action Lab at Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation.
• 2/17/25: Where Are Palestinian Children’s Human Rights? Essay by FMEP’s Lara Friedman in the newly published book, “For Gaza’s Children”

1. Bills & Resolutions

(OPPOSING MORE WEAPONS FOR ISRAEL) On 2/20/25, Sen. Sanders introduced 4 resolutions disapproving of proposed foreign military sales to Israel of certain defense articles and services. The four are: S. J. Res. 20, S. J. Res. 21, S. J. Res. 22, and S. J. Res. 23. All four were referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

(US OUT OF UN) S. 669 & HR XXXX [bill text]: Introduced 2/20/25 by Lee (R-UT), Blackburn (R-TN), and Scott (R-FL), “A bill to terminate membership by the United States in the United Nations, and for other purposes,” aka the “DEFUND Act.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: Lee press release – Lee introduces DEFUND Act to Pull USA from UN; fact sheet about the bill. Note that the fact sheet states: “House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-MI) and Representative Chip Roy (R-TX) are introducing the companion bill in the House of Representatives.”

(IRAN SANCTIONS) HR 1422: Introduced 2/18/25 by Lawler (R-NY) and Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), “To impose sanctions with respect to persons engaged in logistical transactions and sanctions evasion relating to oil, gas, liquefied natural gas, and related petrochemical products from the Islamic Republic of Iran, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: Lawler, Cherfilus-McCormick introduce new Iran sanctions legislation (Jewish Insider 2/21/25)

(IRAN SANCTIONS) H. Res. 139: Introduced 2/14/25 by Tenney (R-NY) and 4 cosponsors (3 Republicans plus Gottheimer, D-NJ), “Calling on the United Kingdom, France, and Germany (E3) to initiate the snapback of sanctions on Iran under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015).” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

(RELIGIOUS FREEDOM) S. 676: Introduced 2/20/25 by Paul (R-TX), “A bill to prohibit assistance to foreign governments that violate human rights with respect to religious freedom.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

2. Letters

None.

3. Hearings

None.

4. Selected Members on the Record

Many, many posting about Israeli hostages in Gaza — including on release of hostages last weekend, on planned release for more this weekend, on 500th day in captivity, on confirmation of the deaths and the release of the remains of the an Israeli mother and her children taken hostage on 10/7/23, etc… For details check members’ website and social media accounts.

Congress Stands with Israel, Against Hamas, & against all things Palestinian

• Lankford (R-OK) 2/20/25: X-post – “The bus bombing in Israel reminds us that Hamas continues to target Jewish civilians.“
• Hoyer (D-MD) 2/20/25: X-post – “I am deeply disturbed by reports of a suspected terror attack in Israel involving several buses that exploded near Tel Aviv. I am relieved to learn there were no injuries or casualties from the foiled plot & will continue to closely monitor the investigation into the situation.“
• Senate GOP 2/20/25: X-post – “Remember, Senator Jon Ossoff voted to cut off military aid to Israel so these same Hamas terrorists could attack Israel with impunity.” – responding to Graham (R-SC) X-post – “Like most Americans I was disgusted at the way Palestinian crowds reacted to the release of four dead Israeli hostages, which included a mother and her four-year-old and nine-month-old sons. The Palestinians in Gaza are the most radicalized people on the planet and the solution to me is obvious. Phase II should go as follows: Hamas voluntarily leaves or Israel will reengage militarily with the goal of annihilating Hamas. This is what America did regarding Germany and Japan – the complete annihilation of despotic regimes with an effort over decades to rebuild the culture of Germany and Japan. I’m convinced the only viable solution is the military and political annihilation of Hamas. Without this outcome there is no hope for peace or coexistence.”
• Randy Fine (state senator, R-FL, nearly 100% certain to be next Florida member of the House in special election) 2/20/25: X-post – “Gaza must be destroyed.“
• Randy Fine (state senator, R-FL, nearly 100% certain to be next Florida member of the House in special election) 2/20/25: X-post – “Palestinian” = Hamas. #BombsAway“
• House Foreign Affairs Committee 2/20/25: X-post – “USAID is funding antisemitic trash. Cut the cash. Fire everyone responsible.” With video of Lawler (R-NY) targeting the Lowey Fund and specifically funding to the Palestinian NGO Tomorrow’s Youth organization.

Quashing criticism of Israel, supporting Greater Israel

• Tenney (R-NY) 2/20/25: X-post – “The Israeli people have an undeniable & indisputable historical & legal claim over Judea & Samaria. The RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria Act would require all official US government documents to use the term “Judea and Samaria” rather than the ‘West Bank.'”
• Boozman (R-AR) 2/20/25: X-post – “With increased antisemitic acts on college campuses after Hamas’ attack on Israel, schools must fulfill their responsibility to offer a safe learning environment. Our bipartisan bill would ensure proper tools are in place to investigate these incidents.“

New in the 119th Congress

• Wagner (R-MO) 2/20/25: Wagner, Colleagues Relaunch Abraham Accords Caucus
• Bacon (R-NE) 2/18/25: X-post – “I’m the new House Co-Chair for the Bipartisan Task Force for Combatting Antisemitism. I witnessed antisemitism at 15 and chose to intervene. I refuse to be a bystander as it spreads like a virus. We must confront all racism.“
• Beyer (D-VA) 2/8/25 (missed it – sorry): Beyer & DelBene Announce Re-Establishment Of Egypt Human Rights Caucus

Members on Travel in Israel/Middle East

• Self (R-TX) 2/20/25: X-post – “I have traveled the length of Israel this week, from the kibbutzim in the south where Hamas slaughtered Israeli families to the Lebanon border where Israel destroyed Hezbollah. The savagery of Hamas is impossible to fathom. The spectacle of the release of four bodies today only emphasizes their commitment to the destruction of Israel. We stand with Israel!“
• Edwards (R-NC) 2/20/25: X-post – “Our congressional delegation discussed the future of Israel and Gaza as well as U.S. relations and security in the Middle East. As vice chairman for the @HouseAppropsGOP National Security and Department of State Subcommittee and the sole appropriator on this trip, I relayed to @IsraeliPM Netanyahu the significance of America’s long-standing, shared values with our ally, Israel, and that we’ll continue to support their right to defend themselves from those who threaten Israel’s right to exist.”‘
• Wilson (R-SC) 2/20/25: X-post – “In meeting with @IsraeliPM I expressed my view that a democratic Syria is a net positive for all parties & a permanent Russian presence threatens Israeli security. I encouraged @IsraeliPM to welcome regional efforts to push for equal human rights, democratic elections and rule of law in Syria“
• Issa (R-CA) 2/19/25: X-post – “Great to be in Israel and meet with my great friend of more than 20 years – @netanyahu continues to lead with strength, smarts, and vision.“
• Van Order (R-WI) 2/18/25: X-post – “Rep. Van Orden joined @MorningsMaria live from Israel to make it explicitly clear: Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. With President Trump as Commander in Chief, every option is on the table to apply maximum pressure on the Mullahs and ensure the safety of the U.S. and our allies.“
• Blumenthal (D-CT) 2/17/25: X-thread – “As my meetings in Israel, Jordan, & Lebanon make clear, we are on the cusp of an enormous opportunity. Iran & its proxies are recognized throughout the region as a common enemy. There is a real prospect of peace for the region. Increased US support for Lebanon’s armed forces & a continued push for the return of the remaining hostages, & a sustained ceasefire are absolutely crucial. Our Senate delegation remains hopeful for progress & stability in the region. Trump’s unhinged plan to take over Gaza is a non-starter. The plan the Arab states will be presenting to Trump provides a realistic prospect for normalizing relations, self-determination by the Palestinians, regional defense arrangements, & security for Israel.“
• Blumenthal (D-CT) 2/17/25: X-post – “Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar outlines tough choices & challenges—focusing on Iran as the ultimate enemy, & fighting its terrorist proxies. Short term, the hope is for the ceasefire to be extended, with release of more hostages.“
• Blumenthal (D-CT) 2/16/25: X-thread – “Breakthrough battle victories against Hezbollah by Israel & exclusion of this terrorist organization from Lebanon’s new government—combined with Assad’s overthrow in Syria—mean a huge historic opportunity for advancing peace & stability. Visiting Lebanon’s new President Auon & other leaders—friends of America—I’m more convinced than ever that we must strongly support the Lebanon Armed Forces (LAF) in its continuing battle against terrorists like Hezbollah. Lebanon’s successes militarily & politically—make it a shining star of hope for peace & stability in a fraught region. The ceasefire in Lebanon is holding—with America’s help. Israel & America must seize this moment—a critical moment in a key area. It’s an exciting time for the Lebanese people, who have suffered such heartache & harm at Hezbollah’s hands.

5. Selected Media

General

• Jewish Insider 2/21/25: Fetterman: Palestinian support of Hamas comes with ‘accountability’ 
• AIPAC 2/20/25: lobby page in support of S. 554/H.R. 1229, “The United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025”
• Mondoweiss 2/20/25: NY lawmakers condemn Palestine protest, ignore Zionist violence
• The Intercept 2/19/25: Fetterman Staff Quit Amid Frustration Over “Just Working on Israel All the Time” [“A former campaign staffer said Sen. John Fetterman’s single-minded focus came at the exclusion of the progressive positions he ran on.“]; also see – NBC News 2/19/25: Two more staffers quit John Fetterman’s office as the senator carves his own lane with Trump
• Jewish Insider 2/19/25: Sen. Bernie Moreno to host Oct. 7 orphans at Republican Senate meeting
• The Nation 2/18/25: Why Democrats Won’t Throw a Real Punch [“Faced with existential threats from the right, the Democratic leadership remains timid; faced with demands for justice from the left, it goes on the attack.”]
• Mondoweiss 2/18/25: What anti-Palestinian legislation to look out for in the new Congress [“Mondoweiss spoke with Lara Friedman about Trump’s pro-Israel Executive Orders and the anti-Palestinian legislation people should be watching in the new Congress.”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/18/25: Congress members mark 500 days since Hamas-led assault in Israel on Oct. 7
• Middle East Eye 2/17/25: US TikTok ban linked to pro-Palestine content rather than China threat, insiders reveal

New in the 119th Congress

• Jewish Insider 2/20/25: Craig Goldman, Wasserman Schultz named as co-chairs of Abraham Accords Caucus
• The Forward 2/20/25: Two non-Jewish congressmen – one named Bacon – chairing ‘Torah values’ caucus
• The Algemeiner 2/19/25: US Rep. Don Bacon Announces He Will Co-Chair Bipartisan Antisemitism Task Force
• Jewish Insider 2/19/25: Behind the scenes of the new House Jewish caucus [“Israel and Middle East policy are among the most notable issues where the caucus’s members have strikingly different opinions: some are among the most vocal supporters of Israel in the House, while others voted against supplemental aid last year. There are also differences among caucus members on antisemitism policy, such as the Antisemitism Awareness Act.”]

Members of Congress in Israel

• Jewish Insider 2/19/25: Sen. Andy Kim says release of New Jersey hostage Edan Alexander still not finalized
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/19/25: PM thanks visiting US lawmakers for ‘steadfast bipartisan support’ [“The U.S.-Israel alliance has never been stronger, which will assist in achieving all of the objectives of the war against Hamas, the Israeli premier told a visiting congressional delegation.”]
• Jerusalem Post 2/19/25: ‘Schumer turned his back on Israel’: Van Orden urges American Jews to reconsider their alliances
• Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2/18/25: PM Netanyahu meets with US Congressional delegations
• Arutz Sheva 2/18/25: Netanyahu meets US Congressional delegation [“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, met with a US Congressional delegation organized by AIPAC, and with a bipartisan delegation led by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA).“]
• Jewish Insider 2/18/25: Arab leaders open to hybrid Gaza evacuation plan, Graham says [“Senators skeptical about Trump’s Gaza plan; Graham calls on U.S. to greenlight Israeli strike on Iran“]
• Times of Israel 2/18/25: FM Sa’ar to US senators: Turkey cooperating with Iran to smuggle money to Hezbollah; also see Sa’ar’s X-post 2/17/25: “Met with a bi-partisan delegation of Senators headed by @LindseyGrahamSC and @SenDanSullivan. We discussed regional issues, including Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, the Houthis and Iran. I emphasized that Iran seeks to compensate for its weakened position by obtaining nuclear weapons. It must be stopped! The U.S. is our greatest ally. @AndyKimNJ @SenJoniErnst @AdamSchiff @SenWhitehouse @SenBlumenthal @MorganOrtagus“
• ABC 4 News 2/17/25: Sen. Lindsey Graham slams ICC during bipartisan visit to Israel with US Senate group
• The Hill 2/17/25: Watch live: Senators discuss trip to Israel from Tel Aviv
• Israeli Foreign Minister Sa’ar X-post 2/18/25:”Briefed an AIPAC delegation of Republican House Representatives headed by Rep. @Jim_Jordan. We discussed regional issues and I highlighted the potential threat of ISIS in Syria. I thanked them for passing House legislation against the ICC, which is waging legal warfare against Israel.  @RepFischbach @RepRonnyJackson @RepOgles @RepKeithSelf @RepLuttrell @RepLuna @RepNancyMace @USRepGaryPalmer @Flood4Nebraska @TXRandy14“
• Times of Israel/Reuters 2/18/25: In Israel, US senators dismiss Trump’s Gaza plan, expect alternative from Arab states [“Trump ally Lindsey Graham says US president ‘started a discussion that was long overdue’ but sees little appetite for proposal, which Democratic senator calls a ‘non-starter’“]
• Christian Broadcasting Network 2/18/25: Senate Delegation Issues Iran Warning as Nuclear Threat Grows, Israel Awaits Next Hostage Release
• KTSM 2/17/25: Bipartisan group of senators travel to Israel
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/17/25: US senators on visit to Israel: Tehran ‘ought to be the one to pay hell’ [“‘Iran with a nuke is a nightmare for the Jewish state; it’s a nightmare for the world,’ stated South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/17/25: Katz to US senators: No Palestinian state, only Trump’s plan ensures safety
• Arutz Sheva 2/17/25: 500 days since start of war: US Congress. delegation visits Jerusalem Museum of Tolerance [“On the 500th Day of War, a US Congressional delegation led by Senator Lindsey Graham tour museum’s 6:29 – From Darkness to Light exhibition. Eight Senators met with hostage families and mother who lost her two daughters at the Nova Festival.”]
• Jerusalem Post 2/17/25: US number one priority is to free all hostages, US Senator Lindsey Graham tells hostage families
• MediaLine 2/17/25: US Senators Visit Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem, Pledge Support for Hostage Release
• ABC 15 News 2/17/25: Sen. Lindsey Graham slams ICC during bipartisan visit to Israel with US Senate group
• Times of Israel 2/16/25: Katz tells US senators: Israel will never agree to establishment of Palestinian state

Members of Congress Elsewhere in the Region

• Nahar Net 2/20/25: Salam urges pressing Israel to withdraw in talks with Congress delegation
• Anadolu Agency 2/20/25: Jordan’s king rejects Palestinian displacement as he meets US Congress delegation [“King Abdullah II meets with US delegation led by Congressman Darrell Issa”]

Members of Congress in Munich

• Anadolu Agency 2/17/25: TikTok ban fueled by Hamas attack on Israel: Former US congressman [‘People started to see a bunch of anti-Semitic content on the platform and our bill had legs again,’ says Mike Gallagher]
• Middle East Eye 2/17/25: US TikTok ban linked to pro-Palestine content rather than China threat, insiders reveal [“US officials and lobbyists say the push to ban the Chinese-owned application gain momentum during the war on Gaza”]
• Ken Klipperstein 2/16/25: TikTok Ban Fueled by Israel, Not China

Laying Groundwork for Pro-Israel Wins in the Next US Elex

• Jewish Insider 2/21/25: McConnell’s retirement stokes concerns Massie may run for Senate [“The Republican Jewish Coalition pledged ‘unlimited’ spending to block Massie if he decides to run“]
• Jewish Insider 2/21/25: Haley Stevens: Democrats need to ‘stop making everyone happy at the expense of making no one happy’ [“The Michigan congresswoman said she is ‘very seriously looking at’ a run for the open Michigan Senate seat in 2026″]
• Jewish Insider 2/20/25: Democratic challenger to Lawler says Judaism played a key role in her career [“...Her campaign said in a position paper shared with JI that supporting Israel is a matter of personal identity for her. ‘For Beth and for her family, championing the sanctity and safety of Israel is not an abstract political stance or foreign policy issue,’ the paper reads. ‘It is deeply personal — woven into the fabric of their identity and survival as Jews. As the Middle East’s only democracy, Israel is more than a refuge for the Jewish people; it is a stabilizing force in a turbulent region and a symbol of resilience and hope.’ In the paper, Davidson expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, including through the war in Gaza. She backed continued U.S. support for Israeli offensive and defensive weapons systems. She told JI that since Oct. 7, she has attended vigils in support of Israel in the district and has invested in Israel Bonds.“]
• Jewish Insider 2/19/25: Minnesota Senate race turning into proxy battle between moderates and progressives [“If Craig chooses to run, she would likely emerge as the favored candidate among pro-Israel activists in Minnesota, Jewish community leaders say, citing a strong record of support. The four-term lawmaker, who represents a swing district covering the Twin Cities’ southern suburbs, is an ally of the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC and has been willing to speak out against Democratic colleagues amid Middle East policy disagreements. By contrast, Flanagan, a prominent progressive who announced on Thursday that she intends to run for Senate, is seen as largely aligned with J Street, the left-wing Israel advocacy group that has frequently clashed with AIPAC.“]
• (Pushing back on anti-Ossoff campaign)  Georgia Recorder 2/20/25: Bookman: Ossoff chose principle over politics voting against some weapons for Israel
• Haaretz 2/18/25: Georgia Jews Try to Recruit GOP Governor to Unseat Jewish Democrat Senator Jon Ossoff [“The 2026 Georgia Senate race was already expected to be one of the most expensive, hotly contested races in America. Then Jon Ossoff, the state’s first-ever Jewish Senator, backed Bernie Sanders’ landmark effort to block billions in arms sales to Israel”]
• MJ Rosenberg 2/15/25: Lobby Vows To Defeat Jewish Sen.Ossoff for Resisting Genocide
• Washington Examiner 2/15/25: Georgia Jewish leaders turn away from Jon Ossoff, urge Brian Kemp to run for Senate
• New York Times 2/15/25: Georgia’s First Jewish Senator Is Losing Jewish Support [“Democratic donors and Jewish leaders are so unhappy with Jon Ossoff over his position on Israel that some have quietly urged Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, to run against him.”]

Targeting Free Speech/Activism Critical of Israel

• Jewish Insider 2/18/25: Rep. Dan Goldman wants to set partisanship aside on House antisemitism task force [“Goldman’s goals include better engaging GOP members, rebuilding alliances with other groups, a range of legislation and focusing on education around antisemitism“]

Targeting the ICRC

• Washington Free Beacon 2/19/25: GOP Senators Put Red Cross on Notice After ‘Neutral’ Aid Organization Participates in Hamas Propaganda Ceremony

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

New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 2/10/25: Sumūd: Poetry, Art, Steadfastness, and Joy, ft. , FMEP Fellow Hilary Rantisi speaking with Malu Halasa and Jordan Elgrably, editors of the new book Sumūd: A New Palestinian Reader. They discuss the meaning of sumūd to different people — how it encompasses steadfastness, coping with ongoing oppression, as well as joy and celebration of Palestinian identity — and the variety of voices and media they platform in this new anthology.

1. Bills & Resolutions

TARGETING FREE SPEECH/RIGHT TO PROTEST ISRAEL/ZIONISM

(**UPDATE*** LEGISLATING THE IHRA CONFLATION OF CRITICISM OF ISRAEL & ANTISEMITISM) S. 558: Introduced 2/13/25 by Scott (R-SC) and 35 cosponsors (17 Republicans and 18 Democrats), “A bill to provide for the consideration of a definition of antisemitism set forth by the International Holocaust Rembrance Alliance for the enforcement of Federal antidiscrimination laws concerning education programs or activities, and for other purposes,” aka the “Antisemitism Awareness Act.” Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Also see:

• As noted in last week’s Round-Up, on 2/5/25 the Antisemitism Awareness Act was reintroduced as HR 1007 on  2/5/25. For background on this legislation, see the 2/7/25 edition of the Round-Up.
• Press release: Sens. Scott, Rosen Introduce Antisemitism Awareness Act; Rosen, Scott Introduce Antisemitism Awareness Act
• Media: Scott, Rosen reintroduce Antisemitism Awareness Act in the Senate (Jewish Insider 2/12/25); Scott, Rosen reintroduce Antisemitism Awareness Act in Senate (Jewish News Syndicate 2/12/25);
• Antisemitism Awareness Act revived after failing to appear before Senate, due to political disputes (Jerusalem Post 2/9/25); At last there’s progress on fighting antisemitism in the US (The Jewish Chronicle [UK] 2/11/25)

TARGETING THE ICC, THE UN, UNRWA, & THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY

(TARGETING THE ICC & THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY) S. 493: Introduced 2/10/25 by Sullivan (R-AK) and Cotton (R-AR), “A bill to prohibit United States cooperation with the International Criminal Court, the use of the Economic Support Fund to support the Palestinian Authority, and any Federal funding for the ICC.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Per Sullivan’s press release, this bill “prohibits funding for and cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), based on its antisemitic efforts to prosecute top Israeli officials and create a false equivalence between Israel and Hamas, a terrorist organization. It also prohibits U.S. economic support for the Palestinian Authority (PA) based on its cooperation with the ICC’s investigations against Israeli officials. Specifically, it instructs the President to freeze property assets and deny visas to any foreigners who materially or financially contributed to the ICC’s efforts to ‘investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute a protected person.’ Protected persons are defined as all current and former military and government officials of the U.S. and allies that have not consented to the court’s jurisdiction, such as Israel. The legislation covers the 32-member NATO and the 19 major non-NATO countries, which include Israel, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, and Egypt. It would also rescind any funds the U.S. has designated for the ICC and prohibit any future money for the court.”

(NO US AID TO COUNTRIES THAT DON’T STAND WITH THE US – & ISRAEL – AT THE UN)HR 1243: Introduced 2/12/25 by Davidson (R-OH) and 2 cosponsors (both Republican), —”To prohibit United States assistance to foreign countries that oppose the position of the United States in the United Nations.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

(TARGETING UNRWA) HR 1252 (text): Introduced 2/12/25 by Jackson (R-TX) and 5 cosponsors (all Republicans), “To direct the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a report on funding provided by the United States to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and for other purposes,” aka, the “Uncovering UNRWA’s Terrorist Crimes Act.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see press release – Rep. Jackson Reintroduces Legislation to Expose the Biden-Harris Administration’s Funding of UNRWA’s Terrorist Crimes

MORE US-ISRAEL DEFENSE COOPERATION (BIPARTISAN)

(MORE US-ISRAEL DEFENSE COOPERATION) HR 1229: Introduced 2/12/25 by Wilson (R-SC) and Norcross (D-NJ),  “To enhance bilateral defense cooperation between the United States and Israel, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committees on Armed Services and Foreign Affairs. Also see: Lawmakers push for expanded U.S.-Israel defense cooperation in new legislation (Jewish Insider 2/13/25)

(MORE US-ISRAEL DEFENSE COOPERATION) S. 554: Introduced 2/12/25 by Sullivan and 4 cosponsors (1 Republican, 3 Democrats), “A bill to enhance bilateral defense cooperation between the United States and Israel, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Per Sullivan’s press release, this bill, “strengthens the U.S.-Israel security partnership by extending and expanding existing bilateral security initiatives. It also establishes new cooperative programs, including a broader initiative on unmanned systems, establishing a Defense Innovation Unit in Israel, and advocating for consideration of Israel’s inclusion in the National Technology Industrial Base (NTIB). Finally, it calls for greater cooperation between Israel and regional countries in advancing work on Integrated Air and Missile Defense. Specifically, this bill takes several important measures: Establishes a program between the United States and Israel on Countering Unmanned Systems (C-UxS). This entails a program of cooperation to develop, test, and deploy advanced C-UxS technologies to address threats posed by UAS, funded at $150 million per year. Extension and expansion of the U.S.-Israel Counter-UAS Cooperative Program. This would increase funding for the current initiative from $55 million to $75 million annually. Extension and expansion of the United States-Israel Anti-Tunneling Cooperative Program. Extends the authorization of the U.S.-Israel Anti-Tunneling Cooperative Program to Dec 31, 2028 and increases the authorization to $80 million per year. Authorizes cooperation between the United States and Israel on emerging defense technologies for 5 years (United States-Israel Future of Warfare Act).  Provides $47.5 million a year to encourage further defense collaboration with Israel in areas of emerging technologies, including autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum, and biotechnology. Reauthorizes the War Reserves Stockpile Authority – Israel (WRSA-I); extends the authorization of WRSA-I, which expires at the end of 2026, through January 1, 2029. Establishes a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) office in Israel. A DIU office in Israel will work with the Israeli Minister of Defense and private sector to counter Iran’s development of dual-use defense technologies. Israel-National Technology Industrial Base (NTIB) Engagement. This requires the Secretary of Defense to engage with his or her Israeli counterpart to initiate a discussion on the process of Israeli ascension into NTIB. Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD). This requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a report on strengthening IAMD in the Middle East.” [bold in the original]. Also see: Lawmakers push for expanded U.S.-Israel defense cooperation in new legislation (Jewish Insider 2/13/25)

THE US & THE GAZA STRIP

(NO US MILITARY ENGAGEMENT TO “TAKE OVER” GAZA) S. Res. 68 [resolution text]: Introduced 2/10/25 by Kaine (D-VA) and 10 cosponsors (9 Democrats plus Sanders, I-VT)), “A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States shall not deploy United States military assets or personnel to Gaza for purposes of ‘taking over’ Gaza.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see Sanders press release – Kaine and Colleagues Unveil Resolution to Condemn the Use of US Military Assets or Personnel to Take Over Gaza

(NO FUTURE ROLE FOR HAMAS IN THE GAZA STRIP) S. Res. 72: Introduced 2/11/25 by Graham (R-SC) and 4 cosponsors (bipartisan), “A resolution affirming that Hamas cannot retain any political or military control in the Gaza Strip.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: press release – Graham, Blumenthal, Cotton, Rosen, Britt Introduce Resolution to Affirm Hamas Cannot Retain Control of Gaza; https://www.jns.org/with-bipartisan-support-graham-pushes-resolution-to-boot-hamas-from-gaza/

IRAN & THE HOUTHIS

(SANCTIONING IRAN) S. 556: Introduced 2/12/25 by Sullivan (R-AK) and 3 cosponsors (2 Democrats and 1 Republican), “A bill to impose sanctions with respect to persons engaged in logistical transactions and sanctions evasion relating to oil, gas, liquefied natural gas, and related petrochemical products from the Islamic Republic of Iran, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Per Sullivan’s press release, this bill, “supports the return to a maximum pressure posture toward Iran by strengthening the U.S. sanctions regime against Iran by filling the gaps on existing sanctions legislation and mandating rigorous enforcement of sanctions. Specifically, the legislation expands the range of sanctions to encompass the full logistical chain of Iranian energy exports, it creates an interagency task force to constantly track Iranian illicit activities, and it sunsets the timeline to issue sanctions waivers. It also includes provisions to encourage a new multilateral contact group with like-minded nations to coordinate international sanctions enforcement efforts. Specifically, the bill takes several important measures:Imposes secondary sanctions on the entire logistical chain of foreign entities supporting Iran’s illicit oil sales, including Chinese banks, maritime insurance providers, and flagging registries, as well as the executive-level leadership in those corporations and their immediate family members. It also imposes sanctions on family members of individuals in Iran sanctioned for terrorism, ballistic missile production, or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) facilities. Creates an interagency Iran sanctions working group tasked with constantly tracking illicit transfers of Iranian oil, gas, and related products, with a periodic reporting plan to outline efforts to keep abreast of the evolving sanctions-evasion efforts, and identify new sanctions designations packages. Creates a multilateral contact group for harmonizing and enforcing international sanctions on Iran. Directs the provision of a private sector reporting mechanism, which financially incentivizes private sector counterparts to share information about illicit Iranian transfer operations. Initiates a periodic (180-day) review by the President to justify maintaining existing waivers on eligible nations’ purchase of Iranian oil, accompanied by a detailed, credible plan to phase out the need for waivers for each applicable country. This would include sunset waiver authority on Iran sanctions, following a periodic congressional review. Sunsets the presidential sanctions waiver authority in February 1, 2029.”

(IRAN SANCTIONS SNAPBACK) S. Res. 81: Introduced 2/13/25 by Ricketts (R-NE) and 13 cosponsors (all Republicans), “A resolution calling on the United Kingdom, France, and Germany (E3) to initiate the snapback of sanctions on Iran under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015).” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: Ricketts Leads Bicameral Legislation Pushing European Allies to Snapback U.N. Sanctions on Iran; Europe must invoke ‘snapback’ sanctions on Iran; Ricketts X-post – “.@POTUS has taken strong action to restore his successful maximum pressure policy against Iran. Our allies need to do their part, too. Yesterday, I announced I’m introducing legislation to push our E3 allies to initiate a snapback of U.N. sanctions.” NOTE: Apparently there is a House version of this resolution (not in Congressional Record yet) – see: Congresswoman Tenney Introduces Legislation Pushing European Allies to Snapback UN Sanctions on Iran (Tenney, R-NY, 2/13/25); US lawmakers say, as Trump resumes ‘maximum pressure’ (Fox News 2/13/25); Tenney X-post 2/13/25: “Invoking snapback sanctions will reinstate all UN sanctions on Iran that the failed Obama-era nuclear deal lifted. I am leading a resolution with @SenRicketts to send a clear message to the E3: It’s time to step up and stop enabling Iran’s nuclear expansion. The time for snapback is now.”

(SANCTIONING THE HOUTHIS) HR 1250: Introduced 2/12/25 by Hamadeh (R-AZ) and 3 cosponsors (all Republicans), “To require the imposition of sanctions with respect to Ansarallah and its officials, agents, or affiliates for acts of international terrorism.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Also see press release – Congressman Hamadeh Introduces Resolution to Require Imposition of Sanctions on Iran-Backed Houthis

SYRIA

(TARGETING THE NEW SYRIAN GOVERNMENT) HR 1327: Introduced 2/13/25 by Luttrell (R-TX) and Ogles (R-TN), “To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a threat assessment of terrorist threats to the United States posed by individuals in Syria with an affiliation with a Foreign Terrorist Organization or a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Other Stuff

(NO TEXT YET – NOT CLEAR WHAT THIS IS ABOUT)  HR 1136: Introduced 2/7/25 by Ogles (R-TN), “To impose sanctions on foreign persons failing to cooperate with the United States.” Referred to the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on the Judiciary.

2. Letters

• (TARGETING COLUMBIA, AGAIN)  2/13/25: Chair Walberg Questions Columbia’s Efforts to Protect Jewish Students [letter text]. Also see: ‘Columbia has failed’: Committee chair requests records, cites negligence (Jewish News Syndicate 2/13/25); US House panel demands Columbia University turn over disciplinary records for anti-Israel protesters (Times of Israel 2/14/25)
• (NO US POLICY OF ETHNIC CLEANSING & TAKEOVER OF GAZA) 2/11/25: Casten, Sherman Lead 144 House Democrats Urging Trump to Retract Gaza Statements [letter text]; also see Casten’s X-post – “Following Hamas’s October 7th massacre – the deadliest mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust – and the devastation caused by the ensuing Israel-Hamas war, the region is in dire need of real solutions. President Trump’s stated plan of permanently relocating the civilian population in Gaza further jeopardizes regional stability and is akin to ethnic cleansing. @BradSherman and I led two-thirds of the House Democratic Caucus in urging the president to retract his comments.“
• (TARGETING SOUTH AFRICA FOR ITS TREATMENT OF ISRAEL) X-post by Rep. Ogles (R-TN) 2/11/25: “I sent a letter to @POTUS urging him to hold South Africa responsible for its egregious human rights abuses, unfounded vendetta against the State of Israel, and its embrace of the Chinese Communist Party. Right now, South Africa has duty-free access to the American market despite its hatred for US values. A nation that stands for human rights abuses, Hamas terrorists, and the murderous, genocidal CCP should never benefit from the American people’s goodwill.” [letter text page 1, page 2]
• (TARGETING IRAN IN IRAQ) 2/7/25: Steube and Wilson Recommend Trump Administration Actions Against Iranian-Backed Militias in Iraq [letter text]

3. Hearings

February 13, 2025: The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a meeting to consider the nomination of Linda McMahon to serve as Secretary of Education. Also see:

• hearing video — includes discussion of alleged antisemitism on campus, including Scott (R-SC) using the hearing to promote the Antisemitism Awareness Act and referring to protests for Palestinian lives/rights on campus as “disgusting”, with McMahon responding that she supports the 1st Amendment but suggesting that she views Palestine protest as outside of free speech and that schools that tolerate it should be de-funded); and Banks (R-IN) suggesting protest of Israel on campus reflects foreign adversaries funding influencing campuses. Later, Sen. Marshall (R-XX) asked McMahon if she’d “be open to some kind of antisemitism commission to evaluate the progress of the universities” on this issue; McMahon said she would and that she would look forward to working with the Marshall and the Committee on such a commission.
• Chair Cassidy Delivers Remarks During Confirmation Hearing on Nomination for Secretary of Education [“…We have also seen rampant antisemitism on college campuses, which is leading to attacks and harassment of Jewish students. I am pleased to see that the Trump administration has already launched investigations, and I look forward to working together with you presuming you are confirmed.”]
• Jewish Insider 2/14/25: Linda McMahon vows to defund universities that do not address antisemitism on campus [“At her confirmation hearing to be secretary of education, the WWE co-founder said she would ‘not stand idly by’ as Jewish students face discrimination”]; Jewish Insider 2/14/25: Dems raise alarm that Education Department layoffs will hinder antisemitism enforcement; Jewish News Syndicate 2/14/25: Trump Ed Dept nominee calls for new panel to tackle campus Jew-hatred [“Schools should be defunded if they allow actions that endanger students, Linda McMahon told a Senate committee.“]

February 13, 2025: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing entitled, After Assad: Navigating Syria Policy. The hearing featured a huge spectrum of views on the issue, ranging from a witness from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy to… another witness from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (seriously) — Michael Singh (testimony) and Dana Stroul (testimony). Also see: hearing video; Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Hearing on Navigating Syria Policy; Ranking Member Shaheen Remarks at Hearing on Navigating Syria Policy; Jewish Insider 2/14/25: Senate Foreign Relations Committee finds common ground on Syria at hearing [“Members on both sides of the aisle agreed that the U.S. should engage with the fledgling Syrian government to ensure stability and protect against terrorism“]

February 13, 2025: The Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing “To receive testimony on the posture of United States Northern Command and United States Southern Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2026 and the Future Years Defense Program.” Witnesses were: Admiral Alvin Holsey, USN, Commander, United States Southern Command (testimony) and General Gregory M. Guillot, USAF, Commander, United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command (testimony). Also see: hearing video. NOTE: General Guillot’s testimony included: “…the conflict ignited by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel has expanded to encompass much of the Middle East and threatens to embroil the United States in a direct military conflict with Iran and its proxies” and “I remain highly concerned by threats presented by non-state actors. USNORTHCOM assesses the threat of a foreign terrorist attack in North America is at the highest level in at least five years, as the Israel-Hamas conflict has motivated foreign terrorist organizations to rejuvenate their attack planning against the United States. These groups have also redoubled their propaganda efforts in the last 18 months to inspire lone-wolf terrorists to pursue attacks within the Homeland, as seen with the deadly January 1st 2025 attack in New Orleans.”

February 12, 2025: The House Foreign Affairs Committee held Roundtable with Families of U.S. Hostages Held by Hamas. Also see: Kim (R-CA) 2/13/25: X-post – “I started off the morning at a @HouseForeignGOP roundtable with families of Hamas hostages as they deal with what no family should ever have to go through. I will do everything in my power to bring every hostage safely home & hold Hamas & the Iran regime accountable.”

February 11, 2025: The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a meeting with the King and Crown Prince of Jordan.

 

4. Selected Members on the Record

Trump Ethnic Cleansing/Gaza Takeover Plan is NOT OK

• Houlahan (D-PA) 2/12/25: X-post – “President Trump made the Israel-Hamas ceasefire even more tenuous Monday during an impromptu press conference where he threatened “all hell is going to break out” if Hamas doesn’t release the hostages by noon on Saturday. Not coincidentally, Israeli PM Netanyahu echoed similar language and the same deadline in comments yesterday. Trump appears to be trying to destabilize this fragile ceasefire and pave the way to recreating Gaza in his imagined ‘Riviera of the Middle East.’ I urge him to stop endangering the lives of both the hostages and the region’s residents and recommit to the agreement that was so carefully and thoughtfully negotiated with our allies and regional partners.“
• Welch (D-VT) 2/12/25: X-post – “A return to war in Gaza could pose even greater risks to the hostages and kill countless more innocent Palestinians The U.S. and Israel should exhaust every diplomatic option to free the hostages and maintain the ceasefire.“
• Duckworth (D-IL) 2/11/25: X-post – “As Trump keeps doubling down on his unhinged plan to send U.S. troops to “take over Gaza,” let’s be clear:   This would be a complete disaster for our country and the Palestinian people.   It would undermine our national security, waste taxpayer dollars and cause further chaos in the region.   Everyone’s time would be better spent working toward a two-state solution to help the Israeli and Palestinian people achieve lasting peace.”

• Ramirez (D-IL) 2/11/25: X-post – “A reminder:  -Threats of Palestinian displacement are illegal and immoral.   -Gaza is not for sale.  -The US must honor Palestinian sovereignty.  -Israel must adhere to the cease-fire deal.  -Hamas must release the remaining hostages.  -We must act as though our collective safety and security -Palestinian, Israeli, and American- are interconnected.“‘
• Watson Coleman (D-NJ) 2/10/25: X-post – “”
• Sanders (I-VT) 2/10/25: X-post – “47,000+ Palestinians killed. 111,000 injured. Trump’s response? Forcibly expel Palestinians to make Gaza ‘a real estate development for the future. A beautiful piece of land.’  No. Gaza must be rebuilt for the Palestinian people, not billionaire tourists.”
• Green (D-XX) 2/7/25: Rep. Al Green Condemns Trump & Netanyahu’s Ethnic Cleansing Remarks, Calls for Boycott & Impeachment
• Welch (D-VT) 2/7/25: X-post – “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people. President Trump saying the U.S. should ‘take over’ Gaza is dangerous. There won’t be lasting peace for Israel until Palestinians have equal measures of dignity, safety, and sovereignty, alongside Israel.“

Concern for Hostages & (in some cases) Cheering on Trump plan for ethnic cleansing of Gaza [NOTE: there has been ZERO concern from Congress over the terrible state of Palestinians detainees being released by Israel — ill, emaciated, covered in scabies sores, missing limbs, etc…]

• Buchanan (R-FL) 2/14/25: X-post – “Very heartening to see. After over a year in captivity, Hamas will release three more hostages tomorrow, including Sagui Dekel-Chen, an American-Israeli whose mother is a Sarasota resident. Join me in praying for his safe return and all of those captured and missing.“
• Scott (R-FL) 2/12/25: X-post – “Hamas terrorists are evil. Look at what they did to these three innocent men! It’s been 495 days, and still, Americans and Israelis remain in the hands of these monsters. President Trump put it best: every hostage must be released by noon Saturday or else.”
• Cherfilus-McCormick (R-FL) 2/12/25: X-post – “All hostages need to be released immediately! The heart-wrenching stories from a former hostage about the physical and mental abuse she experienced were devastating. The demand for the release of hostages by Saturday is long overdue.”
• Kelly (R-PA) 2/11/25: Rep. Mike Kelly Statement Following Release of Marc Fogel
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 2/11/25: X-post – “While I’m relieved that 3 more Israeli hostages were reunited with their families, I’m disgusted by how Hamas terrorists returned them: severely malnourished & unrecognizable.   We must free all the hostages, ensuring their health & safety.”
• Emmer (R-MN) 2/11/25: X-post – “Utterly heartbreaking. This kind of evil is incompatible with civilized society. Hamas must release ALL hostages NOW.”
• Fallon (R-TX) 2/11/25: X-post – “Once again, Hamas is preventing the peace deal by refusing to release hostages. Genocidal Hamas terrorists care more about waging war against Israel and causing chaos & destruction than they do for the lives of Gazans.”
• Budd (R-NC) 2/11/25: X-post – “If Oct. 7th didn’t provide enough evidence of Hamas’ depravity, they’re now refusing to release hostages, as agreed. @POTUS is right to threaten consequences if Hamas does not comply. America must fully back Israel & see that all hostages are released, including six Americans.”
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 2/11/25: X-post- “>While I’m relieved that 3 more Israeli hostages were reunited with their families, I’m disgusted by how Hamas terrorists returned them: severely malnourished & unrecognizable.   We must free all the hostages, ensuring their health & safety.”
• Scott (R-FL) 2/10/25: X-post – “Every face has a story, a family and a future that was stolen from them the day Hamas terrorists took them as hostages. 493 days in the hands of Iran-backed Hamas terrorists is 493 days too long. We cannot rest—bring them ALL home!“
• Lawler (R-NY) 2/10/25: HFAC Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Chairman Mike Lawler Reacts to Hamas’ Indefinite Pause on Releasing Hostages
• Cotton (R-AR) 2/10/25: X-post- “Hamas is a vicious terrorist organization that slaughtered and starved not just Israelis but also Americans. President Trump is right to demand Hamas release the hostages, and make clear that we will back Israel to the hilt if this deal fails.“
• Wilson (R-SC) 2/10/25: X-post – “The treacherous terrorist group Hamas is violating the ceasefire deal and refusing to release more Israeli hostages. President Trump was clear: release ALL hostages NOW“
• Torres (D-NY) 2/10/25: X-post – “Even though Hamas systemically starved Israeli hostages to the point of leaving them emaciated, Mehdi Hasan nonetheless never misses an opportunity to make Israel the villain in the story. He is so blinded by an unbridled hatred for the Jewish State that he can scarcely see the victimhood of the Jews who were barbarically abducted for nearly 500 days. Hasan is a propagandist pretending to be a journalist.” — attacking journalist Mehdi Hassan for posting on X (entirely accurately) ; “We shouldn’t be under any illusion about how the pictures of the Israeli hostages at the weekend – which are bad, and inexcusable – are going to be used to manufacture consent for new violence against Gaza. No mention of course of Palestinians being released in horrible states.“
• Wicker (R-MS) 2/10/25: X-post – “If anyone needs evidence how brutal Hamas is, look at the pictures of the recently released Israeli hostages. But brace yourself – unspeakable!“
• Graham (R-SC) 2/10/25: X-post – “One of the things I appreciate most about President @realDonaldTrump is his strength and clarity. I hope Hamas and the region are listening to @POTUS’ recent statement and demand regarding the release of the hostages in Gaza.”
• Scott (R-FL) 2/8/25: X-post – “Hamas terrorists are putting innocent Americans and Israelis through the unimaginable. For some, it’s day 481 in the hands of these monsters. They can’t afford another day in captivity. We must bring them home now!“
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 2/8/25: X-post – “Relieved that three more hostages are being reunited with their families and loved ones today. I won’t stop fighting until we free all the hostages, including the Americans.”
• Goldman (D-NY) 2/8/25: X-post – “Over a year ago, I repeatedly called on the @ICRC to perform well checks on Israeli hostages, as required by international law. The ICRC, the @UN and the world failed. Today, we saw the horror allowed by their failure. Israeli hostages were starved and tortured. Disgraceful.“
• Hern (R-OK) 2/8/25: X-post – “The war in Gaza is a battle between good and evil. For 490 days, Hamas held innocent civilians hostage—more remain in the grip of barbaric terrorists. President Trump was clear: Hamas must release ALL the hostages now.“
• Wilson (R-SC) 2/8/25: X-post – “Horrified to see the state of Israeli hostages released from Hamas terrorist captivity. Hamas must be eliminated and have no future in Gaza.”
• Budd (R-NC) 2/8/25: X-post – “There are still six Americans being held hostage by Hamas. They must be released immediately.“
• Frankel (D-FL) 2/8/25: X-post – “Bittersweet relief that Or, Ohad, and Eli are finally free from Hamas captivity. While we celebrate their return, we remain mindful of their deteriorating health and the loved ones they’ve lost. The remaining hostages are running out of time—we must bring them home now.“

Bibi on the Hill

• Johnson (R-LA) 2/7/25: Speaker Johnson Welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Back to the U.S. Capitol; also X-post – “I was honored to host my good friend, Prime Minister @Netanyahu, at the Capitol today. With President Trump back in the White House and Republicans leading the House and Senate, America will not turn its back on Israel. Our support for Israel is ironclad.“
• Scalise (R-LA) 2/7/25: X-post – “Honored to welcome Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the U.S. Capitol. We will always stand with our strong ally in the Middle East. “
• McClain (R-MI) 2/7/25: X-post – “”
• Cruz (R-TX) 2/7/25: X-post – “Great meeting with my friend and leader of Israel, @Netanyahu. With a unified Republican government, we will bolster the U.S.-Israel alliance and undo the very real damage caused by the Biden administration’s policies.“
• Lawler (R-NY) 2/7/25: X-post – “I was honored to join Speaker Johnson and Congressional leaders for today’s meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The U.S.-Israel alliance is unshakable, and we stand firmly with our greatest ally in the Middle East.“
• McCaul (R-TX) 2/7/25: X-post – “It was good to see @Netanyahu today in our nation’s capitol, right after President Trump moved to sanction the ICC for its shameless arrest warrants targeting the U.S. and Israel. I’ll never forget meeting with PM Netanyahu in Israel the wake of Hamas’ October 7 massacre. We must continue working toward lasting peace for Israel and the entire Middle East.”

Sanctioning the ICC

• Diaz-Balart (R-FL) 2/7/25: X-post – “I applaud President Trump for standing up for America and its allies against the biased, antisemitic ICC. The ICC has lost all credibility, unfairly targeting Israel and its leaders, for simply defending themselves against the barbaric attacks launched by Iran and terrorist proxies Hamas and Hezbollah. As Chairman of the subcommittee that funds U.S. national security interests and foreign policy priorities, I’ve been warning about the ICC’s myopic obsession with Israel. That’s why my funding bill for fiscal year 2025 ensures accountability by strictly prohibiting any taxpayer money from supporting the ICC.“
• Ernst (R-IA) 2/7/25: X-post – “I called out the ICC last year for losing credibility by becoming an anti-Israel propaganda machine. Glad to see President Trump holding the ICC accountable and standing with our ally!”
• Barrasso (R-WY) 2/7/25: X-post – “Last year, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials including Prime Minister Netanyahu. Their charges are bogus. Last week, the Senate had an opportunity to impose severe sanctions on the ICC. This would have sent a strong message that America stands with Israel. Instead, Democrats blocked the sanctions.”
• Kennedy (R-LA) 2/7/25: X-post – “Pres. Trump is right—The International Criminal Court keeps the U.S. and Israel in its crosshairs while ignoring actual atrocities. Bring on the sanctions.”
• Blackburn (R-TN) 2/7/25: X-post – “President Trump is standing strong with Israel. He has sanctioned the International Criminal Court for targeting the United States and Israel.”
• Moran (R-TX) 2/7/25: X-post – “.@POTUS ICC EO reaffirms America’s commitment to resisting the ICC’s attempts to undermine U.S. sovereignty and target our ally, Israel.”

More Weapons for Israel

• House Foreign Affairs Committee (Democrats) 2/7/25: X-post – “RM @RepGregoryMeeks criticized Trump Admin’s decision to bypass Congress & proceed with billions in arms sales to Israel, condemning the blatant disregard for long-standing Congressional prerogative, citing the Admin’s failure to provide sufficient justification or documentation.”
• House Foreign Affairs Committee (Democrats) 2/7/25: Meeks Decries Trump Administration’s Move to Bypass Congressional Oversight on Weapons Transfers

Targeting the UN/UNRWA/Palestinian Authority

• Lawler (R-NY) 2/13/25: X-post – “Ensuring that every last dollar of taxpayer money is being spent appropriately is a critical mission of Congress. As we examine USAID’s expenditures, transparency is key. The fact that USAID spent millions on a non-profit that pushed anti-Israel and antisemitic rap songs is abhorrent.”
• Jackson (R-TX) 2/12/25: X-post – “President Trump took bold action by cutting off U.S. funding to UNRWA. To bolster the President’s decisive action, I reintroduced the Uncovering UNRWA’s Terrorist Crimes Act to permanently eliminate funds for this CORRUPT organization and expose how much taxpayer money the Biden administration sent to support terrorism.“
• Lawler (R-NY) 2/12/25: X-post – “The Palestinian Authority has a history of claiming to end pay-to-slay, only to find new ways to fund terrorism. I’ll believe they’ve ended it when we actually see it.” (with video)
• Lawler (R-NY) 2/10/25: X-post – “If we’re ever going to achieve peace in the Middle East, it starts with the Palestinian Authority actually ending the horrific practice of pay-to-slay terrorism and committing to de-radicalization of its population.”
• Lawler (R-NY) 2/10/25: HFAC Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Chairman Lawler Reacts to Palestinian Authority’s Cancellation of Pay-to-Slay; also X-post 2/10/25: “If we’re ever going to achieve peace in the Middle East, it starts with the Palestinian Authority actually ending the horrific practice of pay-to-slay terrorism and committing to de-radicalization of its population.“

Targeting USAID

• Cruz (R-TX) 2/10/25: X-post – “At USAID, Funding for Terror-Tied Groups and Internal Hostility Toward Israel Goes Back Years” [posting headline and link to article in Free Beacon]
• Lawler (R-NY) 2/10/25: CONGRESSMAN LAWLER SLAMS  USAID PAYMENTS TO ORGANIZATION  HEADED BY VICIOUS ANTI-ISRAEL RAPPER
• Rogers (R-AL) 2/10/25: X-post – “The left will try to tell you that President Trump cutting UNRWA funding is cruel and wrong while ignoring that the UNRWA directly affiliates itself with terrorists.” With article, Days before Trump halted funding, an ex-Israeli hostage was held at UNRWA school in Gaza, she reveals (Fox News 2/9/25)
• Ogles (R-TN) 2/9/25: X-post – “Utterly despicable. I introduced a bill last Congress to defund UNRWA and I’m thankful that President Trump has taken prompt action in his first two weeks in office.” With article, Days before Trump halted funding, an ex-Israeli hostage was held at UNRWA school in Gaza, she reveals (Fox News 2/9/25)

Targeting Iran

• Fallon (R-TX) 2/13/25: X-post – “President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign makes clear the US will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran. Gone are the days of appeasement and lax sanctions enforcement towards the regime best known for being the leading state-sponsor of terrorism.“
• Wilson (R-SC) 2/13/25: X-post – “This is bizarre. This insulting censorship of those opposing the terrorist regime in Tehran will not stand. Iranian voices deserve to be heard. I call on @GermanyDiplo to change course again and allow @PahlaviReza to participate in the Munich Security Conference. Free Iran“
• Wilson (R-SC) 2/13/25: X-post – “Grateful to meet with her excellency Ambassador @rbalsaud of Saudi Arabia! The U.S.-Saudi partnership is critical for the future of Free Syria and to counter War Criminal Putin and the Iranian regime. Saudi Arabia is a true friend and anchor of stability in the Middle East.”
• Wilson (R-SC) 2/13/25: X-post- “Iraqi Army Chief Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah said designated terrorist & Iraqi Hezbollah leader Abu Mahdi Muhandis “is our brother, leader, supporter and backer. Abu Mahdi who gathered us together during battles.” Spotted here with Soleimani pic The Iraq Army = Iranian puppets“
• Kennedy (R-LA) 2/13/25: X-post – “Xi, Putin, and the Ayatollah in Iran are working against America and Western values, including—but not limited to—freedom.”
• Wilson (R-SC) 2/10/25: X-post – “Connect the dots. The Iranian regime gives War Criminal Putin suicide drones and missiles. War Criminal Putin supplies Iranian puppets Hezbollah and the Houthis. The Chinese Communist Party bankrolls it all. Counter the Axis of Aggressors!“
• Babin (R-TX) 2/10/25: X-post – “Iran’s assassination plot against President Trump was more extensive than we knew. Make no mistake: this will not be tolerated!“
• Wilson (R-SC) 2/8/25: X-post – “The Iranian regime tried to assassinate President Trump and is insistent that it still will. Iran will be free and all its puppets will fall, including the Houthis, Qassim al-Araji, Kais Saied, and Bidzina Ivanishvili.”
• Fischbach (R-MN) 2/8/25: X-post – “We need to do everything we can to keep Iran from getting nuclear weapons. Thank you, @POTUS for working to drive down Tehran’s exports and enforce greater sanctions.“
• Wilson (R-SC) 2/8/25: X-post – “Iraqi Kleptocracy starts with Rafidain Bank. Why is @UStreasury allowing Iraq’s largest bank to be a piggy bank for Iran’s militias?”
• Lawler (R-NY) 2/7/25: X-post (incl video) – “The Biden Administration let Iran’s illicit oil trade thrive, which funded terrorism across the Middle East. I fought to crack down on it and am glad to see action finally being taken by President Trump on this front.“

Republicans STAND WITH ISRAEL!

• Lawler (R-NY) 2/10/25: X-post – “I met with Ofir Akunis, Consul General of Israel, in New York today, and it was a valuable opportunity to discuss significant developments in the Middle East and build stronger ties with Israel. We also discussed ways to support our shared community here in New York. Looking forward to our continued collaboration!“
• Jordan (R-OH) 2/7/25: X-post – “Israel couldn’t trust the Biden administration. But they can trust President Trump! We’ll always back our great ally.“
• Ellzey (R-TX) 2/7/25: X-post – “Before heading home to Texas, I met with the IDF alongside my colleagues @RepPfluger and @RepJimmyPanetta for an update on the ongoing situation in Israel. As our strongest ally in the Middle East, America must always stand with Israel.“

 

5. Selected Media

• Jewish Insider 2/13/25: Is AIPAC’s big bet on Sarah Elfreth paying off? [“The freshman Democrat from Maryland was viewed by pro-Israel leaders as a standout ally. Her early record is raising questions about those assumptions“]
• Jewish Insider 2/13/25: Stefanik’s confirmation delay begins to frustrate Senate Republicans [“The Senate is waiting for a go-ahead from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who currently can’t afford to lose Stefanik’s vote in the House”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/12/25: Report prompts allegations of ‘vast’ USAID funds for Hamas [“‘The full story of funding Hamas is vast, and much of it was done in secret,’ Texas Sen. Ted Cruz wrote about an exposé maintaining the aid agency financed terrorism”]
• Touro University 2/11/25: Congressman Ritchie Torres Talks Antisemitism and Rising Above with Touro Students
• Jewish Insider 2/11/25: PA’s claim of reforming ‘martyr’ payments policy meets skeptical reception [“‘It would be naive to think that after years of facilitating terrorism against Israelis and Americans the Palestinian Authority would suddenly have a change of heart,’ Sen. Tom Cotton said“]
• Jerusalem Post 2/10/25: Jewish lawmakers divided over Trump’s Gaza takeover proposal – exclusive [“Congress members on both sides of the aisle tell The Jerusalem Post how they see the plan working out.“]
• Jewish Insider 2/10/25: Gillen: U.S. needs to ‘get more hawkish and get more aggressive against Iran’ [“The New York Democrat expressed interest in working with her New York Republican colleague Mike Lawler”]
• New York Tmes 2/8/25: Trump Administration Moves to Send $8 Billion in Arms to Israel, Bypassing Some Lawmakers
• Times of Israel 2/8/25: US State Department informs Congress of $7.4 billion arms sale to Israel
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/7/25: After meeting with Netanyahu, House panel chair says Trump’s Gaza plan ‘is common sense’ [“Rep. Brian Mast told JNS that the Middle East can’t move on until Hamas is ‘willing to put up their white flag of surrender following this genocide that they’ve conducted against Israel.’”]

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

New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 2/4/25: “Centering Human Life, Disrupting Injustice Without Replicating It”: Introducing 2025 FMEP Fellow Hilary Rantisi
• 1/31/25: Mapping Life & Land: Beirut Urban Lab – FMEP Fellow Dr. Nour Joudah speaks with Ahmad Gharbieh, professor at the American University of Beirut and co-founder of the Beirut Urban Lab

1. Bills & Resolutions

TARGETING FREE SPEECH/RIGHT TO PROTEST ISRAEL/ZIONISM

(LEGISLATING THE IHRA DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM) HR 1007:  Introduced 2/5/25 by Lawler (R-NY) and 58 cosponsors (44 Republicans and 14 Democrats),  “To provide for the consideration of a definition of antisemitism set forth by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance for the enforcement of Federal antidiscrimination laws concerning education programs or activities, and for other purposes,” aka, the “Antisemitism Awareness Act.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Press releases: Gottheimer Helps Lead Reintroduction of Bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act; Sherman and Colleagues Reintroduce the Antisemitism Awareness Act

Also see:

• For background on this legislation (which has been introduced numerous times and which has nothing to do with fighting antisemitism, and everything to do with delegitimizing and suppressing campus free speech/activism critical of Israel), see this compendium of resources.
• For a deep dive into the history/objectives of this legislation, see this article (by me). Also see my evergreen X-post (posted 3/21/23): “The battle over the IHRA definition of antisemitism, in a nutshell: ‘you have to define it to fight it’ = ‘you have to define all meaningful criticism of Israel/its policies/ Zionism as ‘antisemitism’ in order to suppress it, because we can’t win the arguments otherwise.'”
• REMINDER: This Antisemitism Awareness Act was passed by the House on 5/1/24, in the form of HR 6090. As covered extensively in the Round-Up from May-December 2024, passage of HR 6090 sparked far-reaching opposition from across the political spectrum, including from across the right-side of the political spectrum — for receipts see this compendium: Statements & Analyses Opposing Federal IHRA legislation (2024). Ultimately, despite a months-long campaign by pro-AAA actors targeting Schumer (D-NY), including intense media pressure, the bill died in the Senate — due in part to opposition (mainly from the Right) and in part to House Speaker Johnson (R-LA) refusing to cooperate with Schumer’s (D-NY) 11th hour effort to attach the bill to a piece of must-pass legislation (which would have enabled it to pass without Democrats being forced into a scored vote for/against it).
• With respect to the Senate, note: Schumer to co-sponsor Antisemitism Awareness Act in the Senate (Jewish Insider 2/5/25)
• Media: Lawler, Gottheimer to reintroduce Antisemitism Awareness Act – Companion legislation in the Senate is expected soon from Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) (Jewish Insider 2/5/25); Bipartisan House group reintroduces Antisemitism Awareness Act (Jewish News Syndicate 2/5/25); Gottheimer Helps Lead Reintroduction of Bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act (Insider NJ 2/5/25)
• Supporting: ADL Welcomes Re-Introduction of Antisemitism Awareness Act, Pushes for Immediate Passage in Congress (Anti-Defamation League 2/5/25); CAM Welcomes Reintroduction of Antisemitism Awareness Act (Combat Antisemitism Movement 2/5/25)
• Opposing:  Statement on Reintroduction of the Antisemitism Awareness Act (2-6-2025)(New Jewish Narrative)
• Sherman (D-CA) on X: “Proud to join @RepMikeLawler and @RepJoshG in reintroducing the Antisemitism Awareness Act to finally use IHRA’s definition of #antisemitism in antidiscrimination laws. You can’t fight what you can’t define. The Jewish community has been clear: we must adopt the IHRA definition. (1/2) Contrary to lies told about IHRA, it clearly states ‘criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country can’t be regarded as antisemitic.’ But calling to destroy the only Jewish state, which Hamas sought to do on #October7th is antisemitic in theory and in practice. (2/2)“

(THE RETURN OF THE ISRAEL ANTI-BOYCOTT ACT) HR 867: Introduced 1/31/25 by Lawler (R-NY) and currently having 19 cosponsors (15 Republicans and 4 Democrats), “To amend the Anti-Boycott Act of 2018 to apply the provisions of that Act to international governmental organizations,” aka, the “IGO Anti-Boycott Act.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Key things to know about HR 867:

• While the bill doesn’t mention Israel, HR 867 is the latest iteration of legislation known previously as the “Israel Anti-Boycott Act”, which was promoted repeatedly in the past, in various forms, by AIPAC. For background see: S. 720/HR 1697 (2017), HR 5595 (2020), HR 6940 (2022), HR 3016 (2023).
• Per Lawler’s press release, HR 867 is being actively endorsed/supported by CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Hagee Parker, AIPAC, Foundation for Defense of Democracy (FDD) Action, and the Republican Jewish Coalition.
• HR 867, like its predecessors, seeks to amend/expand current US anti-boycott law. That law is based on the idea of preventing US citizens from being **compelled or coerced** into boycotting Israel as a condition for doing business abroad under the Arab League Boycott of Israel (which included coercive secondary sanctions). HR 3016, like previous versions of the IABA, seeks to extend this law to also cover US citizens who boycott Israel &/or settlements NOT because they are being compelled/coerced, but because it reflects their own values/political views, including support for intl law — with the hook being the EU’s policy urging companies to differentiate between Israel and settlements, and the UN’s database of companies working in settlements. As a reminder, the EU policy nor the UN database are entirely informational/advisory; neither one includes any enforcement or accountability mechanism of any kind.  Under HR 867, anyone who violates or “abets” what would thus be a ban on VOLUNTARY, VALUES-BASED decisions to boycott Israel or settlements, grounded in Americans’ personal and political views &/or informed by respect for international law— could face massive CRIMINAL/CIVIL PENALTIES. What do I mean by “massive CRIMINAL/CIVIL PENALTIES”? I mean up to $1 MILLION in fines or up to 20 YEARS IN PRISON. Think I’m exaggerating? Read the legislation that it would amend.
• NOTE: On 2/12/24, the ACLU sent a letter to House members urging them to vote against this bill in the previous congress (HR 3016), noting, among other things, “it unconstitutionally targets political boycotts for criminal penalties. Although the ACLU does not take a position on particular boycotts of foreign countries, we stand firmly against any infringement of fundamental First Amendment rights, including the right to boycott. If the bill were to pass and take effect, we would consider challenging it in court.“
• For further background/analysis on this legislation see this collection of resources.

(FEDERAL ANTISEMITISM MONITORS FOR US COLLEGES) HR 1033: Introduced 2/5/25 by Torres (D-NY) and Lawler (R-NY), “To require the Secretary of Education to establish a program to provide for antisemitism monitors at institutions of higher education,” aka the “College Oversight and Legal Updates Mandating Bias Investigations and Accountability (COLUMBIA) Act”  Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

• NOTE: Torres and Lawler began talking about this bill since April 2024 (see coverage from the 4/26/24 edition of the Round-Up) and introduced it in the 118th Congress on 9/25/24 in the form of HR 9530.
• As reported by Jewish Insider on 4/26/24: Torres, Lawler push for federal antisemitism monitors on college campuses. Per that report, “As encampments of anti-Israel protesters spring up on a growing number of campuses across the country bringing with them instances of antisemitism, Reps. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) are threatening to condition federal funding for universities as part of a push for more stringent federal oversight and monitoring of campus antisemitism, Jewish Insider has learned. The lawmakers plan to introduce the College Oversight and Legal Updates Mandating Bias Investigations and Accountability (COLUMBIA) Act, which would allow the Department of Education to impose a third-party monitor for antisemitic activity on any campus receiving federal funding. Schools that do not adequately cooperate with monitoring could potentially lose their federal funding. Compliance with such monitoring would, under the proposed legislation, be a condition of receiving continued federal funds; the monitor would release quarterly public reports on the progress that schools have made in addressing antisemitism and providing recommendations to federal, state and local lawmakers and officials.” Also: “The proposed monitors would be appointed by the secretary of education, while expenses for the monitors would be paid by the schools being monitored.”

Also see:

• Lawler press release 4/26/24 – Reps. Lawler, Torres Introduce Legislation Empowering Federal Department of Education to Impose a Third-Party Antisemitism Monitor On Colleges and Universities Receiving Federal Funding;
• My X-thread 4/26/24 on this legislative initiative: “...As the House gets set to pass legislation that would codify/endorse the IHRA definition of antisemitism on US campuses, 2 members of Congress who back that bill have helpfully given us a hint at the future they they envision 1/  Reminder: the SOLE PURPOSE of codifying the IHRA definition is to legally enforce the conflation of criticism/protest of Israel/Zionism with antisemitism, so as to delegitimize/punish/quash/chill ideas/criticism/protest that doesn’t align with unconditional support for Israel. 2/ What might that look like? We don’t need to speculate because 2 House reps are getting set to introduce complementary legislation to add extremely sharp teeth to the IHRA definition on campus. 3/ Say hello to the “College Oversight and Legal Updates Mandating Bias Investigations and Accountability (COLUMBIA) Act” which per @J_Insider would allow the Dept of Education ‘to impose a 3rd-party monitor for antisemitic activity on any campus receiving federal funding.’…Maybe you love this idea; maybe you hate it. Either way, don’t say you didn’t know. Final reminder: [embedded evergreen X-post] – The battle over the IHRA definition of antisemitism, in a nutshell: ‘you have to define it to fight it’ = ‘you have to define all meaningful criticism of Israel/its policies/ Zionism as ‘antisemitism’ in order to suppress it, because we can’t win the arguments otherwise.’“
• National Review 5/15/24: Representatives Lawler, Torres Pitch Antisemitism Monitors on College Campuses

CONGRESS *HEARTS* GREATER ISRAEL

(THE WEST BANK MUST BE CALLED JUDEA & SAMARIA) HR 902//S. 384: Introduced 1/31/25 by Tenney (R-NY) and four cosponsors (all Republicans), and 2/3/25 in the Senate by Cotton (R-AR), “To prohibit the use of materials that use the term ‘West Bank’, and for other purposes,“ aka the “Retiring the Egregious Confusion Over the Genuine Name of Israel’s Zone of Influence by Necessitating Government-use of Judea and Samaria (RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria) Act.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see:

• Congresswoman Tenney Reintroduces ‘RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria Act’ and Launches Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus to Support Israel’s Sovereignty [including: “‘The Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus expresses the deep friendship between the American people and the biblical heartland, Judea and Samaria. The founding fathers of the United States were influenced by the Bible, which is the reason for biblical names in many cities in the United States. Judea and Samaria is not only a matter of historical justice, but also the protective belt of the State of Israel – and therefore also of the United States, which shares our values and the fight against the same threats. I congratulate Congresswoman Claudia Tenney for initiating the caucus, which will ensure, among other things, the use of the name Judea and Samaria, which strengthens the Jewish roots in the region and the historical and security alliance between Israel and the United States. Together we will work to strengthen Judea and Samaria, to strengthen the State of Israel which will in turn strengthen the United States,’ said Yossi Dagan, Governor of Samaria.”]
• Cotton press release 2/4/25: Cotton Reintroduces Legislation to Eliminate Federal Use of the Term “West Bank” [“‘The Jewish people’s legal and historic rights to Judea and Samaria goes back thousands of years. The U.S. should stop using the politically charged term West Bank to refer to the biblical heartland of Israel,’ said Senator Cotton.”]
• Media:  Cotton reintroduces bill to ban federal gov from using term ‘West Bank’ (Jewish News Syndicate 2/5/25)

Other Stuff

(TARGETING IRAN H. Res. 105 [text]: Introduced in the House 2/4/25 by Moskowitz (D-FL) and Lawler (R-NY), “Affirming the threats to world stability from a nuclear weapons-capable Islamic Republic of Iran.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. This is the House companion to S. Res. 43, introduced in 1/29/25 by Graham (R-SC), Fetterman (D-PA) and Britt (R-AL) [covered in last week’s Round-Up]. Also see:

• Moskowitz Introduces Bipartisan Resolution to Counter a Nuclear-Armed Iran;
• Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce Bicameral Resolution to Keep All Options on the Table to Counter a Nuclear-Armed Iran (Graham, R-SC, 1/31/25)
• Lawler (R-NY) X-post 2/6/25: “A nuclear-armed Iran is a threat to Israel and the world. We must keep all options on the table to address this crisis. Proud to work with Senators Graham, Fetterman, and Britt, as well as Rep. Moskowitz, to send a clear message to Iran about the consequences of their actions.“
• U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Lindsey Graham: U.S. Can’t Allow Iran to Obtain Nuclear Weapon
• Lawler Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution to Keep All Options on the Table to Counter a Nuclear-Armed Iran; also Lawler X-post 2/6/25 – “A nuclear-armed Iran is a threat to Israel and the world. We must keep all options on the table to address this crisis. Proud to work with Senators Graham, Fetterman, and Britt, as well as Rep. Moskowitz, to send a clear message to Iran about the consequences of their actions.“

(ANTI-ESG LAW – THAT WOULD SEEM TO CONTRADICT ANTI-BDS LAWS…) S. 379 [text]: Introduced 2/4/25 by Kennedy (R-LA) and Cramer (R-ND),  “A bill to prohibit the General Services Administration from awarding contracts to certain insured depository institutions that avoid doing business with certain companies that are engaged in lawful commerce based solely on social policy considerations.”  Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. NOTE: This bill would appear to prohibit contracts with institutions that abide by laws in US states requiring them to avoid doing business with companies based solely on the fact that they boycott Israel and/or settlements — underscoring the contradiction/tension between “anti-woke” efforts to outlaw businesses/banks from considering ANY factor other than profit in making business decisions, and legislation in states across the US that requires the government to boycott contracts with business that refuse to promise not to boycott Israel and/or settlements (legislation that, according to today’s political zeitgeist, represents a sort of pro-Israel stealth DEI…) Also see: press release – Kennedy champions bill to stop government from awarding contracts to biased banks

2. Letters

• 2/6/25: Risch, Ricketts, Foreign Relations Committee Republicans Call for Sanctions on Communist China for Transferring Missile Propellants to Iran [letter text]
• 2/5/25: Ricketts, Foreign Relations Committee Republicans Call for Sanctions on Communist China for Transferring Missile Propellants to Iran [letter text]
• 1/30/25: Republican Jewish Coalition backs Elbridge Colby for top Pentagon post (Jewish Insider); letter text [to the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee]

3. Hearings

February 13, 2025: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing entitled, After Assad: Navigating Syria Policy. Witness (so far) will be: Michael Singh, Washington Institute for Near East Policy; and Dana Stroul, Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

4. Selected Members on the Record

On Trump’s Plan to Ethnically Cleanse Gaza & Have the US Take It Over (and other Gaza-related stuff)

• Reed (D-RI) 2/6/25: Reed Denounces Trump’s Proposal for U.S. to “Take Over” Gaza [“I am appalled by President Trump’s declaration that the United States should occupy and rebuild Gaza, potentially with American military forces. His callous proposal is outrageous and contrary to the long-term interests of the U.S., Gaza, Israel, and our partners in the region. Trump’s bluster undermines decades of bipartisan support for a two-state solution, gives ammunition to our adversaries, and sows distrust among our allies. Involving the U.S. in the forced resettlement of Palestinians would be immoral and illegal. Further, if he were to put U.S. troops on the ground in Gaza it would be a disastrous national security mistake. I urge Israeli and Palestinian leaders to move beyond the current ceasefire toward a long-term plan for governance and a framework for a two-state solution. President Trump should control his impulse to inject chaos into this delicate situation.”]
• Greene (R-TN) 2/6/25: X-post – “If anyone can bring stability to the Middle East, it’s President Trump. Under his leadership, I am confident we will see a stronger relationship with Saudi Arabia, a weakened Iran, and a more secure Israel.”
• Kustoff (R-TN) 2/6/25: X-post – “I applaud @realDonaldTrump for thinking outside of the box. @POTUS is sending a clear message to our adversaries that the U.S. stands strongly with Israel and that we are working towards peace in the Middle East. [linked to interview on Newsmax“
• Scott (R-FL) 2/5/25: X-post – “I want to thank President Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, @SteveWitkoff, for coming to yesterday’s Senate Republican Steering Lunch to update us. Steve is working hard to protect Israel, destroy Iran-backed Hamas terrorists and bring peace to the Middle East.”
• Schneider (D-IL) 2/5/25: Schneider Responds to President Trump Comments on Gaza Strip
• Markey (D-MA) 2/5/25: X-post – “Trump’s plan to take over Gaza and turn it into the ‘Riviera of the Middle East’ is illegal, immoral, and indefensible. It would forcibly displace Gazans, violate international law, inflame tensions in the region, endanger the current Israel-Hamas ceasefire, and embroil the US in yet another overseas conflict, all while enriching his real estate developer friends and family. This is what happens when no Republican will tell the emperor he has no clothes.“
• Landsman (D-OH) 2/5/25: X-thread – “Trump may or may not be serious about Gaza, but he’s an unserious person and it’s an unserious plan. Three huge problems with his “proposal” First, he’s added a third list of places he would send American troops without any real consideration: 1. Greenland 2. Panama 3. Gaza | Second, the path to peace is through Saudi Arabia and other Arab Nations. They will not work with us or Israel if this is the plan. The effort to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and Israel, bring a coalition of Arab nations together to help rebuild Gaza and establish a legitimate governing authority in Gaza, is essential. Trump’s rhetoric undermines this path to peace. | Third, we’re in the middle of a ceasefire and need that to hold so every single hostage – including Americans – are brought home.“
• Jeffries (D-NY) 2/5/25: Leader Jeffries Statement on the Middle East [“President Biden’s comprehensive ceasefire agreement has returned American and Israeli hostages to their families and surged humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in need. We cannot rest until the remaining hostages held captive in Gaza return home, and the agreement is fully implemented for the good of Israel and the Palestinian people. Our commitment to Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish and Democratic state and eternal homeland for the Jewish people is ironclad. At the same time, America must support those Palestinians who legitimately desire a life filled with self-determination and peace in Gaza and the West Bank. A just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinian people is the objective, and that should inevitably lead to a two-state solution.“]
• Carson (D-IN) 2/5/25: X-post – “President Trump’s proposal to remove Palestinians from Palestine so he can ‘take over’ Gaza for redevelopment is a blatant endorsement of ethnic cleansing. I stand against these egregious actions. We must change course immediately.”
• Paul (R-KY) 2/5/25: X-post – “The pursuit for peace should be that of the Israelis and the Palestinians.   I thought we voted for America First.  We have no business contemplating yet another occupation to doom our treasure and spill our soldiers blood.“
• Coons (D-DE) 2/5/25: X-post – “If President Trump was serious about improving Gaza, he wouldn’t have started his administration by freezing the USAID projects needed to feed and shelter Palestinians and help the strip recover.”
• Issa (R-CA) 2/4/25: X-post – “President Trump has the right vision for the future of the Middle East. He is again showing the way as a peacemaker for our time.“
• Van Hollen (D-MD) 2/4/24: Van Hollen Statement on Trump Gaza Announcement [“Trump’s proposal to push 2 million Palestinians out of Gaza and take ‘ownership’ by force if necessary is simply ethnic cleansing by another name. This declaration will give ammunition to Iran and other adversaries while undermining our Arab partners in the region. It defies decades of bipartisan American support for a two-state solution – the only viable means to guaranteeing peace, stability, and security for both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. Congress must stand up to this dangerous and reckless scheme.“]
• Coons (D-DE) 2/4/25: X-post – “For the first time in more than 2 decades, U.S. troops aren’t at war. Now Trump wants to send US servicemembers halfway around the world to occupy land in the Middle East.“
• Heinrich (D-NM) 2/4/25: Senator Martin Heinrich on CNN: “My Constituents Did Not Vote for This Chaos” [“…I don’t think it’s our role to take people from land that they’ve inhabited and tell them what their future should be. I think our role should be trying to encourage a future for the Israelis that creates security for them, for the Palestinians that create some sovereignty and reconstruction and a life that’s not under a terrorist organization. You know, this is a President who says outrageous things because he thinks it always will result in the deal. I’m not sure that works as well in the Middle East.”]
• Blackburn (R-TN) 2/4/25: X-post – “President Trump stands with Israel and is committed to ensuring historic and lasting peace. He will eliminate Hamas terrorists and create economic prosperity.“
• Coons (D-DE) 2/4/25: X-post – “Gaza is among the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Millions of people without enough food or clean water, living with disorder, chaos, and disease. To suggest we take over Gaza while gutting USAID, freezing life-saving programs, & firing American aid workers is insane.“
• McClain (R-MI) 2/4/25: X-post – “<Today, @POTUS will meet with Israeli PM @netanyahu. The U.S.-Israel bond is unbreakable and we will always have the back of our strongest Democratic ally in the Middle East. @HouseGOP is ready to work with President Trump to make the world safer again.”
• Casten (D-IL) 2/5/25: Casten Statement on Trump’s Proposal to Move Palestinians Out of Gaza [“President Trump’s support of forcibly relocating 2 million Gazans is sickening, dangerous, and would violate international law. Instead of working to ensure the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is successfully implemented and the remaining hostages in Gaza are brought home, the President’s proposal of ethnic cleansing will further inflame tensions and serve as a recruiting tool for terrorist organizations. A two-state solution is the only viable means to guarantee peace, stability, and security for the Israeli and Palestinian people. I urge my colleagues in Congress to join me in opposing this dangerous and reckless scheme.“]
• Feenstra (R-IA) 2/5/25: Feenstra Issues Statement on President Trump’s Meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [“President Trump knows that Israel is our closest ally in the Middle East, and he is committed to strengthening our important alliance. To make our world safer, we must defeat the Hamas terrorists who viciously murdered more than 1,200 innocent Israelis on October 7th, 2023 and ensure that every remaining hostage is released and reunited with their families. I completely support President Trump’s mission to protect both Americans and Israelis from terrorism and secure peace through strength.”]
• Mace (R-SC) 2/4/25: X-post – “Let’s turn Gaza into Mar-A-Lago“
• Tlaib (D-MI) 2/4/25: X-post – “Palestinians aren’t going anywhere. This president can only spew this fanatical bullshit because of bipartisan support in Congress for funding genocide and ethnic cleansing. It’s time for my two-state solution colleagues to speak up.“
• Tlaib (D-MI) 2/4/25: X-post – “This president is openly calling for ethnic cleansing while sitting next to a genocidal war criminal. He’s perfectly fine cutting off working Americans from federal funds while the funding to the Israeli government continues flowing.”
• Luna (R-FL) 2/4/25: X-post – “When President Trump is in charge, America leads, peace prevails, and chaos ends. He is the only leader with the strength to end the bloodshed and bring real peace to the Middle East. While weak politicians have fumbled and fueled both sides of the war, he has taken bold action to restore stability, protect our allies, and put an end to endless wars. President Trump is making America—and the whole world—safe again.“
• House Speaker Johnson (R-LA) 2/4/25: X-post – “The United States stands firmly with Israel and the people of the Middle East, which haven’t experienced peace in many, many years. Violence and hatred do not have to define the region’s future. Today, President Trump took bold action in hopes of achieving lasting peace in Gaza. We are hopeful this brings much needed stability and security to the region.“
• Steube (R-FL) 2/4/25: X-post – “President Trump delivered peace and security in the Middle East during his first term with the Abraham Accords. I trust and applaud his bold new plan to stabilize the region and ensure Israel’s security—bringing historic and lasting peace.”
• Quigley (D-IL) 2/4/25: X-post – “I am appalled by Trump’s call to ‘take over’ and ‘own’ Gaza at his joint press conference today. Make no mistake: This is a call for ethnic cleansing. Neither Trump nor Netanyahu have the best interests of Israelis and Palestinians in mind, which is an end to the war in Gaza.“
• Van Hollen (D-MD) 2/4/25: X-post by Aaron Ruper – “Van Hollen: ‘He just said that it will be US policy to forcibly displace 2 million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. That is ethnic cleansing by another name. He said the US would then own the Gaza Strip and we would develop it and other countries would take these Palestinians.'” VIDEO
• Thune (R-SD) 2/4/25: Thune: Senate Republicans Are Committed to Confirming President Trump’s Cabinet as Quickly as Possible [“…this week, we also have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the Capitol, and as all of you know, he was here not that long ago. Israel is our closest ally in the Middle East. The last time that he was here, a number of Democrats, including Vice President Harris, boycotted his remarks in the House of Representatives. This time around, his visit follows a time when the Democrats here in the Senate, basically, through their vote, gave legitimacy to an illegitimate court because they didn’t want to defend Israel’s right to defend itself or American citizens from the actions of the International Criminal Court, which is an illegitimate court. So the Republicans are here and ready when the Democrats decide it’s time to actually work in the interest of and defending America’s greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel. Republicans have been consistent in doing that for the last year through the war with Hamas. Democrats have not. But we are ready to go to work and ensure that our allies’ interests all around the world are protected, and we hope at some point to have the Democrats join us in that effort.”]
• Schatz (D-HI) 2/4/25: Schatz Statement On Trump’s Comments On Gaza [“A two-state solution, which Democratic and Republican administrations have supported for decades, must continue to be U.S. policy. Palestinians, including those in Gaza, deserve a chance at a better future, one where they can live with dignity and security. Israelis and Palestinians each deserve distinct, inalienable, and mutually-recognized states that coexist side-by-side in peace.”]

On Bibi’s Visit to the Hill

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu posted repeatedly on X celebrating his meetings in Congress on 2/6/25 (with pix and videos):

• Press release: PM Netanyahu Meets with Bipartisan US Senate Leadership
• “Watch Live: Statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson, following their meeting at the U.S. Capitol.”
• “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today, on Capitol Hill, with US Senate Majority Leader @LeaderJohnThune (R-SD).“
• “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mey today in Washington with US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and US Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). He then met with Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-AR).“
• “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today, on Capitol Hill in Washington, with US Senator @SenFettermanPA”

In addition, many members of Congress posted comments and photos celebrating their meetings with Netanyahu:

• Shaheen (D-NH) 2/6/25: Ranking Member Shaheen Statement After Meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu [“I was pleased to have a frank and productive conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu, alongside Leader Schumer and other senior Senate Democrats and Republicans. We all reiterated the United States’ ironclad support for the security of Israel and its citizens and reaffirmed the long-standing bond between our people. We discussed the importance of the full implementation of all phases of the ceasefire in Gaza and the need for Hamas to hold up its end of the deal by continuing to release all hostages, including the Americans who remain, both alive and deceased. I also stressed to Prime Minister Netanyahu the importance to Israel’s long-term security of maintaining stability in the West Bank and the need to work with our partners in the region toward a negotiated two-state outcome with a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in equal measures of peace, security and mutual recognition. Finally, I pressed that it is in both the U.S. and Israel’s strategic interest to seize this once in a generation opportunity in Lebanon and Syria to permanently marginalize Iran, deny openings to Russia and China and build a more stable and prosperous region free from terrorism. Such a future for Lebanon and the region requires our continued constructive engagement and support.“]
• Thune (R-SD) 2/6/25; Thune Welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the U.S. Capitol
• Mast (R-FL) 2/6/25: Chairman Mast Meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [“Great to meet with America’s strong friend and ally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. America and Israel share an unbreakable bond that is forged by battle for common values and against common enemies.”]
• Blumenthal (D-CT) 2/6/25: X-post – “After our meeting today with Netanyahu I’m more hopeful that the ongoing cease-fire can be extended so more hostages can be released & more humanitarian aid provided. Both Hamas & Israel should accept it—as the only path to peace & stability, & rebuilding Gaza.“
• Thune (R-SD) 2/6/25: X-post – “I want to thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for meeting with a bipartisan group of senators this morning where we assured him of the United States’ strong and continued support for Israel. I look forward to continuing to work to defend our allies and protect our nation.”
• House Foreign Affairs Committee (Republicans) 2/6/25: X-post – “Great to meet with America’s strong friend and ally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. America and Israel share an unbreakable bond that is forged by battle for common values and against common enemies.”
• Kustoff (R-TN) 2/6/25: X-post – “It was an honor to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today in Washington. I look forward to working with @realDonaldTrump and @netanyahu to strengthen the bond between our two nations. The United States is committed to ensuring that Israel can live in peace with her neighbors.“
• Wicker (R-MS) 2/6/26: X-post – “I enjoyed meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu during today’s bipartisan meeting with Senate leaders. The United States continues to stand firmly with Israel.”

On UNRWA and other Gaza-related matters

• Turner (R-OH) 2/6/25: X-post – “The US is rightly focused on ensuring Gaza moves toward peace while addressing the security of both Israelis and Palestinians. Hamas’ horrific October 7 attack ignited this conflict, and Iran-backed terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah continue to threaten Israel’s existence.“
• McCaul (R-TX) 2/5/25: McCaul Statement on Trump EOs Combating Iranian-Backed Terrorism, Supporting Israel [“President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign nearly bled Iran dry in 2020 — leaving them with extremely few resources to fuel their nuclear program and destabilizing activities. This EO made clear he’s prepared to do it again. I’m also pleased he once again halted U.S. funding to UNRWA, which has demonstrated a long-standing anti-Israel bias and deeply concerning terrorism ties. UNRWA employees participated in Hamas’ barbaric October 7 attack on Israel, and reports have indicated UNRWA structures and employees have since concealed Hamas hostages, harbored weapons, and fostered terrorism activity in the region. The U.S. will once again put American interests first, stand up to the Iranian regime, and ensure no one messes with our ally, Israel.“]
• McCaul (R-TX) 2/5/25: X-thread – “’President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign nearly bled Iran dry in 2020 — leaving them with few resources to fuel their nuclear program & destabilizing activities. He’s clearly prepared to do it again. The U.S. will put American interests first, stand up to the Iranian regime, & ensure no one messes with our ally, Israel. I’m also pleased he once again halted U.S. funding to UNRWA, which has demonstrated a long-standing anti-Israel bias & deeply concerning terrorism ties. As chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee last Congress, I called out the concerning allegations against UNRWA…“
• McClain (R-MI) 2/4/25: X-post – “President Trump just signed Executive Orders withdrawing the United States from the UN Human Rights Council, UNRWA, and UNESCO because of deep anti-American bias. This is the definition of putting America FIRST.“
• Tlaib (D-MI) 2/3/25: X-post – “You cannot continue bombing Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and call it a ceasefire.”
• Cotton (R-AR) 2/3/25: X-post – “UNWRA is a cesspool of pro-Hamas terrorists and should never receive another dime of American taxpayer funding.”

On Trump’s EO Sanctioning the ICC & People Associated With It

• Risch (R-ID) 2/6/25: Risch on Executive Order to Sanction ICC [“This is tremendous news. The ICC’s arrest warrants were obviously politically motivated and a clear violation of Israeli sovereignty. This flagrant antisemitism and lack of respect for the rule of law in Israel cannot go unchecked. With this Executive Order, President Trump has made clear to the ICC that any violation of America’s sovereignty or that of our allies will have consequences. I look forward to working with the President and his administration to continue stamping out corruption and antisemitism across international organizations.”]
• Mast (R-FL) 2/6/25: Chairman Mast Issues Statement in Response to President Trump’s Executive Order Sanctioning the ICC [“Thank you, President Trump, for standing with Israel despite Senate Democrats’ decision to side with terrorists and the globalist bureaucrats in the ICC. The ICC is fighting Israel who is fighting to bring American hostages home.”]
• McClain (R-MI) 2/6/25: X-post – “The ICC is a rogue court that threatens the safety and sovereignty of America and our ally Israel. I applaud President Trump’s action today to sanction those affiliated with the ICC who are pushing corrupt and baseless investigations.“
• Hagerty (R-TN) 2/6/25: X-post – “Once again @POTUS takes action to protect U.S. sovereignty and stand w/ our ally Israel. The Democrats folded to the pro-Hamas radical left & refused to pass legislation to hold the ICC accountable, but American strength & leadership has returned under @realDonaldTrump.”
• Emmer (R-MN) 2/6/25: X-post – “When you try to equate Hamas’ barbaric attacks on October 7 with Israel rightfully defending itself, this is the result. The ICC is an illegitimate, pro-terrorist kangaroo court, and I applaud @POTUS for imposing sanctions.”
• Roy (R-TX) 2/6/25: X-post – “This is a necessary and important move by President Trump to hold the rogue ICC accountable for its illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our ally, Israel. Congress should immediately codify this important act by President Trump by passing HR 23. This bill, which I was proud to introduce alongside Chairman @RepBrianMast and @SenTomCotton would make today’s sanctions permanent and ensure that the ICC is never able to target the U.S. or our allies without severe consequences.“
• Stefanik (R-NY) 2/6/25: X-post – “The International Criminal Court shamefully equated Israel’s right to defend itself with the acts of radical terror groups like Hamas. In Congress, I co-led legislation to sanction the ICC for their attacks against American soldiers, officials, and our allies. President Trump’s Executive Order will hold these corrupt international bureaucrats of the ICC accountable for the baseless campaign of this illegitimate court.“
• Jackson (R-TX) 2/6/25: X-post – “The heavily corrupt ICC just got EXACTLY what it deserved—sanctioned by President Trump! America does NOT answer to illegitimate foreign bodies that attack us and our allies. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus, I will ALWAYS stand with Israel while working to expose DANGEROUS terrorist-sympathizing organizations like the ICC! THANK YOU President Trump for your leadership!”
• House Foreign Affairs Committee (Republicans) 2/6/25: X-post – “Thank you, President Trump, for standing with Israel despite Senate Democrats’ decision to side with terrorists and the globalist bureaucrats in the ICC. The ICC is fighting Israel who is fighting to bring American hostages home.“
• Lawler (R-NY) 2/6/25: X-post – “President Trump’s executive order today imposing sanctions on the ICC is welcome news. We will always stand with Israel“
• Graham (R-SC) 2/6/25: X-post – “I appreciate President @realDonaldTrump’s bold executive action to sanction the International Criminal Court. The ICC is a rogue organization with a corrupt prosecutor who has violated the spirit of the law regarding prosecutions against Israel’s Prime Minister and former Defense Minister. Israel is not a member of the court. The ICC has gone off the rails by exercising jurisdiction over a country that is not party to the Rome Statue. I fear they will not stop at Israel. Under the legal theory being used against Israel, it is very conceivable the ICC will one day come after an American President and Defense Secretary for allegations of war crimes made by adversaries. President Trump’s sanctions against the court are a necessary deterrent to protect American military personnel and others. These sanctions will be a strong signal to the world regarding the legitimacy of the court’s actions against Israel.“

Mike Huckabee as next US Amb to Israel

• Scott (R-FL) 2/5/25: X-post – “Had a great discussion with @GovMikeHuckabee, President Trump’s nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Israel. Like President Trump, Mike knows the importance of standing with our great ally Israel and our Jewish community.“
• Graham (R-SC) 2/5/25: X-post – “Great meeting with @GovMikeHuckabee and his wife Janet, who have been dear friends for a long time.   There is no better person on the planet to be ambassador to Israel at this crucial time than Governor Mike Huckabee. He is one of the most knowledgeable people about the Middle East and the threats that Israel faces, and he is an incredibly close confidant to President Trump. The sooner he is confirmed, the better for the world.”
• Barrasso (R-WY) 2/5/25: X-post – “I just had a great meeting with @GovMikeHuckabee. Senate Republicans stand with Israel. They are our greatest ally in the Middle East. President Trump made the right choice choosing Governor Huckabee to serve as Ambassador to Israel.”
• Thune (R-SD) 2/5/25: X-post – “Visited with @GovMikeHuckabee about his nomination to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Israel. I am confident that he will help strengthen our relationship with Israel, the United States’ closest ally in the Middle East.“

Iran

• Auchincloss (D-MA) 2/5/25: X-post – “Bipartisan support for Israel in Congress should be matched by congressional commitment to maximum pressure on Iran.”
• McClain (R-MI) 2/4/25: X-post – “Iran will NEVER have access to nuclear weapons while @realDonaldTrump is in the @WhiteHouse. The days of appeasement are OVER. I applaud President Trump for imposing maximum economic pressure.”
• Fallon (R-TX) 2/5/25: X-post – “<Trump’s EO to reinstate maximum pressure against Iran is great for anyone who values peace and stability. It’s VERY bad for supporters of terrorism, chaos and destruction.”
• Wilson (R-SC) 2/5/25: X-post – “Under Biden, the Iranian regime made over $140 billion in illicit oil profits to fund its terrorism all over the world. This ends under President Trump. Maximum pressure on the Iranian regime. Maximum support to the Iranian people.“

On Other Stuff

• Cuellar (R-TX) 2/6/25: X-post – “I had the pleasure of meeting with representatives from the US Israel Education Association today. We discussed the US-Israel relationship, and I am looking forward to working with them in the future.“
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 2/5/25: X-post – “I’m glad to see that @united is resuming non-stop flights to Tel Aviv from @EWRairport, which I have been urging them to do for months.   NJ will once again be just one non-stop flight away from our families and friends in Israel.“
• Wahlberg (R-MI) 2/3/25: Chairman Walberg  [Committee on Education and the Workforce] Applauds Education Department for Protecting Jewish Students on Campuses
• Simon (D-CA) 2/2/25: Congresswoman Simon’s Statement on Recent Developments in Gaza
• Lankford (R-OK) 1/31/25: Lankford, Fischer, Ricketts, and Sullivan Urge America to Stand with Israel

5. Selected Media

On Trump’s Plan to Ethnically Cleanse Gaza & Have the US Take It Over

• WCVB 2/6/25: Local Palestinians, Massachusetts lawmakers, react to President Trump’s proposal for Gaza
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/6/25: Trump remarks on Gaza not cause for Democrat freakout, Fetterman says
• Channel 4 News 2/5/25: X-post – “Donald Trump said ‘everybody loves’ his plan to move millions of Palestinians out of Gaza. But what do US Senators think about the idea?” VIDEO
• New York Post 2/5/25: Sen. John Fetterman ‘fully’ supports Trump’s plan to send US troops to take over Gaza
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/5/25: House Speaker Johnson praises Trump’s ‘bold action’ on Gaza
• Times of Israel 2/5/25: US House speaker praises Trump’s Gaza plan as taking ‘bold action’
• Times of Israel 2/5/25: ‘He’s lost it’: Trump call to take over Gaza blasted by Democrats, boosted by loyalists
• Politico 2/4/25: Trump’s plan to ‘take over’ Gaza Strip confuses GOP lawmakers
• Jewish Insider 2/4/25: Trump’s Gaza takeover plan met with bafflement, skepticism from Senate lawmakers [Graham (R-SC), Fetterman (D-PA), Tillis (R-NC), Paul (R-KY), Hawley (R-MO), Johnson (R-LA), Coons (D-DE), Blumenthal (D-CT), Kaine (D-VA), Schatz (D-HI), Murphy (D-CT), Schiff (D-CA), Kelly (D-AZ)]
• New York Times 2/4/25: Trump’s Proposal to ‘Take Over’ Gaza Sparks Immediate Rebukes [incl comments from Murphy, (D-CT) & Van Hollen (D-MD)]
• Jewish Insider 2/4/25: From the Daily Kickoff –  “Netanyahu will spend much of Thursday on Capitol Hill, first meeting with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and then members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, followed by a meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Foreign Affairs Committee members. There’s less of a focus on meeting with Democratic leaders, with the party now out of power in Washington and Netanyahu on the receiving end of much criticism from them in recent years.  Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), but has no meeting on the calendar with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Schumer’s office did not respond to a question about whether he will be meeting with the Israeli prime minister.“

Netanyahu Comes to DC – Other News (Including Sanctioning the ICC)

• Jewish Insider 2/6/25: Schumer says Trump’s ICC executive order removes provisions Democrats objected to [“This EO seems to include the strong provisions that go after the ICC on Israel, but does not include the problematic extraneous provisions unrelated to Israel,’ a Schumer spokesperson said”]
• Jewish Insider 2/6/25: Netanyahu presses Senate lawmakers to pass ICC sanctions legislation [“Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that Senate Democrats again pushed for compromise legislation”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/6/25: ‘Unqualified support’ for Israel, bipartisan Senate leaders tell Netanyahu [“‘The friendship between the United States and Israel strengthens both of our countries,’ stated Senate Majority Leader John Thune.”]
• The Hill 2/4/25: Congress puts hold on Trump’s $1 billion arms sale to Israel 
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/4/25: Trump administration asks Congress to OK $1 billion arms sale to Israel
• Jewish Insider 2/4/25: Netanyahu and Vance to meet [“Netanyahu also plans to push senators in his meetings on the Hill on Thursday with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to pass a law sanctioning the International Criminal Court for issuing warrants against him and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. ‘The ICC is very urgent for us,’ the source said. ‘We sent a clear message to congressional leaders and Netanyahu will be there in two days calling to pass [the bill]. He didn’t like that it was delayed. It’s very important for us to advance it.’ Netanyahu hopes that the bill ‘will slow down the ICC proceedings’ against him and Gallant.”]
• The Forward 2/3/25: Jewish House Democrats: Netanyahu will impede ceasefire for political purposes
• Times of Israel 2/3/25: Report: Trump administration asked Congress to approve $1 billion in weapons sales to Israel
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/3/25: Netanyahu extends DC trip through Saturday, will meet with congressional leadership

On Other Stuff

• Jewish News Syndicate 2/6/25: Campaign spending at pro-Israel political action committees up in 2024 [“…The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which sharply boosted its lobbying last year in the midst of Israel’s war with Hamas and a corresponding surge in antisemitism, more than doubled its political action committee campaign spending as Americans elected a new president and decided whether Republicans or Democrats would control Congress. AIPAC and its affiliated super PAC United Democracy Project reported spending $95.1 million on the 2024 elections, including donations to endorsed candidates and independent advertising campaigns on behalf of them, according to new Federal Election Commission filings…”]
• The Forward 2/6/25: Jewish members of Congress create an official caucus [“After years of informal meetings, the group says formalizing will help address rising antisemitism“]
• Jewish Insider 2/6/25: House lawmakers vote to organize a formal Jewish caucus founded by Nadler, Wasserman Schultz, Schneider
• The Hill 2/4/25: Patel scrutinized over past work for Qatar
• Jewish Insider 2/3/25: Graham says he is fighting a ‘growing isolationist movement’ within GOP
• Jewish Insider 2/2/25: Sen. Lindsey Graham reiterates support for Israel striking Iran’s nuclear facilities
• Jewish News Syndicate 2/1/25: White House, members of Congress celebrate release of Keith Siegel, Israelis
• Jewish Insider 1/31/25: Trump’s executive order combating antisemitism wins bipartisan praise from lawmakers [citing Scott (R-SC), Cruz (R-TX), Rosen (D-NV), Torres (D-NY), Moskowitz (D-FL), and Risch (R-ID)]
• Jerusalem Post 1/26/25: A call to US lawmakers: Keep following the money – Despite anti-Israel protests at American universities no longer making headlines, it is time to investigate the financial backing of these hate groups. [“This op-ed is published in partnership with a coalition of organizations that fight antisemitism across the world. Read the previous article by Adam Milstein. “]

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

New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 1/23/25: The Escalation of Israel’s Gaza-fication of the West Bank, ft. FMEP’s Lara Friedman in conversation with preeminent journalist Dalia Hatuqa about the current realities of Israel violence carried out both by the Israeli military and Israeli civilians (settlers) against Palestinians in the West Bank — including the situation in the months leading up to 10/7/23; the dangerous deterioration of conditions following 10/7/23, through the onset of the current Hamas-Israel ceasefire in Gaza;  and the ongoing — rapid, dramatic — escalation of Israeli violence and destruction in the West Bank in the wake of that ceasefire.
• 1/23/25: Genocide and self-involvement: on being Israeli as Israel commits a historic crime, ft. FMEP non-resident fellow Ahmed Moor in conversation with Israeli analyst/commentator/academic Ori Goldberg
• 1/22/25: A toxic environment for those who dare to question, ft. FMEP fellow Peter Beinart in conversation with Professor Katherine Franke

Also see:

• Congressional Research Service 1/17/25: UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA): Background and U.S. Funding Trends

1. Bills & Resolutions

Update

• (TARGETING THE ICC) HR 23: On 1/23/25, a cloture motion was presented in the Senate on the motion to proceed with consideration of HR 23, the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act. Also see: Thune tees up Senate vote on International Criminal Court sanctions [“The bill, which received bipartisan support in the House, will need votes from at least seven Democratic senators to pass“] (Jewish Insider 1/23/25); X-thread 1/24/25 from Senate Republicans – “In 2020, the International Criminal Court started investigating American troops. Last year, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu. If the corrupt ICC succeeds in targeting Israel, Americans will be next. Our ICC sanctions bill will protect American troops. That’s why every House Republican, 45 House Democrats, and 55% of Americans support sanctions. But some Democrat Senators still have concerns—all of those concerns are misguided. Critics have called the ICC sanctions bill “draconian.” Far from draconian, the same standard property and visa restrictions were used 49 times by the Obama and Biden administrations. Some believe the ICC bill targets “citizens of our allies” and that it could undermine our alliances. But the bill only targets officials directly involved in action against the United States and our allies–and no ally of ours values the ICC more than the United States. Finally, other critics think that sanctioning the ICC will harm its prosecution of war crimes. But the ICC has already failed to prosecute the worst war crimes of Putin, Bashir, or Khamenei. Clearly, there are better ways to stop war criminals. The ICC sanctions bill is a targeted, justified response to the ICC’s outrageous attack on Israel and America. Sanctioning the ICC today will protect American troops and make America safer.” AIPAC Action Alert.

New Legislation — Targeting Palestinians & Support for Palestinian Lives/Rights

• (TARGETING CAMPUS PROTEST/FREE SPEECH ON PALESTINE) S. 163: Introduced 1/21/2025 by Cassidy (R-LA) and Fetterman (D-PA), the “Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025,” aka, “A bill to require institutions of higher education participating in Federal student aid programs to share information about title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including a link to the webpage of the Office for Civil Rights where an individual can submit a complaint regarding discrimination in violation of such title, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. See press release – Chair Cassidy, Fetterman Reintroduce Bill to Protect Students from Antisemitism, Discrimination on College Campuses. NOTE: this bill was previously introduced in the 118th Congress (S. 3580/HR 7735). Also see: Bipartisan bill targeting antisemitism, discrimination on campus reintroduced in Senate (The Hill 1/21/25); Cassidy, Fetterman reintroduce legislation encouraging students to file Title VI complaints over campus antisemitism (Jewish Insider 1/21/25)

• (TARGETING THE PA & PLO) S. 198 (bill text): Introduced 1/22/25 by Cotton (R-AR) and having 10 cosponsors (all Republicans), “A bill to impose sanctions with respect to the system of compensation of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority that supports acts of terrorism,”The PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act.” Referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. The bill would enforce far-reaching sanctions on any/all foreign persons, organizations, and financial institutions in any way involved in PLO/PA social welfare payments to families of Palestinians killed or jailed by Israel. Also see: press release – Cotton, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Sanction Palestinian Leadership and Institutions That Reward Terrorism; GOP-Controlled Congress Considers Bill Sanctioning Palestinian Government Over ‘Pay-to-Slay’ Program (Washington Free Beacon 1/23/25)

New Legislation — Other Stuff

• (MORE US-ISRAEL COOPERATION & FUNDING) HR 661: Introduced 1/23/25 by Buchanan (R-FL) and 2 cosponsors (bipartisan), “To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the Council for Technology and Innovation of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to carry out a program to facilitate and coordinate efforts between the United States and Israel to expand and enhance collaboration on the development and delivery of health care products and services,” aka the “Maximizing Israel-U.S. Research Advancement and Collaborative Leadership in Emerging (MIRACLE) Medical Technology Act.” Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Also see: press release –Buchanan Introduces Bill to Bolster U.S.-Israel Healthcare Partnership [“...This legislation is supported by AIPAC, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the U.S.–Israel Healthcare Collaboration Center, the Combat Antisemitism Movement and the Israeli-American Civic Action Network.“] Also see Buchanan X-post – “The U.S. must strengthen ties with Israel—our greatest ally in the Middle East and a healthcare tech leader—to support healthcare advancement. Pleased to introduce this bipartisan bill with @RepMMM and @RepDarrenSoto to promote innovation in healthcare.“

• (TARGETING THE HOUTHIS) S. 159 (bill text): Introduced 1/21/25 by Daines (R-MT) and 19 cosponsors (all Republicans), the “Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act.” Also see Daines’s press release — Daines Introduces Bill to Redesignate Iran-Backed Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

• (NO US MILITARY IN SYRIA)S. J. Res.6: Introduced 1/23/25 by Paul (R-KY), “A joint resolution directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in Syria that have not been authorized by Congress.”  Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

• (PROTECTING FREE SPEECH) S. 188 (bill text): Introduced 1/22/25 by Paul (R-KY) and 3 cosponsors (all Republicans), “A bill to prohibit Federal employees and contractors from directing online platforms to censor any speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and for other purposes,” aka the “Free Speech Protection Act.”  Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Also see: press release – Dr. Rand Paul Introduces Free Speech Protection Act to Safeguard Americans’ First Amendment Rights Against Government Censorship [Note: like President Trump’s recent executive order on free speech, this bill appears to contradict current policies, supported by both Congress and the Executive, targeting free speech critical of Israel…)
• (PROTECTING THE US FROM IRAN) S. 197: Introduced 1/22/25 by Cruz (R-TX) and 6 cosponsors (all Republicans), “A bill to require the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review any purchase or lease of real estate near a military installation or military airspace in the United States by a foreign person connected to or subsidized by the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and for other purposes.”  Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Also see: press release – Sen. Cruz, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Military Installations from Adversary Land Purchases

2. Letters

(MAXIMUM PRESSURE ON IRAN) 1/14/25: Senior House Republican urges leaders to prioritize maximum-pressure sanctions on Iran –Rep. Joe Wilson’s letter encourages quick passage of legislation that would also block a new Iran deal (Jewish Insider 1/23/25) [letter text]

3. Hearings

Confirmation-hearings-palooza!

January 30, 2025: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a business meeting to consider the nomination of Elise Stefanik as US Ambassador to the UN.

January 21, 2025: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Elise Stefanik as US Ambassador to the UN.

• Full hearing video [including auto-generated transcript]
• Stefanik written statement (very short, very little substance)
• Chairman Risch (R-ID) Opening Statement [“There is a deep anti-Israeli bias within the UN that has only grown stronger since Hamas’ horrendous, unprovoked attack against Israel on October 7. This sentiment was spearheaded by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which had numerous employees participate in the October 7 terrorist attacks and allows its schools and facilities to be used by Hamas. Remember these are U.S. tax dollars that partially help fund UNRWA. For years I have led my colleagues on legislation to end U.S. contributions to this antisemitic organization, which openly employs terrorists. UNRWA must go.“]
• Murphy (D-CT) Questions Elise Stefanik On Elon Musk’s Nazi Salutes
• Stefanik said she pursued U.N. ambassador role to help combat antisemitism — The New York Republican said the U.S. needs to be the ‘moral clarity on the U.N. Security Council and at the United Nations at large’ (Jewish Insider 1/22/25); Stefanik: Israel has biblical right to Judea, Samaria [“The congresswoman fielded questions about Israel from nearly every member of the Senate panel in her confirmation hearing to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.”] (Jewish News Syndicate 1/21/25); ‘Antisemitic Rot’: Trump’s UN Pick Stefanik Backs Defunding UNRWA, Citing ‘Terrorist Ties’ to Hamas [“U.S. Ambassador to the UN nominee Elise Stefanik criticized UNRWA, the ICC and Iran in her Senate confirmation hearing while affirming right-wing Israeli ministers’ views that Israel has a ‘biblical right to the entire West Bank’“] (Haaretz 1/21/25); Elise Stefanik pledges support for Trump, Israel at UN ambassador confirmation hearing (USA Today 1/21/25); Trump’s UN ambassador pick says Israel has ‘biblical right’ to West Bank (Al Jazeera 1/21/25); Trump’s UN pick blasts ‘anti-Semitic rot’ in world body (France 24 1/21/25); Elise Stefanik Vows To Fight ‘Anti-Semitic Rot’ at United Nations [“New York Republican calls for ‘snapback sanctions’ on Iran, spars with some Democrats during confirmation hearing“] (Free Beacon 1/21/25); Trump’s U.N. Ambassador Pick Elise Stefanik Says Israel Has a “Biblical Right” to West Bank (Democracy Now 1/22/25); WATCH: Stefanik does not answer whether Palestinian people have the right to self-determination (PBS 1/21/25)
• Selected X-posts: “@RepStefanik will bring back American strength and leadership to the United Nations and hold the UN accountable for its anti-Israel bias. President Trump made an outstanding choice when he chose Elise to be our nation’s next UN Ambassador. The Senate must quickly confirm her!” (Fleischman, R-TN); “@RepStefanik did an exceptional job in her Senate confirmation hearing. She has firmly stood against antisemitism, reaffirmed her unwavering support for our ally Israel, and demonstrated the leadership needed to represent President Trump’s America First Agenda as our next U.N. Ambassador. She will push back against the hypocrisy and anti-Israel bias at the United Nations, particularly in agencies like UNRWA, which has a disturbing decades-long history of complicity and its ties to Hamas. I am proud to have been one of the leading voices in defunding UNRWA, and I look forward to working with @RepStefanik to ensure that every taxpayer dollar is protected and directed toward our national security interests.” (Diaz-Balart, R-FL); “@EliseStefanik is a strong supporter of Israel and will bring moral clarity back to the @UN as our ambassador. I’m proud to support her.” (Daines, R-MT)

UPDATE — January 20, 2025: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a business meeting at which they voted to advance the nomination of Marco Rubio as U.S. Secretary of State to the full Senate. Also on 1/20/25, the Senate voted to confirm Rubio as the new Secretary of State by a vote of 99-0.

• Senate Confirms Rubio in 99 to 0 Vote, Cementing Trump’s First Official Cabinet Member [“Now-former Florida senator pledged to target Iranian terror proxies, ICC during confirmation hearing“] (Free Beacon 1/20/25); US Senate confirms Marco Rubio as secretary of state [“The U.S. Senate on Monday unanimously confirmed Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a China hawk and staunch backer of Israel, as President Donald Trump’s secretary of state.“] (Reuters 1/20/25); Marco Rubio – vocal supporter of Israel – confirmed as US secretary of state (All Israel 1/21/25)
• Atlantic Council 1/21/25: What a Secretary of State Rubio means for the Middle East: Getting tougher on Iran and tighter with allies

January 17, 2025: The Senate Homeland Security Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

• hearing video
• Noem’s written statement
• Jewish Insider 1/18/25: In hearing, Kristi Noem pledges to prevent domestic terrorism and counter antisemitism [“Noem: ‘I’m very concerned about what we’ve seen in this country as far as antisemitic violence that has happened’”]

4. Selected Members on the Record

Lots of posts/statements in support of the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza (no similar interest in the release of Palestinians, including women and children, being held by Israel without charges/due process). Also lots of statements (mainly from Republicans) cheering the return of Trump and celebrating his and their support for Israel. Check members’ websites and social media accounts to see what specific members said.

Praising Trump for Restoring FTO status of Houthis’

• Ciscomani (R-AZ), Lankford (R-OK), Bacon (R-NE), McCaul (R-TX), Blackburn (R-TN)

West Bank Escalation

• McCollum (D-MN) 1/23/25: X-thread – “While the attention of the world has rightfully been focused on Gaza, concerning developments are taking place in the West Bank. A wave of violence is sweeping across the territory as extremist Israeli settlers attack Palestinians and vandalize property. Donald Trump promised peace. Instead, one of his first moves was to rescind sanctions against extremist Israeli settler groups and individuals who are accused of violence against Palestinians. This threatens to unravel the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.“
• Ramirez (D-IL) 1/23/25: X-post – “Peace is delicate, and in this moment of transition, we all need international journalists to keep us informed about what’s happening in Palestine and Israel. We must continue to demand press access and ensure the safety of journalists in Gaza and the West Bank.”
• Van Hollen (D-MD) et al 1/23/25: Van Hollen, DeLauro, Durbin, Casten Release Statement on Trump’s Rescission of Biden’s West Bank Sanctions
• McCollum (D-MN) 1/23/25: Congresswoman McCollum Statement on Settler Violence in the West Bank
• Welch (D-VT) 1/22/25: X-post – “On his first day in office, President Trump revoked President Biden’s sanctions against West Bank extremists. Now, Israeli settlers have attacked two Palestinian villages, setting homes and vehicles on fire. This violent intimidation must stop.”

Targeting Free Speech/Protest for Palestinian Lives/Rights

• Owens (R-UT) 1/22/25: X-post – “They are protesting the same thing they always protest: the existence of the State of Israel. You can tell because nobody is carrying a ‘two-state solution’ sign… instead they shout ‘intifada’ while wearing terrorist head scarfs.“
• House Committee on Education and the Workforce 1/21/25: X-post – “Outrageous that masked students disrupted class at @Columbia, which receives billions in taxpayer dollars, to pass out flyers calling for the murder of Jews. Does Columbia understand that failing to combat antisemitism will no longer be tolerated in the Trump administration?”

Standing with Israel!

• Jackson (R-TX) 1/23/25: X-post – “Thank you, @IsraelAllies Foundation for having me at your event — it’s always GREAT to see and meet the many incredible people involved with this organization. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be named Co-Chair of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus and look forward to continuing the work necessary to help defend and protect our ally, Israel!“
• Smith (R-MS) 1/22/25: X-post – “Israel is our greatest ally in the Middle East. Now that President Trump is in the White House, our President will finally support Israel and won’t appease Hamas terrorists.“
• Jackson (R-TX) 1/21/25: Rep. Jackson Named as Co-Chair of Congressional Israel Allies Caucus
• Green (R-TN) 1/20/25: X-post – “Strong leadership is returning to the White House. President Trump will stand up to Iran and will stand with our indispensable ally, Israel.”

Double Down Against Iran!

• Fetterman (D-PA) 1/19/25: X-post, responding to headline, “Graham calls for “decimation” of Iranian nuclear program after ceasefire“, Fetterman posted, “One Hundred Percent. 100%“

Other Stuff

• Senate Republicans 1/22/25: X-thread attacking Sen. Murphy (D-CT) — “Chris Murphy’s blocking John Ratcliffe’s confirmation as CIA Director puts Americans at risk. But it’s not the first time that @ChrisMurphyCT has put politics before safety. In fact, he has a long history of sympathizing with America’s enemies. According to Senator Murphy, the Houthi rebels that attacked American ships and shut down international trade in the Red Sea shouldn’t be designated as a terrorist organization. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a terrorist organization by any definition. But that’s of little concern to Chris Murphy, who wanted a deal with Iran so badly he supported removing them from the list of foreign terror organizations. Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American troops and was planning to attack more Americans. Chris Murphy opposed President Trump’s decision to eliminate him, calling the drone strike an ‘execution.’ Not only does Chris Murphy defend Iran, but he voted to cut off weapon sales to Israel. Even when Israel was facing an existential fight from Iran’s terrorist proxies. Chris Murphy has long supported open borders, even when Americans are harmed. He supported every one of Biden’s open border policies, and he opposed expanded background checks, and he opposed the Laken Riley Act. Instead of throwing a tantrum because his party lost the election, Chris Murphy should start showing some concern for the safety of Americans.”
• Lawler (R-NY) 1/22/25: X-post – “Last night, I spoke at the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus event hosted by the Israel Allies Foundation. It was an honor to join colleagues and world leaders dedicated to strengthening the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel.”
• Scott (R-FL) 1/22/25: X-post – “Enjoyed meeting with President Santiago Peña [Paraguay] to thank him for standing up for freedom, Israel and Taiwan and to discuss our countries’ partnership that will continue to grow with President Trump in office.“
• Wilson (R-SC) 1/22/25: X-post – “I am grateful that Israel has offered to transfer Russian weapons seized from Hezbollah terrorists to Ukraine. War Criminal Putin arms the world’s terrorists. Free peoples must work together to defeat the dictatorship Axis of Aggressors.”
• Sherman (D-CA) 1/18/25: X-post – “Great to welcome brave Israeli firefighters to L.A. who have joined the effort to contain the #LosAngelesFires #Israel is not just sending firefighters but absorbing all costs to do so. </ @IsraelinLA”

5. Selected Media

Jewish Legacy Orgs’ Priorities for new Congress

• Jewish Insider 1/24/25: AJC CEO Ted Deutch urges Trump to appoint White House antisemitism coordinator, develop new national strategy [“Deutch sat down with JI on Capitol Hill on Monday between meetings with House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Greg Meeks (D-NY) and first-term Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Andy Kim (D-NJ). Deutch said he had an ‘excellent meeting’ with Walberg, who took over this month as chairman of the committee that last year held high-profile hearings with college presidents and issued a sweeping report on campus antisemitism. ‘Antisemitism is a severe problem on college campuses — and it’s only getting worse. I had a productive meeting with Ted to discuss how the Committee can work with partners like the AJC and the Trump administration to combat surging antisemitism on campus and keep Jewish students safe,’ Walberg said in a statement to JI. ‘As a former colleague, I know Ted will be an invaluable partner in that mission.’ Deutch said Walberg is ‘committed’ to continuing to tackle campus antisemitism both through ‘a range of potential legislative issues’ and in using the committee’s ‘convening authority’ to call forward university leaders and elevate the voices of Jewish students…Deutch added that he sees an opportunity for Walberg and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, to work together to ‘produce meaningful legislation.’…Deutch also said that his meetings with Meeks as well as House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL) and other Hill leaders have made clear that there are ‘opportunities now to really envision a new Middle East, with Israel having normalized relations with more and more countries, to keep Israelis safe, to strengthen Israeli security and Israel’s economy, for the benefit of the region and the world. We’re really hoping that, in a bipartisan way, everyone will seize the opportunity,’ he said.”]
• Jerusalem Post/Nathan Diamant (ED of the Orthodox Union) 1/20/25: A new administration and new Congress brings new opportunities [lays out a wish list for new Congress and Trump Admin, including: “Antisemitism Awareness Act, which would define antisemitism to enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act; the Deterrent Act, which forces universities to disclose foreign gifts; and a bill by Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN) to revoke the tax-exempt status of US nonprofits that support designated terrorist groups…Republican lawmakers and Democratic allies should put these bills together into an “omnibus” legislative package combating antisemitism.”
• Israel Policy Forum: Policy Recommendations for the Trump Administration and the 119th Congress

Not Every Seemingly Antisemitic Act is Actually Antisemitic, Amirite?

• Jewish Insider 1/21/25: AOC attacks leading Jewish civil rights group over its defense of Elon Musk [“The Anti-Defamation League defended Musk after some observers said he made a Nazi salute at a Trump inauguration rally“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 1/20/25: Jerry Nadler accuses Elon Musk of Hitler salute at inaugural celebration

Anti-Palestinian Racism on Display, Yet Again

• Jewish News Syndicate 1/19/25: Sen. Adam Schiff re-hires staffer with ties to anti-Israel group
• Breitbart 1/18/25: Adam Schiff Re-Hires Former Radical Pro-Palestinian Staffer Maher Bitar

The 119th Congress & Its Priorities re: Supporting Israel & More

• House Foreign Affairs Committee, 199th Congress “Authorization and Oversight Plan” (not dated) [“‘Priority Oversight Matters” include: “ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS, Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, and other terrorist and insurgent groups; expanding and strengthening the Abraham Accords and regional security cooperation; reaffirming relationships with U.S. partners and allies; monitoring the development of a Syrian government and holding the Assad regime, and its Russian and Iranian backers, accountable for their war crimes; bolstering stability in Yemen and countering the Houthi threat; curbing Iranian malign influence in the region; competing with our near-peer adversaries; addressing human rights, democratic backsliding and challenges to the rule of law including corruption and lack of financial transparency; and United States policies, programs, authorities and funding to address these challenges.” Also include monitoring “U.S. policy toward Israel, including advancing policies to ensure sufficient security assistance to Israel, including to support efforts to hold Iran and its proxies accountable for promoting and sponsoring ongoing  violence against Israel, and countering antisemitism in international and intergovernmental organizations. The Committee will continue to assess various diplomatic solutions to historical regional difficulties, as well as efforts to strengthen the U.S. relationship and advance normalization of relations between Israel and other nations in the Middle East and North Africa.” Also include closely reviewing “U.S. policy to counter and defend against Iran’s malign activities, including Iran’s provocative nuclear program, ballistic missile arsenal, UAV capabilities, global terrorism, hostage-taking, assassination plots, and human rights abuses. The Committee will also examine Iran’s relationships with Russia, the PRC, and North Korea, and how these four entities mutually enable each other’s dangerous activities. The Committee will support efforts to hold Iran accountable for its promotion of violence around the globe through espionage and proxy activity, including its sponsorship of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.” Also lots of other stuff including targeting UNRWA.
• Jewish Insider 1/23/25: McConnell speaks out against Trump administration’s isolationist Pentagon hires [“‘It’s alarming that people can clear vetting after claiming U.S. interests in the Middle East are ‘minimal to nonexistent,’ McConnell told JI”]
• New York Post 1/22/25: Pro-Israel Sen. Dave McCormick to chair key subcommittee on the Middle East
• Jewish News Syndicate 1/22/25: Israeli officials in DC for inauguration push for stronger US support for Judea, Samaria
• Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 1/22/25: Dave McCormick tapped to chair key Middle East subcommittee [“I see this as a great opportunity to strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance, expand the Abraham Accords, grow U.S.-India cooperation, and delve deeply into regional energy, economic, and security issues.“]
• Jewish Insider 1/22/25: Sen. McCormick to chair influential Middle East subcommittee [“The newly elected Republican has emerged as one of the GOP’s most outspoken leaders in support of Israel and against antisemitism”]
• High Plains Observer 1/22/25: Rep.Jackson Named as Co-Chair of Congressional Israel Allies Caucus [“As one of Israel’s strongest allies in Congress, I am extremely proud to be named Co-Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus. I will continue the work necessary to ensure that the United States stands with Israel and offers support not only as they fight for their right to exist against threats from Iranian-backed terrorist proxies, but also as they fight tenaciously to defend their place on the world stage from globalist organizations and anti-semitic countries who seek to weaken Israel’s standing. It’s an honor to receive this chairmanship, and I look forward to working with my fellow colleagues on the caucus to defend America’s closest ally, Israel.”]
• Jewish Insider 1/21/25: Pro-Israel Republicans alarmed over Trump’s Defense Department appointee
• Jewish Insider 1/20/25: Senate Republicans signal reservations about prospect of a new Iran deal
• Israel Hayom 1/19/25: ‘Israel’s biggest threat is its marginalization by international bodies’ [“In an interview with Israel Hayom, Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Israel’s strongest allies, clarifies Saudi Arabia and the UAE ‘want Hamas gone at least as much as you do’.”]
• The Hill 1/19/25: Graham calls for the ‘decimation’ of Iranian nuclear program after ceasefire
• Politico 1/19/25: Lindsey Graham wants military action against Iran’s nuclear program [“There’s a one in trillion chance you’ll degrade the Iranian nuclear program through diplomacy.”]
• Jewish Insider 1/18/25: DeWine selects LG Husted, a GOP pragmatist, to succeed Vance in the Senate [“Husted has been a stalwart supporter of Israel throughout his career. He signed onto an open letter organized by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland shortly after Oct. 7 condemning the atrocities and vowing to stand with Israel and the Jewish people and led the charge behind the scenes to get Ohio State University to forcibly disband the anti-Israel encampments that had disrupted campus life for Jewish and non-Jewish students alike.“]

Other stuff

• Tlaib (D-MN) 1/23/25: Tlaib Reiterates Call for Arms Embargo as Israel Continues Killings in Gaza
• The Nation 1/23/25: Under Trump, Taxpayers Will Continue to Foot the Bill for Israel’s War Crimes [“No one can predict with certainty which of those measures they will inflict on us and which they’ll forget about. But we can make one prediction with utter confidence. The White House and large bipartisan majorities in Congress will continue their lavish support for Israel’s war on Gaza, however catastrophic the results.”]
• PJ Media 1/22/25: AOC and the Democrats ‘Jewsplaining’ Antisemitism IS Antisemitism
• Israel Hayom 1/21/25: US airlines poised to restore Israel flights within month, Ted Cruz predicts [“Cruz, who is set to chair the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees aviation matters, cites political motives behind American carriers’ continued absence.”]
• Times of Israel 1/21/25: The ICC is targeting Israelis and Americans. J Street is defending it.
• Jewish Insider 1/20/25: Rep. Summer Lee listed as speaker at Code Pink inaugural ball, but says she didn’t attend

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

New:

• 1/14/25: FMEP Occupied Thoughts podcast, Holding Israel and the US accountable for Gaza, ft. FMEP 2025 non-resident fellow Ahmed Moor in conversation with Sarah Leah Whitson (DAWN)
• 1/13/25: FMEP Occupied Thoughts podcast, Introducing FMEP’s 2025 Fellow Ahmed Moor: How to act when “the urgency of the need in Palestine isn’t met by the pace of change,” ft. FMEP’s Sarah Anne Minkin introducing and in conversation with FMEP 2025 non-resident fellow Ahmed Moor

1. Bills & Resolutions

(IHRA//TARGETING CAMPUS FREE SPEECH/PROTEST FOR PALESTINIAN LIVES/RIGHTS) HR 406 (text): Introduced 1/15/25 by Yakym (R-IN) and Scholten (D-MI), “To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education, as a condition of participation in programs under title IV of such Act, to include a prohibition of antisemitic conduct in all documents relating to student or employee conduct.”  Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. Also see press release – Reps. Yakym, Scholten Reintroduce Legislation to Combat Antisemitism on College Campuses [NOTE: This bill would enforce the IHRA definition of antisemitism on US campuses, without mentioning that it is the IHRA definition and without mentioning the Israel-focused examples of “contemporary antisemitism” that accompany the IHRA definition; the text differs from the 2024 version, which explicitly cited the IHRA definition by name.]

(TARGETING FOREIGN STUDENTS WHO PROTEST FOR PALESTINIAN LIVES/RIGHTS)  HR 414:  Introduced 1/15/25 by Bilirakis (R-FL), “To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to strengthen student visa background checks and improve the monitoring of foreign students in the United States, and for other purposes.“ Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

(TARGETING THE HOUTHIS) S. 70 (text): Introduced 1/13/25 by Cruz (R-TX) and 7 cosponsors (all Republicans), “A bill to require the imposition of sanctions with respect to Ansarallah and its officials, agents, or affiliates for acts of international terrorism.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: Sen. Cruz Reintroduces Bill to Reimpose Terrorism Sanctions and Designate Iran-Controlled Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization

(TARGETING THE HOUTHIS) S. 145: Introduced 1/16/25 by Risch (R-ID) and 14 cosponsors (all Republicans), “A bill to require the redesignation of Ansarallah as a foreign terrorist organization.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: Risch, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Designate Houthis as an FTO, Dismantle Iran’s Proxy

(NO US $$ FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL) HR 400 (text): Introduced 1/14/25 by Roy (R-TX) and 6 cosponsors (all Republicans), “To prohibit contributions to the United Nations Human Rights Council, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see Roy press release – Rep. Roy reintroduces bill to prevent taxpayer dollars from going to the United Nations’ Human Rights Council

(TARGETING IRAN) HR 348 (text): Introduced 1/13/24 by Kustoff (R-TN) and Gottheimer (D-NJ), “To require a report on oligarchs and parastatal entities of Iran, and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Financial Services. Also see press release – Reps. Kustoff, Gottheimer Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expose Corruption of Iranian Regime

(ACCOUNTABILITY FOR GENOCIDE/TERRORISM, WHEN IT SUITS US) HR 462: Introduced 1/15/25 by Steube (R-FL), “To prevent allocations of Special Drawing Rights at the International Monetary Fund for countries that are perpetrators of genocide or state sponsors of terrorism, and to prevent United States tax dollars from directly going to the Taliban or other terrorists or terrorist-harboring nations.“Referred to the Committees on Financial Services, and Foreign Affairs.

(NO FOREIGN FLAGS ON HOUSE FLOOR) H. Res. 49 (text): Introduced 1/16/25 by Cammack (R-FL) and having 12 cosponsors (all Republicans), “Prohibiting Members of the House of Representatives from bringing or displaying a flag of a foreign nation on the floor of the House, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Rules. Note that Cammack’s press makes clear that the impetus for this bill was the display by some members of Ukrainian flags on the House floor. Speaking of Cammack and foreign flags… Cammack: Israeli flag outside her office shows her commitment to maintaining a strong relationship between the two nations (WCJB 2/18/21); Republican vows to fly Israel flag outside Congress office next to Rashida Tlaib (Times of Israel 1/7/21). Also see: GOP lawmaker wears Israeli military uniform to Capitol Hill (The Hill 10/13/23); X-post 1/9/25 from Josh Reubner, “Rep. Randy Weber wears an Israeli flag tie on the floor of the House as he argues for Israel to be allowed to continue its genocidal violence against Palestinians in Gaza without facing any accountability for its heinous acts.“; Fetterman waves Israeli flag at protesters demanding cease-fire (ABC 27 11/11/23)

(TARGETING ACADEMIA) HR 542: Introduced 1/16/25 by Torres (D-NY) and Garbarino (R-NY), “To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit institutions of higher education from receiving gifts from certain countries, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

(MIDDLE EAST NORMALIZATION) HR XXX: Jewish Insider reports that Rep. Bacon (R-NE) “introduced a bill requiring an assessment of potential cooperative opportunities with Middle East partners to protect space and satellite assets from Iran…” As of this writing that bill does not appear in the Congressional Record  (the link provided by Jewish Insider is to a HR 10353, introduced in the 118th Congress)

2. Letters

• (TRUMP: FOCUS ON NORMALIZATION NOW!) 1/16/25: Congressman Lawler Leads Letter Of Over 45 Members Of Congress To President Trump Requesting Immediate Nomination Of Presidential Envoy For Abraham Accords [letter text]
• (TARGETING ACADEMIA) 1/15/25: Feenstra Demands Answers from National Association of Independent Schools for Hosting Antisemitic Speakers at Conferences in Denver [letter text]
• (IRAQ CENTRAL BANK/MONEY LAUNDERING) 1/14/25: Scott Demands Biden Administration Regulators Comply with Outstanding Requests for Information [letter text]
• (IMPROVE US-ISRAEL TRAVEL!!) 1/13/25: Nadler, Lawler Show Bipartisan Support for Additional Israeli Airlines Bid to Fly Direct NYC-TLV and Bring Costs Down for Constituents [letter text]. Also see: New York, New Jersey lawmakers urge expedited approval of additional Israeli flights (Jewish Insider 1/13/25)
• (NEED ANSWERS ON IDF KILLING OF AMERICAN IN WEST BANK) 1/13/25: Welch Leads Bicameral Lawmakers in Requesting Answers from State Department on Death of U.S.–Turkish Citizen Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, Fatally Shot by an Israeli Soldier in the West Bank [letter text, dated 1/3/25]. Also see: Jayapal, Murray Among Lawmakers Requesting Answers from State Department on Death of U.S.-Turkish Citizen Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, Fatally Shot by an Israeli Soldier in the West Bank

3. Hearings

Confirmation-hearings-palooza!

January 21, 2025: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing to consider the nomination of Elise Stefanik as US Ambassador to the UN. Also see: Just Security 1/15/25: Stefanik’s Senate Confirmation Hearings Bring Mix of Worry and Opportunity at UN

January 20, 2025: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a business meeting to consider the nomination of Marco Rubio as U.S. Secretary of State.

January 15, 2025: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will held an extremely friendly, largely convivial hearing to consider the nomination of Marco Rubio as U.S. Secretary of State. Full video of the hearing (with auto-transcript) is here. A huge focus of the hearing was on Israel and Israel-related issues, and included (among other things), Rubio in effect agreeing with referring to the West Bank and “Judea and Samaria”; promising to remove sanctions on terrorist settlers in the West Bank; and promising to revoke visas of people of any foreigner in the US who is a “supporter of Hamas” (a term that initiatives like the Heritage Foundation’s Project Esther use to describe literally anyone advocating for Palestinian lives/rights, or criticizing Israel’s actions toward Palestinians).

• Chairman Risch (R-ID) Opening Statement [excerpt: “In the Middle East, Israel fights a multi-front war against Iran after the brutal attack on October 7th. Yet the outgoing Administration has undermined support to Israel. This has only prolonged the terrible situation in Israel and Gaza. In spite of the outgoing Administration’s policies, Israel’s fortitude has brought Tehran to its weakest point in decades. President Trump and Marco both know that we need to support our ally and return to a maximum pressure campaign against Iran.“]
• Ranking Member Shaheen (D-NH) Opening Remarks [no mention of Israel/Gaza etc]
• Excerpt from Q&A: Cruz (R-TX): “can you commit to ending discriminatory policies including Biden ad administration’s secret boycott policies against Jews in Judea and Samaria?” Rubio: “Yes.” Cruz: “And can you commit to reversing the discriminatory sanctions against Jews living in Judea and Samaria?” Rubio: “Again, yes… again, without speaking out of turn I’m confident in saying that President Trump’s Administration will continue to be perhaps the most pro-Israel Administration in American history.“
• Media: Rubio, in Israel-heavy confirmation hearing, says US should revoke visas for ‘a supporter of Hamas’ (The Forward 1/15/25); Rubio says U.S. should be open to an Iran deal, with conditions (Jewish Insider 1/16/25); Trump’s pick for secretary of state says sanctions on violent settlers to be lifted (Times of Israel 1/16/25); Trump’s Secretary of State Pick Rubio Strongly Defends Israel’s Conduct in Gaza War, Slams ICC During Senate Confirmation Hearing (Haaretz 1/15/25); Trump administration will be the most pro-Israel in American history, Rubio says (Jerusalem Post 1/16/25); Trump’s secretary of state pick criticizes ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, during Senate confirmation (Anadolu 1/15/25); What a Secretary of State Marco Rubio would mean for American Jews and Israel (The Forward 1/14/25); Rubio vows pro-Israel moves, including lifting sanctions on Israelis (JNS 1/16/25)
• Special mention: In its lengthy coverage of the hearing, The New York Times elected to ingore all of the highlights celebrated by Israeli and pro-Israel media, instead reporting merely: “Rubio’s stance on Israel and Gaza is firmly within a foreign policy consensus in Washington. Mr. Rubio defended Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza, blaming Hamas for using civilians as human shields and calling the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, most of them non-combatants, ‘one of the terrible things about war.’ He expressed concern about threats to Israel’s security. ‘You cannot coexist with armed elements at your border who seek your destruction and evisceration, as a state. You just can’t,’ he said.When asked whether he believed Israel’s annexing Palestinian territory would be contrary to peace and security in the Middle East, Mr. Rubio did not give a direct answer, calling it ‘a very complex issue.'”

January 14, 2025: The Senate Armed Services Committee held a sh**-show of a hearing (video here) to consider the nomination of Mr. Peter B. Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense. Also see: Hegseth: Israel should kill ‘every last member of Hamas’ (Jewish Insider 1/14/25); Pete Hegseth in confirmation hearing: ‘I’m a Christian and I robustly support the state of Israel’ (The Forward 1/14/25); Emmer (R-MN) X-post 1/14/25 – “On January 20th, Americans will FINALLY have leaders in the White House who unapologetically support our ally, Israel, and stand up to barbaric terrorists. @PeteHegseth: ‘I support Israel destroying and killing every last member of Hamas.’” [with video clip]

News from other confirmation hearings

• The Intercept 1/17/25: Pete Hegseth and Marco Rubio Get a Pass on Suffering in Gaza
• Jewish Insider 1/15/25: Trump AG nominee Pam Bondi: ‘I am very proud’ of lobbying work for Qatar

4. Selected Members on the Record

Gaza Ceasefire

• Many, many Democrats issued press releases and/or posted on social media in support of the announcement of a Gaza ceasefire agreement and giving credit to Biden and in some cases, also Biden and Trump. Many, many Republicans issued press releases praising the ceasefire as a Trump accomplishment, with many taking the opportunity to criticize the Biden Admin. Check websites/social media accounts to find specific statements. On both sides, this includes many members who for more than a year have argued that supporting/calling for a ceasefire is antisemitic, anti-Israel, and pro-Hamas. Also see:
• Cotton (R-AR) 1/15/25: X-post – “Why is lame duck Joe Biden trying to cram down a bad deal on Israel on his way out the door? The only “deal” should be unconditional surrender by Hamas—which is already nearly destroyed—and return of ALL hostages. Instead, we hear reports that Biden is demanding that Israel withdraw from key terrain in Gaza, release dozens of hardened terrorists for every one hostage, and get back only SOME hostages? Here’s the ‘deal’ to offer Hamas and its patron, Iran: you have five days to release ALL the hostages or we ‘unleash hell’.“

Targeting Free Speech/Academia/Protest via Weaponization of Fight Against Antisemitism

• Wahlberg (R-MI) 1/15/25: Education and Workforce Committee Adopts Rules, Oversight Plans for 119th Congress. Note that in the 119th Congress Oversight Plan of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, literally the first “priority” identified by the Committee is: “Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Americanism in the Education System: The Committee will continue to conduct oversight on the explosion of virulent antisemitism and anti-Americanism at our educational institutions across the United States and widespread failures by these institutions to meaningfully address and correct these problems. The Committee will examine institutions’ failures to uphold their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and other federal laws, institutions’ failures to enforce their own rules and to maintain safe and uninterrupted learning environments, and how colleges, universities, and K-12 schools receiving substantial federal support have become incubators of antisemitism and anti-Americanism.“
• Smith (R-MO) 1/14/25: Chairman Smith Opening Statement – Ways and Means 119th Congress Organizational Meeting [text of 119th Oversight Plan; excerpt: “Tax-Exempt Organizations. Oversight of Federal tax laws, regulations, and filing requirements that affect tax-exempt organizations, particularly charities, foundations, and political groups operating as social welfare organizations. Evaluate overall IRS efforts to monitor tax-exempt organizations, identify areas of non-compliance, prevent abuse, and ensure timely disclosure to the public about tax-exempt organization activities and finances. Review IRS tax-exempt application process and agency oversight of new exempt organizations. This review comes in the context of the involvement of tax-exempt groups in the troubling explosion of antisemitism in the United States following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists.“]

Other stuff

• Quigley (D-IL) 1/14/25: Quigley Delivers Floor Speech Reiterating Call for Arab-led Peacekeeping Force in Gaza
• Cotton (R-AR) 1/13/25: X-post – “60 Minutes (which recently hid Kamala’s transcript and doctored her interview to help her) runs a disgraceful hit job against Israel. 60 Minutes forgot that Hamas started the war, Hamas still holds American hostages, and any damage in Gaza is the sole fault of Hamas.“
• Torres (D-NY) 1/10/25: X-post – “Katherine Frank, a former professor from Columbia University, was found to have engaged in discrimination against Israeli students. She did not leave voluntarily. She was all but fired. Good riddance!“

5. Selected Media

House Launches Pro-Settlement/Greater Israel Caucus

• YNet 1/17/25: Initiative launches West Bank support caucus in US Congress [“Congressional Friends of Judea and Samaria aims to lift sanctions from Jewish settlers in the West Bank and address the area with its Israeli naming convention”
• Jewish Press 1/17/25: Tenney Launches Congressional Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus
• The Washington Stand 1/16/25: Congresswoman Launches Historic ‘Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus’
• Jewish News Syndicate 1/16/25: Tenney launches congressional Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus [“‘We gotta start telling the truth,’ the New York congresswoman told JNS. ‘We need to be the catalyst.'” and “More than a dozen members of Congress, all Republicans, attended the event or were listed by Tenney as members of the new caucus. Tenney said that she hoped that the caucus would gain bipartisan support and said that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) had expressed interest in joining. Other attendees included Knesset member Ohad Tal and Tony Perkins, a pastor and head of the Family Research Council.“].
• Lawler (R-NY) X-post 1/16/25: “I was honored to speak at this week’s kickoff event for the Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus. I am excited join the caucus and look forward to working with them to advance pro-Israel policies in the 119th Congress.” [Reminder: Lawler is the new Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa – X-post accompanied by photos with backdrop and crossed flags on the dais displaying the name of the new caucus alongside the logo of the Shomron Regional Council (the Israeli settlement body of the northern West Bank), and with members of the new caucus posing with plaques showing a map of Greater Israel]
• COL Live 1/12/25: Shomron Delegation Visits Ohel Ahead of Trump Inauguration [“Dagan, alongside Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (Republican – NY-24), will launch the Congressional Caucus for Judea and Samaria in Washington, D.C., later this week. The caucus, dedicated to strengthening settlement efforts and garnering international support for Judea and Samaria, is set to provide a vital platform for bolstering ties between Israel, its supporters in Congress, and the American public. The delegation’s visit includes meetings with members of Congress and the Senate, Jewish leaders across the U.S., and senior figures in the new administration, aiming to deepen connections and rally support for settlement initiatives. Dagan is scheduled to deliver speeches at various conferences and meet with senators, congressmen, prominent pastors, evangelical leaders, senior Republican officials, and representatives of the new administration. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to strengthen settlement ties within the U.S. political and diplomatic landscape.”]

Other Priorities of the 119th Congress

• Newsweek 1/16/25: Our New Government Must Stand Definitively Against Antisemitism [“From the legislative side, despite the unprecedented rise in antisemitic incidents across the country—including everything from harassment to hate crimes—Congress has utterly failed to pass any meaningful legislation to help protect the Jewish community. In May, the Republican led House did pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act, with broad bipartisan support. When it got to the <href=”https://www.newsweek.com/topic/senate”>Senate however, former Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) sat on it for six months before halfheartedly attempting to drop it into a larger legislative package, an effort which flamed out in a flurry of predictable politics. Reports indicate that the bill would have passed the Senate with wide bipartisan support, but was not called out of fear that a vote might have exposed some antisemitism on the progressive left. And so instead of protecting Jewish people, legislators protected themselves. Moving forward, Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) should make lemonade from lemons, and build off the bipartisan momentum created by the AAA to pass an even broader version of the bill. The AAA simply codified Trump’s executive order requiring authorities to consider the IHRA definition when assessing unlawful discriminatory behavior under Title VI, and while it would have gone a long way towards solving an equal protection problem that has long plagued the Jewish community, it would not have gone far enough. Since the time that the AAA was filed it has unfortunately only become clearer that the Jewish community needs their protections clarified in other contexts as well. An excellent model for the new Congress to follow is the Define to Defeat Act, which was introduced in the House by outgoing Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY). That bill simply extends the AAA to include other federal anti-discrimination laws under the exact same framework, and it should benefit from the exact same wide bipartisan support: It is hard to imagine, for example, lawmakers supportive of Jewish people being properly protected under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (which deals with higher education), but not, for example, under the employment provisions in Title VII of that very same law.”]
• Jewish Insider 1/16/25: House Republicans urge Trump to immediately nominate an Abraham Accords ambassador
• Jewish Insider 1/16/25: Gov. Ron DeSantis taps Florida AG Moody to succeed Rubio in the Senate [“As attorney general, Moody expressed unwavering support for Israel in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks and has prioritized cracking down on rising statewide antisemitism in her job — with a focus on scrutinizing Florida’s college campuses.“]
• Atlantic Council 1/15/25: Representatives Brian Mast and Gregory Meeks on the role of Congress in US foreign policy as Trump takes office
• The Hill 1/14/25: Johnson appoints Virginia Foxx as Rules Committee chair
• Jewish Insider 1/14/25: Top progressive Jayapal to join House Foreign Affairs Committee
• Foreign Policy in Focus 1/13/25: Washington Doubles Down on Arming Israel
• Washington Examiner 1/12/25: Trump calls Fetterman impressive after Mar-a-Lago meeting [“Trump said his impression of Fetterman early on was that he was very liberal, but that impression started to change as he has watched the Pennsylvania senator navigate his support for Israel since Oct. 7, 2023, and, of course, after sitting down to meet him face to face and have a conversation.”]
• Washington Free Beacon 1/10/25: ‘Disgraceful’: House Ed Chair Slams Biden’s Lame Duck Anti-Semitism Settlements With Rutgers, California, Hopkins [“The Trump administration should closely examine these agreements and explore options to impose real consequences on schools,’ says Rep. Tim Walberg“]

Gaza – Ceasefire & More

• Jewish News Syndicate 1/17/25: ‘Not going to second guess Bibi’s support for deal,’ Lindsey Graham says
• Jerusalem Post 1/16/25: Progressive reps. re-up calls for war crime accountability for Israel, Hamas in wake of ceasefire
• CT Insider 1/16/25: Congress members from CT warn ‘long road ahead’ after Israel-Hamas deal
• Jewish Insider 1/16/25: Pro-Israel lawmakers celebrate expected hostage release, even as some warn of deal’s shortcomings [“While Republicans rushed to credit Trump, Democrats acknowledged the role of both Biden and Trump in securing the agreement“]
• WDBJ 1/15/25: Warner, Kaine issue statements on Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement
• Insider NJ 1/15/25: Senator Kim Statement on Ceasefire and Hostage Release Deal Between Israel and Hamas
• Vermont Public 1/15/25: U.S. Sen. Peter Welch ‘so, so, so relieved’ by ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas
• The Hill 1/15/25: Ron Johnson expresses concern Israel ‘coerced’ into ceasefire agreement
• Times of Israel 1/15/25: GOP senator slams ‘lame duck Joe Biden’ hostage deal that Trump envoy is working to finalize
• ProPublica 1/15/25: A Year of Empty Threats and a “Smokescreen” Policy: How the State Department Let Israel Get Away With Horrors in Gaza
• Brooklyn Daily Eagle 1/15/25: Brooklyn’s Dan Goldman Praises Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal
• Jewish Insider 1/15/25: Republican lawmakers raise concerns about Israel-Hamas hostage deal
• Jewish Insider 1/13/25: ‘60 Minutes’ slammed for relying on CAIR-connected sources for anti-Israel segment [“The American Jewish Committee said the segment was ‘shockingly one-sided, lacked factual accuracy and relied heavily on misguided information’”]

Getting Set for NEXT elections

• Times of Israel 1/16/25: Thomas Massie: Libertarian Firebrand or Anti-Israel Contrarian?
• A New Policy 1/16/25: NOT IN AMERICA’S INTEREST: WHY UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL IS BAD FOR AMERICA, AND BAD FOR AMERICANS
• Mother Jones 1/14/25: The Group That Helped the Squad Is Recruiting Working-Class Candidates for 2026 [“In 2024, some progressives lost in primaries, especially where AIPAC spent big. Can the Justice Democrats fight back?”]
• Jerusalem Post 1/12/25: Sen. Jon Ossoff’s anti-Israel vote is a betrayal of the Georgian Jews who support him

The ICC

• Informed Consent 1/14/25: Representative, it is Shameful that you Voted to Sanction the Justices of the Int’l Criminal Court for Netanyahu Arrest Warrant
• Wall Street Journal (editorial) 1/9/25: Will the International Criminal Court Reap the Whirlwind? [“Chuck Schumer calls himself pro-Israel but has shielded its persecutors from sanctions.“]

Other

• Jerusalem Center for Security & Foreign Affairs 1/17/25: The Taylor Force Act, the October 7 Massacre and the PA’s “Pay-For-Slay” Terror Reward Policy [just in time for ceasefire!]
• Jewish News Syndicate 1/16/25: Lawler, Mast meet with ‘lone’ IDF soldier who ‘changed course of history’
• Times of Israel/Eric Fingerhut (JFNA) 1/15/25: The Tik-Tok Bill is About Antisemitism Too
• Jewish Insider 1/15/25: Michigan lawmakers criticize Dearborn imam’s violent, antisemitic rhetoric
• Jewish News Syndicate 1/15/25: Torres calls out New York governor for failing to address Jew-hatred in state [“It’s not a scandal that the governor is ‘failing to combat antisemitism. The scandal is that she is not even trying,’ the New York representative wrote.”]

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

Of note:

• Jezebel 1/8/25: The 119th Congress, Brought to You by Record Spending From the Israel Lobby [“Among other things, AIPAC’s $45.2 million helped drive out two of the House’s early proponents of a ceasefire in Gaza.“]

1. Bills & Resolutions

Targeting the ICC

(PUNISHING/DESTROYING THE ICC FOR DARING TO TRY TO HOLD ISRAEL ACCOUNTABLE TO INT’L LAW) HR 23: Introduced 1/3/25 by Roy (R-TX) and having 29 cosponsors (all Republicans), the “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act.” While technically this bill was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Judiciary Committee, and Appropriations, on 1/3/25 the House passed H. Res. 5, the Republican leadership resolution “Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, and for other purposes“. That resolution included a list of bills to be immediately brought directly to the floor for votes, with time for consideration limited to 1 hour and no amendments permitted. HR 23 was #8 on that list. Subsequently, on 1/9/24, House leaders brought HR 23 to the floor, where there was an hour for debate — which consisted of Republican grandstanding in support of Israel and against the ICC and critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza (including Republicans bashing Democrats) on one side; and on the other side Rep. McGovern (D-MA) valiantly defending the ICC and international law/accountability; objecting to Israel’s actions in Gaza, and objecting to the partisan intent/process behind HR 23, along with a statement late in the debate from Green (R-TX). The bill was subsequently passed by a roll call vote of 243-140, with 1 voting “present” and 50 not voting.

• All Republicans present voted “yes” except for Massie (R-KY) who voted “present.”
• A total of 45 Democrats voted “yes,” up from the 42 who voted “yes” last June on the 118th Congress’s version of the bill, HR 8282. Also see: 45 House Dems Help GOP Pass ICC Sanctions Bill to ‘Protect Genocidal Maniac’ (Common Dreams 1/9/25); 45 Democrats Vote With GOP to Pass Bill Sanctioning ICC Over Netanyahu Warrant (TruthOut 1/9/25)
• As a reminder, on 6/4/24 the House passed HR 8282 by a roll call vote of 247-155 (also with limited debate and no amendments allowed).
• Notably, House consideration/passage of HR 23 coincided with the funeral of President Jimmy Carter, who was a key figure supporting the establishment and making the case for the critical importance of the ICC.

Also see:

• Excerpt from McGovern (D-MA) on the House floor: “I want to be very clear here, Mr. Speaker. Prime Minister Netanyahu has an absolute right to defend his people, but there is no international right to vengeance, and what we are seeing in Gaza is vengeance. I mean, where is our humanity? Have we just given up on the idea of human rights? At least 45,000 people have been killed in the war in Gaza, and I fear that number is much higher. Mr. Speaker, 85 percent of the people there have been forcibly displaced, often repeatedly. Last September, a group of physicians estimated 62,000 had died of starvation. Hospitals, schools, mosques, churches, and libraries have all been destroyed.  Food is not getting in. Water is not getting in. Medicine is not getting in. People are dying. Children are dying. Babies are dying, some of them from the bombs, some from starvation, some from the cold. The war has not shrunk. It expanded to Lebanon, where I hope the recent truce continues to hold.  Mr. Speaker, I have sharply critiqued my own government for our conduct when we have been at war because right is right and wrong is wrong, no matter what side you are on.  What is going on in Gaza right now is wrong, and I especially call it out because if we stand for freedom and human rights, then we need to stand for freedom and human rights all the time, not just when it is convenient. That is why the nations of the world set up the International Criminal Court in the first place. This is an institution designed to make sure the horrors that we saw all too often in the 20th century do not repeat themselves in the 21st century. We have international humanitarian law to prevent this kind and this scale of destruction. Just because someone doesn’t like the law doesn’t mean they get to break the law. As a court of last resort, the ICC can only become involved when and where a country has demonstrated unwillingness or inability to hold its people to account for crimes within the ICC’s jurisdiction…“
• Massie (R-KY) on the Record on X: “The U.S. House did only one thing today. We passed a bill to protect Israeli PM Netanyahu from the International Criminal Court. I voted present. The ICC has no authority over the United States, but we should not get involved in disputes between other countries. Focus on [US flag gif]!”
• Other Members on the Record: In addition to floor statements, many, many, many members issued press release, posted statements on social media, or claimed time on the House floor to grandstand in support of HR 23 and against the evils of the ICC (including members who voted “no,” like Hoyer, D-MD). Check members’ websites/social media for yourself. Special mention– Tlaib (D-MI) 1/9/25 X-post: “What’s their top priority the first week of the new Congress? Lowering costs? Addressing the housing crisis? No, it’s sanctioning the International Criminal Court to protect genocidal maniac Netanyahu so he can continue the genocide in Gaza.”
• Next up – the Senate: Thune (R-SD) 1/8/25: Thune Previews Senate Agenda, Key Priorities [“Mr. President, we’re also going to be taking a vote to support our ally Israel – something my friends across the aisle seem to struggle with from time to time.  After the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister and former defense minister in November, I called on the Democrat leader to bring up an ICC sanctions bill that had already passed the House – again with bipartisan support.  The ICC’s rogue actions only enable the terrorists who seek to wipe Israel off the map – and they cannot be allowed to stand unchecked. In November, I promised that if Leader Schumer wouldn’t bring the ICC sanctions bill to the floor, Republicans would.  And we’ll soon fulfill that promise and have a vote to support our ally Israel.“; Graham (R-SC) 1/10/25 X-post: “I am very pleased that the House, in a bipartisan fashion, has approved sanctions against the International Criminal Court for its outrageous conduct against the State of Israel. The court is biased and corrupt when it comes to Israel. Neither the United States nor Israel are members of the court. By standing up to the ICC now on behalf of Israel, we are protecting America’s servicemembers and diplomats in the future. I urge my Democratic colleagues in the Senate to vote for this important piece of legislation to not only protect our ally Israel but to protect our own nation. Well done to all those who have pushed this cause.”; Punchbowl News 1/7/25: Senate Republicans eye votes on immigration, Israel; Jewish Insider 1/9/25: Can ICC sanctions get to 60 votes in the Senate? [“There are early signals that some Democrats will back the bill, but none are telegraphing their views yet”]; Jewish Insider 1/8/25: Thune preparing to bring up ICC sanctions bill [“The Senate majority leader says the Senate, which is taking up Laken Riley Act this and next week, will proceed on the ICC legislation soon“];
• AIPAC et al support: press release 1/6/25: Rep. Roy, Chairman Mast reintroduce bill to protect Israel from illegitimate international lawfare [“The bill is also supported by Christians United for Israel (CUFI), American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) and Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) Action.”] AIPAC has been active on X promoting HR 23 – some examples — here (attacking J St), here (action alert), here (example of message applauding a member for supporting HR 23). Also see AIPAC press release applauding passage of the bill.
• Amnesty International Response: “It is deeply disappointing that H.R. 23 passed the House of Representatives, which would permit U.S. sanctions on staff of the ICC, an independent judicial institution dedicated to combating impunity for the gravest crimes known to humanity. The ICC is part of a global system of international justice of which the U.S. was a chief architect at Nuremberg and beyond. If the Senate follows suit, it will do grave harm to the interests of all victims globally and to the U.S. government’s ability to champion human rights and the cause of justice.”
• Media: There are tons of articles this week on this bill (including speculative reports/analysis from both it passed and reports on its passage) — too many to bother trying to gather for the Round-Up.

(WE TRULY HATE THE ICC & DEFEND LITERALLY ANYTHING ISRAEL DOES) H. Res. 9: Introduced 1/3/25 by Biggs (R-AZ), “Reaffirming that the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute and does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.“ Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The Resolved clauses of this resolution read: “the House of Representatives (1) reaffirms that the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute and does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court;(2) condemns the International Criminal Court’s issuance of arrest warrant applications for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant; and (3) reiterates its unwavering support for the State of Israel and its right to defend itself and its leaders from unwarranted international legal actions.”

Other Stuff

• (TARGETING HAMAS & ANYONE ASSOCIATED WITH HAMAS) HR 176: Introduced 1/3/25 by McClintock (R-CA) and having 12 cosponsor (all Republicans), “To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to aliens who carried out, participated in, planned, financed, supported, or otherwise facilitated the attacks against Israel”, aka the “No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Text of the bill is not yet online, but per McClintock’s press release, “The bill prohibits any non-U.S. national who participated in or otherwise facilitated the October 7, 2023, attacks from seeking any immigration-related relief or protections, including protection from being deported to a country where the individual’s life or freedom would be threatened, or asylum in the United States.“
• (TARGETING TURKEY) H. Res. 17: Introduced 1/7/25 by Malliotakis (R-NY) and 3 cosponsors (bipartisan), “Condemning Turkey for its illegal occupation of Cyprus and encouraging President Trump to make the resolution of the Cyprus problem a top foreign policy priority.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• (TARGETING TURKEY) HR 298: Introduced 1/9/25 by Malliotakis (R-NY) and 3 cosponsors (bipartisan), “To eliminate certain limitations and exclusions regarding defense articles and requirements regarding security assistance and sales with respect to the Republic of Cyprus.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• (DON’T MAKE AMCITS EVACUATED FROM ISRAEL PAY BACK THE US TAXPAYERS) HR 270: Introduced 1/9/25 by Dunn (R-FL), “To authorize the waiver of costs of activities relating to evacuation of United States citizens when their lives are endangered by war or acts of terrorism.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. NOTE: This bill was originally introduced 10/30/23 by Dunn and 2 cosponsors (bipartisan) as HR 6115. See 2023 press release – Representatives Dunn, Mills, and Moskowitz Fight to Waive Evacuation Costs for Americans Escaping Terrorism in Israel
• (PROTECTING RIGHTS OF PROTESTERS) HR 277: Introduced 1/9/25 by Green (R-GA) and Massie (R-KY), “To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide protections for nonviolent political protesters, and for other purposes.“ Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select). NOTE: This bill was previously introduced in the 117th Congress (12/15/22) by Gohmert (R-TX) and Green (R-GA) as HR 9583, and in the 118th Congress (3/5/24) by Greene and no cosponsors, as HR 7540. The short title of the bill is the Matthew Lawrence Perna Act, named for an individual charged and found guilty in connection with the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots (witness tampering, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds and two counts of disorderly conduct) who committed suicide while awaiting sentencing. Notably, while the clear intent behind the legislation is to support a specific set of protesters, the protections in the bill would apply to ALL protesters. Also see: Gohmert’s 2022 press release; Greene’s 2023 press release.

Update – Lobby Priorities for Pro-Israel Orgs in 2025

Jewish Insider 1/6/25: Antisemitism Awareness Act faces bumpy path in Republican-controlled Washington — Senate Republican leaders pledge to bring the bill up in the new Congress, but there are growing pockets of right-wing opposition [Reminder: there has been significant opposition to the Antisemitism Awareness Act (AAA)  — from the across the right-wing political spectrum — since the bill passed the House last year. That opposition was left out of the narrative crafted by those promoting passage of the bill in the Senate in the latter half of 2024, seeking to frame failure to pass the bill in terms of Democrats being “soft” on antisemitism. Most media coverage of the story in the last half of 2024 chose to simply parrot that false, pro-AAA framing, notwithstanding the fact that the right-wing opposition to the bill was out in the open (and, indeed, had been pulled together for super easy reference, with links).

Jerusalem Post 1/5/25: Jewish groups engage new Congress on Israel, antisemitism, and security. Excerpts:

• American Jewish Committee – “…She outlined legislative priorities relating to antisemitism, such as the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which stalled in the Senate for months under the last Congress. It needs to be reevaluated and refreshed in the coming Congress, she said. Rayman said there were many questions about how the incoming Trump administration will utilize education policy for combating antisemitism, and it is unclear what the Department of Education will look like and how it will enforce Title VI policy…Regarding Israel policy, Rayman said the AJC’s political team is thinking about how Congress can support what they assume will be a continued effort by the second Trump administration to ‘promote regional integration and Israel’s place in the neighborhood’ with strengthening and expanding the Abraham Accords.“
• Jewish Federations of North America – “Jewish Federations of North America is focused on combating antisemitism, including a significant push to call attention to antisemitism in the medical and healthcare space, Paikin Barall said.”
• JINSA – “Kenney cited Congress’s priority legislation to rein in the International Criminal Court with a bill that would impose visa and property blocking sanctions against ICC officials. While the legislation easily passed the House last summer, it failed to clear the then-Democratic controlled Senate... Kenney said he also expects to see much focus on the 2,000-pound bombs President Joe Biden embargoed for Israel, as well as the apparent slowing of deliveries of 10,000-lb. and 5,000-lb. bombs and Joint Direct Attack Munition kits…Kenney said he would soon begin outreach on JINSA’s paper “A Day 1 Priority: Strategy for the Next Administration to Prevent a Nuclear Iran,” which it released just before Congress’s holiday recess last month. “

Members’ plans/priorities for 119th Congress

• Scott (R-FL) 1/6/25: Sen. Rick Scott Outlines Legislative Priorities as 119th Congress Begins [“…Standing with U.S. Ally Israel— The Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act to prohibit obligating or expending U.S. funds in Gaza unless the President certifies that the funds will not benefit Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, other foreign terrorist organizations, or their members.”]

2. Letters

• (ICC MUST EXEMPT ISRAEL FROM ACCOUNTABILITY UNDER INTL LAW) 1/9/25: Letter led by Vindman (D-VA) and Schneider (D-IL), arguing that the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant, “severely undermines the principles of justice and threatens to politicize the Court’s critical mission to prosecute the world’s most egregious crimes.” It goes on to argue that the the ICC should not act with respect to Israel because “Israel is a democracy governed by the rule of law, with an independent judiciary capable of addressing allegations of misconduct.” It also asserts that the decision to issue these warrants “diverts attention and resources from prosecuting genuine war criminals. It also sends a chilling message to democracies combating terrorism, potentially endangering broader international cooperation.” The signers “strongly” urge the ICC “to reconsider these arrest warrants, refocus its efforts on clear cases of atrocity crimes, and uphold the integrity of its mandate.” The letter is signed by a total of 42 House Democrats, some of whom voted “yes” on HR 23, some of whom voted “no” and some of wome did not vote. See: letter text; Brown (D-OH) press release.
• (PREVENT EXTRADITION OF POET TO UAE) 1/7/25: Letter to Senate Majority Leader Thune (R-SD) and House Speaker Johnson (R-LA) signed by a long list of civil society groups  Joint Letter Calls for Urgent Congressional Action to Prevent Extradition of Abdel Rahman Youssef Al-Qaradawi
• (QUESTIONS ABOUT SECDEF NOMINEE) 1/6/25: Warren (D-MA) Letter to Pete Hegseth, Secretary-Designate, U.S. Department of Defense [includes: “How we engage our allies matters and is critical to our national security, and your degrading views toward Muslims threaten to undermine our relationships with allies and partners and our efforts to stabilize the Middle East, protect Israel, and fight terrorism.”]
• (IRAN & RUSSIA INTERFERENCE IN US ELEX) 1/3/25 Keating (D-MA): X-post – “In December, @POTUS announced sanctions on Russia & Iran for attempted interference in our elections. Today, I wrote to the President urging him to declassify info about these sanctions to enable the American people to better counter the effects of this threat to our democracy.” [letter text]
• (NGO’S WARN CONGRESS AGAINST TARGETING THE ICC) 1/3/25: NGO Letter to Congress and the Incoming Presidential Administration Regarding US Sanctions on the ICC

3. Hearings

Confirmation-hearings-palooza!

• January 16, 2025: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected to hold a hearing to consider the nomination of Elise Stefanik as US Ambassador to the UN.
• January 15, 2025: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing to consider the nomination of Marco Rubio as U.S. Secretary of State.
• January 14, 2025: The Senate Armed Services Committee will conduct a confirmation hearing on the expected nomination of Mr. Peter B. Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense
• Politico 1/7/25: Cotton pushing to hold Ratcliffe and Gabbard hearings next week — Senate Democrats — and heavy snow — could throw a wrench in those plans.

4. Selected Members on the Record

Concern for Palestinians

• Doggett (D-TX) 1/9/25: X-post – “Ten days after Trump takes office, Israeli legislation banning @UNRWA may greatly accelerate the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. While insisting that there will be “hell to pay” if hostages are not released, Trump seems to have no plan for the hell that will follow if millions of Palestinians are abandoned to starve.“
• Quigley (D-IL) 1/9/25: Quigley Statement on Establishing an Arab-led Peacekeeping Force in Gaza to Ensure Food and Medical Aid [“I am calling for the immediate establishment of a peacekeeping force, composed of Arab states, to help restore order in the Gaza Strip. It is imperative that this brutal war comes to an end so the remaining hostages are released. But we cannot wait until this war ends for humanitarian aid to be widely distributed in Gaza. A peacekeeping force is the only way for this aid to enter and reach the people who desperately need it. The global community must work with Israeli and Arab governments to stem the violence in the region and work towards a peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis.”]
• McCollum (D-MN) 1/8/25: X-post – “As Israel prepares to ban UNRWA from operating within its borders, the United States must exert its leadership in the UN to ensure that vulnerable Palestinians are provided for.“

Standing With Israel; Hating On Palestinians & Anyone Who Supports Them

• Blackburn (R-TN) 1/9/25: X-post – “It is indisputable that there is a direct link between UNRWA and Palestinian terror organizations, including Hamas. We must shut down UNRWA.” Also see AIPAC X-post responding to Blackburn, “UNRWA is beyond repair. Thank you @MarshaBlackburn for your leadership.“
• Fetterman (D-PA) 1/8/25: X-post – “Zero dopes have shown up at my home or office, or blocked a road to chant and protest over an actual genocide in Sudan. South Africa engaged the ICJ over Gaza, but not for an actual genocide on their own continent? Why is that?” [Note: the majority of responses to Fetterman’s post boil down to: “because the US is not funding/supporting/defending/enabling genocide in Gaza”]
• Self (R-TX) 1/8/25: X-post– ““An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.” – Winston Churchill   Surrender will not bring peace. Yet that’s the Biden Administration’s mandate for Israel (see their response to my letter condemning the UN’s anti-Israel disposition). The Trump Administration cannot come soon enough.” With pic of letter to Self from the US ambassador to the UN, with the following section highlighted – “There is no other path that guarantees Israel’s security and future as a democratic Jewish state and that Palestinians can live in peace and dignity in a state of their own…“]
• McCaul (R-TX) 1/8/25: X-post – “Today I had the honor of meeting with Noa Argamani and Leat Ruben Unger. Noa was taken captive by Hamas terrorists during the Re’im music festival massacre on October 7, 2023. She was rescued after 245 days, but Hamas continues to hold her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, in captivity. And Leat’s cousin Omer was murdered on October 7 by Hamas terrorists, who continue to hold his remains hostage in Gaza. These souls have suffered more at the hands of Hamas than anyone should ever have to suffer. My thoughts and prayers are with them every day. We also learned today that two more Israeli hostages were killed in captivity. My heart goes out to their loved ones who have no doubt been praying for their safe return. President Trump has made clear there will be hell to pay if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages now — and I stand with him unequivocally. Every hostage must be returned home immediately and unconditionally.“
• Rosen (D-NV) 1/8/25: Rosen Meets with Nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Elise Stefanik [“‘Today, I had the pleasure of meeting with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to discuss her nomination to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and how she plans to support our allies and stand up to our adversaries in this international body,’ said Senator Rosen. ‘We also discussed the United Nations’ anti-Israel bias, and how she plans to push back on politically-motivated actions against our democratic ally. I look forward to working with her in this role to support American diplomacy around the world and strengthen our national security.’”]
• Senate Foreign Relations Committee (GOP) 1/7/25: Risch Assumes Chairmanship of Senate Foreign Relations Committee [“…Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East, fights a multi-front war against Iran and our common adversaries following a brutal and unprovoked attack. The Biden Administration failed to properly support Israel in its self defense and efforts to eradicate Hamas, which has only prolonged the terrible situation in Israel and Gaza.”]
• House Appropriators (GOP) 1/6/25: Cole, Rutherford, Alford: U.S. Must Remain in Lockstep with Israel and Regional Allies Against Evil [op-ed published in Times of Israel, where it has the headline, Israel is fighting for its existence – US support must remain ironclad]
• Fetterman (D-PA) 1/4/25: X-post – “Without conditions. Whatever Israel needs to defend against and dismantle its enemies.” Linked to Wall Street Journal headline, “U.S. Plans $8 Billion Sale of Arms, Including Bombs, to Israel”
• Blackburn (R-TN) 1/4/25: X-post – “The end of UNRWA cannot come soon enough.”
• Ciscomani (R-AZ) 1/3/25: US aid to Israel must be Congress’s top priority

The Face of the New House Foreign Affairs Committee GOP Majority

• 1/8/25: Chairman Mast Announces House Foreign Affairs Committee Vice Chairman and Subcommittee Chairmen [“Subcommittee on the Middle East & North Africa: Rep. Michael Lawler (NY-17)”]; Lawler on X 1/9/25: “It is an honor to have been named Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa. I look forward to strengthening our relationship with Israel, standing up to Iran and its proxies, and reducing Chinese and Russian influence in the region.“
• X-post 1/8/25: “President Trump takes office in 13 days. Time is running out for Hamas and anyone else holding Americans hostage to release them before the adults are back in charge of American foreign policy.“
• X-post 1/7/25: “America may not recognize the ICC, but they sure as hell will recognize what happens when you target America or its allies.“
• X-post 1/5/25: “What does Blinken think Hamas did when Joe Biden criticized Israel and decided to withhold weapons?” [linked to pic of JPost headline, “Blinken: When Hamas saw pressure on Israel, it backtracked from hostage deal]
• X-post 1/5/25: “Antony Blinken just admitted that ANTISEMITIC college protesters, UN dopes, and the International Criminal Court, have given Hamas a morale boost and prevented it from surrendering.” [linked to clip of interview]

Raging at European Official for Daring to Defend the ICC & Criticize Israel

• Wicker (R-MS) 1/4/25: X-thread – “It is breathtaking that the Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, who is supposed to stand for the protection of the free world, would criticize a liberal democracy that dares to protect itself. (1/2) The choice to lambast Israel for its conduct rather than Iran and its proxies is in direct contradiction of the spirit of the Conference. Now more than ever, we should stand with the Jewish state. I expect the MSC to halt this shameful rhetoric“
• Graham (R-SC) 1/3/25: X-post – “The statement by the chairman of the Munich Security Conference is beyond disturbing at so many levels. The ICC’s actions against Israel have been led by a corrupt prosecutor, and the court violated the Rome statute by failing to consult with Israel and has shown an extreme anti-Israel bias. In the case of Israel, the ICC truly has become a kangaroo court. This statement very much puts the future of the Munich Security Conference in jeopardy in the eyes of many members of Congress. What has been one of the premier national security events of the year has been diminished and is now very much in doubt. I hope corrections will follow.“

Targeting Academia & Right to Protest

• House Committee on Education & the Workforce 1/9/25: Chair Walberg Calls Out Biden-Harris for Toothless Antisemitism Agreements; also see: Jewish Insider 1/10/25 – New House Education committee chair blasts last-minute campus antisemitism settlements [“Walberg’s statement, one of his first as chairman, indicates that antisemitism will continue to be a focus for the committee in the new Congress.“]
• Mace (R-SC) 1/9/25: Video clip posted by Mace as 2 members of Code Pink try to talk to her in Congress, entitled “Took a Walk With Some Domestic Terrorists Today” [with audio of her calling them domestic terrorists]
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 1/3/25: Gottheimer Statement on Rutgers University’s Settlement with Department of Education After Failure to Protect Students from Discrimination

Remembering Happy Days of the 1st Trump Admin & Cheering Trump’s Return!

• McCaul (R-TX) 1/7/25: X-post – “The Iranian regime is right to fear President-elect Trump. His maximum pressure policies bled them nearly dry in 2020 — and he’s prepared to do it again. The U.S. will once again stand up to the regime, protect American interests, and ensure no one messes with our ally, Israel.“
• HFAC X-post 1/4/25: “Five years ago, President Trump showed how a true commander-in-chief responds to terrorists by blowing up Qasem Soleimani into five separate pieces.“
• Guest (R-MS) 1/4/25: X-post – “5 years ago, we learned of the successful military operation that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. President Trump’s bold action to take out a known terrorist made the Middle East safer. Thank you, Trump, for making the safety of our citizens and troops your top priority.”
• Senate GOP 1/3/25: X-post – “Five years ago, President Trump made us safer by taking out Iran’s terrorist mastermind Qassem Soleimani. @SenateDems —including @SenSchumer—put politics ahead of national security, and attacked President Trump. Democrats were wrong. President Trump was right.“
• Collins (R-GA) 1/3/25: X-post – “On #ThisDayInHistory in 2020, U.S. forces killed Qasem Soleimani, a high-ranking Iranian general, in a drone strike near Baghdad International Airport. Soleimani was the commander of the Quds Force, which is considered a terrorist organization. The attack also killed several others, including Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a key Iraqi militia leader. The strike came amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran following U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and rising attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq. In retaliation, Iran launched missile strikes on U.S. bases in Iraq.”

Three Cheers for the New President of Lebanon!

An array of members spoke out in support of the new President of Lebanon expressing various hopes for peace, stability, cracking down on Hezbollah and playing nice with Israel, etc… including (in no particular order): Stanton (R-AZ), Dingell (D-MI), Meeks (D-NY), Murphy (D-CT – supporting the Biden Admin giving to Lebanon funds withheld from Egypt), LaHood (R-IL), Blumenthal (D-CT),

Other stuff

• Beyer (D-VA) 1/7/25: X-post – “Lebanese authorities must immediately release unjustly detained poet Abdel Rahman Youssef Al-Qaradawi. His politically motivated apprehension is another case of Egyptian repression, and if extradited to Egypt he is at risk of torture. Lebanon should end his imprisonment at once.“
• Greene (R-GA) 1/3/25: X-post – “Biden’s reckless foreign policy is putting America at risk. Instead of making empty threats, he should be working with Congress to hold Iran accountable and stop their nuclear ambitions. Instead, he’s fanning the flames of war days before leaving office. This is the same man who sent American tax dollars to Iran just two days into his administration. The American people are sick of it!“

5. Selected Media

• Jewish Insider 1/10/25: Sen. Ted Cruz: ‘It is time for American airlines to resume flights to and from Israel’
• Jewish News Syndicate 1/9/25: Capitol Hill legislators assure Noa Argamani plight of hostages a priority
• The Intercept 1/9/25: The TikTok Ban Is Also About Hiding Pro-Palestinian Content. Republicans Said So Themselves.
• The New York Sun 1/9/25: 10 Reasons Fetterman Should Just Admit He’s Really a Republican [“Supports Israel – After the October 7, 2023, terror attacks by Hamas against innocent civilians, Democrats were torn. They didn’t want to irk their base, which despises Israel and supports Palestinians, even after the murder of more than 1,100 Israelis. Not Mr. Fetterman. He was unflinching in his support of Israel — especially after Israeli forces killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. ‘I want to salute Israel and celebrate the elimination of Yahya Sinwar — a necessary move for any future enduring peace. Eliminating the mastermind of the 10/7 massacre is the definition of justice served. My vote and my voice for Israel will not waver,’ Mr. Fetterman declared in social media posts in October. He went out of his way to express his support. A video went viral of Mr. Fetterman waving an Israeli flag from his rooftop at pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside his home near Pittsburgh. The act drew praise from Sam DeMarco, the Republican Party chairman in Allegheny County, Pennsylania, where Fetterman lives, who tweeted: ‘Jesus this guy is making me respect him! Never would have thought that would happen.’”]
• Punchbowl News 1/9/25: Despite ICC controversy, lawmakers plan to attend Munich Security Conference
• Anadolu Agency 1/9/25: US has power to halt all military aid to Israel, health care workers tell Congress
• Jewish Insider 1/9/25: Republicans blame Biden admin for Israel’s decision to seek ‘armament independence’ [“‘Israel’s interest in reducing dependence on the United States is the predictable outcome of the Biden Administration’s policy of withholding arms sales,’ Sen. Jim Risch said”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 1/8/25: ‘Zero dopes’ protesting genocide in Sudan, Fetterman says
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 1/8/25: Trump taps Senate staffer as National Security Council’s Middle East director [“Eric Trager would replace Brett McGurk, who has played a central role in the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.”]
• TruthOut 1/7/25: Sanders Vows to Work to Block Biden’s Proposed $8B Sale of Weapons to Israel [“The announcement of the sale comes just weeks after Congress failed to block Biden’s proposed $20B weapons transfer.”]
• Jewish Insider 1/7/25: A look at the right-wing lawmakers that could constrain pro-Israel legislation in the new Congress
• Fox News 1/5/25: Pro-Israel Dem could tip scales in key Senate committee as Middle East war continues
• Time 1/2/25: Nonprofits Are at the Core of American Democracy. Now They’re Under Threat

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

New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

• 12/23/24: Phoenix of Gaza: a 360° view of Palestinian agency and life, ft. FMEP Fellow Nour Joudah speaking with Cal State University-San Bernadino Professor Ahlam Muhtaseb.
• 12/23/24: Why Some Israelis Refuse to Serve in the IDF, ft. FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaking with Atalya Ben Abba and Mattan Helman of the Israeli Refuser Solidarity Network

1. Bills & Resolutions

(TARGETING THE ICC) Today (1/3/25) at noon ET, the 119th Congress opens for business. In terms of legislation, one of the first items of business in the House (following the swearing in of members and election of the Speaker – the latter task looking, as of this writing, as if it may involve some drama and some time), the House will vote on a resolution, H. Res. XXX, “Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, and for other purposes.” sponsored by House Majority Leader Scalise (R-LA). Notably, H. Res. XXX includes a list of resolutions and bills [all of which were previously introduced in the 118th Congress that will be immediately brought to the House floor for a vote, with no amendments permitted and allowing only one hour for debate (note: H. Res. XXX leaves the bill numbers unspecified, since they cannot be re-introduced until the 119th Congress is formally opened). That list includes, “The bill (H.R. ___) to impose sanctions with respect to the International Criminal Court engaged in any effort to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute any protected person of the United States and its allies.” Also see:

• Massie (R-KY) 1/1/25: X-post – “The United States is a sovereign country, so I don’t assign any credibility to decisions of the International Criminal Court. But how did a bill to protect Netanyahu make it into the House rules package to be voted on immediately after the Speaker vote? Where are our priorities?!“
• Common Dreams 1/1/25: House GOP Tries to Protect Netanyahu From ICC With Rules Package
• Haaretz 1/2/25: What Do Netanyahu and the ICC Have to Do With the Vote on U.S. House Speaker? [“The latest GOP clashes portend just how divisive foreign policy will be among the Republican Party, as isolationists and neoconservatives battle to define the incoming Trump administration’s goals“]
• Jewish Insider 1/3/25: Excerpt from Daily Kickoff – “Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who has led the Senate effort to sanction the court, would be supportive of either congressional or executive action on the issue, a source familiar with the matter told JI. Still, he plans to move ahead with reintroducing the legislation again.”

2. Letters

None.

3. Hearings

Expect confirmation hearings starting soon….

4. Selected Members on the Record

Support for Israel and the 119th Congress

• Senate Democrats 1/2/25: Leader Schumer Announces New Senate Democratic Committee Assignments [X-post from Marc Rod/Jewish Insider 1/2/25: “Sen. Jacky Rosen is joining the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a notable addition given that she’s one of the Democrats’ strongest pro-Israel voices.”]
• Rosen (D-NV) 1/2/25: X-post – “At a time when America’s adversaries are looking to destabilize our global leadership, I’m joining @SFRCdems to be a strong voice to strengthen our national security. I’ll also make sure our commitment to supporting our democratic ally Israel remains unwavering & unconditional.“
• Tenney (R-NY) 12/22/24: X-post – “@RepBrianMast is a staunch supporter of our ally Israel, a tireless advocate for Donald Trump’s peace-through-strength agenda, and a proven leader in standing up to our adversaries. Under his leadership, @HouseForeignGOP will champion a foreign policy rooted in an America First agenda!”

Targeting Academia

• Torres (D-NY) 12/29/24: X-post – “Columbia University is so embedded in Anti-Israel propaganda that it has a publication entitled ‘The Columbia Intifada.’ What is needed in our society is a revolution of the responsible against the Intifada idiocy of the far left.”
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 12/20/24: RELEASE: Gottheimer Statement on Rutgers Faculty Union Pro-BDS Resolution

Continued Total Support for Anything/Everything Israel Does in Gaza, Demand Same From Everyone

• Auchincloss (D-MA) 12/29/24: X-post – “Once again, Israel & Hamas are negotiating in earnest. And once again, the left is calling for more pressure to be put on Israel. These negotiations are advancing precisely because the United States has supported Israel, rather than undermined it. The pressure belongs on Hamas.” [with video clip]
• Fetterman (D-PA) 12/26/24: X-post – “After the atrocity of 10/7, Israel rightly adapted to rescue hostages, destroy Hamas’ capabilities and kill its leadership. This difficult choice created an opportunity for regional peace for generations—an opportunity I welcome and fully support.” [with pic of NYT headline reading, “Israel Loosened Its Rules to Bomb Hamas Fighters, Killing Many More Civilians” – not including the sub-headline, “Surprised by Oct. 7 and fearful of another attack, Israel weakened safeguards meant to protect noncombatants, allowing officers to endanger up to 20 people in each airstrike. One of the deadliest bombardments of the 21st century followed.“]
• Pallone (D-NJ) 12/23/24: X-post – “Turkey has consistently failed to be a reliable American ally. Erdogan has repeatedly turned his back on us while destabilizing the Middle East and the Caucasus. Now, he is attacking our Kurdish partners in Northern Syria and threatening our ally, Israel.“
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 12/20/24: X-post – “The Houthis are an Iranian-backed proxy who continue to attack the U.S. and our allies. Israel has the right to defend herself from terrorists that seek her destruction.“

Time for War with Iran!

• Moskowitz (D-FL) 12/23/24: X-post – “If Iran doesn’t immediately end their program President Trump should take out the facilities in order to protect the people of the Middle East and the world” [with pic including headline “Iran could build a nuclear weapon Trump told by White House”]

Maybe not total support for everything Israel does…

• Welch (D-VT) 12/23/24: X-post – “The Leahy Law must be applied to all countries, including Israel. Units of foreign security forces that violate human rights with impunity aren’t eligible for U.S. aid. That’s the law.”
• Ramirez (D-IL) 12/22/24: X-post – “Kamal Adwan Hospital -one of the last standing medical centers serving northern Gaza- has been under attack for months. Under international law, hospitals must never be targets. The rules are simple. Israel should not be exempt from following them. Stop the attack!“

5. Selected Media

Support for Israel

• Middle East Monitor 1/3/25: Drive to prohibiting use of term ‘West Bank’ by US gov’t [“Israel’s Channel 14 reported that activists are pushing US Congress to pass legislation prohibiting the use of the term ‘West Bank’ in official US statements and documents in favour of the term ‘Judea and Samaria’, in alignment with the Jewish settler movement’s scheme to annex Palestinian territory. The channel said that the US Congress will host a special event on 15 January to establish a lobby named ‘Judea and Samaria.’ According to the news station, the lobby’s first initiative will aim to pass legislation banning the use of the term ‘West Bank’ in official US statements and documents. Instead, the term ‘Judea and Samaria’ would be used, reflecting the belief that the area is ‘the land of the Jewish people.’ It added that this forms part of ongoing efforts to reinforce the Israeli narrative about the occupied Palestinian territories and strengthen US support for Israel’s colonialist positions.“]
• Jewish Insider 1/2/25: Pro-Israel Republicans reassured by Vance, Adelson photo at Mar-a-Lago gathering
• Jewish News Syndicate 1/2/25: IDF reservist group urges US lawmakers to support ‘total victory’ [“Discussions revolved around bolstering deterrence and preventing further atrocities against the Jewish people on all fronts.”]
• Jewish Insider 1/2/25: Sen. Jacky Rosen to join Senate Foreign Relations Committee [“The reliably pro-Israel Democrat joins a roster that includes a significant number of lawmakers who voted to block U.S. aid to Israel”]
• Jewish Insider 1/2/25: Bipartisan chorus of officials call on U.S. airlines to restore service to Israel
• Jewish Press 12/30/24:  Congress Concludes Legislative Session Celebrating Abraham Accords and Golda Meir Coin Act
• Israel Hayom 12/29/24: ‘For some in the new administration, Palestinian state is an absolute red line’
• Jewish Insider 12/27/24: Jimmy Patronis emerges as favorite to succeed Matt Gaetz in Congress [“The former Florida CFO has been a dependable ally of the Jewish community on supporting Israel and fighting antisemitism”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 12/23/24: Event at Capitol pushes for US to mint Golda Meir commemorative coin
• Jewish News Syndicate 12/23/24: Israeli minister of Diaspora affairs commends House report on US Jew-hatred

Time for War with Iran!

• Jewish Insider 1/3/25: Risch dismisses need for striking Iranian nuclear facilities amid GOP deterrence push [“The incoming Foreign Relations Committee chairman suggested taking out the nuclear program would be unnecessary, but later clarified he’d back the U.S. or Israel striking nuclear facilities”]
• The Free Press 1/1/25: What Will Trump Do About Iran? [“On one side are people like Republican Senator James Risch of Idaho. ‘I don’t think we need to finish [Iran] off. They’re finishing themselves off,’ the incoming chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee told The Free Press in an exclusive interview. ‘They talk about it, but where’s the nuclear weapon? They could have had one a long time ago. . . . I think they are deterred,’ Senator Risch added.“]

Diminishing Support for Israel in Congress?

• TruthOut 1/2/25: 2024 Will Be Remembered as the Year Israel’s Global Legitimacy Fully Unraveled
• Zeteo 1/2/25: ‘We Tried to Stop the Bombings’: Cori Bush on Democrats’ Failures, AIPAC, and More
• The Guardian 12/31/24: Cori Bush on losing her US House seat: ‘I’m just getting started’

Accusing Dems of Being Soft on Antisemitism, Bad on Israel

• Jewish Insider 1/2/25: AOC compares Israel’s war against Hamas to Vietnam [“The left-wing Democrat said that the war had been ‘generationally radicalizing’ and blamed it in part for her loss in the House Oversight Committee leadership race”]
• Free Beacon 1/2/25: Schumer Pick for DNC Chair Is Soft on Anti-Israel Radicals

Free Speech/Right to Protest (Defending and targeting)

• PEN American 1/2/25: For Federal Censorship of Higher Ed, Here’s What Could Happen in 2025
• Jewish Link 1/1/25: BCJAC and Rep. Gottheimer Advocate for NJ IHRA Bill
• Jewish Insider 12/30/24: Rep. Kathy Manning says Jews are feeling increasingly insecure in American life

Other stuff

• Truth Out 1/3/25: “We Have to Act”: Taxpayers Suing Congressmembers for Funding Genocide Speak Out
• Counterpunch 1/3/25: Why Congress Members Face a Lawsuit for Funding Israel’s War on Gaza
• Arutz Sheva 1/3/25: Lawsuit seeks to ban Congressmen from voting for military aid to Israel
• Reuters 12/30/24: Fact Check: Benefits for soldiers serving in Israeli military not included in US spending bill
• Jewish News Syndicate 12/23/24: Rep. Torres notes world silence on ‘machinery of death’ in Assad’s Syria
• Jewish News Syndicate 12/21/24: Gottheimer blasts Rutgers faculty union for endorsing BDS