FMEP Legislative Round-Up November 8, 2024

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings
4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Elex/Politics
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New:

  • On 11/7/24 the Arab American Institute hosted a webinar examining the results of the 2024 US Presidential election, featuring AAI President Dr. Jim Zogby & AAI Executive Director Maya Berry in conversation with Lara Friedman (FMEP), Gerald Seib (Former Wall Street Journal Exec. Washington Editor), & John Zogby (Founder, John Zogby Strategies).  The panel provided analysis on the election outcome and its impact on domestic and foreign policy, the state of American democracy, and next steps on continued support for Palestinian human rights.

1. Bills & Resolutions

(BAD ERDOGAN FOR NOT SUPPORTING ISRAEL AS IT EXTERMINATES PALESTINIANS & LEBANESE, ETC) H. Res. 1562: Introduced 11/1/24 by Titus (D-NV), Schneider (D-IL) and Bilirakis (R-FL), “Condemning President Erdogan and his regime for issuing destabilizing statements following the attacks on the State of Israel on October 7, 2023, endangering the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s mission, threatening the territorial integrity of neighboring countries, supporting terrorism, and fostering antisemitic behavior around the globe.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs

(TARGETING IRAN & OTHERS MALIGN ACTS INSIDE THE US) S. XXXX: On 11/4/24 Sen. Ernst (R-IA) issued a press release, Ernst, Hassan Crack Down on Iran Funding Crime in U.S. (Hassan, D-NH, press release), aka, the Deterring External Threats and Ensuring Robust Responses to Egregious and Nefarious Criminal Endeavors (DETERRENCE) Act.  A one-pager describing the bill states: “Foreign adversaries are increasingly paying criminals to commit violent crimes against their critics, including those who reside in the United States. In a notable recent example, the Department of Justice indicted a General in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as members of an Eastern European criminal organization, for their role in an effort to kill a U.S. citizen who was critical of the Iranian regime. Senators’ Hassan and Ernst’s bipartisan legislation would help strengthen criminal penalties for those who commit or attempt to commit violent crimes in the United States on behalf of foreign adversaries. These increased penalties would help reduce the willingness of criminals to commit violence against critics of foreign adversaries who are living in the United States.”

On Next Week’s Suspension Calendar

(TARGETING NGOs THAT SUPPORT PALESTINIAN RIGHTS) HR 9495 (text): Introduced 9/9/24 by Tenney (R-NY) and 3 bipartisan cosponsors – Kustoff (R-TN), Schneider (D-IL) & Titus (D-NV) – “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to postpone tax deadlines and reimburse paid late fees for United States nationals who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad, to terminate the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations, and for other purposes.” Passed by the House Ways & Means Committee 9/11/24. Below is from coverage of this bill in the 9/13/24 edition of the Round-Up. Also see my 11/6/24 X-thread on the bill.

2. Letters

(BAN ENTRY TO UK MP FOR “HAMAS TIES”) 11/4/24: Jewish Insider – Rep. Mast urges visa ban for British MP over alleged Hamas ties [“Mast accused Nassem Shah of ties to known terrorist groups and said she should not be allowed to attend an upcoming conference in Washington, D.C.”] [letter text]

(BIDEN: MORE SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL, NOW!) 11/4/24: McCaul Urges President Biden to Take Urgent Action to Support Israel Amid Increasing Threats from Iran [letter text].

(MASSIVE SANCTIONS ON PALESTINIANS IF THEY TARGET ISRAEL AT UN) 11/4/23: Sen. Cruz, Colleagues Send Letter [to US Ambassador to the UN] Opposing Palestinian Effort to Suspend Israel from U.N. General Assembly [letter text, dated 10/29/24]. The letter threatens far-reaching consequences for the Palestinians if they move to get Israel suspended from the General Assembly [bold added by me — “Regarding the U.S.-Palestinian relationship, it is grounded in and structured by agreements going back to the Oslo Accords. Those agreements committed the Palestinians not to internationalize their conflict with Israel outside the contours of bilateral negotiations, which the United States has traditionally mediated. The proposal by President Abbas to suspend Israel from the UN General Assembly would straightforwardly violate and fundamentally abrogate those commitments, in turn requiring a comprehensive reevaluation of the U.S.-Palestinian relationship. We would pursue such a reevaluation, which will minimally include downgrading cooperation with the PA, ending assistance to the West Bank and Gaza, terminating all Palestinian-related offices across the U.S. government including the Palestinian-facing consulate and the Office of Palestinian Affairs, and broadly curtailing diplomatic, economic, and security engagements between American and Palestinian officials.” And “the PLO and PA are both already subject to American antiterrorism sanctions, though those sanctions are vitiated by licenses and waivers, and are primarily limited to Americans’ ability to assist those groups. Should the PLO move to suspend Israel from the UN General Assembly, we will seek to ensure that those licenses and waivers are ended, and to expand American antiterrorism sanctions to include third parties. More specifically, in 1987 Congress determined ‘that the PLO and its affiliates are a terrorist organization and a threat to the interests of the United States, its allies, and to international law’ (P.L. 100-204, 101 Stat. 1406), and Americans are in general prohibited from conducting transactions on their behalf or issuing diplomatic visas to PLO officials. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury has determined ‘pursuant to OFAC’s terrorism sanctions programs, U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with the Palestinian Authority unless authorized’ as a result of elections held in 2006, in which Hamas was empowered to form the majority party within the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and hold high-level offices within PA. OFAC has issued a series of general licenses authorizing a wide range of such transactions, and special licenses are routinely granted for provisioning visas to PLO officials. Beyond the termination of those licenses, we would seek to impose binding restrictions on the movement of Palestinian officials operating under diplomatic visas related to UN activities, to freeze transactions related to funds controlled by the PA and PLO when they come within U.S. jurisdiction including those related to the Palestine Investment Fund, to designate the PA as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist [note: Congress does not have the authority to make either of these designations], and to implement and enforce primary and secondary antiterrorism sanctions against individual PLO and PA officials.”

(REDESIGNATE HOUTHIS AS FTO) 11/1/24: Rosen, Rubio Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging Administration to Redesignate The Houthis As A Foreign Terrorist Organization [letter text]

(THE ICC PROSECUTOR IS A BAD, BAD MAN FOR GOING AFTER ISRAEL & NOW WE CAN GET HIM BECAUSE OF TOTALLY UNRELATED ALLEGATIONS) 11/1/24: U.S. Senators [Graham (R-SC), Cardin (D-MD), Thune (R-SD), Blumenthal (D-CT), Ernst (R-IA) and Fetterman (D-PA)] Call for Review of ICC Prosecutor’s Decision to Apply for Arrest Warrants for Israeli Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Timing of Misconduct Allegations [letter text]. Also see: Pro-Israel senators call for probe of ICC prosecutor  (Jewish Insider 11/4/24) 

(TARGETING TWITCH STREAMER, INCL FOR PRO-PALESTINE) 10/29/24: Congressman Ritchie Torres Writes to Executives at Twitch and Amazon: Hasan Piker is Dangerous [letter text]. Also see: Twitch faces criticism over Israel-Gaza war content on platform (NBC News 11/24/24)

3. Hearings & Markups

None [Congress not in session]

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

Media

Members

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings
4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Elex/Politics
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New :

  •  11/1/24: WEBINAR co-convened by FMEP & MEI, Israel’s UNRWA Ban: What it means for Gaza, the UN and the World, ft. Roland Friedrich, Director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank; Mona Jebril, Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge;Alexander Smith, JD/MPH/MA, former USAID official (resigned May 2024); moderated by: Khaled Elgindy (MEI) and Lara Friedman (FMEP)

1. Bills & Resolutions

(TARGETING NON-PROFIT SECTOR) HR 10067: Introduced 10/29/24 by Gaetz (R-FL) and 3 Republican cosponsors, “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from tax-exempt status entities which provide goods or services to individuals who are not citizens or nationals of the United States,” aka the “Helping Americans by Restricting Resources to Immigrant Services Act of 2024″ aka the “HARRIS Act of 2024”. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. Also see Gaetz press release – Congressman Gaetz Introduces Legislation to End Tax-Exempt Status for Non-Profits Abetting the U.S. Border Invasion. NOTE: While this bill is about grandstanding on immigration issues, in practice, if passed, it would end the non-profit status of the entire ecosystem of organizations engaged in international work, including every humanitarian aid group (including faith organizations) and including every organization that raises funds for…Israel.

(LEGISLATING THE IHRA DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM) On 10/29/24, Axios published: Schumer pledges to pass antisemitism bill in Senate’s lame-duck session. According to this report, Schumer (D-NY) intends to attach the Antisemitism Awareness Act to the NDAA (must-pass legislation). Notably:

2. Letters

(NO WARS WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORIZATION!) 11/1/24: Tlaib, Bush Lead War Powers Letter to President Biden [letter text]. Also see: Progressives Demand Biden Explain US Military Involvement in Israel’s ‘Expanding Wars,’ Warn Congress Can Remove Troops (Zeteo 11/1/24)

(REINSTATE HOUTHIS’ FTO STATUS) 11/1/24: Jewish Insider – Bipartisan Senate group urges administration to reinstate Houthis’ Foreign Terrorist Organization designation [letter text]

(WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT LEBANON) 10/31/24:  Kaine, Shaheen, and Van Hollen Express Concern About Violence in Lebanon and Push for De-Escalation [letter text]

(INVESTIGATE PRO-PALESTINE PROTESTERS AS AGENTS OF HOSTILE FOREIGN ACTORS) 10/31/24: Westerman Continues Investigation into Union Station Protests and Hostile Foreign Influences [letter text]

(DEAR FRANCE: DON’T STOP ARMING ISRAEL, NO MATTER WHAT IT DOES) 10/29/24: Gottheimer, Wilson Lead Bipartisan Letter to Macron Expressing Deep Concern Over Call to Halt Arms Deliveries to Israel – Urge Macron to reconsider position and enhance democracy and security. Highlight importance to safety of American and French citizens. [letter text]. Also see: Lawmakers urge France’s Macron to ‘reconsider’ potential arms embargo on Israel (Jewish Insider 10/29/24)

(WITCH HUNT TARGETING IRANIAN-AMERICAN AT THE PENTAGON) 10/29/24: Mast Demands Answers on Pentagon’s Promotion of Iranian Influence Agent [Ariane Tabatabai] [letter text]

(STATES MUST CONDUCT WITCH HUNTS AGAINST NGOS THAT SUPPORT PALESTINIANS) 10/29/24: Chairman Smith (R-MO) Calls for States to Investigate Nonprofits Engaged in Antisemitic and Illegal Activity, including Supporting Terrorism [letter text]

(DON’T EVEN DARE THINK ABOUT CONSEQUENCES FOR ISRAEL AT THE UN FOR GENOCIDE, ABROGATING UN MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES, KILLING UN STAFF, ETC… OR ELSE) 10/25/24: Representatives Lawler, Moskowitz Lead Bipartisan Letter Signed by More Than 100 Colleagues to UN Secretary-General Slamming Efforts to Downgrade Israel’s Status [letter text]. Also see: Over 100 Congress members tell Guterres US will slash funding to UN if Israel’s status downgrades (Jerusalem Post 10/25/24); 12 Dems join GOP lawmakers to threaten UN funding over ‘ongoing hostility’ to Israel (Fox 10/25/24)

(THE ICC PROSECUTOR IS A BAD, BAD MAN FOR GOING AFTER ISRAEL & NOW WE CAN GET HIM BECAUSE OF TOTALLY UNRELATED ALLEGATIONS) 10/23/24: Graham: ICC Prosecutor Misconduct Allegations, Timeline Cast Moral Cloud Over Israeli Arrest Warrant Applications [letter text]. Also see: Sen. Graham demands ICC release records of prosecutor’s misconduct allegations (Jewish News Syndicate 10/27/24); US senator demands ICC release records of sexual misconduct allegations against prosecutor (Jewish Chronicle UK 10/27/24); ICC prosecutor facing scrutiny from Capitol Hill amid sexual misconduct allegations (Jewish Insider 10/29/24)

3. Hearings & Markups

None [Congress not in session]

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

General

Arizona

California

Connecticut

Indiana

Michigan

New Mexico

New York

Pennsylvania

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

Progressive Failure of Courage, in Action

Israel Passes Laws Banning UNRWA

  • Garcia (D-IL) 10/30/24: X-post – “The Israeli government’s UNRWA ban is illegal under international law, and will deepen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. I strongly support U.S. and international pressure calling for the ban to be repealed.“
  • Welch (D-VT) 10/30/24: X-post – “The Israeli Knesset’s decision to ban the UN Palestinian refugee agency from operating in Israel will harm the millions of Palestinians already on the brink of starvation and those forced from their land by violent settlers. No other organization can replace UNRWA in the region.“
  • Jayapal (D-WA) 10/30/24: X-thread – “Israel’s legislature just banned UNRWA from operating — an unacceptable move that goes against US interests and will restrict humanitarian aid delivery to millions. UNRWA is irreplaceable. Their efforts must not be blocked. The Biden-Harris admin urged Israel not to pass this law and said that a ban could have implications under US law. But the Knesset passed the law anyway. As the largest funder of offensive military aid to Israel, we must use our leverage to hold them accountable. UNRWA’s work to address the humanitarian crisis in the region is essential to saving lives and achieving long-term security. That’s why I introduced a bill to restore US funding to UNRWA w/ @RepAndreCarson & @janschakowsky, & I’ll keep fighting to ensure their work can continue.“
  • Bush (D-MO) 10/30/24: X-post – “The Israeli government has bombed Gaza for over a year, massacring and starving Palestinians. Now, they have banned UNRWA, the United Nations agency that aids Palestinian refugees. Every dollar the U.S. gives to the Israeli government funds these war crimes. #ArmsEmbargoNow“
  • McCollum (D-MN) 10/30/24: X-thread – “Israel’s new laws banning @UNRWA only punish civilians, especially the most vulnerable in Gaza. By deepening the misery and suffering for children and the elderly, Israel’s government is making an already dire humanitarian situation even a more desperate.“
  • DeLauro (D-CT) 10/29/24: DeLauro Statement on Israel Banning UNRWA
  • Pressley (D-MA) 10/29/24: X-post – “The Israeli government is starving Palestinians in Gaza, blocking aid, and now banning an essential humanitarian agency like UNRWA. Unconscionable. This is a blatant violation of international law and we must do everything we can to stop it.“
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 10/29/24: X-post – “Intentionally blocking aid, targeting humanitarian workers, and now banning UNRWA. All of Gaza is on the brink of famine. The Israeli government is using starvation as a weapon of war. How much more evidence does the Biden-Harris administration need to stop these war crimes?“

We Hate UNRWA

Accountability for American Killed by Israel

  • Jayapal (D-WA) 10/29/24: X-thread – “It has been 53 days since Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was killed in the West Bank, and we have seen no movement toward an independent investigation by the U.S. government. The U.S. is the largest backer of military assistance to Israel.  If the Israeli government is unwilling or unable to follow our own domestic laws as well as international humanitarian laws, we must demand accountability. To ensure the trust of our own U.S. citizens, we must initiate our own investigation into Eygi’s killing, use our leverage to demand changes to the IDF’s rules of engagement, and apply our domestic laws to this situation for full accountability. Recently, 102 members of Congress wrote a letter calling for an independent investigation into Eygi’s killing. My colleagues and I will not rest until we have answers. Today I met with Aysenur Ezgi Eygi’s family and we spent some time talking about the person she was, the light she brought into a room, and her dedication to justice. I will continue to call for an independent investigation into her killing to get accountability.”
  • Smith (D-WA) 10/29/24: X-post – “Today I met with Aysenur Ezgi Eygi’s family. She was a Seattle resident, graduate of the University of Washington, and a constituent of Washington’s Ninth Congressional District. In September, I led a letter calling for an independent investigation of her shooting. I believe the U.S. needs to conduct a full, independent investigation. We must get to the truth of what happened when she was killed. We must demand accountability and transparency from Israel. I’m grateful that Aysenur’s family took the time to speak with me today. My heart is with them throughout this extraordinarily difficult time.”

We Love Israel & Approve of/Defend Literally Anything It Does

Iran

Targeting Academia

Members’ Travel to Mideast

Other stuff

  • Sherman (D-CA) 10/30/24: X-post doubling down on the US ambassador to the UN’s latest attack on UN special envoy Francesca Albanese, “Last year I led my colleagues in sending @antonioguterres a letter urging Albanese’s firing after her latest antisemitic tirade. The UN’s continued employment of Albanese, who promotes age-old antisemitism and “Jewish lobby” conspiracies, shows the UN’s embrace of #antisemitism.”
  • Bowman (D-NY) 10/28/24: X-thread – “Some reflections on this clip that @nhannahjones shared: I was so overcome with emotion after initially watching this video a few weeks ago that I did not know what to say. Overcome not only because of the way in which Mr. Coates is attacked in this video, but I felt triggered because I have been attacked in very similar ways throughout my four years in Congress…”
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 10/27/24: X-post in response to UN-OCHA statement about Israel’s military assault on northern Gaza & the horrific toll on Palestinian civilians – “.@SecBlinken I wanted you to see what your lies to Congress led to. Ignore it or hide it like you have been, but history won’t forget what you did. You could have stopped the starvation by telling us the truth. You decided to lie about it.”

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings
4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Elex/Politics
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New from FMEP:

  • New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast 10/21/24 – Holding Israeli Media Accountable: Incitement to Genocide is a Crime, ft. FMEP’s Sarah Anne Minkin speaking with Israeli human rights attorney Alon Sapir about the legal complaint he recently filed, together with other Israeli attorneys, accusing Israeli media Channel 14 of incitement to genocide against Palestinians and other grave crimes.

1. Bills & Resolutions

(STAND WITH ISRAEL AGAINST EVIL UNITED NATIONS) S. XXXX [pdf of bill]: On 10/23/24, Sen. Risch (R-ID) issued a press release — Risch to Lead 27 Colleagues in Introducing Stand with Israel Act to Combat Israel’s Persecution at UN. The bill would cut off US funding to the UN itself, or any UN agency, etc., “that expels, downgrades or suspends membership, or otherwise restricts the participation of Israel such that it may not participate fully and equivalently with other Member States of the United Nations or the respective fund, program, specialized agency, or other related entity.” Risch notes in his press release (which includes equally enraged, juicy quotes from his GOP cosponsors): “Any attempt to alter Israel’s status at the UN is clearly anti-Semitic… That said, if the UN member states allow the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization to downgrade Israel’s status at the UN, the U.S. must stop supporting the UN system, as it would clearly be beyond repair. I am disgusted that this outrageous idea has even been discussed, and will do all we can to ensure any changes to Israel’s status will come with consequences.” Also see: Also see: Senate Republicans threaten UN funding if global body sidelines Israel (Jewish News Syndicate 10/23/24)

(41 YEARS LATER, DESIGNATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1983 BEIRUT MARINE BARRACKS BOMBING A “NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE”) H. Res. 1551: Introduced 10/22/24 by Pence (R-IN) and Stefanik (R-NY), “Expressing support for the designation of October 23, 2024, as a national day of remembrance of the tragic 1983 terrorist bombing of the United States Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. Referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

2. Letters

[PASS ANTI-ICC LAW] 10/24/24: Jewish Insider reports – Johnson pressures Schumer to bring up legislation sanctioning the ICC –  In a letter, the House Speaker expressed frustration about the bill being stalled in the upper chamber

[KUSHNER-KSA FARA VIOLATIONS?] 10/24/24: Wyden, Raskin Call for Department of Justice to Appoint a Special Counsel to Investigate Jared Kushner for Acting as an Unregistered Foreign Agent [letter text]. Also see: Exclusive: Democratic lawmakers request probe into Kushner after Reuters Saudi report (Reuters 10/24/24)

[DESTROY UNRWA!] 10/23/24: Cotton to Biden: Continued Support for the UNRWA Funds Terrorist Activities and Prolongs War [letter embedded in press release; link to pdf may be broken]. NOTE: One of the hooks for this letter is “Israel reportedly found a passport belonging to a UNRWA teacher on Yahya Sinwar’s body”. As I covered in a 10/24/24 X-thread, “…First: this is NOT AN UNRWA-ISSUED DOC. It is clearly a PA-issued passport that (among other things) lists the holder’s occupation as ‘UNRWA teacher’. Some UNRWA antagonists argue the passport proves one of Sinwar’s bodyguards, killed with him, worked for UNRWA. In fact, the passport belongs to a man who is alive & in Cairo, where he fled w/ his family in April (confirmed, incl by Israeli media). Some UNRWA antagonists suggest the ID proves Sinwar used UNRWA as cover to travel. In fact: – the document is INVALID: exp in 2017 & has holes punched across the bottom (done by authorities upon issuance of a new/replacement doc). So no way it could be used for travel. And – the person pictured in the document bears no resemblance to Sinwar & the date of birth on the document is for a man 22 yrs younger than Sinwar. So no way he could have been using it as an ID. These facts, plus the condition of the document (implausibly pristine, given that it was allegedly found at a scene of extreme destruction) have led to speculation that it was at some point obtained by Israel (after being left behind when its owner fled to Egypt)…and then placed at the scene of Sinwar’s killing for the purpose of igniting/fueling yet another round of attacks on UNRWA. Regardless of how you feel about such speculation, it is undeniable that this ID document – despite not being issued by UNRWA, offering zero value to Sinwar, & belonging to a real person displaced by Israel to Egypt – has indeed ignited/fueled a new round of attacks on UNRWA…“

[US MUST CONDEMN ERDOGAN FOR BEING MEAN TO ISRAEL]  Lawmakers call on State Department to publicly condemn Turkey’s Erdoğan (Jewish Insider 10/23/24) [letter text]

[END ARMS TRANSFERS TO ISRAEL] 10/22/24: Urging Congress to Pass Joint Resolutions of Disapproval and End Arms Transfers to Israel [signed by 110+ civil society organizations]

[STOP WITHHOLDING WEAPONS FROM ISRAEL] 10/22/24: Rep. Banks Calls on Biden Admin to Stop Withholding Weapons from Israel [letter text]

[INVESTIGATE ISRAELI ATTACK ON US JOURNO] 10/22/24: Sanders Leads Call on Biden, Blinken, Garland to Investigate Israeli Attack on American Journalist [letter text]. Also see: Sanders leads call for DOJ to investigate Israeli attack on journalists (The Hill 10/22/24), Sanders calls for review of IDF airstrike in Gaza that injured journalists (Jewish News Syndicate 10/23/24)

[BRIEF CONGRESS ON INVESTIGATION OF LEAK OF ISRAELI IRAN ATTACK PLANS] 10/22/24: Cotton to Biden: Brief Congress on Leak Investigation [letter text]. Also see: ‘Outrageous Betrayal of Trust’: Cotton Presses Biden-Harris Admin To Hold Biweekly Briefings on Explosive Leak of Classified US Intel on Israel (Free Beacon 10/22/24)

[TARGETING CRITICISM OF ISRAEL/ZIONISM] 10/22/24: Ranking Member Cassidy Urges EEOC to Investigate Antisemitism in the Workplace Following October 7, Requests Further Information [letter text]

[GIVE MEDIA ACCESS TO GAZA] 10/21/24: McGovern, 64 House Democrats Write to Biden Administration Urging Unimpeded Media Access to Gaza [letter text]. Also see: Democrats urge Biden to push Israel for press freedom in Gaza (The Hill 10/21/24)

[DESIGNATE HOUTHIS AS AN FTO] 10/21/24: Gottheimer Urges Senate Leadership to Redesignate Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization [letter text]

3. Hearings & Markups

None [Congress not in session]

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

General

New York

Michigan

Maryland

  • MOCO 360 10/24/24: Hogan talks Israel, dines on matzo ball soup at Potomac deli
  • Jewish Insider 10/23/24: Alsobrooks: Trump responsible for ‘a lot of’ the current antisemitism across the U.S. [“Alsobrooks also referenced concerns about the safety of Jewish students on college campuses amid continued anti-Israel protests in Maryland and across the country… Asked about her positions on supporting Israel and deterring Iran, Alsobrooks referenced discussions with Cardin, a pro-Israel stalwart, on the issue…’The United States and Israel not only share common values, but also share common interests, and that relationship between the United States and Israel is a longstanding one,’ Alsobrooks said. ‘I might also add that the relationship has been supported on a bipartisan basis for many, many decades now. I think it’s important that it remains so, that this not become an issue that is a political issue. I think the relationship between the United States and Israel is solid. It’s an over 80 year relationship.‘”]

New Jersey

  • Jewish Insider 10/23/24: Appointed Sen. George Helmy boasts good relations with New Jersey Jewish community [“‘Through the years, Senator Helmy has been involved in many meetings with community, faith, education, and business leaders to discuss the prosperity and protection of the Jewish and Israeli American population in the state,’ the spokesperson said. ‘And with the concerning rise in antisemitism over the past few years, Senator Helmy has supported the Governor, Attorney General, and other law enforcement agencies in their efforts to protect those within the Jewish and Israeli American population in their homes, schools, places of worship, and beyond.’”
  • Jewish Insider 10/22/24: Citing North Korea threat, Andy Kim says he has ‘empathy’ for Israelis and Jewish Americans [“The New Jersey Democratic congressman and Senate candidate, whose family lives in South Korea, connected his parents’ immigrant experience to his support for the Jewish state”]

California

  • Politico 10/23/24: AIPAC goes in for Jimmy Gomez [“The pro-Israel group is boosting Gomez against another California Democrat in the November election.“]

Maine

Alabama

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

Normalization Is Coming!

Three Cheers for Israeli Military Action in Gaza & Lebanon!

Iran & Biden Admin on Iran

NOT ON-BOARD with Israel’s Actions in Lebanon &/or Gaza &/or West Bank

  • Tlaib (D-MI) 10/23/24: X-post – “The rogue Israeli apartheid regime is now burning UN peacekeepers with white phosphorus and our government is doing nothing to stop them. This is a war crime.” Linked to 10/24/24 Financial Times article, Israel launched a dozen attacks on UN troops in Lebanon, says leaked report – Confidential document says 15 peacekeepers injured by white phosphorus
  • Massie (R-KY) 10/23/24: X-post – “If Israel insists on destroying civilian targets in Lebanon, let them buy and build their own weapons. American taxpayers should not be funding this.” [commenting on video of Israel blowing up an apartment building in Lebanon – worth reading the replies, including Massie’s responses to at least one of the replies]
  • Van Hollen (D-MD), Shaheen (D-NH), Murphy (D-CT), & Kaine (D-VA) 10/21/24: Statement Expressing Concern About the Escalation of Violence in Lebanon
  • Pocan (D-WI) 10/19/24: X-post – “This week in Susya, a village in the West Bank, an illegal settler attacked community members harvesting olives & the @IDF of Israel did nothing to stop the attack. This is unacceptable, @Israel. I & several other members of Congress have visited Susya – and are watching.”

It’s Always a Good Day To Target UNRWA

  • The Hill/Asaf Romirowsky, SPME 10/23/24: Sinwar’s UNRWA ties show Congress was right to cut off funding — NOTE:  As I covered in a 10/24/24 X-thread, “…First: this is NOT AN UNRWA-ISSUED DOC. It is clearly a PA-issued passport that (among other things) lists the holder’s occupation as ‘UNRWA teacher’. Some UNRWA antagonists argue the passport proves one of Sinwar’s bodyguards, killed with him, worked for UNRWA. In fact, the passport belongs to a man who is alive & in Cairo, where he fled w/ his family in April (confirmed, incl by Israeli media). Some UNRWA antagonists suggest the ID proves Sinwar used UNRWA as cover to travel. In fact: – the document is INVALID: exp in 2017 & has holes punched across the bottom (done by authorities upon issuance of a new/replacement doc). So no way it could be used for travel. And – the person pictured in the document bears no resemblance to Sinwar & the date of birth on the document is for a man 22 yrs younger than Sinwar. So no way he could have been using it as an ID. These facts, plus the condition of the document (implausibly pristine, given that it was allegedly found at a scene of extreme destruction) have led to speculation that it was at some point obtained by Israel (after being left behind when its owner fled to Egypt)…and then placed at the scene of Sinwar’s killing for the purpose of igniting/fueling yet another round of attacks on UNRWA. Regardless of how you feel about such speculation, it is undeniable that this ID document – despite not being issued by UNRWA, offering zero value to Sinwar, & belonging to a real person displaced by Israel to Egypt – has indeed ignited/fueled a new round of attacks on UNRWA…” Learn more: What we know about the ‘UNRWA ID’ allegedly found among Sinwar’s belongings (FRANCE 24 English); UNRWA Staff Member: The Truth Behind the Passport Allegedly Found by the Occupation After Sinwar’s Death (Misbar); UNRWA Secretary General Philippe Lazzarini 10/17/24 X-post — “Once again, unchecked information is used to discredit @UNRWA & its staff. Earlier today, reports circulated on social & Israeli media that an UNRWA staff member was killed together with the Hamas head in Gaza. I confirm that the staff member in question is alive. He currently lives in Egypt where he traveled with his family in April through the Rafah border. Time to put an end to disinformation campaigns.”

Targeting Free Speech/Right to Protest

Other Stuff

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings
4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Elex/Politics
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New from FMEP:

  • New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast 10/14/24: Israel’s Plans for a “New Order” in the Middle East, ft. FMEP’s Lara Friedman in conversation with Jadaliyya’s Mouin Rabbani about Israel’s war on Gaza, its offensive in Lebanon, and how these and other developments fit into Israel’s broader objectives in the region, most notably with respect to Iran.
  • New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast 10/16/24 (recorded 10/10/24): “The clash between the stories we tell and the reality of life on the ground” – ft. FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaking with journalist and author Ta-Nehisi Coates about Coates’ new book, The Message. 

1. Bills & Resolutions

Sanders (I-VT) X-post 10/15/24: “When Congress returns, I will move Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block offensive arms sales to Israel. But President Biden should act now: Israel is clearly violating U.S. & international law, using starvation as a tool of its all-out war against the Palestinian people.”

2. Letters

3. Hearings & Markups

None [Congress not in session]

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

General

Maryland

New York

New Jersey

Wisconsin

Washington

Pennsylvania

Texas

Rhode Island

Oregon

California

Colorado

Maine

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

US Support for Israel

Israel’s War on Lebanon

Attacking Rashida, Yet Again

  • Blackburn (R-TN) 10/16/24: X-post – “Rashida Tlaib called Israeli PM Netanyahu a ‘genocidal maniac.’ Does she need to be reminded that she has repeatedly called for the genocide of the Jewish people and has reported ties to Hamas terrorists?“
  • Haaretz 10/14/24: Democratic Lawmaker Rashida Tlaib Calls Netanyahu ‘Genocidal’ in Social Media Post [“In response to Tlaib’s message, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said on X, ‘The only ones who burned children alive were your buddies over at Hamas.“]

Concern about  Gaza

  • McCollum (D-MN) 10/16/24: Rep McCollum Expresses Support For U.S. Pressure on Israel to Improve Humanitarian Situation in Gaza (X-thread)
  • Houlihan (D-PA) 10/16/24: X-post – “I support @SecBlinken and @SecDef Austin for urging Israeli leadership to improve the humanitarian conditions for those in Gaza. As the situation continues to worsen, this cannot wait.”
  • The Intercept 10/16/24: A Year Since Their Ceasefire Resolution, Progressives Say Only an Arms Embargo Can Stop Israel [“Her call for a ceasefire was prescient. Now Rep. Cori Bush says the Biden administration must stop enabling Israel’s violence.“]
  • Bush (D-MO) 10/16/24: X-post – “Over the past year, we’ve witnessed the Israeli government commit war crimes in Gaza. We don’t need 30 days. We don’t need more empty words. We need action. We need an arms embargo.” In response to Biden Admin letter putting Israel on 30-day notice re arms exports.
  • Shaheen (D-NH) 10/16/24: X-post – “It is vital that the U.S. and our allies take all steps to get humanitarian aid to those who need it in Gaza. I strongly urge Israel to abide by its humanitarian commitments as we work towards a ceasefire that gets more aid into Gaza and brings home the hostages held by Hamas.“
  • Murphy (D-CT) 10/15/24: Murphy Statement On Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation In Gaza
  • Van Hollen (D-MD) 10/15/24: Van Hollen Statement on Biden Administration Demanding Netanyahu Government Address Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
  • Jewish News Syndicate 10/15/24: Pelosi: Bipartisan support for Israel ‘does not give license to so many dying’ [“The former House Speaker called for Washington to use its ‘leverage’ over Israel; when pressed, she didn’t explain what that would entail.”]
  • Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) v. Fetterman (D-PA):
    • Ocasio-Cortez 10/14/24: X-post – “The horrors unfolding in northern Gaza are the result of a completely unrestrained Netanyahu gov, fully armed by the Biden admin while food aid is blocked and patients are bombed in hospitals. This is a genocide of Palestinians. The US must stop enabling it. Arms embargo now.“
    • Fetterman 10/15/24: X-post – “The tragedy in Gaza is 100% on Hamas. Stop using civilians and hospitals as shields, surrender, and release all remaining hostages—and this ends.” [responding to Ocasio-Cortez]
    • Ocasio-Cortez 10/15/24: X-post — “I dunno man. I care about little kids dying. I care about human rights. I care that billions of US tax dollars’ worth of weapons are carrying out unspeakable atrocities. I care enough for us to do better. Hope this bleak dunk attempt gets you whatever it is you’re going for.”
    • Jewish Insider 10/16/24: AOC calls for U.S. arms embargo on Israel, but ends up on defensive against far-left
  • Jayapal (D-WA) 10/15/24: X-thread in response to State Dept letter to Israel re: additional military assistance – “This is an important letter from Secretary Blinken & Austen to the Israeli govt. It publicly says that if the Israeli govt does not stop impeding humanitarian assistance into Gaza, the US will apply our domestic laws to any ‘additional Foreign Military assistance to Israel.’ There is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 96% of the population faces food insecurity and famine is a persistent risk. As I have said before, the U.S. already should have applied these laws to stop offensive military assistance to Israel. Still, this is an important step in the right direction to use our leverage to ensure at least 350 trucks a day are entering Gaza.It is the first public written statement that clearly outlines how the Israeli govt has actively impeded the delivery of humanitarian assistance and calls out the Knesset’s efforts to stop  @UNRWA from operating in Gaza which would be disastrous. It also is the first public statement that addresses accountability for the killing of US citizens, including Aysenur Eygi. The letter makes clear the US has not achieved accountability for Aysenur. I renew my call for an US independent investigation into Aysenur’s killing. The brutal & catastrophic death and injury toll in Gaza as a result of the Israeli govt’s failure to uphold intl humanitarian laws & our own domestic law simply cannot continue. We must keep up the pressure to use all our leverage to save the lives of innocent civilians in Gaza...”
  • Anadolu Agency 10/15/24: Some US lawmakers call on Biden administration to stop military aid to Israel
  • Ramirez (D-IL) 10/14/24: X-post – “Our Administration’s ‘ironclad’ support can either be for Netanyahu’s surrender-or-starve plan for Gaza or our own laws. We can’t have it both ways.” In response feeble Biden Admin response to Israel burning Palestinian alive in Gaza
  • Jacobs (D-CA) 10/14/24: X-post – “Prime Minister Netanyahu clearly doesn’t care about our concerns. The only time he’s ever changed behavior is when we’ve exerted our leverage. It’s time to do that now.“
  • Bush (D-MO) 10/14/24: X-post – “There are no words powerful enough to capture the agony of human beings being massacred & burned alive. The U.S. is funding & arming the Israeli military’s extermination of the Palestinian people. It’s unconscionable. End this genocide. There must be an #ArmsEmbargoNow” – In response to Israel burning Palestinian alive in Gaza
  • Escobar (D-CA) 10/14/24: X-post – “Netanyahu’s devastating execution of the war in Gaza has disregarded every moral and strategic red line, indiscriminately killing civilians. American soldiers shouldn’t deploy to Israel. I continue my call on @POTUS to stop sending offensive weapons.” In response to Israel burning Palestinian alive in Gaza
  • Sanders (I-VT) 10/14/24: X-post – “Tens of thousands of people are again under siege in north Gaza. Hundreds have been killed in the last week. Food is scarce, and UN aid convoys are denied access by the Israeli military. We must end our complicity in Netanyahu’s all out war against the Palestinian people.”

Palestinian Effort to kick Israel out of the UN

  • Stefanik (R-NY) 10/16/24: Stefanik Condemns Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ Failure to Combat Antisemitism in the United Nations
  • Graham (R-SC) 10/16/24: X-post – “I realize that this effort by the Palestinians to expel Israel from the UN is political theater. However, given the fact that the Jewish State’s very survival is at risk on multiple fronts, it is incumbent upon me and others to push back strongly. Simply put: if Israel is expelled, it will be the end of the United States’ support for the UN. If Israel goes, so goes America.” [responding to news of the Palestinian effort to have Israel expelled from the UN]
  • Lawler (R-NY) 10/16/24: X-post – “This is precisely why I introduced legislation with @RepMoskowitz revoking UN funding should such a move succeed. It is clear that anti-Israel bias runs deep at the UN, and it must be thwarted.“

Palestinians-Americans, Lebanese-Americans

  • Quigley (D-IL) 10/15/24: X-thread – “This week marks one year since the horrifying murder of Wadee Alfayoumi. Wadee was killed by his family’s landlord in an attack fueled by hatred and bigotry. My thoughts are with his family and friends, especially his mother Hanan Shaheen who was wounded in the attack. Wadee’s senseless murder serves as a stark reminder of the evil presence of Islamophobia and the violence it creates when hate goes unchecked. Together, we must condemn and root out Islamophobia, antisemitism, and hate in all forms. Wadee’s memory must serve as a reminder of the value of life. We must protect the lives of all children, regardless of where they rest their heads at night. Whether in Illinois, Gaza, or Israel, we must commit to protecting innocent lives at all costs.“

Israeli-US War on Iran?

  • Rosendale (R-MT) 10/16/24: Rep. Rosendale Infuriated Over Biden-Harris Deployment of U.S. Troops to Israel; also see X-post – “Why was Congress not consulted before the escalation of a foreign war by sending a ‘THAAD battery and associated crew of U.S. military personnel’ to Israel?“
  • Lee (D-CA) 10/13/24: Progressive Members Call on POTUS to Utilize Diplomacy, Reject Calls for War with Iran
  • Hoyer (D-MD) 10/11/24: X-post – “I commend the Biden-Harris Administration for confronting Iran’s latest attack against our ally Israel, which was thankfully thwarted. Israel has a right to defend itself, and the U.S. will continue to confront Iran’s efforts to arm terrorists, fuel hate, and threaten Israel.”
  • Pallone (D-NY) 10/15/24: X-post – “These sanctions will hinder Iran’s weapons program & constrain Iran’s attempts at evasion. Iran must recognize that there are consequences for its ongoing support of terrorist proxies throughout the Middle East & its attack against our ally Israel.” Linked to article on new US sanctions.

Targeting Academia & Civil Society Sector

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings
4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Elex/Politics
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New from FMEP:

  • New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast: The (Bipartisan) Betrayal of Arab Americans, ft. FMEP fellow Peter Beinart in conversation with Maya Berry, Executive Director of the Arab American Institute. The two discuss Maya’s experience testifying on hate crimes before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September, where several Republican Senators challenged her in a manner reflecting clear anti-Arab bias/prejudice/hate. Peter and Maya also discuss Maya’s testimony on anti-Arab hate crimes and why it’s so difficult to collect good data on them. Additionally, Peter and Maya talk about the 2024 presidential election and the ways in which Vice President Kamala Harris has botched her relationship with Arab Americans.

Also see: Israel and Hamas Conflict In Brief: Overview, U.S. Policy, and Options for Congress (Congressional Research Service, Update 10/4/24)

1. Bills & Resolutions

2. Letters

3. Hearings & Markups

None [Congress not in session]

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

General/National

Maryland

Pennsylvania

California

  • Jewish Insider 10/10/24: UDP launches ad campaign against David Kim, far-left Dem challenging Rep. Jimmy Gomez [“David Kim, a third-time challenger to Gomez, supports cutting off U.S. aid to Israel, said the U.S. should try to force governmental change in Israel and expressed support for BDS“]
  • ABC7 News 10/9/24: Adam Schiff and Steve Garvey discuss top issues facing California during U.S. Senate Candidate Forum [“‘The United States needs to continue to support its ally Israel in its right to defend itself,’ said Schiff. ‘No nation state could go through that kind of attack and not defend itself. What’s more, we cannot have a situation where [Hamas] continues to control Gaza or threaten the lives of Israelis, Americans and others. So we need to support Israel. At the same time, we need to make sure that we’re doing all we can to ultimately bring about a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can live in security and peace.’ Garvey responded, saying, ‘I’ve said from the beginning that I support Israel yesterday, today and tomorrow. I will stand by them for all their needs, at any time, but I could never tell them they can’t protect their sovereignty.’ ‘We need to get the hostages back,’ he continued. ‘But let’s face it, in two administrations, with the Obama and the Biden administration, [Schiff] voted for significant packages of billions of dollars to Iran. Why to pander to Iran?'”]

Georgia

Michigan

Florida

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

October 7, 2023 anniversary

  • Many, many members of Congress issued statements or published social media posts expressing support for/solidarity with Israel on the anniversary of the 10/7/23 Hamas attacks on Israel.
  • Many include language in effect blaming Iran for the 10/7 attacks.
  • Some explicitly or implicitly frame the Hamas attack as an attack on the Jewish people (as opposed to on Israel/Israelis).
  • Many include support for Israel’s war on Gaza, its war on Lebanon, and its impending attack on Iran.
  • Many talk about the imperative for the US to stand with Israel until “victory”
  • Many talk about Israeli hostages and the imperative to save them, notwithstanding the fact that the Israeli government appears to have long ago written them off as necessary collateral damage in its war on Gaza.
  • A very small number mention Palestinian suffering and casualties, or anything about restraint, de-escalation, ceasefire, concern over regional war, or criticize the Israeli govt, etc….
  • Some use the anniversary to double down on conflating protest of Israel/Zionism/Israel’s actions post-Oct 7, especially on US campuses, with antisemitism and vowed to shut down such protests.
  • There are just too many to cover here – check members’ websites and social media accounts to see what any particular member said.

Also see (just a small taste of the coverage):

Graham & Blumenthal in Israel

Targeting Free Speech/Protest/Academia

A Special Section ft. Stunning/unhinged statements/posts by Reps. Torres & Fetterman

  • Torres (D-NY) 10/9/24: X-post attacking Zeteo’s Mehdi Hassan and accusing him of antisemitism for a post recalling (accurately) that Bin Laden stated that it was Israel’s 1982 attacks on Lebanon that inspired him to target the Twin Towers [Bin Laden stated: “…God knows it did not cross our minds to attack the towers but after the situation became unbearable and we witnessed the injustice and tyranny of the American-Israeli alliance against our people in Palestine and Lebanon, I thought about it. And the events that affected me directly were that of 1982 and the events that followed – when America allowed the Israelis to invade Lebanon, helped by the US sixth fleet. In those difficult moments many emotions came over me which are hard to describe, but which produced an overwhelming feeling to reject injustice and a strong determination to punish the unjust. As I watched the destroyed towers in Lebanon, it occurred to me punish the unjust the same way [and] to destroy towers in America so it could taste some of what we are tasting and to stop killing our children and women.”]
  • Torres (D-NY) 10/9/24: X-thread supporting/cheering on US Jews organizations that are firing Jewish employees over criticism of Israel – Torres wrote: “Expecting pro-Israel Jewish organizations to associate with Anti-Zionists is as absurd as expecting Black organizations to associate with white supremacists. No community should be compelled to embrace its enemies. The freedom to associate means the freedom to disassociate.“
  • Torres (D-NY) 10/9/24: X-thread defending the NBC journalist for his attack/interview of Ta-Nahesi Coates – using a Free Press headline as the hook, suggesting that Coates “harbors a deep-seated bias against Israel” and “has neither expertise on Israel nor interest in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict“, and ends with a screenshot of a headline suggesting that Coates’s father is an antisemite and noting, “A possible explanation of Coates’ ‘skepticism about Zionism as a project.‘”
  • Torres (D-NY) 10/9/24: X-thread attacking a [Black, female] professor at Queens College for daring to use the term “genocide” to describe what Israel is doing in Gaza  – with a photo taken during class and a photo of part in effect doxxing the professor and her class (name, class, time, room) — he wrote: “On October 7th, at Queens College, in a course entitled ‘Introduction to Women and Gender Studies,’ a professor could not resist the pathological urge to demonize the Jewish State during the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Instead of condemning Hamas’ genocidal campaign to murder as many Jews as it could on October 7th, this propagandist pretending to be a professor falsely frames Israel’s war of self-defense as a genocide against Palestinians. Academic malpractice at its most malicious.“
  • Torres (D-NY) 10/8/24: X-post calling for Beyonce’s creative director to be fired for criticism of Israel/zionism – with a link a TMZ article about the attack, and adding, “Andrew Makadsi, who is the creative director for Beyonce, should be fired for glorifying violence and amplifying antisemitism. There should be zero tolerance for Jew hatred.“
  • Fetterman (D-PA) 10/8/24: X-post “thank u next” – accompanying a screenshot of a Reuters article entitled, “Israel’s [defense minister] Gallant says it appears Nasrallah’s replacement has been eliminated”. Gallant re-posted Fetterman’s post with the comment: “Working on it.“
  • Post Gazette 10/6/24: U.S. Sen. John Fetterman says he’ll support any Israeli response to Iran missile attack [“The senator says Iran is ‘on the ropes’ thanks to Israeli attacks against its terrorist allies“]

Other Stuff

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings
4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Elex/Politics
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New from FMEP:

Also see: Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah: Conflict and Escalation (Congressional Research Service, Update 10/1/24)

1. Bills & Resolutions

(TARGETING UNIONS OVER PALESTINE) S. XXXX (pdf): On 10/3/24, Sen. Cassidy (R-LA) issued a press release: Ranking Member Cassidy Introduces Legislation Preventing Unions from Abusing Workers’ Dues to Promote Antisemitism, Hateful Ideology [the “Union Members Right to Know Act“. As of this writing the bill does not appear in the Congressional Record. NOTE: This is the Senate version of HR 8573, introduced by Foxx (R-NC) 5/28/24.
Pending Legislation

Sanders legislation to block arms sales to Israel:

Bills to legislate the IHRA definition of antisemitism

2. Letters

3. Hearings & Markups

None [Congress not in session]

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

Iranian Missile Attack on Israel

NOTE: Practically every member of Congress came out with a statement (or in many cases, multiple statements over the course of days, continuing as of this writing) about Iran’s 10/1/24 missile attack on Israel [and maybe it’s obvious but it’s still worth noting that the overwhelming majority of those members of Congress have, for the past year, failed to express any concerns about, let alone condemnation of, Israel’s non-stop attacks on Gaza]. There are just too statements to cover here — if you want to see what members said/are saying, check their social media accounts and websites. Common themes in those statements:

  • Condemning the attack, expressing total support for and solidarity with Israel, and enthusiastically supporting Israel’s “right to self-defense.”
  • Characterizing the Iranian military action as unprovoked (notwithstanding Israeli actions like targeting an Iranian diplomatic facility in Syria, or CARRYING OUT AN ASSASSINATION IN TEHRAN);
  • Warning that the attack was a dangerous/destabilizing escalation (apparently Israel’s constant escalations over the past days/weeks/months in Gaza/the West Bank/Lebanon/Yemen/Tehran are not viewed on the Hill as “destabilizing”);
  • Defining the Iranian missile attack as terrorism and antisemitic (notwithstanding the fact that Iran appeared to target Israeli military facilities, rather than civilian areas);
  • Calling for/supporting Israel retaliation [framed as “self-defense”], including military action against Iran, including targeting its oil production facilities and its nuclear program.
  • Calling for/supporting the US to back Israel in retaliating against Iran, including with the U.S. engaging in its own retaliation against Iran, including redoubled economic sanctions and, yes, military action.
  • Mainly Democrats: Expressing pride in the US role in protecting Israel from missiles on 10/1/24; Republicans: using the 10/1 attack as hook to attack Biden/Harris for not supporting Israel enough and failing to be tough enough on Iran
  • A very very small number of statements (all from Democrats) expressed concern about regional escalation and/or urged de-escalation.

Also see:

Hooray for Israel’s War on Lebanon

Members of Congress were unreservedly over-the-moon about the assassination of Nasrallah, with seemingly every or most members issuing statements or posting on social media (too much to cover here – check members’ websites/social media accounts to see what they said).

Members have had far less (indeed, pretty much NOTHING) to say about Israel’s military assault on Lebanon that started before that assassination and that has continued ever since, killing (so far) more than 1300 people, including a large number of medical workers (just like in Gaza), causing widespread destruction and terror, and displacing more than 1 million people, except for a tiny number of progressives speaking out, especially with respect to American citizens under fire in Lebanon (whom the US government is has been doing little/nothing to help).

Also see:

  • Blackburn (R-TN) 10/3/24: X-post – “Eight Israeli soldiers were murdered by terrorists in Lebanon. As we approach the anniversary of October 7th, we must fully support Israel’s right to defend itself.” NOTE: Blackburn is in effect adopting Israel’s longstanding re-writing of the laws of armed conflict to deem IDF soldiers – men in uniform, carrying weapons, engaging in combat – as civilians, who when they are killed in combat are viewed as having been “murdered by terrorists“; this is especially notable in the context of the past year of Israeli military action in which Israel has explicitly defined every Palestinian or Lebanese man, woman, and child a legitimate military target, labeled either a terrorist, a terrorist supporter/sympathizers, or a “human shield”)
  • Stefanik (R-NY) 9/30/24: Stefanik Exposes Moral Depravity of Mainstream Media Glorifying Hezbollah Terrorist Leader Hassan Nasrallah
  • Lawler (R-NY) 9/30/24: X-post – “This Hamas commander was an employee of UNRWA up until the moment he was killed— further proof of how broken this organization is. I’ll continue to champion Israel’s right to defend itself and stand up to the anti-Israel bias in our global institutions.“
  • D’Esposito (R-NY) 9/30/24: X-post – “2 days ago, the deeply unserious & strange co-founder of
    @codepink thought it unfathomable that the U.N. has an anti-Israel bias. Today, we learned that yet another senior Hamas terrorist was an EMPLOYEE of the U.N. Medea & her anti-Semite friends should be laughed out of DC.“
  • Jewish Insider 9/30/24: Bipartisan cheer for Israel’s takeout of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah
  • Jewish Insider 9/30/24: Progressive Democrats largely silent on Nasrallah assassination

Targeting UNRWA (and the UN), Yet Again

Concerns/Reservations re: Israel’s War on Lebanon, Gaza, Etc. & US Support for it

  • Paul (R-KY) 10/3/24: X-post – “Any offensive action by the U.S. against Iran would be unconstitutional without a Congressional Declaration of War…”
  • The Intercept 10/3/24: U.S. Citizens in Lebanon “Abandoned” by the State Department as Israel Invades
  • WJR 10/2/24: Michigan Congressmembers Call On State Department to Help U.S. Citizens Evacuate Lebanon
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 9/28/24: X-post –  “Our country is funding this bloodbath. Sending more of our troops and bombs to the region is not advancing peace. The U.S. government are conspirators to the war criminal Netanyahu’s genocidal plan.” Linked to X-post by HuffPo’s Prem Thakar 9/27/24: “The US was reportedly informed of this mass Israeli attack on Beirut in Lebanon shortly beforehand. Comes just one day after US released $8.7 billion more in aid to Israel & hours after Netanyahu told the UN ‘Israel seeks peace. Israel yearns for peace.’” NOTE: Tlaib’s post was re-posted with a comment by The Free Press’s Eli Lake, who commented, “I’m sorry for your loss. I know how much Hassan Nasrallah meant to you.“
  • Bowman (D-NY) 9/27/24: X-post – “As Israel bombards Lebanon, countless American citizens are trapped with their lives endangered. Commercial flights are next to non-existent. @StateDept must recognize this and immediately begin evacuating US citizens.”
Bibi at the UN
  • Daines (R-MT) 9/27/24: Daines Statement on Netanyahu UN Speech: “America Must Stand with Israel” [“I commend Prime Minister Netanyahu for providing much-needed moral clarity in his speech at the UN today. He countered the reprehensible lies and evil antisemitism from yesterday’s address by the Iranian Foreign Minister with truth and issued an important challenge that not only the United States, but the entire world must heed: in this battle of good and evil, America and freedom-loving countries around the world must stand with Israel.”]
Other stuff

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings
4. Targeting/Slandering/Inciting Against Rep. Tlaib, Again (& twice over)
5. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Elex/Politics
6. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

 

1. Bills & Resolutions

CHALLENGING MILITARY SALES/SUPPLIES TO ISRAEL

On 9/25/24, Sen. Sanders (I-VT) introduced 6 privileged resolutions targeting military weapons/supplies sales to Israel, listed below. Because these resolutions are “privileged” they will be brought to a  vote; given the timing of their introduction, this means they will be voted on during the lame duck session.

  • S. J. Res. 111: Introduced 9/25/24 by Sanders (I-VT), Welch (D-VT), Merkley (D-OR), and Schatz (D-HI),  “A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services.
  • S. J. Res. 112: Introduced 9/25/24 by Sanders (I-VT) and Welch (D-VT), “A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services.”
  • S. J. Res. 113: Introduced 9/25/24 by Sanders (I-VT), Welch (D-VT) and Merkley (D-OR), “A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services.”
  • S. J. Res. 114: Introduced 9/25/24 by Sanders (I-VT),  “A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services.”
  • S. J. Res. 115: Introduced 9/25/24 by Sanders (I-VT), Welch (D-VT) and Merkley (D-OR), “A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed license amendment for the export of certain defense articles, defense services, and technical data to Israel.“
  • S. J. Res. 116: Introduced 9/25/24 by Sanders (I-VT), Welch (D-VT) and Merkley (D-OR), “A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed enhancement or upgrade of sensitivity of technology or capability of certain major defense equipment for the Government of Israel.“

Also see:

We Stand with Israel!

  • (WAITING FOR TEXT TO SEE WHAT THIS IS…) S. Res. 890: Introduced 9/25/24 by Ernst (R-IA) and 48 cosponsors (all Republicans), “A resolution condemning the brutal Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and supporting an outcome that ensures the forever survival of Israel, the complete denial of the ability of Hamas to reconstitute in the region, and the safe release of United States hostages from the Gaza Strip.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Palestinian-American Lives Matter

Targeting Free Speech/Protest/Academia

  • (ENDORSING THE IHRA DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM) H. Res. 1449: Introduced 9/16/24 by Manning (D-NC) and Smith (R-NJ), “Condemning the global rise of antisemitism and calling upon countries and international bodies to counter antisemitism.” NOTE: This bill is being fast-tracked — introduced 9/16/24 and marked up/passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on 9/25/24 (passed by a vote of 50-0). Next stop: the House floor.
    • REMINDER: As noted in last week’s Round-Up, the purpose of this resolution is the endorsement/embrace of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, via the endorsement/embrace/promotion of the “The Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism.”  Those guidelines include: “In order to combat antisemitism, governments need tools to understand its various manifestations. The legally non-binding ‘International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism’ is an important internationally recognized instrument used by over 40 U.N. member states since its adoption in 2016. In addition, hundreds of sub-national public authorities, universities, sports bodies, NGOs, and corporations rely on it.” The resolution “calls upon states and international bodies to take action to counter antisemitism, including by endorsing and embracing the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism…”
  • (AMENDING TITLE VI) S. 5161 [pdf]: Introduced 9/24/24 by Rubio (R-FL) and Scott (R-FL), “To amend title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance on the ground of religion, to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for rigorous enforcement of prohibitions against discrimination by institutions of higher education on the basis of antisemitism, and for other purposes,” aka, the “Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act”. Also see: Rubio press release – Rubio, Scott Introduce Bill to Punish Colleges That Allow Antisemitism; Wall Street Journal/Sen. Rubio (R-FL) & Paul Clement 9/22/24: Congress Can Protect Jews on College Campuses – A new bill would clarify the Civil Rights Act’s bar against antisemitism and toughen the penalties.; Tampa Free Press 9/25/24: Florida Senators Rubio And Scott Intro Bill To Combat Antisemitism On College Campuses; Jewish News Syndicate 9/25/24: Senate bill boosts federal penalties against schools for multiple Title VI violations
  • (TARGETING PRO-PALESTINE FOREIGN FUNDING & LINKING PRO-PALESTINE STUDENTS TO TERRORISM) HR 9793: Introduced 9/24/24 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“, aka the “The No Foreign Gifts Act.” Per Torres’s press release, “The No Foreign Gifts Act represents a crucial step toward safeguarding the integrity of our nation’s higher education system from malicious foreign influence, which has become increasingly pronounced in the aftermath of October 7. By prohibiting gifts from countries that have supported foreign terrorist organizations, like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, this legislation would ensure that institutions of higher learning remain free from malign financial manipulation that is corrupting the minds of America’s next generation and causing social disorder…” The press release goes on to mention remind readers: “In January, Rep. Torres raised the alarm to the New York City Department of Education over ‘a Qatari-funded map that left out the Jewish state was found posted in a Brooklyn classroom…[He wrote that] ‘the DOE should subject to heightened scrutiny educational content from external entities like the Qatar International Foundation, whose program promoted the image of the Middle East where Israel was nowhere to be found.’” Garbarino is even clearer about the motivations behind the bill: “…For far too long, radical organizations like Students for Justice in Palestine have been propped up by foreign entities with connections to terrorism. Allowing these malign actors to continue funneling money into our colleges and universities would be the height of recklessness…” Also see: Bill would bar colleges from accepting money, gifts from terror-supporting countries (NY Post 9/24/24)
  • (TARGETING ESG, “LEFT-WING” AGENDA) S. 5174 [pdf]: Introduced 9/26/24 by Cassidy (R-LA), “A bill to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to clarify the criteria by which fiduciary responsibility is exercised in protecting shareholder rights“, aka “Restoring Integrity in Fiduciary Duty Act.” Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions [where Cassidy is Ranking Member]. Also see: press release – Ranking Member Cassidy Introduces Legislation Protecting Americans’ Retirement Savings From ESG, Left-Wing Agenda; EXCLUSIVE: Bill Cassidy To Introduce Bill To Stop Left-Wing Investing From Taking Over Retirement Funds (Daily Caller 9/26/24)

WHAT IF THEY APPLIED THIS TO ISRAEL???

  • (WE MUST DEFEND FREE SPEECH/EXPRESSION ABROAD!) HR 9850: Introduced 9/25/24 by Smith (R-NJ), Jordan (R-OH) and Salazar (R-FL), “To protect and promote American values abroad, including the rights of freedom of speech and freedom of expression enshrined in the United States Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, through the use of foreign assistance and by assuring U.S. law enforcement does not cooperate in censorship abroad.”  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs

THINGS TO WATCH FOR IN LAME DUCK….

–> TARGETING THE HOUTHIS: HR 9564, introduced 9/12/24 by Issa (R-CA) and Phillips (D-MN), “To authorize the imposition of sanctions with respect to the Houthis, and for other purposes,“ is being fast-tracked — it is scheduled to be marked up in the House Foreign Affairs Committee on 9/25/24. This bill was marked up/passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on 9/24/24 (be a voice vote). Next stop: the House floor. 

–>ANTISEMITISM AWARENESS ACT: The pressure campaign to get Sen. Schumer (D-NY) to move the massively controversial Antisemitism Awareness Act in the Senate continues:

–>TARGETING THE ICC: On 9/25/24, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was scheduled to consider HR 8282, “the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act”. That hearing was postponed (see details below) and as of this writing no new date has been announced. Also see:

–> US MUST TREAT SETTLEMENTS AS PART OF ISRAEL: S. 5110: Introduced 9/19/24 by Rubio (R-FL), “A bill to clarify the country of origin of certain articles imported into the United States for purposes of certain trade enforcement actions.” Referred to the Committee on Finance. NOTE: As of this writing the bill text is still not online and Rubio has still not issued a press release – but it remains a solid bet this is the Senate version of HR 5179.

2. Letters

Palestinian-American Lives Matter

Targeting free speech/protest/academia

    • The groups being targeted: American Muslims for Palestine (among other things for its ties to Americans for Justice in Palestine Educational Foundation, Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, Students for Justice in Palestine, National Students for Justice in Palestine); Alliance for Global Justice (for its fiscal sponsorship of Samidoum); Islamic Relief USA; Jewish Voice for Peace; The People’s Forum [response from the People’s Forum on Instagram and on X]; the Tides Foundation (for its funding for the Adalah Justice Project and the Arab Resource and Organizing Center; also notes its support for Jewish Voice for Peace, IfNotNow, Palestine Legal); United Hands Relief Inc.; Westchester Peace Action Committee Foundation (for its funding for National Students for Justice in Palestine, the Palestinian Youth Movement, Within Our Lifetime, and the U.S. Palestinian Community Network)
    • Other members support: House Speaker Johnson (R-LA) re-posted Smith’s X-post on the letter, with Johnson adding: “Organizations targeted by Chairman Smith: “@RepJasonSmith & @HouseGOP are putting you on notice. Your tax-exempt status should be revoked immediately.”  Babin (R-TX) 9/25/24 X-post – “Any tax-exempt organization linked to terrorist regimes should have that status revoked immediately. The IRS must do its job and hold these anti-Israel groups accountable. [linked to Washington Examiner article]”
    • Media: Congressional Probe into Islamist Groups Cites MEF Research (Middle East Forum 9/24/24); House committee requests IRS revoke tax-exempt status of terrorism-linked groups (Washington Examiner 9/25/24); House panel asks IRS to revoke tax-exempt status of nine nonprofits, some with terror ties, it says (Jewish News Syndicate 9/26/24)

Defending Free Speech/Civil Society

  • 9/25/24: RCFP urges House to oppose bill that threatens nonprofit news outlets [letter text] (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press 9/26/24 press release). Letter – citing ACLU letter (below) opposing HR 6408 [not clear the org understands that what is in play now is HR 9495, which includes the text of HR 6408]
  • 9/20/24: Civil Society Letter to House Opposing H.R. 9495 [letter text] Excerpt: “this bill includes the text of H.R. 6408, legislation we strongly oppose as it raises significant constitutional concerns. Because H.R. 6408 vests vast unilateral discretion in the Secretary of Treasury, it creates a high risk of politicized and discriminatory enforcement. The executive branch already has extensive authority to prohibit transactions with individuals and entities it deems connected to terrorism and nonprofit organizations are already prohibited from providing material support to terrorist organizations. In fact, it would be a federal crime for them to do so…H.R. 6408 authorizes broad and easily abused new powers for the executive branch. It grants the Secretary of the Treasury virtually unfettered discretion to designate a U.S. nonprofit as a ‘terrorist supporting organization’ and to strip it of its tax-exempt status if the Secretary finds that the nonprofit has provided material support to a terrorist group, even if the ‘support’ is not intentional or connected to actual violence. While the sponsors of this legislation have stated that it is needed to avoid what they refer to as ‘time-consuming bureaucratic process’ under current law, what the bill sponsors are actually seeking to avoid is fundamental due process. If this bill were to become law, the Secretary of Treasury could strip a US nonprofit of its tax-exempt status without providing the nonprofit a meaningful opportunity to defend itself before a neutral decisionmaker. The legislation further does not require disclosure of all the reasons for such a decision or the evidence relied upon to support it. Nor would the government be required to provide any evidence in its possession that might undermine its decision, leaving an accused nonprofit entirely in the dark about what conduct the government believes qualifies as material support.  The potential for abuse under H.R. 6408 is immense as the executive branch would be handed a tool it could use to curb free speech, censor nonprofit media outlets, target political opponents, and punish disfavored groups across the political spectrum. Moreover, the addition of this authority to the tax code would allow the IRS to explicitly target and harass domestic nonprofits using its investigative authority. It is also not hard to imagine a future administration using this power in far broader circumstances that have nothing to do with the hostilities in Gaza. And as more recent congressional oversight efforts make clear, these efforts are part of concerted attack on civil society that is targeted at more than just groups involved in the campus protests regarding Gaza...”

Targeting Iran (and Rob Malley)

3. Hearings & Markups

[TOTALLY DISAPPEARED FROM COMMITTEE WEBSITE] September 26, 2024: The House Committee on Natural Resources’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations was scheduled to hold a 2-panel show-trial/witch hunt (sorry, I mean “hearing”) entitled, Desecrating Old Glory: Investigating How the Pro-Hamas Protests Turned National Park Service Land into a Violent Disgrace. Per a list posted on the hearing landing page before it disappeared, scheduled witnesses were:  Panel 1 – Mark Lee Greenblatt, Inspector General, U.S. Department of the Interior (statement); Charles Cuevelier, Associate Director, Visitor and Resource Protection, National Park Service (statement); Panel 2 – Kenneth H. Spencer, III, Chairman, United States Park Police Fraternal Order of Police, Washington, D.C. (statement); Mr. Alex Goldenberg, Director of Intelligence, Network Contagion Research Institute (statement);  Mr. Scott Walter, President, Capital Research Center (statement); and Harry Dunn, Former United States Capitol Police Officer. NOTE: The hearing title gives a pretty good hint at the flavor of this hearing – but if that’s not enough, there’s this bizarre 8-page hearing memo [as of this writing is still online], which among other things alleges that protesters are directly linked to or even funded by Hamas, Iran, and the Chinese government.

4. Targeting/Slandering/Inciting Against Rep. Tlaib, Again (& twice over)

9/19/24: Racist, Inciting Cartoon targeting Rep. Tlaib

On 9/19/24, on the heels of an Israeli operation in Lebanon, in which thousands of booby-trapped pagers exploded, maiming and killing a large number of people (an operation that former CIA director and former, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta called “a form of terrorism”) the National Review published a political cartoon (see on X) featuring a caricature of Rep. Tlaib (D-MI) pictured seated at her desk, with a burned a smoking object on the desk, and a thought bubble with the words “Odd. My pager just exploded.”

The National Review’s cartoon (drawn by an reporter employed by the Detroit News) was criticized/denounced by a range of voices on X, including a slew of Democratic members of Congress (I didn’t find any such statements from Republicans): Rep. Slotkin (D-MI) Rep. Bush (D-MO), Sen. Peters (D-MI), Rep. Balint (D-VT), Rep. Garcia (D-CA), Rep. Kildee (D-MI), Rep. Stevens (D-MI), Rep. Scholten (D-MI), Lee (D-PA), and Beyer (D-VA). Also see joint statement from Jewish House members Jacobs (D-CA), Balint (D-VT), Bonamici (D-OR), Magaziner (D-RI), Raskin (D-MD), Wild (D-PA), and Nadler (D-NY):

“As Jewish Members of Congress, we condemn this appalling and hateful cartoon depicting our colleague, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, as a terrorist and making a dangerous joke about a pager exploding at her desk. While none of us always agrees with Representative Tlaib (just as she surely does not always agree with any of us), that is no reason to excuse this toxically Islamophobic and anti-Arab affront. At a time of rising violence against Arab, Muslim, and Jewish communities alike, we must stand together in solidarity against ethnic scapegoating and hateful provocations, which are often the prelude to actual racial violence and attack.”

9/20/24:  Inciting Cartoon Against Tlaib Used as Hook for…Further Incitement Against Tlaib

On 9/20/24, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, speaking out on X, posted a comment that in effect shifted the focus away from the racist, dangerously inciting cartoon depicting Tlaib as a terrorist who Israel might have tried to assassinate (in a military action that was framed in a positive light by many in Congress and the media), to focus instead on false – and inciting – accusations against Tlaib, who (along with others, including the ACLU) has called Nessel out for what they see as the targeting of Palestine rights protesters  (some of whom, by the way, are Jewish) with criminal charges.  Nessel posted on X on 9/20/24:

“Rashida’s religion should not be used in a cartoon to imply that she’s a terrorist. It’s Islamophobic and wrong. Just as Rashida should not use my religion to imply I cannot perform my job fairly as Attorney General. It’s anti-Semitic and wrong.”

With that post — for which Nessel did not provide any evidence  Nessel re-cast Tlaib — the victim of a racist, anti-Palestinian, Islamophobic, inciting cartoon, and a voice standing up for students’ right to protest — as the antisemitic victimizer, and cast herself as the righteous victim of Rashida’s evil action. That re-casting of Nessel as the righteous victim of Tlaib’s alleged antisemitism immediately took over and became the theme of the coming days.

9/22/24: CNN, Jewish Inside, the ADL, and others get in on the Action

On CNN’s State of the Union on 9/22/24, during an interview with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, CNN’s Jake Tapper repeated and expanded on Nessel’s X-post. He asked Whitmer if she agreed with Nessel that Tlaib’s comments were “biased and antisemitic“. When Whitmer declined to join in on attacking Tlaib, Tapper presser her further, stating that Tlaib “is suggesting” that Nessel is only prosecuting Palestine protesters “because she’s Jewish and the protesters are not. That’s quite an accusation.”

Shortly thereafter on 9/22/24, Jewish Insider published an article, written by its editor-in-chief Josh Kraushaar, attacking Whitmer for failing to back Nessel’s targeting of Palestine protesters, and doubling down on Nessel’s [and Tapper’s] allegation against Tlaib.  Jewish Insider writes: “Tlaib has also claimed that [Attorney General] Nessel is only charging the protesters because she’s Jewish. Nessel has publicly decried the congresswoman’s characterization as antisemitic and wrong.“]  The link provided in that Jewish Insider article as evidence of what Tlaib “claimed” goes to an article that, notably, does not back that allegation. The supposedly damning excerpt from that article:

“‘We’ve had the right to dissent, the right to protest,’ Tlaib says. ‘We’ve done it for climate, the immigrant rights movement, for Black lives, and even around issues of injustice among water shutoffs. But it seems that the attorney general decided if the issue was Palestine, she was going to treat it differently, and that alone speaks volumes about possible biases within the agency she runs.‘

Also notably, folks determined to see antisemitism in the above quote are conveniently ignoring the rest of the article, which (among other things) includes:

“…Tlaib accused Nessel of caving to demands to prosecute from university authorities, including Ono and members of the Board of Regents…I think people at the University of Michigan put pressure on her to do this, and she fell for it,’ Tlaib says. ‘I think President Ono and Board of Regent members were very much heavy-handed in this. It had to come from somewhere.’”

Notably, the supposedly damning article was published on September 13, 2024. As far as I can tell, nobody — including Nessel (see her X account) — ever claimed that Tlaib’s comments in that article reflected, constituted, or implied antisemitism until Jewish Insider dug up the piece on 9/22/24 as supposed evidence to back up Nessel’s allegation.

Apparently undaunted by the lack of factual basis for the allegations made by Nessel and repeated by the Jewish Insider, on 9/22/24 the ADL’s Jonathan Greenblatt took to X to further up the ante – using the Jewish Insider article as a springboard to attack Governor Whitmer (f0r not going after Palestine protesters) and to double down on the (baseless) accusations against Rep. Tlaib:

“.@GovWhitmer, when your attorney general prosecutes people for violating the law, harassing Jews, and attacking police officers, it’s in the interest of public safety. When a congresswoman accuses the attorney general of prosecuting protestors simply because she’s Jewish, it’s bias. Saying you want to ‘make sure that students are safe on our campuses’ is just words if you are not willing to use your bully pulpit to speak out unequivocally on antisemitism and support holding people accountable for violating the law when it affects Jews.“

Many posters on X, including journalists and activists, called out Jewish Insider and Greenblatt for the baseless allegations against Tlaib, including Center for International Policy’s Dylan Williams who commented on 9/22/24:

“This is just a lie. @RepRashida Tlaib simply didn’t do what the ADL and Jewish Insider claim. Falsely accusing a Congresswoman who is a frequent target of bigotry of doing something she didn’t isn’t just defamatory — it risks inciting more hatred and even violence against her.”

9/23/24 (part 1): Fact Check

On 9/23/24, Detroit Metro Times posted an article: Fact-check: Tlaib did not say Nessel charged pro-Palestinian protesters because she’s Jewish — The “blatant and hateful” false claims were peddled by a state lawmaker, the attorney general, and some media outlets. Excerpt:

“Tlaib never once mentioned Nessel’s religion or Judaism. But Metro Times pointed out in the story that Nessel is Jewish, and that appears to be the spark that led to the false claims. It should also be noted that the ACLU of Michigan criticized Nessel for charging peaceful protesters at the University of Michigan.“]

Also see: Rashida Tlaib Targeted Over Made-Up Quote [“The Michigan representative is being accused of antisemitism over something she never actually said.“] (The New Republic 9/23/24)

9/23/24 (part 2): FACTS WILL NOT GET IN THE WAY OF AN ANTI-TLAIB NARRATIVE!

Notwithstanding the debunking of the allegations against Tlaib, later on 9/23/24, following pressure from CNN’s Jake Tapper to denounce Rep. Tlaib’s alleged antisemitism against Nessel, and following public bashing by the ADL’s Greenblatt for refraining from doing so — Michigan Governor Whitmer  released a statement condemning Tlaib (without naming her) for statements THAT TLAIB DID NOT MAKE:

“The suggestion that Attorney General Nessel would make charging decisions based on her religion as opposed to the rule of law  is antisemitic [agreed – that would indeed be antisemitic if Tlaib had said it, which she DID NOT]. Attorney General Nessel has always conducted her work with integrity and followed the rule of law. We must all use our platform and voices to call out hateful rhetoric and racist tropes.“]

In response, the author of the article cited by Jewish Insider, from which the supposedly damning evidence of Tlaib’s antisemitism was draw, posted on X: “I’m the reporter who interviewed Rashida Tlaib. She never said Nessel did this because she’s Jewish. Never. You’re spreading lies.”

Shortly thereafter, CNN’s Dana Bash jumped on the inciting-against-Tlaib bandwagon, with an X-post (that has more than 3.4 million views as of this writing) stating:

“A sad reality – antisemitism is everywhere and it comes from both ends of the political spectrum. We saw two examples of politicians sidestepping instead of calling it out on @CNNSOTU yesterday. @DavidChalian discusses the unwillingness by some to put morality ahead of politics.”

That post was linked to a video of Bash talking to David Chalian, featuring…footage from her colleague Jake Tapper’s interview with Gov. Whitmer.

In response, the author of the article cited by Jewish Insider, from which the supposedly damning evidence of Tlaib’s antisemitism was draw, posted on X:

“Now Dana Bash from CNN is lying about what happened. U.S. Rep. @RashidaTlaib did not say Nessel filed the charges because she’s Jewish. She said there is an anti-Palestinian attitude among many institutions, and most of them are not run by Jewish people”

Shortly thereafter, CNN’s Bianna Golodryga jumped on the inciting-against-Tlaib bandwagon, with an X-post promoting Dana Bash and Jake Tapper’s stories attacking Tlaib:

“.@DanaBashCNN highlighting @jaketapper‘s revealing (and disturbing) interviews this weekend with a Democratic governor and a Republican senator who, when given the opportunity to call out antisemitic language within their own parties, chose instead to side-step it.”

9/23/24 (part 3): Maybe Facts Matter a little?

At some point on 9/23/24 (thanks to the Wayback Machine we know it was sometime between 6:10pm and 11:25pm) Jewish Insider quietly changed the article that, along with Nessel’s X-post, sparked this entire drama, with no note on the article stating that this was edited. So where it originally stated (link from 6:10pm) “Tlaib has also claimed that Nessel is only charging the protesters because she’s Jewish” it now states (link from 11:35pm) “Tlaib has also suggested that Nessel is only charging the protesters because she’s Jewish.”

Also, CNN’s Jake Tapper in a 9/23/24 interview with Nessel sought to (kind of) walk back his comments from the previous day, claiming:

“I should note that I misspoke yesterday when asking a follow up of Governor Whitmer who I asked about this. I was trying to characterize your views of Tlaib’s comments.”

During that interview Nessel, for her part, doubled down on her assertion that Tlaib’s comments were antisemitic, notwithstanding the fact that Tlaib made no direct or implied reference to Nessel’s religion, arguing that the intent behind Tlaib’s comment speaks for itself because

“Rashida Tlaib is an individual who is well-known for making inflammatory and incendiary remarks that are antismitic in nature…“.

Note from me: The suggestion that criticism against any Jewish person may be assumed/judged to be antisemitic based NOT on whether the criticism has anything to do with Jews/Judaism, but on the critic’s identity as a Muslim &/or critic of Israel/Zionism, is a RACIST TROPE.

Also, at some point the ADL’s Jonathan Greenblatt quietly deleted the X-post in which he claimed Rep. Tlaib “accuses the attorney general of prosecuting protestors simply because she’s Jewish”. He then re-posted a pic of that original X-post, along with a new comment clarifying that (a) thanking Gov. Whitmer for her statement piling on to the anti-Tlaib attacks; and (b) doubling down on the anti-Tlaib position expressed in the original post, simply noting “Additionally, I learned that initial news reports contained an error in the specifics of the congresswoman’s remarks” and again linking to the Jewish Insider article that kicked off this entire drama (the article Jewish Insider edited to change “claimed” to “suggested.” Greenblatt also re-posted the clip of CNN’s Dana Bash attacking Tlaib, noting approvingly:

“Yes, @DanaBashCNN, is absolutely right. It’s a sad reality when leaders refuse to call out antisemitism coming from their own side. Condemning hate expressed by your opponents is easy. Calling it out when it comes from your friends is hard. But moral clarity and plain old honesty are what we should expect from our leaders.”

9/24/24 & thereafter: NAH, FACTS WILL NOT GET IN THE WAY OF AN ANTI-TLAIB, ANTI-SQUAD NARRATIVE!

Dana Bash on 9/24/24 offered something only vaguely resembling a clarification of her earlier X-post and interview – neither walking back nor apologizing for the accusation that Tlaib’s comment was antisemitic, but rather doubling down on Nessel’s interpretation of those comments and implicitly blaming Tlaib’s office for failing to get back to Bash’s staff when asked for comment. Also see: Video report – CNN DOUBLES DOWN On Fake Rashida Tlaib SMEAR (Breaking Points 9/25/24)

Notwithstanding all of the fact checking, and notwithstanding some degree of walking back of accusations by high-profile accusers who created and fueled this entire mess, on 9/24/24 Rep. Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) led a statement, joined by 20 fellow House Democrats, entitled: House Democrats Support Michigan AG Nessel’s Efforts to Protect Students, Reject Unfair Accusations of Bias. That statement:

“Dana Nessel has distinguished herself as a just, discerning, and effective Attorney General. Michigan voters selected her to keep all communities safe, empowering her to faithfully exercise discretion and enforce the law. That’s exactly what she has done in the cases of anti-Israel campus protesters as well as counter-protestors accused of violent acts that go far beyond protected speech. Those charged with criminal conduct will enjoy the same rights of due process as anyone else. Casting doubt on Attorney General Nessel’s impartiality or implying these cases are being handled unfairly due to her religious background is antisemitic, deeply disturbing, and unacceptable. Elected officials are rightfully held to high standards, but we owe it to our constituents to model methods of disagreement that do not invoke hateful tropes or false charges of unfair bias.”]

Also see Jewish Insider‘s report on the letter : 9/24/24: Democratic lawmakers accuse Michigan AG Nessel’s critics of antisemitism; X-posts from Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Schneider (D-IL) [which makes no mention of its own role in this drama]

Also on 9/24/24, the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) – representatives of which testified in House hearings on antisemitism in June 2023 and in July 2024; and participated in a closed House committee briefing on antisemitism in May 2024 — published a statement:  ISGAP Denounces Rep. Rashida Tlaib for Antisemitic Remarks Regarding Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel – Dr. Charles Asher Small slams “outrageous antisemitic trope that should be denounced by all public officials charged with upholding the laws of our country”. Reminder from the archives – The Forward 8/31/20: Think tank [ISGAP] failed to disclose six-figure grant from Israeli government – excerpt – for 2020 “the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy, which is based in New York, received $445,000 from the Israeli government in 2018. That value equals nearly 80% of its reported revenue that year.”]

Also see op-ed 9/24/24 in USA Today by columnist Ingrid Jaques, “Tlaib makes antisemitic comments again. Whitmer’s response isn’t enough.” Excerpt:

“I found myself taking Attorney General Dana Nessel’s side in a controversy involving criminal charges against student protesters and an obnoxious accusation cast by Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib.”

And on 9/25/24 the ADL’s Jonathan Greenblatt tripled (or maybe by this point it is quadrupled?) down on the accusations against Tlaib and now adding to them an attack on Rep. Ocasio-Cortez for “anti-Jewish bias” for the sin of…defending Tlaib, with a new X-post in which he effectly leverages what should have been outrage over a racist, Islamophobic, dangerously inciting cartoon against Tlaib into an anti-Squad “YOU ARE ALL ANTISEMITES!” two-fer!:

“A congresswoman intentionally implied that a Jewish state official and her agency were guilty of bias and instead of holding her colleague to account, AOC is obfuscating, conflating and allowing the member free reign to never even bother to clarify her comment. Yes, that cartoon is clearly anti-Muslim and should be condemned. Conflating that with people’s reactions to Rep. Tlaib’s not-so-thinly veiled comments against AG Nessel is just plain wrong. When major media outlets and others, including myself, mistakenly referenced inaccurate reporting on the issue, we corrected ourselves. Yet these Members of Congress don’t feel the need for themselves or their colleagues to do the same when they get it wrong – and their silence is deafening. Anti-Jewish bias is real. This is a case in point.”

Also on 9/25/24, the ADL’s X account quintupled (?) down on the attack on Tlaib, re-posted a clip from Jake Tapper’s interview with Nessel, in which Nessel in effect argued that Tlaib’s comment was clearly antisemitic because…it was made by Tlaib, and argued, in effect, that this conviction-by-presumption-of-intent/guilt is absolutely right:

“Watch @MIAttyGen Nessel on @JakeTapper explain why Rep. Tlaib’s suggestion that the AG is biased is understood by so many as antisemitic, especially given Tlaib’s history with antisemitic comments. Nessel then notes it is her job to keep students safe and prosecute criminal behavior that endangers communities and campuses.”

On 9/26/24, the editorial board of The Free Press — the anti-woke media outlet founded by Bari Weiss — weighed in with its own post-mortem analysis of the Tlaib/Nessel drama: The Moral Inversion of Rashida Tlaib—and the Smearing of Dana Nessel, taking as its starting point the assertion that Tlaib’s criticism was ipso facto antisemitic — “We heard the dog whistle loud and clear. So did Nessel.” And with respect to those who are defending Tlaib and calling out those who attack her, the editors — I kid you not — analogize Tlaib to Hamas 10/7 attackers and Nessel to Israelis being attacked by Hamas terrorists (which means defending her is like defending Hamas):

“This kind of gaslighting has become an unfortunate pattern for progressives since October 7. A couple of examples: After a horrific pogrom where Jewish Israeli parents were murdered in front of their children, it was Israel that was the aggressor. Israel’s defensive war, according to this warped logic, is a genocide. Meanwhile Hamas, the perpetrators of the genocidal act, are the noble resistance.”

Annnnddddddd: Late on 9/26/24, the ADL’s Jonathan Greenblatt sextupled (??) down, making common cause with Bari Weiss’s Free Press and its denunciation of Tlaib and her defenders (truly, what more is there to say?), commenting:

“While ideologues contort the facts and themselves to deny reality, glad to see ⁦@bariweiss⁩ and ⁦@TheFP⁩ get it right on the gaslighting of ⁦@dananessel⁩ and the indulgence of antisemitism in Michigan”

Further reading

5. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

6. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

Lebanon – TOTAL SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL

[note: This is a NON-EXHAUSTIVE LIST — many members of Congress – from both parties – posted on X about their support for Israel’s military assault on Lebanon. Check members’ X accounts to see what they are saying.]

  • Jewish Insider 9/27/24: Pro-Israel lawmakers criticize Biden administration cease-fire proposal for Lebanon [citing a list of members Torres (D-NY), Landsman (D-OH), Rosen (D-NV), Cramer (R-ND), Tenney (R-NY), Cotton (R-AR), Issa (R-CA), Waltz (R-FL) – notably – while all the GOP voices criticized the proposal, Torres merely expressed skepticism and Landsman & Rosen did not actually addres the proposal at all]
  • Sherman (D-CA) 9/27/24: X-post – “To avoid conflict in Lebanon, real pressure must be put on Hezbollah to stop bombing #Israel (as it has done unprovoked since 10/8) and abide by UN Res 1701. Urging ‘no escalation’ w/o addressing this is asking Israel to be bombed and not respond – something no country would do.”
  • Stevens (D-MI) 9/27/24: X-post – “For too long the Iran-backed terrorists of Hezbollah have used the Lebanese people as cover for their military actions. Hezbollah has ruthlessly attacked Israel since October 8th, driving thousands of Israelis from their homes, and endangering Lebanese civilians. Lebanon must no longer be a platform for terrorism so that citizens of both Lebanon and Israel can live in peace.”
  • Mast (R-FL) 9/26/24: X-post – “Those criticizing Israel for defending itself don’t have the stomach to do what it takes to combat an enemy. Hezbollah attacks civilians & Israel responds with a targeted strike at the Hezbollah leadership. Houthis attack U.S. ships & Biden/Kamala respond with a press release.“
  • Blackburn (R-TN) 9/24/24: X-post – “I stand with Israel and its fight against Hamas and Hezbollah. Eliminating terrorists responsible for murdering innocent civilians makes the world a safer place.“
  • McConnell (R-KY) 9/24/24: McConnell: America Faces Simultaneous Threats, Must Resource Accordingly [excerpt – “It is not, however, too late to stop treating Israel as an escalatory regional force in need of finger-wagging micromanagement… and instead like a sovereign democracy encircled by the forces of the world’s most active sponsor of terror. It is not too late to start responding to proxy violence with the sort of unwavering force necessary to change Iran’s calculus – and for that matter, Russia’s and China’s as well. It’s not too late to show our adversaries that in their race to undermine America’s global influence and threaten its global interests, they will meet determined opposition.”]
  • Schneider (D-IL) 9/24/24: SCHNEIDER STATEMENT ON LEBANON
  • McConnell (R-KY) 9/23/24: McConnell Urges Administration, Colleagues Not To Make Israel’s Job Harder [‘The United States ought to stand with our friend, Israel, as it faces these terrorists down. The goal should not be simply to avoid escalation or to return to the status quo ante, but to help Israel defend itself against terrorists bent on Israel’s destruction. We have a stake in ensuring Israel emerges from this conflict stronger and these terrorist organizations and their Iranian patron weaker.’]
  • Thune (R-SD) 9/23/24: from Fox News interview – “I think that we have to be prepared to have Israel’s back, you know, whatever that takes. And we all know who’s behind this. It’s Iran. It’s Iran, it’s Hezbollah, it’s Hamas, it’s the Houthis, it’s all these Iranian militias that have been attacking American troops in places like Syria. This is Iran, and, at some point, we’re going to have to confront that reality.“Now, one of the things that, of course, this administration has done is they have, again, projected weakness – lifting sanctions, making dollars available for Iran to be able to fund these terrorist organizations that are harassing Israel on a daily basis, on their borders. We’ve got to make sure that Israel is safe and secure and stable. It will bring peace and security and stability to that region, and it’s going to require, if necessary, America to have Israel’s back. We’ve always said that, and when push comes to shove, we need to make sure that we’re there to support them and to ensure that stability reigns in that region.”
  • Cruz (R-TX) 9/23/24: Sen. Cruz Issues Statement on Israeli Military Strikes in Lebanon
  • Mace (R-SC) 9/23/24: Statement from Congresswoman Nancy Mace on Rocket Attacks Against Israel
  • Pfluger (R-TX) 9/23/24: Pfluger Issues Statement on Israeli Military Strikes in Lebanon
  • Graham (R-SC) 9/22/24: X-post – “In the Middle East, we need game changing peace or game changing military strategy. Game changing peace begins with Saudi Arabia recognizing the state of Israel. Game changing military strategy begins with Israel targeting Iran, the source of chaos in the region.“
  • CNN 9/22/24: Sen. Cotton: ‘Israel has every right’ to go after Hezbollah in Lebanon
  • Ken Klipperstein 9/22/24: X-post with video – “Sen. John Fetterman on Israel’s pagers operation in Lebanon: ‘I absolutely support that. If anything, I love it.'”
  • Pence (R-IN) 9/21/24: Congressman Greg Pence Statement on Death of Ibrahim Aqil
  • Rubio (R-FL) 9/20/24: Rubio: Biden-Harris State Department Mishandled Suspension of U.S. Envoy to Iran

Lebanon – Concerns (big or small) about Israeli Actions &/or US Policy

[note: This is a NON-EXHAUSTIVE LIST — many members of Congress – from both parties – posted on X about their support for Israel’s military assault on Lebanon. Check members’ X accounts to see what they are saying.]

  • Politico 9/26/24: Don’t get your hopes up about an Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire [“…Even though Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair BEN CARDIN (D-Md.), hadn’t immediately been briefed on the White House’s much-discussed Lebanon ceasefire proposal, he says he’s for it in concept. ‘These wars could very well escalate until an all-out war, which is something we have to try to prevent,’ Cardin said.“]
  • Cleaver (D-MO) 9/26/24: X-post – “I am deeply concerned about the escalating situation in Lebanon and Northern Israel. I support @POTUS’s efforts to immediately de-escalate so we can renew efforts towards a ceasefire, return innocent hostages held by Hamas, and protect innocent civilians throughout the region.“
  • McConnell (D-MN) 9/26/24: X-post – “In just a matter of days, hundreds have been killed and tens of thousands displaced across Lebanon. An immediate temporary ceasefire across the Israel-Lebanon border is the only way forward to advance diplomacy and to prevent an expanding regional conflict.“
  • Cesar (D-TX) 9/26/24: Congressman Greg Casar on the Escalating Violence in Lebanon [“Americans do not want to be dragged into another endless war in the Middle East. We cannot continue putting civilians at escalating risk, and we cannot support putting our U.S. service members at risk. Americans and the White House are clear that immediate de-escalation and a ceasefire must be implemented immediately. The U.S. must use our significant leverage, including withholding offensive weapons to the Israeli military, to avert a disastrous regional war with Lebanon and end Netanyahu’s bombardment of Gaza. Too many Palestinian, Israeli, and Lebanese civilians have been killed by this violence.”]
  • Jacobs (D-CA) 9/25/24: Rep. Sara Jacobs Releases Statement on Escalation in the Middle East, Hezbollah’s Intercepted Strikes on Tel Aviv [“I’m grateful for everyone who has reached out to me in the wake of Hezbollah’s strikes, and I’m so thankful that my family in Israel and everyone in Tel Aviv is safe. The U.S. will continue to support Israel’s defense – including THAAD and the Iron Dome, which saved so many lives by intercepting these strikes. I’m deeply alarmed by the escalating situation between Hezbollah and Israel, and the devastating toll it’s already having on civilians in Lebanon and northern Israel. We must use our significant leverage to get a full ceasefire in Gaza and de-escalation in Lebanon. Ending the war in Gaza is the best way to end the war in Lebanon, allow thousands to return home in northern Israel, and avoid a catastrophic regional war that would endanger millions of civilians.”]
  • Tlaib (D-MN) 9/25/24: Tlaib Statement on the Indiscriminate Bombing of Lebanon
  • Omar (D-MN) 9/24/24: Rep. Omar’s Statement on Israel’s Attacks in Lebanon – “I condemn the attacks by the Israeli military in Lebanon. It is imperative we use every single tool to de-escalate tensions. Just as President Biden stated, a ‘full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest.’ A full-scale war would have catastrophic implications for everyone, especially for Lebanese and Israeli civilians who would bear the brunt of this war and dramatically increase the risk of regional conflict involving the United States. If we are serious about preventing the escalation of this conflict, we must use our leverage to cut off military aid to stop the violence both in Lebanon and Gaza. We cannot continue to stand idly by while innocent civilians are being bombarded with our tax dollars.”
  • Murphy (D-CT) 9/23/24: Murphy Readout Of Meeting With Foreign Minister Of Lebanon [“This is a critical moment where the focus on the region and world must be on de-escalating the deepening conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. I spoke with Foreign Minister Bou Habib today and we exchanged views on how the United States, Lebanon and Israel can take steps to avoid the devastating consequences of a larger conflict breaking out in the Middle East. We had a candid, serious discussion about the importance of de-escalation in the immediate term, but also the need to establish a plan for the day after in Gaza and a credible path forward for a Palestinian state.”]
  • Lee (D-PA) 9/23/24: X-post – “Since the start of Israel’s indiscriminate bombing of Gaza, we have warned of a regional escalation of war. Now, more American troops are being sent there. Americans do not want to be dragged into another endless war abroad. Preventing one starts with an arms embargo now.“
  • Kaptur (D-OH) 9/23/24: Kaptur Statement On the War In Gaza and Escalation Between Israel and Hezbollah In Lebanon
  • Pressley (D-MA) 9/23/24: X-post – “Israel’s indiscriminate bombing, forced displacement, & war crimes in Gaza have been beyond devastating. This must not be repeated in Lebanon. We must de-escalate and the U.S. must stop sending offensive weapons.“
  • Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) 9/20/24: X-post – “Yesterday my House office was tagged with blood-splattered signs accusing me of supporting terrorism after I questioned the pager operation, which clearly runs counter to US policy. They must live under a rock to not know I don’t take well to bullies. Per US Dept of Defense:” [linked to image of excerpt on booby traps]
  • Green (D-TX) 9/20/24: Congressman Al Green Shares Remarks in Support of an Israeli-Palestinian Two-state Solution
  • Amo (D-RI) 9/19/24: Amo Reiterates Ceasefire Call and Denounces Iranian Support for Violent Militia Groups

Israel’s War on Gaza & West Bank

  • Tlaib (D-MI) 9/26/24: Tlaib calls on Blinken to resign over statements related to Israel-Hamas war
  • Fetterman (D-PA) 9/26/24: X-post – “As it should. Immediately after 10/7, I strongly affirmed supporting any assistance—financial, military or intelligence—without conditions, in Israel’s war against terrorists. And never forget to #BringThemHomeNOW”. Linked to screenshot of headline: Israel says it has secured $8.7. billion U.S. aid package”
  • Hoyle (D-OR) 9/26/24: X-post – “It’s reprehensible the Israeli military is bulldozing West Bank communities, cutting off access to emergency care & destroying public infrastructure. Israel has every right to defend itself from terrorism. But this doesn’t serve as a justification for collective punishment and destroying communities. These actions deepen the humanitarian crisis, sow distrust & fuel further instability.“
  • Pannetta (D-CA) 9/25/24: X-post – “Productive meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the United States on a pathway forward to return the remaining hostages, secure a cessation of hostilities in the Israel-Hamas conflict, and ensure regional stability.“
  • Common Dreams 9/20/24: Tlaib Enters ’14 Pages of Babies’ Killed by Israel in Gaza Into Congressional Record [“‘That’s 710 babies that the Israeli government has murdered,’ the lone Palestinian American in Congress said. ‘This is not self-defense. This is genocide.'”]

Targeting Education/Free Speech

Anti-Palestinian Hate. Racism, Islamophobia

Targeting The UN & Biden Admin

Other stuff

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings
4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Elex/Politics
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New from FMEP:

1. Bills & Resolutions

Targeting Free Speech/Protest

  • (ENDORSING THE IHRA DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM) H. Res. 1449: Introduced 9/16/24 by Manning (D-NC) and Smith (R-NJ), “Condemning the global rise of antisemitism and calling upon countries and international bodies to counter antisemitism.” The purpose of this resolution is the endorsement/embrace of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, via the endorsement/embrace/promotion of the “The Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism.”  Those guidelines include: “In order to combat antisemitism, governments need tools to understand its various manifestations. The legally non-binding ‘International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism’ is an important internationally recognized instrument used by over 40 U.N. member states since its adoption in 2016. In addition, hundreds of sub-national public authorities, universities, sports bodies, NGOs, and corporations rely on it.” The resolution “calls upon states and international bodies to take action to counter antisemitism, including by endorsing and embracing the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism…”  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: Manning, Smith Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Supporting Global Efforts to Counter Antisemitism; Bipartisan resolution calls on countries to embrace global ‘best practices’ on Jew-hatred (Jewish News Syndicate 9/18/24). NOTE: H. Res. 1449 is being fast-tracked — it is scheduled to be marked up (and for sure passed) by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on 9/25/24.

Supporting Annexation of the West Bank

(US MUST TREAT SETTLEMENTS AS PART OF ISRAEL – & NOT DOING SO IS ANTI-ISRAEL, ANTISEMITIC BDS) HR 5179: Introduced 8/8/23 by Tenney (R-NY), “To require the maintenance of the country of origin markings for imported goods produced in the West Bank or Gaza, and for other purposes,” aka, the “Anti-BDS Labeling Act.” On 9/18/2024, brought to the House floor and passed by a vote of 231-189, with all Republicans plus 16 Democrats voting in favor.  Full floor consideration is here. House Ways & Means press release & “fact sheet“. Also see:

  • Supporting HR 5179: Chairman Smith (R-MO) Opening Statement – Floor Debate on the Anti-BDS Labeling Act; Tenney press release on passage; floor remarks in support
  • Opposing HR 5179: Nadler (D-NY) – X-post w/ video – “Today, the @HouseGOP is once again using the Israel-US relationship as a political football to benefit a desperate former President just weeks away from an election. This bill isn’t about combatting BDS—it’s about attempting to green light Israeli annexation of Area C of the West Bank and undermining the Biden-Harris’ Administration’s delicate negotiations to end the Israel-Hamas war.” See floor considerations for statements of opposition to the bill (many of which also condemn/oppose BDS) from Schneider (D-IL), Doggett (D-TX), Tlaib (D-MI), Nadler (D-NY),
  • Surreal-ly making the case that HR 5179 is actually about transparency in labeling (can’t make this sh*t up): Smith (R-MS)
  • REMINDER: From the 4/19/24 and 9/13/24 editions of the Round-Up: As has always been the case in this battle over how to label the place-of-origin of settlement products, the argument behind HR 5179 boils down to: (1) if people know that a product was produced in a settlement, some will likely choose NOT to buy the product, in a decision that reflects their personal opposition to Israeli occupation/settlements; (2) such an action by an individual consumer, as an expression of their own deeply-held values, is a form of BDS and as such is antisemitic, anti-Israel; (3) the U.S. government, as part of its support for its ally Israel, must implement policies that in effect establish special place-of-origin rules for Israel [i.e., hold Israel to a different standard than the rest of the world] that protect Israel/settlements; (4) These Israel-specific rules-of-origin must ensure that U.S. consumers who might want to make an informed decision with respect to purchasing or not purchasing settlement products are prevented from doing so — in this case, by depriving them of accurate place-of-origin data; and (5) Failure to implement/enact policies that in effect prevent US consumers making informed decisions with respect to whether or not they wish to purchase settlements products is antisemitic, anti-Israel, and a form of BDS.
  • Media: Sixteen House Democrats vote with Republicans to codify Israel product labeling policy (Jewish Insider 9/20/24); House Passes Bill to Label Products From West Bank Settlements “Made in Israel” –“Let’s be clear. A vote for this bill would further support the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians,” said Rashida Tlaib. (TruthOut 9/19/24)

(US MUST TREAT SETTLEMENTS AS PART OF ISRAEL – & NOT DOING SO IS ANTI-ISRAEL, ANTISEMITIC BDS) S. 5110: Introduced 9/19/24 by Rubio (R-FL), “A bill to clarify the country of origin of certain articles imported into the United States for purposes of certain trade enforcement actions.” Referred to the Committee on Finance. NOTE: As of this writing text is not online and Rubio has not issued a press release, but it is a good bet this is the Senate version of HR 5179, or something like that…

Re-Funding UNRWA

  • (RESTORE FUNDING TO UNRWA!) HR 9649: Introduced 9/18/24 by Carson (D-IN) and 62 cosponsors (all Democrats), “To restore funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: Reps. Carson, Jayapal, Schakowsky Introduce UNRWA Funding Bill [including very long list of organizations supporting the bill (please note that FMEP does NOT endorse/support/lobby any legislation)]

Targeting Lebanon

Further Sweetening the Abraham Accords Pot & More Support for Israel

  • (PROMOTE AI INTEGRATION AMONG US & ABRAHAM ACCORD ALLIES — WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?) S. 5058 (pdf): Introduced 9/16/24 by Ernst (R-IA) and Gillibrand (D-NY), “A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a strategy to improve cooperation between the Department of Defense and allies and partners of the United States located in the Middle East so as to improve use of partner-sharing network capabilities to facilitate joint defense efforts among the United States and such allies and partners, and for other purposes,” aka the “Artificial Intelligence Allied Collaboration for Crucial Operations, Research, and Development Act (AI ACCORD) Act of 2024.”  Referred to the Committee on Armed Services. Press release 9/18/24 – Ernst Equips Abraham Accords Nations With Access to Cutting Edge Technology; Ernst Discusses New Work Building Upon Abraham Accords. Also see: Ernst, Gillibrand introduce legislation to enhance tech sharing among Middle East partners (Jewish Insider 9/18/24 – note – JI frames this as an “exclusive” report on legislation that the sponsors are “set to introduce on Wednesday” – notwithstanding the fact that the bill was already introduced on 9/16/24 (Wednesday was just the day Ernst issued her press release…)
  • (EXPAND MILITARY BENEFITS FOR ABRAHAM ACCORD NATIONS) S. 5059: Introduced 9/16/24 by Ernst (R-IA) and Rosen (D-NV), “A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to design and implement a foreign military officer subject matter expert exchange program, and for other purposes,” aka the “Learning Integrated National Knowledge (LINK) Act.” Referred to the Committee on Armed Services. Also see press releases – Ernst Strengthens Strategic Military Partnership Between Abraham Accords Nations; Rosen, Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Military Partnership Between Abraham Accords Nations; Ernst Discusses New Work Building Upon Abraham Accords
  • (EDUCATE THE WORLD TO LOVE THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS/PEACE THRU NORMALIZATION!) H. Res. 1476:  Introduced 9/19/24 by Schneider (D-IL) and 3 cosponsors (bipartisan), “Encouraging the Department of State and civil society to further the Abraham Accords by encouraging peace and tolerance in education.”  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. [The resolved clauses – which seem totally divorced from the current reality in the region – are as follows:  the House “(1) encourages Israel and its Arab and Muslim-majority neighbors to continue to deepen and expand cooperation across the full spectrum of economic, security, and civilian issues, emphasizing collaborative efforts in peace and tolerance education; (2) encourages international organizations, including the United Nations, to improve and prioritize counter-incitement in its educational work throughout the region, as well as take steps to eliminate antisemitism across all United Nations bodies; (3) supports the expansion and strengthening of the Abraham Accords to urge other countries to normalize relations with Israel and ensure that existing agreements reap tangible security and economic benefits for the citizens of those countries and all peoples in the region; (4) encourages the Department of State to proactively engage with countries in the region, supporting the goals of this resolution and the Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2021, to press for curricula reform in bilateral dialogues as a key agenda item to help facilitate the implementation of positive changes that promote regional stability, peace, and tolerance based on international standards; and (5) encourages civil society and partners across the United States to continue working together with governments across the world to make sure the next generation of children receives a quality, comprehensive peace and tolerance education…”]
  • (FURTHER EXPAND US BENEFITS FOR ISRAEL) HR 9713: Introduced 9/19/24 by Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), “To amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to expand and reauthorize the United States-Israel Energy Cooperation program, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology; Foreign Affairs; and Homeland Security.
But what it they are applied to Israel?
  • (NO US $$ FOR GOVTS THAT SUPPRESS FREE SPEECH) HR 9700: Introduced 9/19/24 by Mace (R-SC) and Burchett (R-TN), “To prohibit bilateral economic assistance, including assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, to foreign governments that abridge the right to free speech that would be speech protected by the Constitution of the United States, and for other purposes,” aka the “No Funds for Fascists Act.” Also see – Congresswoman Nancy Mace Introduces ‘No Funds for Fascists Act’ To End U.S. Aid to Governments Suppressing Free Speech. Notably if this bill were to pass into law, and if it was then implemented universally, it could require the US to cut off aid to Israel  — a country that systematically abridges free speech of civil society and especially Palestinians, both before (e.g., here, here, and here) and after (e.g., here, here, here) the 10/7/23 attack. Text is not yet available, so it remains to be seen if the bill is written to include an explicit or implicit Israel exception.
  • (BAR/DEPORT FOREIGN OFFICIALS OF GOVTS THAT SUPPRESS AMCITS’ FREE SPEECH) HR 9605: Introduced 9/19/24 by Issa (R-CA) and Salazar (R-FL), “To provide that any foreign government official who engages in censorship of American speech is inadmissible and deportable,” aka, “No Censors on Our Shores Act.” Issa’s press release makes clear that his bill is aimed at the president of Brazil (for dating to take on Elon Musk) but Issa notes: “…the free speech rights of Americans are also under attack all over the world, and in many nations that we might not expect…With the No Censors on Our Shores Act, foreign government officials will be put on notice: Deny our citizens their First Amendment rights, and this country will deny you entry to America or show you the door.” Notably if this bill were to pass into law, and if it was then implemented universally, it could require the US bar entry to/deport Israeli government officials — given Israel’s targeting of freedom of speech, which extends to Israeli-Americans and Palestinian-Americans, as well as American visitors (e.g., here, here, here. here, here, here, here, here, here). Text is not yet available, so it remains to be seen if the bill is written to include an explicit or implicit Israel exception.

Other issues

  • (CONGRESS <HEARTS> THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN) HR 9637: Introduced 9/17/24 by Phillips (R-MN) and Wilson (R-SC),  “To improve defense cooperation between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.” Referred to the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Armed Services.
  • (INTERNET FREEDOM IN IRAN) S. 5076: Introduced 9/17/24 by Cardin (D-MD), “A bill to require periodic updates to the comprehensive strategy to promote Internet freedom and access to information in Iran, to authorize grants to support and develop programs in Iran that promote or expand an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure internet, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: Chair Cardin Introduces Iran Internet Freedom Act to Support the Iranian People Marking Anniversary of Woman, Life, Freedom Protests
  • (COUNTERING NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS WITH ASSAD REGIME) S. 5095: Introduced 9/18/24 by Cardin (D-MD), “A bill to counter efforts to recognize or normalize relations with any Government of Syria that is led by Bashar al-Assad, and for other purposes.“Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • (NO MORE “WOKE” INVESTMENTS!) HR 5339: Introduced 9/5/23 by Allen (R-GA) and Houchin (R-IN), “Protecting Americans’ Investments from Woke Policies Act.” Passed by the House 9/19/24 by a vote of 216-206, with all Republicans plus 3 Democrats voting “yes”. NOTE: Claims that ESG is intrinsically antisemitic and cover for BDS, based on the argument that, in effect, any adverse business decision or advice related to Israel can ONLY be a form of antisemitism or BDS, have been a key weapon (if not THE key weapon) used to attack ESG (and much of the anti-ESG legislation in various US states  — introduced and in some cases passed — has been modeled on anti-BDS legislation). That’s why this bill is included in the Round-Up.

COMING SOON

–>TARGETING THE ICC: On 9/25/24, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will consider HR 8282, the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act. As a reminder, the House passed HR 8282 on 6/4/24 by a vote of vote of 247-155 — with ALL Republicans voting “Yes”, except for 2 voting “present” (Davidson, R-OH and Massie, R-KY),  joined by 42 Democrats. The Biden Administration has issued a Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) opposing HR 8282; the ACLU also sent a letter to House members opposing HR 8282 (and likely will do so again with the Senate). For full background see the 6/7/24 edition of the Round-Up. Also see: Senate Foreign Relations Committee to vote on International Criminal Court sanctions (Jewish Insider 9/17/24)

–>ANTISEMITISM AWARENESS ACT: Jewish Insider 9/18/24: Schumer ‘trying to figure out the best path forward’ on Antisemitism Awareness Act; Jewish News Syndicate 9/18/24: Testy Senate hate-crimes hearing could ‘ironically’ help get legislation on Jew-hatred passed; The Forward 9/16/24: Senate to advance contentious bill to crack down on anti-Israel activity on campus [per Gottheimer (D-NJ)] — The Antisemitism Awareness Act would mandate the Department of Education use the a controversial definition of antisemitism; Representatives hold press conference on Antisemitism Awareness Act at Kraft Center [“The bipartisan bill would compel the Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism in its Title VI investigations.“] (Columbia Spectator 9/19/24). NOTE: For background on the campaign of pressure on Schumer to pass the AAA, notwithstanding the across-the-political-spectrum opposition sparked by House passage of this massively controversial bill in April, see the 8/15/24 and 9/6/24 editions of the Round-Up.

–>DISAPPROVING OF ARMS SALES TO ISRAEL:  9/18/24: Sanders Announces Intention to File Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to Block Arms Sales to Israel; 9/18/24: Sanders Delivers Speech on his Intent to File Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to Block $20 Billion Arms Sale to Israel (video of remarks; transcript); AP 9/18/24: Bernie Sanders preparing resolutions to block $20B in US arms sales to Israel; Times of Israel 9/18/24: Bernie Sanders pushing longshot bid to block $20B in US arms sales to Israel; Jewish News Syndicate 9/19/24: Sanders’s move to block Israel aid ‘plays into strategy’ of Iranian proxies, says Jewish group [DMFI]

–> TARGETING THE HOUTHIS: HR 9564, introduced 9/12/24 by Issa (R-CA) and Phillips (D-MN), “To authorize the imposition of sanctions with respect to the Houthis, and for other purposes,“ is being fast-tracked — it is scheduled to be marked up in the House Foreign Affairs Committee on 9/25/24.

–> MANDATING US ADOPTION OF “JUDEA & SAMARIA” TERMINOLOGY??: Israel Hayom 9/16/24: US bill to abolish term West Bank in official documents [“‘My bill will mandate referring to Judea and Samaria as the historic homeland of the Jewish people, not the ‘West Bank.’ We will persist in advocating for your historical roots,’ Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney says.“] NOTE: Tenney (R-NY) is talking about HR 7552, which she introduced back on 3/5/24 and on which, as of now, no action has been taken (and at least as yet there has been no public indication given that it is set to move — from the article it seems more like Tenney mentioned the bill in her recent meeting with Israeli settlements leader Yossi Dagan, and that mention has been leveraged into a non-news story).

2. Letters

Targeting free speech/protest/academia & celebrating anti-Palestinian racism

West Bank Violence, incl Killing of Amcit

  • 9/13/24: Ramirez, 20 Members of Congress Press Blinken on Actions to Stop Settler and Escalating Violence in the West Bank [letter text]
  • 9/13/24: Rep. Adam Smith’s Letter to President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and Attorney General Garland  [letter text posted by Americans for Peace Now]. Excerpt: “We request a written explanation provided to the family and the undersigned members to the following questions no later than October 4, 2024: 1. What does the U.S. government currently know about the circumstances surrounding Ms. Eygi’s killing? 2. Will the U.S. government conduct an independent, thorough, credible, and transparent investigation into the killing of Ms. Eygi? 3. What would be the proposed timeline and plan for such an investigation? 4. How will the U.S. government seek accountability if the Israeli government refuses to cooperate with such an investigation?” [not indicated who else is included in the “we” referenced in the letter]

Iran

Other stuff

3. Hearings & Markups

September 26, 2024: The House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold what promises to be a super-fun show-trial/witch hunt (sorry, I mean “hearing”) entitled, Desecrating Old Glory: Investigating How the Pro-Hamas Protests Turned National Park Service Land into a Violent Disgrace.  No witnesses have been announced as of this writing (but fasten your seatbelts…)

September 19, 2024: The Senate Judiciary Committee held a business meeting, during which marked up a number of pieces of legislation, including  S. 2082: Introduced 6/21/23 by Cornyn (R-TX) and 19 bipartisan cosponsors, “A bill to make technical corrections relating to the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act,” aka, the “Ensuring Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Reminder: Cornyn’s press release re: S. 2082: “The Ensuring Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act makes three technical corrections to the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) that would: Clarify that injured plaintiffs can sue foreign state defendants for aiding and abetting terrorism and ensure that liability may be asserted as to any person or entity that aids or abets terrorism; Ensure that plaintiffs, if they obtain on a JASTA claim, can collect their judgement; and Clarify that all U.S. citizens injured in their person, business, or property may recover under JASTA.“

September 19, 2024: The House Foreign Affairs Committee held hearing hearing entitled, Israel and the Middle East at a Crossroads: How Tehran’s Terror Campaign Threatens the U.S. and our Allies. Witnesses were: Elliott Abrams, former official serving in several Republican administrations who in 1991 was convicted of unlawfully withholding information from Congress (statement);  Kirsten Fontenrose, Former Senior Director for the Gulf at the NSC (statement); Carrie Fillipetti, the Vandenberg Coalition (statement); and Jonathan Lord, Center for a New American Security (statement). Also see: hearing video

September 17, 2024: The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing entitled, A Threat to Justice Everywhere: Stemming the Tide of Hate Crimes in America (I’m linking to this video, because it includes a transcript). Witnesses were: Maya Berry, Executive Director, Arab American Institute & Co-Chair, Hate Crimes Task Force, The Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights (testimony); Kenneth S. Stern, Director, Bard Center for the Study of Hate (testimony); and Mark Goldfeder, Director, National Jewish Advocacy Center (testimony – which focused on urging Congress to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act).

  • NOTE: This hearing was, not unexpectedly, a sh*t show. Most Republican members of the Committee made clear their unhappiness (indeed, self-righteous outrage – see Ted Cruz, R-TX) that the hearing was dealing with any kind of hate crime other than hate crimes targeting Jewish Americans (defined by them to focus on campus protest for Palestinian lives/rights). It is thus unsurprising that most used their time to grandstand and ask questions designed to transform the hearing into one ONLY about campus protests of Israel/Zionism (see Grassley, R-IA, press release with video clips; Cruz notably compared protesters for Palestinian lives/rights with the Ku Klux Klan and denounced US campuses, the FBI, and the federal government for failing to target/prosecute/punish protesters – and promised that if Republicans take control of the Senate, this will change) — and calling on the Republican witness, Mark Goldfeder, to validate their views. At the same time, their unhappiness over the hearing covering other kinds of hate found expression in the form of some committee members — most notably Graham (also see press release) and, most appallingly, Hawley, R-MO and Kennedy, R-LA — launching attacks, including personal attacks, against the sole Arab and Muslim witness on the panel, Maya Berry (and then turning to the Republican witness to validate the attacks). In effect, the subjected her to treatment that amounted to racist, vituperative Islamophobic bullying and defamation — i.e., HATE SPEECH (at a hearing on hate crimes, which yes, really says it all). Really, everyone should watch Kennedy’s questioning of Berry – and her powerful responses.
  • Chairman Durbin (D-IL) opening statement; Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Stemming The Rise Of Hate Crimes; Durbin 9/17/24: X-post (with video) – “A Senate Republican told an Arab American civil rights leader that ‘you should hide your head in a bag.’ We will not amplify that horrible clip. But we WILL amplify the witness’s powerful response calling it out.”
  • Other member press release: Cornyn (R-TX); Welch (D-VT)

Also see:

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

[lots of tweets this week, mainly from Republicans, celebrating the anniversary of the Abraham Accords – check members’ X accounts – not gonna include them here]

UNGA Votes Against Israeli Occupation

  • Calvert (R-CA) 9/18/24: X-post – “After granting the terror-sponsor Palestinian Authority a seat at the General Assembly, the UN is further delegitimizing itself by approving the PA’s anti-Israel resolution. This resolution gives legitimacy to the terrorists who continue to threaten the existence of Israel.”
  • Diaz-Balart (R-FL) 9/18/24: X-post – “Today, the UNGA again demonstrated that it has forgotten the reason it was created. Israel is facing an existential threat of terrorism from multiple directions, and the world should stand unequivocally with #Israel. So when asked why I denied funding in the House bill to corrupt, misguided UN entities and the UN itself, here’s just the latest reason. U.S. taxpayers should not underwrite an institution that works against our values and interests to bolster our adversaries.“
  • Rubio (R-FL) et al 9/17/24: Rubio, Colleagues Condemn Palestinian Effort Targeting Israel at UN

Israel Operations in Lebanon

  • Jewish Insider 9/20/24: Democratic senators support Israel’s pager attack against Hezbollah, amid AOC criticism
  • Bowman (D-NY) 9/19/24: X-thread: “Israel’s pager attacks in Lebanon have injured thousands and led to the death of innocent civilians, including multiple children. This attack not only falls in clear violation of international law but also further escalates a brewing regional conflict. Protecting civilians and de-escalating must be a priority. Israel must be held to account for their pervasive violations of international humanitarian law, and we need immediate answers as to whether any US assistance or aid went into the development of this lethal technology.“
  • Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) 9/18/24: X-post – “Israel’s pager attack in Lebanon detonated thousands of handheld devices across of a slew of public spaces, seriously injuring and killing innocent civilians. This attack clearly and unequivocally violates international humanitarian law and undermines US efforts to prevent a wider conflict. Congress needs a full accounting of the attack, including an answer from the State Department as to whether any US assistance went into the development or deployment of this technology.“
  • Feenstra (R-IA) 9/18/24: X-post – “Israel is taking terrorists to task and making the world a safer place.”
  • Hagerty (R-TN) 9/18/24: X-post – “Israel’s actions against Hezbollah are well within their right to defend themselves from terrorism.“
  • Hagerty (R-TN) 9/18/24: ICYMI—Hagerty Joins Balance of Power to Discuss Looming Government Shutdown, Trump Tax Policy, Potential Fed Rate Cut, Attack on Hezbollah [“It certainly amazes me that our State Department spokesman will only name Israel and says ‘other parties.’ They won’t talk about the fact that Iran is behind all of this. He didn’t mention Hezbollah that has basically displaced 50,000 Israelis right now in Northern Israel. This is in retaliation for actions that have been taken by Hezbollah, if indeed it is Israel that’s behind it, and I think what it does demonstrate is the resourcefulness of whoever put this in place because they’ve been able to get into the supply chain and get directly into the minds, I think, of the people that are there. This should have an incredible deterrent effect if indeed Israel is behind it.“]
  • Sherman (D-CA) 9/17/24: X-thread – “Let’s be clear – in its strategic attack on #Hezbollah, #Israel used innovative methods to carry out a precise military operation, maximizing the elimination of terrorists while minimizing harm to civilians by targeting military communication devices. (1/3) #Iran‘s Ambassador must explain why he had a Hezbollah military communication device, given Iran’s long history of using its ‘diplomats’ to carry out terror. This includes a plot to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to the US & target dissidents abroad, especially in Europe. (2/3) In war it’s impossible to fully prevent harm to civilians – especially when #Hezbollah operates in Beirut’s densest civilian areas. Some impacted by this operation may be civilians due to #Hezbollah‘s use of civilians as human shields and their use of soldiers when age 18. (3/3)“

Antisemitism/Free Speech/Right to Protest

Other stuff

 

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings
4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Elex/Politics
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New from FMEP:

  • 9/17/24: New installment of Just Vision’s series – In Context: Briefings on Israel-Palestine, “In Context Briefing on Defending Dissent: Palestine, Freedom of Speech and the Future of Protest“, ft. Fadi AbuShammalah, Journalist from Gaza and Outreach Associate, Just Vision; Sabiya Ahamed, Staff Attorney, Palestine Legal; Lara Friedman, President, Foundation for Middle East Peace; Maria LaHood, Deputy Legal Director, Center for Constitutional Rights; Simone Zimmerman, Director of Strategic Communications & Outreach, Diaspora Alliance and co-founder, IfNotNow; amd Suhad Babaa (Moderator), President and Executive Director, Just Vision. “As we approach November’s historic election and a new semester begins on college campuses, all eyes are on the precarious state of American democracy. Top of mind for many are urgent questions about free speech, dissent and growing concerns surrounding the U.S.’s role in Israel-Palestine. Over the past year, those who criticize Israel’s conduct in Gaza have faced extreme repression, including expulsions from their universities, dismissal from employment, doxing and, at times, arrest and violence from police.  Join us on Tuesday, Sept 17 at 11:00 am ET / 6:00 pm Jerusalem time to learn more about growing repression of dissent on Israel-Palestine, a trend that has built over decades and escalated in the past year. From anti-boycott legislation to the recent arrests of student protestors, leading experts will examine how these actions impact American democracy and our right to collectively organize on a range of issues – from Palestinian rights to the environment, racial justice, reproductive rights and beyond – at such a critical juncture. Register here.” Cosponsored by: Just Vision, the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU), Jewish Currents, Palestine Legal, the Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP), Diaspora Alliance and Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR).

1. Bills & Resolutions

(TARGETING NGOs THAT SUPPORT PALESTINIAN RIGHTS) HR 9495 (text): Introduced 9/9/24 by Tenney (R-NY) and 3 bipartisan cosponsors – Kustoff (R-TN), Schneider (D-IL) & Titus (D-NV) – “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to postpone tax deadlines and reimburse paid late fees for United States nationals who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad, to terminate the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations, and for other purposes.” Marked up in the House Ways and Means Committee 9/11/24 and passed by the Committee by a vote of 38-0 – see Section 4, below, for details. Also see: Tenney press release – Congresswoman Tenney’s Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act Passes Markup; Kustoff press release – Kustoff Bill, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, Passes Ways and Means Committee

(FEDERAL ANTISEMITISM CZAR) S. Amdt. 3276 to S.4638: Offered 9/12/24 by Rosen (D-NV), and amendment to the FY25 NDAA to establish “within the Executive Office of the President the position of National Coordinator to Counter Antisemitism” and to require the President to establish an “Interagency Task Force to Counter Antisemitism. ” Under this legislation:

  • the National Coordinator to Counter Antisemitism will “serve as the principal advisor to the President on countering domestic antisemitism“; “coordinate Federal efforts to counter antisemitism, including ongoing and multiyear implementation of Federal Government strategies to counter antisemitism“; and “conduct a biennial review of the implementation of Federal Government strategies to counter antisemitism for a period of 10 years, including– (A) an evaluation of all actions that have been implemented; and (B) recommendations for any updates to those actions, as necessary; and (4) review the internal and external antisemitism training and resource programs of Federal agencies and ensure that such programs include training and resources to assist Federal agencies in understanding, deterring, and educating people about antisemitism.”
  • the Interagency Task Force to Counter Antisemitism” will: “Coordinate implementation of Federal Government strategies to counter antisemitism“; “Measure and evaluate the progress of the United States in the areas of– (A) providing education about antisemitism; (B) countering antisemitism; and (C) providing support, protection, and assistance to individuals and communities targeted by antisemitism“; “Create and implement interagency procedures for collecting and organizing data, including research results and resource information from relevant agencies (as described in subsection (b)) and researchers, on domestic antisemitism, while– (A) respecting the confidentiality of individuals targeted by antisemitism; and (B) complying with any Federal, State, or local laws affecting confidentiality, such as laws applying to court cases involving juveniles”; and “Engage in consultation with Congress, nonprofit organizations, including Jewish community organizations, and other entities, as determined to be appropriate by the Task Force, to advance the purposes of this section.“

(FEDERAL ANTISEMITISM MONITORS FOR US COLLEGES) HR 9530: Introduced 9/10/24 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.”  Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. NOTE: Torres and Lawler have been talking about this bill since April — see coverage from the 4/26/24 edition of the Round-Up: 

On 4/26/24, Jewish Insider reported: 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

(BARRING ENTRY OF PALESTINIANS INTO THE US) HR 9526: Introduced 9/10/24 by Mace (R-SC), and 3 cosponsors (all Republicans), “To prohibit certain actions related to aliens who habitually resided in the Palestinian-administered territories, and for other purposes,” aka, the “No Amnesty for Hamas Sympathizers Act.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: press release – Congresswoman Nancy Mace Introduces Common-Sense Legislation To Prohibit Amnesty For Hamas Sympathizers; Republican lawmakers push to keep Palestinians, sympathisers out of US – Proposed bills such the “No Amnesty for Hamas Sympathizers Act” reflect a broader effort to silence pro-Palestine voices amid escalating tensions in Gaza. (TRT World 9/13/24)

(TARGETING THE HOUTHIS) HR 9564: Introduced 9/12/24 by Issa (R-CA) and Phillips (D-MN), “To authorize the imposition of sanctions with respect to the Houthis, and for other purposes.“ Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Coming Soon!

(US MUST TREAT SETTLEMENTS AS PART OF ISRAEL – & NOT DOING SO IS ANTI-ISRAEL,ANTISEMITIC BDS) HR 5179: Introduced 8/8/23 by Tenney (R-NY), “To require the maintenance of the country of origin markings for imported goods produced in the West Bank or Gaza, and for other purposes,” aka, the “Anti-BDS Labeling Act.” On 9/10/2024, placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 55 (setting the stage for it can be brought to the floor for a vote). 

  • Reminder from the 4/19/24 edition of the Round-Up: As has always been the case in this battle over how to label the place-of-origin of settlement products, this argument behind HR 5179 boils down to: (1) if people know that a product was produced in a settlement, some will likely choose NOT to buy the product, in a decision that reflects their personal opposition to Israeli occupation/settlements; (2) such an action by an individual consumer, as an expression of their own deeply-held values, is a form of BDS and as such is antisemitic, anti-Israel; (3) the U.S. government, as part of its support for its ally Israel, must implement policies that in effect establish special place-of-origin rules for Israel [i.e., hold Israel to a different standard than the rest of the world] that protect Israel/settlements; (4) These Israel-specific rules-of-origin must ensure that U.S. consumers who might want to make an informed decision with respect to purchasing or not purchasing settlement products are prevented from doing so — in this case, by depriving them of accurate place-of-origin data; and (5) Failure to implement/enact policies that in effect prevent US consumers making informed decisions with respect to whether or not they wish to purchase settlements products is antisemitic, anti-Israel, and a form of BDS.
  • Also see Tenney press release on committee passage of HR 5179 – “…For years, the anti-Semitic BDS movement has sought to cripple the Israeli economy and arbitrarily discriminate against goods made in Israeli-controlled areas of Judea and Samaria…Ways and Means Republicans reinforced existing U.S. policy that prevents federal funds from being used to support the BDS movement. By passing this bill out of Committee, we reiterate our support for our greatest ally in the Middle East and the lone beacon of freedom and democracy, Israel.”

(DISAPPROVING OF ARMS SALE TO ISRAEL) Sanders says he’ll introduce resolution to block $20 billion arms sale to Israel as support for arms embargo grows (Mondoweiss 9/11/24)

2. Letters

3. Hearings & Markups

September 19, 2024: The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a business meeting, during which they will mark up a number of pieces of legislation, including  S. 2082: Introduced 6/21/23 by Cornyn (R-TX) and 19 bipartisan cosponsors, “A bill to make technical corrections relating to the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act,” aka, the “Ensuring Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Reminder: Cornyn’s press release re: S. 2082: “The Ensuring Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act makes three technical corrections to the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) that would: Clarify that injured plaintiffs can sue foreign state defendants for aiding and abetting terrorism and ensure that liability may be asserted as to any person or entity that aids or abets terrorism; Ensure that plaintiffs, if they obtain on a JASTA claim, can collect their judgement; and Clarify that all U.S. citizens injured in their person, business, or property may recover under JASTA.“

September 19, 2024: The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing entitled, Israel and the Middle East at a Crossroads: How Tehran’s Terror Campaign Threatens the U.S. and our Allies. Scheduled witnesses are: Elliott Abrams, former official serving in several Republican administrations who in 1991 was convicted of unlawfully withholding information from Congress;  Kirsten Fontenrose, Former Senior Director for the Gulf at the NSC; Carrie Fillipetti, the Vandenberg Coalition; and Jonathan Lord, Center for a New American Security

September 17, 2024: The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing entitled, A Threat to Justice Everywhere: Stemming the Tide of Hate Crimes in America. No witnesses have been announced as of 9/12/24. Also see: Senate Judiciary Committee announces first post-Oct. 7 hearing on hate crimes – The announcement does not make any specific mention of antisemitism (Jewish Insider)

September 12, 2024: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing entitled, Anti-NGO Laws and Other Tools of Democratic Repression [but, notably, looking only overseas, rather than at the US, and of course, not once mentioning Israel…]  Witnesses were: Douglas Rutzen, International Center for Not-For-Profit Law (testimony); Yaqiu Wang, Freedom House (testimony); and Eka Gigauri, Transparency International Georgia (testimony). Also see: hearing video.

September 11, 2024: The House Ways and Means Committee held a markup of various pieces of legislation, including HR 9495 (text; committee description), introduced 9/9/24 by Tenney (R-NY) and 3 bipartisan cosponsors – Kustoff (R-TN), Schneider (D-IL) & Titus (D-NV) – “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to postpone tax deadlines and reimburse paid late fees for United States nationals who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad, to terminate the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations, and for other purposes.” See section 1, above, for more details on the bill. The Committee adopted an amendment in the nature of a substitute (description) to HR 9495 by a voice vote, and then passed the bill (as amended) – paving the way for a vote on the House floor – by a vote of 38-0.

September 10, 2024: (Rescheduled) The House Financial Services Committee held a hearing entitled, The Fall of ESG: Scrutinizing the Failed Use of Environmental, Social, and Governance Standards and the Influence of Proxy Advisors (hearing video). Witnesses were are: Charles Crain, Vice President of Domestic Policy, National Association of Manufacturers (statement); Tim Doyle, Founder and Principal, Doyle Strategies (statement); and Michael Frerichs, Treasurer, State of Illinois (statement) [for some context on Frerichs: 10/12/24: Frerichs announces $10 million state investment in Israel Bonds; 5/10/23: Statement Before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability For the Hearing Entitled “ESG Part I: An Examination of Environmental, Social, and Governance Practices with Attorneys General”]  NOTE: Claims that ESG is antisemitic and cover for BDS, based on the argument that, in effect, any adverse business decision or advice related to Israel can ONLY be a form of antisemitism or BDS, have been a key weapon (if not THE key weapon) used to attack ESG.  And notably, much of the anti-ESG legislation in various US states (introduced and in some cases passed) has been modeled on anti-BDS legislation. Also see: Bloomberg Law 8/29/24: Anti-ESG Bills, Priorities Stall in Congress’ Fourth Quarter (1)

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

Israel in Congress

American Killed by IDF in West Bank & Israel’s war on Gaza

  • Sanders (I-VT) 9/11/24: X-post – “This week: 19 people killed & scores injured in a strike in a “humanitarian zone” in Gaza. An American shot in the head in the West Bank. Now, another school bombed, killing 14 people, including 6 UN aid workers. Enough is enough. No more money for Netanyahu’s war machine.“
  • Watson Coleman (D-NJ) 9/11/24: X-post – “I am deeply disturbed by the tragic killing of 26-year-old American citizen Aysenur Ezgi Eygi by Israeli Defense Forces following a peaceful protest in the Occupied West Bank. My full statement below:” full statement (pdf)
  • Escobar (D-TX) 9/10/24: X-thread – “Millions of innocent, vulnerable civilians in Gaza fled south at Israel’s command to promised safety. Instead, they have been met with indiscriminate bombing, famine, and violence, as Israel has ensured there is no safe ‘humanitarian zone’ in all of Gaza[.] I condemn in the strongest possible terms the senseless murder of Aysenur Eygi, a U.S. citizen, as well as the continued violations of the laws of war by Netanyahu, including last night’s bombing in Al-Malawi [sic – Mawasi]. And I again urge the administration to withhold any further offensive weapons until Israel heeds U.S. guidance and follows international standards. Israel’s right to defend itself after the horrific October 7 attack by Hamas does not justify the way Netanyahu has chosen to execute this war and these horrific actions.” 
  • Jewish News Syndicate 9/10/24: No crueler fate than parent ‘waiting for a horribly injured child’s release,’ senator says [“Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) spoke about Hersh Goldberg-Polin and his parents and criticized the Israeli prime minister on the Senate floor.“]
  • Raskin (D-MD) 9/10/24: X-post – “America and the world mourn the loss of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old American killed while protesting in the West Bank. Everyone has a right to free speech without being shot down by a state. I’m joining global calls for accountability after this unprovoked killing of an American.”
  • Jayapal (D-WA) 9/10/24: X-post – “This is beyond tragic. The Israeli gov’t is violating int’l humanitarian laws and US domestic law, attacking safe zones with no consideration for innocent Palestinian lives. The US must stop sending offensive weapons to conduct this war. ENOUGH.” Linked to article, Dozens killed, wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza tent camp (Reuters 9/10/24)
  • Jayapal (D-WA) 9/10/24: X-post in response to Biden statement: “Unacceptable, @POTUS. This is an outrageous statement. We cannot simply accept IDF’s version that this was an ‘accident.’ We do not know that, it’s why we need independent investigation. What accountability will there be when we keep supplying the weapons against our own laws?“
  • Schneider (D-IL) 9/10/24: X-thread – “The heartbreaking death of American Aysenur Ezgi Eygi should never have happened. I fully support Secretary Blinken’s call for full accountability for those responsible & fundamental changes to how the Israeli security forces achieve their critical mission in the West Bank. No matter the complexity of Israel’s security challenges, the IDF must consistently adhere to its own official code of ethics. May her memory be a blessing.” Linked to article: Blinken calls for ‘fundamental changes’ after American woman killed in West Bank (The Hill 9/10/24)
  • Pressley (D-MA) 9/9/24: X-post – “Aysenur Ezgi Eygi should be alive today. Instead, she was shot in the head and killed by the IDF while protesting Israel’s illegal occupation of the West Bank. She was an American citizen. There must be accountability and a thorough, independent investigation.”
  • Grijalva (D-AZ) 9/9/24: X-post – “My deepest sympathies to the family of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, a U.S. citizen who was peacefully protesting the illegal Israeli occupation in the West Bank. I support her family’s call for an independent investigation into the circumstances of her tragic death.”
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 9/9/24: X-post – “Dear Americans, If you are killed by the Israeli government, our country won’t care. No one will be held accountable. It doesn’t matter who you are, Israel can kill Americans and get away with it.” [in response to comments from the State Dept spokesman ]
  • Garcia (D-IL) 9/9/24: X-post – “I strongly condemn the killing of Ayşenur Eygi, an American citizen protesting illegal Israeli occupation in the West Bank, and support her family’s call for an independent investigation into her death.“
  • McCollum (D-MN) 9/7/24: X-post– “My sincere condolences to the family of Ms. Aysenur Eygi, the 26-year-old American peace activist, who was shot in the head and killed by Israeli Defense Forces in the Palestinian West Bank. Aysenur’s murder is a crime and the Biden administration must hold Israel accountable.”
  • Moulton (D-WI) 9/7/24: X-post – “We need answers whenever an American is killed abroad. — hostages, protestors, tourists, anyone. In this case, why was an American shot via what appears to be abuse by an Israeli soldier. We have to have answers, regardless of where this occurs. @StateDept @POTUS“
  • Murray (D-WA) 9/6/24: X-post – “I am heartbroken & angry about the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, an American citizen, in the West Bank today, who was peacefully protesting against illegal settlement activity. Israel must deliver answers immediately & hold the perpetrators fully accountable...” Also see – Murray (D-WA) 9/6/24: Senator Murray Statement on the Death of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi
  • Cantwell (D-WA) 9/6/24: X-thread – “The death of Aysenur Eygi is a tragedy. My office has been in contact with the State Department and our U.S. Embassy in Israel regarding her death. I will do whatever I can to help her family at this difficult time. (1/2) Our hearts and prayers are with her family and her many friends in the greater Seattle area. (2/2)“

Recess travel in the Middle East

Targeting Free Speech/Academia

  • Washington Times 9/11/24: The Biden-Harris administration has failed our students
  • McConnell (R-KY) 9/10/24: Back to School For Campus Radicals, Student Loan Socialism [“…Back in May, the tantrums of campus radicals made some elite schools so inhospitable to learning – particularly for Jewish students – that administrators were driven to cancel commencement ceremonies. Since then, Columbia University’s president has resigned, along with three deans who were put on notice for antisemitic comments made about a panel on Jewish life on campus back in May. These are, of course, steps in the right direction for an Ivy League institution that professes a commitment to ‘thoughtful, rigorous debate’ and a campus culture ‘free of bigotry, intimidation, and harassment’. But Columbia and other universities have a great deal of work still to do to earn back the trust of students, parents, and alumni, alike. And other recent personnel decisions inspire less confidence. Remember, for example, the Columbia doctoral student who served as the unofficial spokesperson of the violent Hamasnik mob that forcefully occupied a campus building?..”] Also see: McConnell urges Columbia, elite schools not to tolerate ‘tantrums of campus radicals’ (Jewish Insider 9/11/24)
  • Smith (R-MO) 9/6/24: Standing up to antisemitism [“Anyone with a sliver of decency would agree that Hamas is pure evil. But as we’ve seen at so-called “pro-Palestinian protests” across the country, far too many people here in the U.S. support Hamas and its evil goal of wiping Israel – and millions of innocent people – off the face of the earth. These hate-filled groups spray paint awful phrases like ‘Death to America’, ‘Hamas is coming’, and ‘from the river to the sea’ on public property. They take down the American flag, burn it, and replace it with the Palestinian flag. They target, harass, and chase down Jewish college students who are just trying to get to class. In Washington, I’ve been on the frontlines in the fight to combat antisemitism – especially on college campuses. As Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over the tax code, I’ve been leading Congress’s investigation into the rise in antisemitism on the campuses of tax-exempt universities. The generous benefits these universities receive under the U.S. tax code are not a blank check. By failing to ensure a safe learning environment – including protecting Jewish students from harassment and violence – they are putting their lucrative tax benefits at risk. As a new semester begins, I’m closely monitoring universities that have failed to protect Jewish students. These universities must prove to Congress and, more importantly, Jewish students, that they are willing to stand up to antisemitic hatred. I’ll keep fighting tooth and nail until every Jewish student on an American university campus feels safe…“

Other stuff

1. Bills, Resolutions (Things to Watch as Congress Returns)
2. Letters
3. Hearings
4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Elex/Politics
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New from FMEP:

  • 9/17/24: New installment of Just Vision’s series – In Context: Briefings on Israel-Palestine, “In Context Briefing on Defending Dissent: Palestine, Freedom of Speech and the Future of Protest“, ft. Fadi AbuShammalah, Journalist from Gaza and Outreach Associate, Just Vision; Sabiya Ahamed, Staff Attorney, Palestine Legal; Lara Friedman, President, Foundation for Middle East Peace; Maria LaHood, Deputy Legal Director, Center for Constitutional Rights; Simone Zimmerman, Director of Strategic Communications & Outreach, Diaspora Alliance and co-founder, IfNotNow; amd Suhad Babaa (Moderator), President and Executive Director, Just Vision. “As we approach November’s historic election and a new semester begins on college campuses, all eyes are on the precarious state of American democracy. Top of mind for many are urgent questions about free speech, dissent and growing concerns surrounding the U.S.’s role in Israel-Palestine. Over the past year, those who criticize Israel’s conduct in Gaza have faced extreme repression, including expulsions from their universities, dismissal from employment, doxing and, at times, arrest and violence from police.  Join us on Tuesday, Sept 17 at 11:00 am ET / 6:00 pm Jerusalem time to learn more about growing repression of dissent on Israel-Palestine, a trend that has built over decades and escalated in the past year. From anti-boycott legislation to the recent arrests of student protestors, leading experts will examine how these actions impact American democracy and our right to collectively organize on a range of issues – from Palestinian rights to the environment, racial justice, reproductive rights and beyond – at such a critical juncture. Register here.” Cosponsored by: Just Vision, the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU), Jewish Currents, Palestine Legal, the Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP), Diaspora Alliance and Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR).

1. Bills & Resolutions (Things to Watch as Congress Returns…)

Punchbowl News 9/6/24: Scalise lays out House Republicans’ September plans – “Next week, the House will focus on cracking down on China. We wrote about this in detail on Monday.  But House Republicans are also planning several weeks’ worth of cultural war votes on what Scalise called “woke” ESG and DEI policies both in government agencies and financial institutions. Furthermore, Republicans will have legislation that addresses the BDS (boycott, divest and sanction) movement against Israel.” [To see what anti-BDS legislation is currently pending in this Congress, check out my database].

(TARGETING ESG) Politico 9/3/24: House GOP plans votes on anti-ESG, diversity bills [“The bills on the tentative agenda include legislation that would: Limit the types of disclosures the SEC can compel and revamp its authority over shareholder proposals; Impose new free speech requirements on universities and restrict accrediting agencies from requiring them to adopt political positions…”] This article links to (among other things), HR 7683, which was covered in the 3/22/24 edition of the Round-Up as follows:

  • (DEFENDING CAMPUS FREE SPEECH AS PRETEXT FOR ATTACKING DEI & “WOKE” FACULTY) HR 7683 (text):: Introduced 3/15/24 by Williams (R-NY) and Foxx (R-NC) and having 8 cosponsors (all Republicans) [as of 9/2/24, it now has 19 cosponsors, all GOP], the “Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act.” Amended by and reported out of the Committee on Education and the Workforce 3/21/24 by a vote of 24 – 14. Also see: press release – Rep. Williams and Chairwoman Foxx Introduce Bill to Protect Free Speech at Colleges and Universities. Williams and Foxx thoughtfully include a Fact Sheet explaining the bill, which talks about the “hostile takeover of postsecondary education by political activists, woke faculty, and partisan administrators has established a dangerous trend that threatens students’ constitutionally guaranteed rights and the ability of campuses to maintain a civil educational environment free of political bias and agendas” and asserts that “The forced commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is exploding.” So why is this in the Round-Up? Because: As the Round-Up has been covering in detail, Foxx and the Education and the Workforce Committee have in recent months been carrying out an energetic campaign targeting various universities for alleged antisemitism, connected to campus free speech and protest related to Palestine rights and the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza. That campaign is clearly designed to promote the agenda embodied in HR 7693, but because they have made that campaign ostensibly about (supposed) antisemitism, many Democrats in Congress have eagerly joined the cause.

(TARGETING FREE SPEECH ON CAMPUS) Jewish organizations including the Anti-Defamation League are working to mobilize grassroots pressure on Congress to pass S. 3580/HR 7735 — covered in the 1/19/24 edition of the Round-Up & the 3/22/24 edition of the Round-Up:

  • (USING CLAIMS OF ANTISEMITISM TO QUASH PALESTINE VOICES/SOLIDARITY ON US CAMPUSES) S. 3580: Introduced 1/11/24 (not covered previously in the Round-Up) by Cassidy (R-LA) and Fetterman (D-CA), the “Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2024.” Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions [after 8 months having attracted a total, as of 9/4/24, of 7 cosponsors, 4 Democrats & 3 Republicans]. Also see: Bipartisan bill aims to fight antisemitism on campus by fortifying civil rights complaint system (CNN 1/11/24 — “A bipartisan Senate bill introduced Thursday could make it easier for students to file civil rights complaints over antisemitism and Islamophobia on college campuses and to hold those schools accountable for protecting students.”)
  • (TARGETING ACADEMIA FOR PRO-PALESTINE STUDENTS/PROTEST) HR 7735 [bill text]: Introduced 3/20/24 by Manning (D-NC) and Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), “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,” aka the “Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2024” [after 6 months having attracted a total, as of 9/4/24, of 6 cosponsors, 5 Democrats & 1 Republican]. Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. NOTE: this is the House companion to S. 3580, introduced 1/11/23 by Cassidy (R-LA) and Fetterman (D-PA). Also see: press release – Manning, Chavez-DeRemer Introduce Bipartisan Protecting Students on Campus Act; Lawmakers introduce House companion to Cassidy-Fetterman campus antisemitism bill (Jewish Insider); Bipartisan bill introduced to make reporting campus antisemitism, and discrimination easier (Jerusalem Post)

(CHALLENGING MORE AID TO ISRAEL) Nation of Change 9/2/24: Bernie Sanders leads charge to block $20 billion arms sale to Israel [“Senator Bernie Sanders pledges to introduce a resolution to halt a massive U.S. arms deal with Israel, responding to widespread criticism of American complicity in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.“]

2. Letters

3. Hearings & Markups

September 12, 2024: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing entitled, Anti-NGO Laws and Other Tools of Democratic Repression.  Witnesses will be: Douglas Rutzen, International Center for Not-For-Profit Law; Yaqiu Wang, Freedom House; and Eka Gigauri, Transparency International Georgia.

September 10, 2024: (Rescheduled) The House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing entitled, The Fall of ESG: Scrutinizing the Failed Use of Environmental, Social, and Governance Standards and the Influence of Proxy Advisors. Scheduled witnesses (as of 9/6/24 at 2pm ET) are: Charles Crain, Vice President of Domestic Policy, National Association of Manufacturers; Tim Doyle, Founder and Principal, Doyle Strategies; and Michael Frerichs, Treasurer, State of Illinois (for some context on Frerichs: 10/12/24: Frerichs announces $10 million state investment in Israel Bonds; 5/10/23: Statement Before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability For the Hearing Entitled “ESG Part I: An Examination of Environmental, Social, and Governance Practices with Attorneys General”)  NOTE: Claims that ESG is antisemitic and cover for BDS, based on the argument that, in effect, any adverse business decision or advice related to Israel can ONLY be a form of antisemitism or BDS, have been a key weapon (if not THE key weapon) used to attack ESG.  And notably, much of the anti-ESG legislation in various US states (introduced and in some cases passed) has been modeled on anti-BDS legislation. Also see: Bloomberg Law 8/29/24: Anti-ESG Bills, Priorities Stall in Congress’ Fourth Quarter (1)

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

US Policy re: Israel’s War on Gaza/West Bank

  • Jayapal (D-WA) 9/6/24: Jayapal Statement on U.S. Citizen Killed in West Bank [“U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) released the following statement after Aysenur Eygi, a recent University of Washington graduate, was killed while protesting occupation in the West Bank: ‘My heart goes out to Aysenur’s family, friends, and loved ones. This is a terrible tragedy, and I extend my condolences to all those in mourning today. My office is actively working to gather more information on the events that led to her death. ‘I am very troubled by the reports that she was killed by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers. The Netanyahu government has done nothing to stop settlement expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, often encouraged by right-wing ministers of the Netanyahu government. The killing of an American citizen is a terrible proof point in this senseless war of rising tensions in the region.’ Aysenur Eygi was a U.S. citizen who graduated from the University of Washington in 2024.“]
  • Akbar Shahid Ahmed/Huffington Post 9/6/24: X-post – Van Hollen Statement on American Citizen Killed in the West Bank [“…To date, the US has not received satisfactory responses from the Netanyahu Government about 2 other Americans killed in the West Bank] since Oct. 7 & the Biden Admin has not been doing enough to pursue justice”] – NOTE: even this statement refrains from saying WHO killed these American citizens…
  • McCaul (R-TX) 9/5/24: McCaul Calls on the Biden-Harris Administration to Roll Out New Sanctions Against Hamas
  • Statements & Some posts re: Death of 6 Israeli hostages (does not include the many, many social media post from MoCs on this) — Cardin (D-MD), Coons (D-DE), Duckworth (D-IL), Durbin (D-IL), Ernst (R-IA), Hoyer (D-MD), Johnson (R-LA), McCollum (D-MN), Meeks (D-NY), Nunn (R-IA), Schakowsky (D-IL), Schakowsky (D-IL), Scott (D-VA), Scott (R-SC), Schumer (D-NY), Stefanik (R-NY), Tonko (D-NY), Turner (R-OH), Wilson (R-SC)
  • Statements re: continuing huge numbers of Palestinian civilian deaths in Gaza, and escalating IDF operations in the West Bank, including killing of civilians and massive destruction – none.
  • Statements re: Netanyahu speech this week invoking river-to-see language to describe the state of Israel, and his speech using maps that literally erase the existence of Palestinians anywhere between the river and the sea [except for Gaza], and making clear the intention to retain permanent control of much if not all of Gaza. Also re:  Netanyahu statements/decisions making clear that he is actively blocking any ceasefire/hostage agreement (reportedly as such in every Israel media outlet) — none.
  • Rogers (R-AL) 8/30/24: Rogers Statement on USAID IG Report on Gaza Pier Operation

Targeting Academia/Free Speech

  • Mondoweiss 9/5/24: Contrived charges of antisemitism are the new ‘Red Scare’
    How an evidence-free smear is being used to suppress those fighting for justice in Palestine.
  • Johnson (R-LA) 9/5/24: Facebook post in response to Meta determining that “river to the sea” is not hate speech – “Big tech has no issues censoring conservative viewpoints online but when it comes to banning explicit pro-Terrorist hate speech calling for the destruction of Israel, they determine this rhetoric is okay. The double standard couldn’t be clearer.” NOTE: Johnson did not post anything about Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech this week in which he described Israel as follows: “It goes from the river. The river is right here. That’s the Jordan River. To the sea, the Mediterranean Sea,” accompanied by maps that literally erased/eliminated Palestinians within that entire geographic area.
  • Fetterman (D-PA) 9/4/24: X-post in response to Meta determining that “river to the sea” is not hate speech  – “Fuck that. It’s blatant antisemitic hate speech calling for the elimination of Israel from the map.” NOTE: Fetterman did not post anything about Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech this week in which he described Israel as follows: “It goes from the river. The river is right here. That’s the Jordan River. To the sea, the Mediterranean Sea,” accompanied by maps that literally erased/eliminated Palestinians within that entire geographic area.
  • Scott (R-SC) 9/4/24: X-post – “New school year, same ignorant, antisemitic protests. I hope one day these students will be embarrassed about siding with terrorists.” [Linked to article, Masked anti-Israel protesters at Columbia University demonstrate as students check in for first day of classes (Fox News 9/3/24)]
  • Washington Examiner 9/3/24: Elise Stefanik threatens funds to colleges as anti-Israel campus protests resume [“’House Republicans are demanding higher education take more deliberate action to ensure Jewish students and faculty are protected,’ Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), House GOP chairwoman, told the Washington Examiner in a statement. ‘With students returning to campus, it has never been more critical that NO taxpayer dollars go to colleges or universities that have enabled antisemitism to take root.’”]
  • Johnson (R-LA) 9/3/24: X-post – “It is the first day of class at Columbia University and the pro-Terrorist, antisemitic mob is already back.  The Biden-Harris Administration should condemn this mob immediately.“
  • Fox News 9/3/24: GOP leaders vow ‘action’ as Columbia University swarmed by anti-Israel agitators [“GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik vows to use ‘every tool at our disposal to demand immediate action from Columbia’“] Also see Facebook post from House Speaker Johnson (R-LA) 9/5/24 sharing this article and stating: “There is no place for antisemitic mobs to be running amok on our college campuses. House Republicans are committed to ensuring we hold all parties accountable for allowing these Hamas sympathizers to wreak chaos and threaten the lives of Jewish students.”

Continued Ramping of Pressure on Dems to Pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act

As reported in the 8/15/24 edition of the Round-Up, recent weeks/months  have seen a ramping up of pressure on the Senate, and specifically on Sen. Schumer (D-NY) to pass the massively controversial Antisemitism Awareness Act. And “massively controversial” is a self-evidently objective description of this legislation, given the outpouring of concerns/objections/opposition – from across the political spectrum – that followed House passage of the AAA earlier this year. As a reminder, this bill, which AIPAC and others have been trying to get Congress to pass for years, would enact into law and enforce the IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its examples. Why do they want to pass the IHRA definition so badly? Because thanks to those examples, the IHRA definition shifts the focus from combating hatred/threats/discrimination/violence against Jews because they are Jews, to delegitimizing, suppressing, and even criminalizing criticism/activism/opinions challenging the state of Israel and the political ideology of Zionism. See:

Other stuff

  • Jewish Insider 9/6/24: Will the U.S. try to extradite Khaled Meshaal from its ally Qatar? [“Multiple Republican lawmakers who’ve been critical of Qatar said they support efforts to ensure that Qatar turns Mershaal over for trial in the United States. Some also said the indictments were long overdue.” Goes on to quote Budd (R-NC), D’Esposito (R-NY), Lawler (R-NY), Mike Waltz (R-FL), Scott (R-FL), plus one Democrat – Stevens (D-MI).]
  • Max Cohen, Punchbowl News 9/5/24: X-post – “New: Sen. Grassley releases new details on potential Iran-backed assassination attempts of top US politicians. Per FBI docs, Iran-backed plotters discussed potentially targeting Trump, Biden and Nikki Haley as revenge for Soleimani’s death>>>” [NOTE: x-post links to Grassley webpage that doesn’t exist or no longer exists; searching Grassley’s website using terms embedded in that broken link does not turn up anything]. Cohen’s X-post was re-posted by Sen. Ernst (R-IA) with her own comment, “Iran needs to face consequences. My PUNISH Act will enforce maximum sanctions and hold them accountable.“
  • Reason Magazine 9/3/24: Should Airliners Be Forced To Fly Through War Zones? [“Rep. Ritchie Torres (D–N.Y.) claims that airlines are engaging in discrimination and enabling price gouging by canceling flights to the Middle East without government permission.“]