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

New from FMEP:

• 8/27/24 – New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast, U.S. Policy Through the Looking Glass, ft. FMEP Non-resident Fellow Rania Batrice in conversation with Matt Duss (Center for International Policy) about the current state of politics on Israel and Palestine in the United States.

1. Bills & Resolutions

None.

2. Letters

[UNIS MUST PUNISH STUDENTS FOR USING WORDS “ZIONIST” OR ZIONISM” IN THE CONTEXT OF CRITICISM OF ISRAEL &/OR ZIONISM] Torres urges NY college leaders to ensure policies account for antisemitic ‘code words’ (Jewish Insider 8/27/24) [letter text] – “The substitution of the word ‘Zionist’ for ‘Jew’ is the modus operandi of the new antisemitism. Colleges and universities must make it clear that word games will fool no one. Engaging in harassment, intimidation, and discrimination against ‘Zionists’ is antisemitism both in intent and in effect, and academia should never hesitate to say so clearly and punish it swiftly. Projecting moral clarity about right and wrong does not weaken the academic enterprise. It strengthens it. We [an odd pronoun, given that the letter is signed only by Torres] are calling on every college and university to follow NYU’s example and modernize their nondiscrimination and non-harassment policies. Jewish students are entitled by law to institutions that are dedicated to their safety as an essential element of their education.” [NOTE: As of this writing, Torres has not issued a press release or published the text of this letter on his website — but apparently he has shared the letter with Jewish Insider…]

[WHY IS UPENN AIDING HOUSE GOP WITCH HUNT???] 8/26/24: Middle East Studies Association,Letter to the University of Pennsylvania denouncing its collaboration with the House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s investigation of faculty members [letter text]

3. Hearings & Markups

None.

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

Elections

Maryland

• Jewish Insider 8/29/24: Alsobrooks works to shore up support among Jewish voters in Maryland [“The Jewish community in Maryland has traditionally been a strongly Democratic voting bloc, but Hogan won over many Jewish voters during his gubernatorial campaigns and has touted his work fighting antisemitism and defending Israel in this year’s Senate contest.”]
• Jewish Insider 8/27/24: Maryland GOP congressional recruit facing scrutiny over past votes on Israel and antisemitism [“Former state Del. Neil Parrott is drawing criticism from Democratic rival April Delaney in a Maryland swing district“]

Pennsylvania

• Jewish Insider 8/27/24: The GOP Senate candidate betting on the Jewish vote to win Pennsylvania [“Dave McCormick’s race against Sen. Bob Casey is one of the biggest Senate race bellwethers“]

New Jersey

• Jewish Insider 8/27/24: State Sen. Nellie Pou on track to claim Bill Pascrell’s seat [“Pou traveled to Israel with the New Jersey State Association of Jewish Federations in 2014, and has condemned various antisemitic incidents in the state in recent years. She also voted for anti-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions legislation in the state Senate and other legislation to counter hate and bias.“]

New York

• City & State New York 8/26/24: Mondaire Jones hopes to bring pragmatic progressivism back to the Hudson Valley [“...Jones’ standing among progressive Democrats markedly declined earlier this summer after he criticized Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s stance on Israel and threw his support to George Latimer, who went on to beat Bowman in the primary. The move upset the New York Working Families Party and Congressional Progressive Caucus, which had endorsed endorsed Bowman. Jones maintains that he has not changed his views, but the playing field has changed.”]

New Hampshire

• Jewish Insider 8/26/24: Maggie Goodlander hopes to bring her foreign policy experience to Congress –Goodlander, the wife of Biden National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, is running against Colin Van Ostern in New Hampshire [“‘I know from my own experience the critical role that Congress plays in American foreign policy,’ Goodlander told Jewish Insider in an interview last week. ‘What used to be a strong, bipartisan, bicameral supermajority of members working together on these issues, as we’ve seen across all areas … a real fragmentation. My goal would be to find a way to build back the bipartisan super majority that has been so important to American foreign policy and the U.S.-Israel relationship.’”]

Michigan

• Bridge Detroit 8/28/24: Who paid for attack ads on Mary Waters, why it matters

Texas

• Longview New Journal 8/29/24: Q&A: U.S. Rep. Colin Allred talks with News-Journal about bid to win Ted Cruz’s Senate seat [“…Our priority has to be to provide Israel with what they need to be safe and secure. However, if we can create diplomatic pressure, or there are things that can be specifically withheld to influence this situation, we should try and apply that pressure. But It’s not a straightforward situation where you withhold military aid and the conflict ends. This has to be a multi-faceted approach.”] Also see: Allred: ‘There’s no more practical military goal that Israel can achieve in Gaza’ (Jewish Insider 8/29/24)

The DNC

• Face The Nation 8/25/24: X-post – “.@RepSummerLee (D-PA) responds to criticism of the DNC for not making space for a Palestinian-American or member of the ‘uncommitted’ movement to take the stage: ‘Long before October 7, it was almost taboo to talk about Palestinians, to talk about the experiences that they have, and that they continue to have in our politics, and I think that this was a continuation of it.’ She adds that Democrats ‘missed an opportunity’ to ‘create space for people, voices that are marginalized.‘”
• The Intercept 8/24/24: At DNC, the Squad Warns Democrats to Wake Up to the Threat of AIPAC [“‘It was Jamaal and I this time,’ said Rep. Cori Bush, who was ousted by AIPAC millions, ‘but who is it going to be in two years?'”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/23/24: Omar visits anti-Israel sit-in at DNC, urges presence of Palestinians on dais

AIPAC & Friends

• Jewish Insider 8/29/24: AIPAC emerges as moderate force in political primaries [“The pro-Israel group has silenced skeptics after ousting Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush — and electing a lineup of mainstream lawmakers“]
• eJewish Philanthropy 8/28/24: Zioness Action Fund launches to fortify pro-Israel voices in progressive circles
• Common Dreams 8/28/24: ‘Very Bad Sign for Democracy’: AIPAC Has Spent Over $100 Million on 2024 Elections [“AIPAC’s billionaire-funded super PAC has helped defeat two of the most vocal opponents of Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip.“]
• American Prospect 8/28/24: The Scourge of AIPAC [“Today on TAP: The Israel lobby is spending a fortune to oust and intimidate Democratic progressives in Congress. What’s the remedy?“]
• Sludge 8/27/24: AIPAC Officially Surpasses $100 Million in Spending on 2024 Elections [“AIPAC’s PAC has spent $44.8 million as of the end of July, according to the FEC, with $42 million given to the campaigns of members of Congress and other candidates, as well as to party groups and leadership PACs. The vast majority of AIPAC PAC’s spending has come in the form of earmarked donations made by individuals in the United States who support the pro-Israel group. AIPAC’s super PAC, the United Democracy Project (UDP), has spent about $55.4 million so far this election cycle, according to the FEC. More than $35 million of that spending has been on independent expenditures for things like television ads and mailers designed to influence voters, while the rest has been for operating expenses and contributions to other political groups.“]
• Washington Post 8/26/24: Meet the megadonors pumping millions into the 2024 election
• The Rye Record 8/23/24: Behind the Scenes of Latimer’s Big Congressional Primary Win Over Bowman [“Latimer outraised Bowman ($5.7 million to $4.3 million in direct contributions and $21 million from largely pro-Israel groups vs. $3 million from progressive organizations in outside PAC support).’The money mattered, but the money was not the driving, deciding force,’ Latimer said.”]
• UNFTR 8/23/24: Progressive Spotlight: Cori Bush. — Bush Took on Police Brutality. Her Next Fight: Big Money Influence. [“The outgoing Squad member rose to prominence as an activist following the police killing of Michael Brown. She’s now ready to take on AIPAC and other big-money groups.”]

General

• Washington Examiner 8/29/24: AOC rejects criticism she isn’t hard enough on Israel: ‘Nefarious stuff getting amplified’
• Free Beacon 8/28/24: From ‘Israel Has a Right To Defend Itself’ to ‘Immediate Ceasefire’: Rep. Susan Wild Caught Sending Contradictory Letters to Constituents, Stating Dueling Views on War [“Pennsylvania congresswoman accidentally sends dueling Israel-Gaza letters to pro-Israel constituents“]; also see: House Dem Susan Wild calls for ‘immediate ceasefire’, claims Israel ‘has a right to defend itself’ in mixed messages sent to constituents (New York Sun 8/28/24)
• Algemeiner 8/23/24: Cori Bush Says She Wants to See Arms Embargo Placed on Israel, Regrets Not Running for President

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

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

• Time/Aaron Klein 8/29/24: Acting to Stop Antisemitism on Campuses Could Cost Democrats Votes. They Should Do It Anyway

Recess Travel to Israel

• Jewish News Syndicate 8/29/24: Ernst leads congressional trip to Israel, visits Druze village hit by Hezbollah [“‘Iran-backed Hezbollah and Hamas’s terrorism truly show no bounds,’ said the Republican senator from Iowa.”]
• Jewish Insider 8/28/24: Ernst, GOP House members visit site of Hezbollah rocket attack that killed 12 children [“The Republican senator said Israeli leaders are more more optimistic now about a cease-fire deal to free the hostages and ultimately end the war than they have been in months”]
• Ernst 8/27/24: Ernst Visits Majdal Shams, Witnesses Brutality of Iran-Backed Proxies
• Banks (R-IN) 8/26/24: Rep. Banks Meets with PM Netanyahu in Jerusalem
• Ernst (R-IA) 8/26/24: X-post – “Proud to meet with @Netanyahu today alongside @RepJimBanks, @RepJohnCurtis, and @RepMMM. We will always #standwithIsrael and never stop working to rescue our hostages from the hands of Iran-backed Hamas.” Also see: X-post from Zeteo’s Prem Thakker commenting on Ernst’s post 8/26/24: “Out of anything these American politicians could be doing — volunteering; spending time with family; meeting with constituents, teachers, doctors, firefighters, city workers — they are visiting a foreign leader whose actions have killed Americans & who’s accused of war crimes”
  

Israel’s War on Gaza & US Policy

• McCaul (R-TX) 8/29/24: Chairman McCaul’s Statement on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Failed Gaza Pier
• Griffith (R-VA) 8/29/24: Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter 8.29.24 – Afghanistan [excerpt – “To the delight of our terrorist foes overseas, the freedom-seeking world is paying the price for Biden-Harris naivete and negligence. Were the Biden-Harris actions in Afghanistan and their dealings with Iran partly responsible for the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7^th of last year? Maybe? But I believe it certainly didn’t help!“]
• Van Hollen (D-MD) 8/27/24: X-post – “.@UNICEF & @WHO have called for an IMMEDIATE PAUSE in hostilities in Gaza to vaccinate children against the further spread of the insidious poliovirus. @POTUS should do the same. As we work toward a permanent ceasefire & return of hostages, we must stop the spread of polio NOW.“
• Sherman (D-CA) 8/27/24: “A Rare Moment of Joy” – Sherman Statement on Israeli Hostage Rescue from Gaza
• Algemeiner 8/26/24: Omar, Ocasio-Cortez Swipe at Biden Admin Over Israel Support, Demand Arms Embargo to Stop ‘Genocide’
• New York Times 8/21/24: Nancy Pelosi Interrupted by Pro-Palestinian Protesters on ‘The Late Show’

Iran & Saudi Arabia

• McConnell (R-KY) 8/25/24: Leader McConnell Statement On Iran-Backed Terrorism [“Iran’s violent influence is a cancer on the Middle East, from Yemen to Iraq to Syria to Gaza to Israel to Lebanon. Hizballah is the most malignant form of this cancer, and its leaders bear responsibility for perpetuating suffering in Lebanon, Syria, and Israel, alike. Iran-backed terror yet again underscores America’s urgent responsibility to expedite assistance to Israel, without caveat or micromanagement. It is also time for all nations concerned about violence and instability in the Middle East to hold Iran to account. Until Tehran faces meaningful consequences, it is foolish to expect its deadly and destabilizing influence to subside.”]
• Scott (R-SC) 8/25/24: Sen. Scott Calls for Support of Israel Amid Iran-backed Terrorism [““Iran has made it clear: they intend to wipe Israel off of the map. We have to take them at their word. Now more than ever, we need to restore deterrence and stand side-by-side with Israel.  Israel has a right to defend herself and we should not stand in the way. Iran, their proxies, and other global aggressors will continue on a path of destruction unless we stand strong with our global partners.”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/23/24: As US arms sales to Riyadh resume, senators say hope for Israeli-Saudi relations [“One of the points of leverage that we have is the arms deals, as well as a potential security agreement,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal told JNS.]

Witch Hunt Targeting Academia/Free Speech

• Stefanik (R-NY) 8/29/24: ICYMI: Stefanik Joins The Howie Carr Radio Show To Discuss The Failed Policies of Kamala Harris & How Antisemitism Is Infecting Higher Education
• The Intercept 8/29/24: Columbia Cuts Due Process for Student Protesters After Congress Demands Harsher Punishment [“After congressional criticism and subpoenas, Columbia suddenly decided to skip speaking to student protesters and go to hearings.“]
• The Daily Pennsylvanian 8/24/24: U.S. House committees request Penn’s plan to handle fall protests, citing antisemitism concerns [letter covered in last week’s Round-Up]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/23/24: House leaders demand 10 elite colleges detail plans to counter campus Jew-hate [letters covered in last week’s Round-Up]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/23/24: Senators call on IRS to investigate charities linked to anti-Israel protests [letter covered in last week’s Round-Up]

Other stuff

• McCaul (R-TX) 8/29/24: McCaul’s Statement Honoring the Tenth Anniversary of James Foley’s Death

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

Of note:

• New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast 8/23/24: The Accountability Archive, ft. FMEP non-resident Fellow Nour Joudah speaking with Philip Proudfoot and Mahdi Zaidan from the Accountability Archive (@archivegenocide), which describes itself as a “crowdsourced record of journalists, politicians, and public figures endorsing or encouraging the ethnic cleansing of Gaza and/or defaming pro-Palestinian activists.”  The trio discuss  how the archive came about, how it is coming along, and plans for the future, as well as what it has been like to undertake both such a massive project as well as the experience of wading through such incredibly graphic material.
• New CRS report 8/20/24: Possible U.S.-Saudi Agreements and Normalization with Israel: Considerations for Congress

1. Bills & Resolutions

(WE STAND WITH ISRAEL AGAINST THE EVIL UN) HR 9374: Introduced 8/16/24 by Lawler (R-NY) and 28 cosponsors (including 3 Democrats – Gottheimer, D-NY, Moskowitz, D-FL, and Landsman, D-OH),  “To amend the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to provide for a prohibition on contributions to the United Nations relating to Israel,” aka the “Stand with Israel Act.” Per Lawler’s press release, the Act “will require the withholding of U.S. funding to UN agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel. The bill is modeled after the current prohibition of funding to any UN entities that elevate the status of the Palestinian Authority to a member state.” The press release also notes that the bill is “endorsed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), FDD Action, Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC), Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and Heritage Action. Also see: Bipartisan lawmakers put UN on notice over ‘rampant anti-Israel bias’ – “GOP Rep Mike Lawler, Dem Rep Jared Moskowitz are leading the bill” (Fox News 8/19/24)

COMING SOON: Reps. Carson (D-IN), Jayapal (D-WA), and Schakowsky (D-IL) are reportedly getting set to lead the introduction of the “UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024.” From Carson’s website: “Congressman Carson will soon introduce the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Emergency Restoration Act of 2024 to restore funds that were blocked earlier this year to the critical humanitarian agency that provides food, shelter, and healthcare to refugees in Gaza. In September of 2023, Congressman Carson led a letter to Senator Risch of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee requesting the Senator to immediately release his hold on funds for food assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. These funds were blocked even after Congress approved the funds in December of 2022. Congressman Carson’s efforts, supported by 63 of his Congressional colleagues in the House and Senate, provided $75 million in food assistance to over one million Palestinian refugees. Prior to the current war, over 40 percent of people in Gaza were severely food insecure – that number is expected to dramatically increase.”

2. Letters

Targeting Free Speech/protest/academia

• 8/22/24: Ernst Skewers IRS for Indifference to Antisemitic Violence [letter text] [from press release – “Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) demanded Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Daniel Werfel explain why his agency blew off her request to investigate whether pro-Hamas groups that broke the law or encouraged others to do so should lose their tax-exempt status.” from letter – “The tone and brevity of your interim response is troubling, leaving us questioning the value of the information you provided and how serious your office takes oversight inquiries.”]
• 8/22/24: Smith, Foxx Demand Universities Detail Preparations to Prevent Disruptions, Antisemitic Harassment, and Intimidation on Campus this Fall [letter(s) text]
• 8/21/24: Chair Foxx Subpoenas Columbia University in Ongoing Antisemitism Investigation [subpoena letters & subpoenas] [Foxx: “Columbia should be a partner in our efforts to ensure Jewish students have a safe learning environment on its campus, but instead, university administrators have slow rolled the investigation, repeatedly failing to turn over necessary documents. The information we have obtained points to a continued pattern of negligence towards antisemitism and a refusal to stand up to the radical students and faculty responsible for it. The goal of this investigation has always been to protect Jewish students and faculty, and if compulsory measures are necessary to obtain the documents the Committee requires, so be it.”] The extremely expansive subpoenas were sent to: Columbia Interim President Katrina Armstrong; Abigail Black Elbaum, Vice Chair of The Trustees of Columbia University; Mark Gallogly, Vice Chair, The Trustees of Columbia University; David Greenwald, Co-Chair of The Trustees of Columbia University; Wanda M. Holland Greene, Vice Chair, The Trustees of Columbia University; and Claire Shipman, Vice Chair, The Trustees of Columbia University. As a reminder, both Greenwald and Shipman – alongside then-Columbia president Shafik – testified before Foxx’s committee back on 4/17/24 — a hearing in which, as a group, they appeared to follow a strategy of pandering shamelessly to the committee members and throwing Columbia’s own students and the right to free speech and academic independence/integrity under the bus. Unsurprisingly, it only egged on further attacks against them, the students, and the school. Also see: Congress subpoenas Columbia University officials in ongoing antisemitism investigation (Fox News 8/21/24); House Committee Drops Subpoena on Columbia as Part of Anti-Semitism Probe (Washington Free Beacon 11/21/24); House Education Committee subpoenas Columbia for antisemitism docs (Jewish Insider 8/21/24)
• 8/21/24: Comer, Foxx Renew Information Request to Treasury Related to Suspicious Activity Reports Associated with Antisemitic Groups [letter text]. This is follow up to the letter they previously sent on 5/14/24, targeting 20 organizations involved in work advocating for or supporting Palestinian rights/lives. The new letter focuses in on 4 of those groups: Westchester Political Action Committee Foundation (WESPAC Foundation), Samidoun, Jewish Voice for Peace, and The People’s Forum. As noted in my 5/14/24 X-thread: “The targeting of US orgs that support Palestinian rights/lives is escalating. See prior thread re: bill empowering TreasSec to strip orgs’ tax-exempt status w/o due process, & House Oversight letter targeting tax-exempt status of orgs for objectives counter to “public policy” 1/ New today: House Oversight Cmtee & House Education/Workforce Cmtee send letter to TreasSec Yellen targeting a list of orgs they link to what they describe as “pro-Hamas, antisemitic, anti-Israel, & anti-American protests with illegal encampments on American college campuses” 2/…Targeted groups include not only those active in current student protests, but groups unrelated to the protests which support Palestinian rights/lives, including funders & a legal defense org. 4/ The clear message of this letter: attenuated claims of ties to terror — based on the mere fact that orgs support Palestinian lives/rights — will now be used to harass & delegitimize (if not criminalize) any/all orgs working in this space. /end“. Also, as reported in the 5/17/24 edition of the Round-Up, “This letter appears to be based on a report issued by NGO Monitor (issued 4/25/24, updated 5/8/24), The NGO Network Orchestrating Antisemitic Incitement on American Campuses. Also see 5/9/24 article in the Jewish Journal citing NGO Monitor’s Gerald Steinberg, ‘Who’s Funding It?’. As a reminder, NGO Monitor is a Jerusalem-based organization that historically has close ties to the Israeli government and is largely funded by U.S. donors, and that has worked for years to build the case that virtually all work by and with Palestinians, and funding for such work, is tainted by links (for the most part attenuated, six-degrees-of-terrorirst-contamination links) – to terror. Also see: NGO MONITOR: SHRINKING SPACE – Defaming human rights organizations that criticize the Israeli occupation (Policy Working Group, September 2018).” Also see: US Lawmakers Prod Treasury Department for Reports on Anti-Zionist Groups Behind Campus Protests (The Algemeiner 8/22/24)

Other stuff

• 8/22/24: Sen. Rick Scott & Colleagues Call on President Biden to Deny Evil Dictators’ Visa Requests for UN General Assembly [letter text] NOTE: This letter calls on Biden to take an action that directly contradicts (and would require the U.S. to once again violate) U.S. explicit obligations under the Headquarters Agreement that governs the U.S. as host to the UN’s headquarters.
• 8/21/24: Allred, Green Lead Effort Urging for Administration to Use Every Tool It Can to Bring Texan Austin Tice Home from Syria [letter text]
• 8/20/24: Congressman Biggs: The Radical Biden-Harris Regime Refuses to Hold Illegal Aliens Accountable [letter text, dated 8/19/24] – “In early May, Hasan Yousef Hamdan (who is on a terror watchlist) and Mohammad Khair
  Dabous attempted to enter the Marine Corps base…” Also see: GOP lawmakers probe DOJ for cutting loose illegal Jordanian migrants who ‘tried to breach’ Quantico (New York Post 8/19/24)

3. Hearings & Markups

None.

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

Members of Congress & the DNC

• Washington Free Beacon 8/22/24: ‘Squad’ Members Rally Around Uncommitted Delegates Staging DNC Sit-In Over Lack of Speaker Slot [“Omar and Lee join protest outside of United Center, while AOC calls to offer support“]
• The Nation 8/21/24: AOC’s DNC Speech Was a Betrayal of the Gaza Movement [“Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s decision to lend her credibility to the Biden-Harris administration’s false narrative around Gaza was a stinging slap in the face.“]
• The Intercept 8/21/24: Ilhan Omar Takes Swipe at AOC for Praising Kamala Harris’s Gaza Ceasefire Push [“Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez came under fire from her closest allies on the left — including a fellow Squad member — after a raucous reception at the DNC.”]
• Slate 8/21/24: I Went to a Zionist Democrats Party at the DNC. What I Saw Made Me Think There’s a Policy Shift Coming. [incl comments from a number of members of Congress]

Primaries

• Detroit Free Press 8/23/24: Detroit council member Mary Waters attack ads, mailers linked to pro-Israel PAC
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/22/24: Pro-Israel progressive Democrat wins Arizona nomination by 39 votes [“Yassamin Ansari, an Iranian American, is favored to win the general election in what DMFI PAC describes as a ‘deep-blue’ congressional district.“]
• Bridge Michigan 8/21/24:Pro-Israel AIPAC offshoot spent $2.3M to help Shri Thanedar in Michigan primary
• Matthew Kassell (Jewish Insider) X-thread 8/20/24: “New FEC filings show AIPAC’s United Democracy Project gave nearly $1 million to a new super PAC, Blue Wave Action, that funded attack ads targeting Detroit Councilwoman Mary Waters, Rep. Shri Thanedar’s top rival in a Michigan primary earlier this month. [link to FEC filing] AIPAC opposed Thanedar in 2022, but he won the group’s endorsement this cycle [link to Kassell’s 2023 – In 2022, AIPAC opposed Shri Thanedar. This month he went to Israel with the group.]
• Jewish Insider 8/20/24: Pro-Israel Democrat prevails in closely contested Phoenix House race [“Yassamin Ansari claimed victory over Raquel Terán by just 39 votes, according to recount“]
• Jewish Insider 8/16/24: The biggest political bellwether on the House battleground map [“The Omaha-area race pits one of the most pro-Israel lawmakers in the House against a repeat Democratic challenger calibrating his views on the Middle East”]

Elex – general

• Middle East Monitor 8/22/24: US congresswoman: ‘Black & Palestinian liberation are tied’ [“Summer Lee was one of the few members of Congress to address pro-Palestine activists outside the Democratic National Convention. She said that part of fighting for her black liberation is fighting for Palestinian liberation. She encouraged the activists who had been outside the convention for days, telling them that they are on the right side of history, that none of the Gaza solidarity protests have been in vain and joked that the issue had been going on much longer than ‘AIPAC have been after me’.”]
• Newsweek 8/22/24: Is ‘The Squad’ Suddenly Falling Apart?
• Komono News 8/22/24: Bush backs Bernie Sanders’s call to get ‘big money’ out of politics: ‘Speak on it’
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/22/24: Latimer talks AIPAC, ousting the ‘Squad,’ Dem divide on Israel
• Jewish Insider 8/22/24: Pascrell’s death opens up frantic scramble for his seat, to be decided by party leaders [“The longtime New Jersey representative held strong ties to the Jewish community and was a leader on increasing Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding”]
• Times of Israel 8/22/24: Bill Pascrell, NJ congressman who played balancing act on Israel, dies at 87 [“Democrat, whose district included ‘Little Ramallah,’ had weathered pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian primary challengers in his 14 terms: ‘I’ve tried to get the communities together’“]
• Risch (R-ID) 8/20/24: Risch: Democrats Continue to Turn their Backs on Israel
• American Prospect 8/19/24: Sanders Urges Ban on Super PACs in Democratic Primaries — The Vermont senator says money in politics is out of control, Democratic Party should limit expenditures when choosing nominees.
• The MediaLine 8/19/24: Is Omar’s Re-election a Wake-up Call for Jewish Voters?
• The Free Press 8/18/24: John Fetterman Has No Regrets [“Once a party darling, the senator’s pro-Israel stance has led to protests outside his home and detractors inside his office. Now, he tells Peter Savodnik, he’s skipping the DNC…”]. Also see: Fetterman spokeswoman tells reporter she doesn’t agree with her boss on Israel, Gaza (Jewish News Syndicate 8/19/24);  Political operatives from both parties stunned by Fetterman spox’s intransigence (Jewish Insider 8/19/24 – Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) is facing bipartisan calls to fire his communications director for distancing herself from her boss’s positions on Israel to a journalist…’)
• Morelle (D-NY) 8/19/24: Top House Democrat Calls on FCC, FEC to Tighten Political Communications and Campaign Ad Monitoring Amid Iranian U.S. Elections Influence Campaign
• The Arab American 8/17/24: Rep. Debbie Dingell addresses Israel’s War on Gaza in Washtenaw County town hall
• The Guardian 8/16/24: US political financing Five things we learned from our reporting on the US’s pro-Israel lobby [“The Guardian followed key congressional races affected by Aipac and similar groups for the past few months”]

General

• Haaretz 8/22/24: Trump Accuses Schumer of Being a Hamas Member, Blames Democrats for Israel Losing PR Battle [“Former president also bemoaned ‘Jewish lobby’s’ loss of influence, in comments Republicans would have likely condemned as antisemitic if they came from a Democratic critic of organizations such as AIPAC”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/19/24: Trump to Jewish supporters: ‘Schumer is like a Palestinian’
• The New York Post 8/17/24: Ousted NY Rep. Jamaal Bowman now begging for cash to pay off campaign debts

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

Never-ending (and ever-escalating) witch hunt targeting academia

• Times of Israel 8/20/24: Columbia ends suspensions of most students disciplined for anti-Israel protests [“Almost all students arrested over encampment, break-in and occupation of academic building restored to good standing, university says, after inquiry from US Congress”] NOTE: The ADL is NOT happy that Columbia has apparently elected to not permanently destroy students lives for protesting over Gaza –screenshot from ADL email sent to its list on August 22, 2024.
• Foxx (R-NC) 8/19/24: Foxx: Columbia’s Refusal to Enforce Rules Against Antisemites is Disgraceful
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/19/24: Foxx: Columbia provided criminal protesters a ‘get-out-of-jail-free card’

Other stuff

• eJewish Philanthropy 8/21/24: Combat antisemitism pin that Schumer touted in DNC speech was given by Robert Kraft himself [“Senate majority leader recently met with the philanthropist, who presented him with the symbol of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism’s campaign“]
• The Intercept 8/19/24: Senator Calls U.S. Support for Saudis a “National Disgrace” After Intercept Reveals Unpaid Debt to Pentagon [“Saudi Arabia won’t pay the U.S. back for fueling its warplanes as it bombed Yemen, but the U.S. recently resumed weapons sales to the kingdom.”]
• Fox News 8/18/24: Christian father imprisoned in Egypt over Facebook comments declares hunger strike [“‘News of his hunger strike makes it more urgent than ever that he be released,’ Republican Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey told Fox News Digital”]. Also see: U.S. Lawmaker Highlights Plight of Christian Man Imprisoned in Egypt Over Facebook Posts (Foundation for Defense of Democracies 8/21/24]
• CBS News 8/18/24: House Intelligence Committee chairman says Iran could “declare itself a nuclear weapons state by the end of the year“; also see: FDD 8/20/24: Iran Could Declare Itself Nuclear Weapons State by Year’s End, Top U.S. Lawmaker Says
• Lawler (R-NY) 8/18/24: Congressman Mike Lawler Condemns Violent, Antisemitic Rhetoric from Speaker at Islamic Center of Rockland; also see: Upstate New York mosque issues apology for guest imam’s anti-Jewish rant – Historically, the Islamic Center of Rockland has enjoyed a congenial relationship with the Jewish community. [Jewish News Syndicate 8/20/24]
• The Guardian 8/17/24: Israel feared legal trouble over US advocacy efforts, leaked files suggest [“Exclusive: officials concerned by foreign agent law proposed creation of American nonprofit to avoid scrutiny”]

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

A day early….

1. Bills & Resolutions

Going into and continuing through this summer recess, efforts are ramping up to try to force Sen. Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Democrats into passing the massively controversial Antisemitism Awareness Act. 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 if possible criminalizing criticism/activism/opinions challenging the state of Israel and the political ideology of Zionism. See:

• Jewish Insider 8/15/24: Where are Senate Democrats on antisemitism? [“Even as House Republican hearings on campus antisemitism have drawn widespread attention, Senate Democrats haven’t pursued major legislative action or oversight”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/14/24: Announcement of Schumer book ‘warning’ about Jew-hatred draws ridicule, criticism [“‘Is this an autobiography?’ wrote David Friedman, former U.S. ambassador to Israel.”]
• Jewish Insider 7/31/24: New ad campaign accuses Schumer of obstructing antisemitism bill
• Standard-Examiner (Utah) 7/23/24: Guest opinion: Senate – and Mike Lee – should get behind antisemitism bill
• The Forward 7/16/24: Will the Senate quietly approve a controversial antisemitism definition?

Also pending and likely to be focus of lobbying/pressure when Congress returns for the countdown to the end of session: the Countering Antisemitism Act (S. 4091/HR 7921):

• The Center Square 8/12/24: House floor vote sought for Countering Antisemitism Act
• Reminders about this bipartisan/bicameral — yet still controversial — legislation: analysis from the Round-Up; letter from the Arab American Institute (AAI) to leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee laying out concerns and objections the CAA; AAI’s superb, comprehensive analysis of the threats posed by the CAA, as well as a handy (and excellent) FAQ summarizing key concern.

2. Letters

• 8/15/24: Cotton Reiterates the Demand for Answers Regarding Harris’ National Security Advisor’s Communications with Iranian Influence Operation [letter text] – “Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a second letter to Vice President Kamala Harris to express his concern about her National Security Advisor, Philip Gordon, and his connections to senior Department of Defense official Ariane Tabatabai. Ms. Tabatabai was reportedly involved in an Iranian government operation to expand Iran’s influence in the United States.” Also see his 7/31/24 letter, sent jointly with Stefanik (R-NY) and previously reported in the Round-Up, demanding answers to a list of [ahem] extremely leading questi0ns, including this gem (which defies satire): “As the Vice President what specific actions will you take to address the issue of Iranian sympathizers, aside from yourself, within the Administration?“
• 8/13/24: Sen. Cruz Leads Probe into Park Service Failures With Pro-Hamas Riot at Union Station [letter text]
• 8/13/24: Ranking Member Cassidy Seeks OIG Investigation into Colleges Using Federal Funds to Promote DEI [letter text]. Excerpt from the press release, “While colleges have invested significant time and resources into promoting DEI policies, Jewish students are actively being discriminated against on campus in the aftermath of Hamas’ October 7^th massacre in Israel.” Excerpt from the letter – requested information includes: “For each college and university currently under investigation by the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights for antisemitism, provide any and all documents and materials used in staff training, freshman orientation programming, and classes required for graduation that refer to Jewish people or the state of Israel, including, but not limited to, labelling Jewish people as ‘oppressors’ or a similar characterization.“
• 8/12/24: Barrasso Blasts Haaland for Failure to Address Criminal and Violent Acts on Federal Property [letter text, dated 8/9/24]. Also see: Senator urges boosting resources for US Park Police to protect federal property from protesters (Jewish News Syndicate 8/13/24)
• 8/12/24: Tillis, Colleagues Demand Biden-Harris Administration End Israel Arms Embargo [letter text]

3. Hearings & Markups

None. 

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

General

• Townhall 8/14/24: Supporters of Far-Left, Anti-Israel Groups Are Funding Democrats [“Specifically at issue is Alisa Doctoroff of the UJA-Federation of New York, who has donated to far-left groups like the New Israel Fund (NIF), as well as vulnerable Democratic incumbents. They include Reps. Don Davis of North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, Susan Wild of Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington’s 3rd Congressional District.”]
• Jacobin 8/14/24: The Death of the Squad Has Been Greatly Exaggerated [“Just a week ago, the media said the Squad faced an ‘existential threat’ from AIPAC. Ilhan Omar’s landslide win should remind us the lobby is only as invincible as it makes us believe it is.“]
• Capital B 8/13/24: How Unseating Ilhan Omar and the Squad Would Affect Black Voters [“Black voters see the progressive agenda threatened by pro-Israel groups aiming to reshape the Democratic Party’s priorities.”]
• Politico 8/13/24: Progressives face an existential threat from AIPAC. And there’s nothing to stop it. [“AIPAC and other pro-Israel groups spent a combined $25 million on ads to defeat Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush this summer. Liberals worry they’re just getting started.”]
• The New Republic 8/13/24: Ilhan Omar’s Primary Challenger May Have Broken the Law to [TRY TO] Beat Her — A consultant working for Don Samuels’s campaign was also coordinating with a group of donors to fundraise against Omar.
• The Algemeiner 8/12/24: Mark Pocan Rips AIPAC ‘s ‘Dark Money’ Group, Claims Netanyahu Plotting to ‘Destroy Gaza’
• Responsible Statecraft 8/12/24: AIPAC had some recent wins but it isn’t invincible [“One of the most outspoken critics of Israel in Congress won’t be challenged in her primary this week”]
• Al Jazeera 8/11/24: AIPAC is growing desperate [“The pro-Israel lobby is finding it harder and harder to confront a growing shift in American public opinion on Israel-Palestine.”]
• The Hill 8/11/24: Progressive anger with AIPAC rises over Bush loss
• Sanders (I-VT) 8/8/24: X-post – “AIPAC had to spend $8.5 million to get 51% of the vote to defeat Cori Bush. Billionaires buying elections is not what this country is supposed to be about. We have to end Citizens United and super PACs and move to public funding of elections.“

Missouri

• AIPAC video 8/9/24: Wesley Bell joins AIPAC to discuss his win over Cori Bush [seriously – that is the title AIPAC gave to their video on YouTube – can’t make this stuff up]. From the introduction delivered by the AIPAC interviewer: “This week was another major success for the pro-Israel community. Just six weeks after AIPAC members helped George Latimer defeat Squad member Jamal Bowman in New York another anti-Israel member of Congress, Cori Bush, was on the ballot in St. Louis. During her four years in office Cori Bush voted against Iron Dome. She voted against aid to Israel. She used her platform to spread malicious lies about our ally and just 9 days after October 7th she led a resolution demanding a ceasefire that didn’t even mention Hamas and didn’t mention the hostages. Wesley Bell, a pro-Israel progressive Democrat, was determined to change things and so were we. For months AIPAC members across the country helped mobilize and support of Wesley Bell, surging resources to the campaign through the AIPAC Pac while the AIPAC Super PAC, United Democracy Project, helped to educate voters in the district about all that was at stake in this race. And together we delivered. Now Wesley Bell is the Democratic nominee and Cori Bush is leaving Congress…”

Minnesota

• The Nation 8/15/24: Ilhan Omar’s Very Big, Very Important Win [“On Tuesday, Omar won renomination to her House seat over a prominent, amply funded opponent who made criticism of the representative’s outspoken advocacy for Palestinian rights a core part of his campaign. Notably, she did not just squeak by. Omar beat her rival, former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels, by 14 points—a huge expansion of her winning margin from 2022, when Samuels came within two points of defeating her.“]
• USA Today 8/14/24: Ilhan Omar won her primary after fellow ‘Squad’ members Cori Bush, Jamaal Bowman lost. Here’s why. [“One major factor: United Democracy Project, a super PAC with close ties to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, invested almost $24 million against Bush and Bowman, which helped make them the only House Democrats to lose their 2024 primary elections so far.”]
• Jewish Insider 8/14/24: Ilhan Omar prevails in primary rematch with Don Samuels – The progressive incumbent won by a 13-point margin in the Minnesota Democratic primary
• MSNBC 8/14/24: Rep. Ilhan Omar wins primary race after two ‘Squad’ members’ defeats [“As a candidate, Omar had fewer obvious vulnerabilities than Bush or Bowman. After narrowly winning her primary against Samuels in 2022, she stepped up her outreach to voters and spent more on ads. Another factor in her race was that AIPAC sat it out; in 2022, the United Democracy Project spent $350,000 trying to oust Omar.”]
• Politico 8/13/24: Ilhan Omar fends off challengers to win primary after AIPAC stays out of the race [“Omar defeated a challenger who had come just 2 points shy of ousting her in 2022.”]
• Haaretz 8/12/24: Why AIPAC Hasn’t Publicly Tried to Unseat Ilhan Omar [“Omar, like Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, remains popular with her constituents and does not carry the electoral vulnerabilities that empowered AIPAC to help unseat Bowman in New York and Bush in Missouri”]
• Jewish Insider 8/12/24: Ilhan Omar primary opponent gets a fundraising boost after Cori Bush defeat [“But strategists involved in the race are skeptical Don Samuels can pull off an upset“]
• Ilhan Omar 8/11/24: Rep. Ilhan Omar Releases Statement Condemning Opponent for Courting Republican Voters and AIPAC Support
• The Intercept 8/11/24: Inside the “Zionists for Don Samuels” WhatsApp Group Raising Big Money to Oust Ilhan Omar [“In AIPAC’s absence, a Samuels campaign staffer and pro-Israel super PAC donors strategize to oust another Squad member.”] Excerpts: “Along with [Ronn] Torossian, other participants in the “Zionists for Don Samuels” chat have supported Trump in the past. In the chat group, Sinensky, who has given donations to many Democrats in the past, justified his support for the far right on the national level. ‘The bottom line is and it’s a sad one, we need to be supportive ON PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL of the alt right Christian Neo Nazis at the moment (like Ukraine) to fight off the socialist, Marxist, anarchists who are supporting radical Islam,’ he said. ‘Nazis are better than Islamic terrorists at this moment in time FOR PRESIDENT. On state and city level it’s different as proof with us supporting Ritchie and fetterman,’ a reference to Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman.” and “‘I’ve heard dozens of questions of where is AIPAC,’ Sinensky said in the chat. ‘We are fucking AIPAC now.’”
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/9/24: Pro-Israel groups tout Dem primary endorsee winners, but yet to target safer anti-Israel incumbents [“Neither DMFI nor AIPAC has supported Rep. Ilhan Omar’s challenger in Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District.”]

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

Celebrating the resignation of Columbia’s president (yes, the university president who shamelessly pandered to Hill critics, failed to defend free speech on campus, and called in the police to target students on campus — but they STILL hate her)

• Cassidy (R-LA) 8/15/24: Ranking Member Cassidy Reacts to Resignation of Columbia University President, Renews Call for HELP Hearing to Address Antisemitism; also see – Cassidy urges Sanders to hold antisemitism hearing after Columbia president’s resignation (Jewish Insider 8/15/24)
• Stefanik (R-NY) 8/14/24: Stefanik Statement on Resignation of Columbia University President [“THREE DOWN, so many to go.”]
• Hagerty (R-TN) 8/13/24: ICYMI—Hagerty Joins Kudlow on Fox Business to Discuss Biden-Harris Administration Appeasement of Iran, Kamala Harris Catering to Pro-Hamas Democrats

Other stuff

• McCaul (R-TX) 8/14/24: McCaul Calls for Immediate and Unconditional Release of American Journalist Austin Tice
• McCaul (R-TX) 8/14/24: Chairman McCaul Presses Biden-Harris Administration on Need for Robust Implementation of the Security Supplemental [“House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul issued the following statement expressing frustration towards the Biden-Harris administration’s failure to implement sanctions passed by Congress against an increasingly aggressive Iran.“]; also see: McCaul calls for ‘clear display of strength and resolve’ to deter Iran (Jewish News Syndicate 8/15/24)
• Risch (R-ID) 8/14/24: Risch: Biden-Harris Have Undercut Israelis in Time of Need; also see: Senator blames Biden-Harris policy for potential Iranian attack on Israel (Jewish News Syndicate 8/15/24)
• Politico 8/14/24: The Saudi Crown Prince Is Talking About An Assassination. His Own. [“Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, knows a thing or two about assassinations. Lately, he’s been telling U.S. lawmakers he’s at risk of one. The Saudi royal has mentioned to members of Congress that he’s putting his life in danger by pursuing a grand bargain with the U.S. and Israel that includes normalizing Saudi-Israeli ties.”]
• Foxx (R-NC) 8/14/24: Foxx on Columbia President’s Resignation [“During Shafik’s presidency, a disturbing wave of antisemitic harassment, discrimination, and disorder engulfed Columbia university’s campus. Jewish students and faculty have been mocked, harassed, and assaulted simply for their identity. Every student has the right to a safe learning environment. Period. Yet, flagrant violations of the law and the university rules went unpunished. Columbia’s next leader must take bold action to address the pervasive antisemitism, support for terrorism, and contempt for the university’s rules that have been allowed to flourish on its campus.”]
• Punchbowl News 8/14/24: Why the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s paralysis is worsening [“The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is at a standstill, with no end in sight to a partisan dispute that’s putting Democrats in a bind. One of the Senate’s most storied committees hasn’t been able to take up vital nominations and legislation for nearly four months amid a GOP effort to force the Democratic-controlled panel to consider an Israel-related measure. We first told you in June about the committee’s dysfunctional state and the reasons for it. It stems from Republicans’ demand that the panel vote on House GOP-drafted legislation to sanction the International Criminal Court. Senate Democrats want to pursue a different bill. The ICC’s top prosecutor is seeking arrest warrants for top Israeli officials over the war in Gaza with Hamas…”] Also see: X-thread from Punchbowl’s Andrew Desiderio 8/13/24: “The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is a mess. No markups since April. Nominations piling up. & no end in sight as R’s continue to deny markups til Dems agree to take up ICC sanctions bill | SCHUMER to @PunchbowlNews: ‘I’ve never seen this before’ | I asked Schumer whether it’s best to just mark up the House-passed ICC bill in order to break the logjam: ‘Ben [Cardin] is trying to get this done in a bipartisan way. He’s willing to compromise. I want to get something done on ICC. I’ve hated the ICC forever because I’ve always thought they’re vehemently anti-Israel.’ ‘I’ve never seen this before, these right-wing people hold up nominations and tie the government’s hands in knots because they don’t exactly get their way.'”
• Blackburn (R-TN) 8/9/24: Blackburn Op-Ed: Why Is Iran At The Olympics?

 

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

New from FMEP:

• August 7, 2024 – New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast, Immoral Policy, Looming Regional War, and Leaving the Biden Administration, ft. FMEP non-resident fellow Peter Beinart in conversation with Harrison Mann, a former U.S. Army major and executive officer of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Middle East/Africa Regional Center who resigned in protest of his office’s support for Israel during its Gaza campaign.
• August 5, 2024: New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast, Turning Pain into Power: Feeding Families & Bringing Attention to Gaza, ft. FMEP non-resident fellow Rania Batrice in conversation with Hani Almadhoun, Gaza native, Director of Philanthropy at UNRWA USA, and co-founder, along with his family in Gaza, of Gaza Soup Kitchen

1. Bills & Resolutions

(TARGETING IRAN) HR 9299: Introduced 8/2/24 by Swalwell (D-CA) and 19 cosponsors (bipartisan), “To make certain improvements relating to the coordination of efforts to promote internet freedom and access to information in Iran, and for other purposes.“  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

(TARGETING BADDIES IN THE CLOUD) HR 9317 (pdf): Introduced 8/6/24 by Pfluger (R-TX) and Panetta (D-CA), “To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct annual assessments on terrorism threats to the United States posed by terrorist organizations utilizing foreign cloud-based mobile or desktop messaging applications, and for other purposes.”  Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security. Also see press release – excerpt: “Foreign cloud-based mobile and desktop messaging applications like TikTok and Telegram have allowed their platforms to become a breeding ground for radical extremism. Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) like Hamas, Hizballah, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and others frequently use foreign-owned cloud-based mobile and desktop applications to recruit new members, fundraise, provoke others to violence, and coordinate terrorist activity. ISIS has even urged its supporters to connect with ISIS contacts on Telegram to discuss matters like travel to ISIS-held territory. Since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terror attacks in Israel, we have seen multiple instances in which Hamas’ military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, utilized foreign applications to spread extremist and grotesque content online and called for additional terrorist attacks against the United States and Israel. ”

(NDAA AMENDMENTS) S. 4638: Last week’s Round-Up reported on S. Amdt 3181, to soften the Leahy Law and create a loophole with respect to joint military exercises, introduced 7/29/24 by Cornyn (R-TX), Cortex Mastro (D-ND) and Cardin (D-MD).  Update on that amendment: on 7/31/24 Cardin withdrew as a cosponsor of S. Amdt 3181.

2. Letters

(USE ALL TOOLS TO CRACK DOWN ON HEZBOLLAH FINANCING) 8/5/24: Gottheimer Leads 46 Bipartisan Members in a Letter Requesting the Administration Utilize All Tools to Crack Down on Hezbollah’s International Financing Network; Calls for full implementation of sanctions authorized by Congress [letter text]. Also see: Lawmakers urge U.S. crackdown on Hezbollah financing networks (Jewish Insider 8/5/24)

(TARGETING FREE SPEECH/PROTEST) 8/2/24: Rep. Banks Presses Biden-Harris Admin to Prosecute Iran-Funded U.S. Protest Organizers [letter text] – from the press release: “The Biden administration admitted that some of the same groups behind the pro-Hamas protestors who burned American flags outside the U.S. Capitol last week also took money from Iran. These organizations likely violated U.S. sanctions law and must be prosecuted. I am calling on the Biden administration to come clean and tell us which of these anti-American groups took illegal donations from the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, Iran.” Also see: Lawmakers demand administration respond to Iranian influence in Gaza protests (Jewish Insider 8/5/24)

3. Hearings & Markups

None. 

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

Presidential

The Algemeiner 8/7/24: Anti-Israel Lawmakers Praise Selection of Tim Walz as Kamala Harris’s Running Mate

Breitbart 8/6/24: Exclusive—Rep. David Kustoff: Israel Needs Strong Leadership in the White House [“As Chairman of the House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group, I recently traveled to Israel at the invitation of Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana, to launch the Friendship Group in Jerusalem…In Jerusalem, I reiterated to my Israeli counterparts that despite what comes out of the White House, House Republicans will continue to do all we can to ensure they have the resources they need. In November, it is essential that we elect a leader who will stand up to our adversaries and show the world that the United States does not tolerate terrorism. We must elect a leader who will give Israel the steadfast support it deserves. The United States must lead on the world stage again.”]

Congress – general

• Jewish News Syndicate 8/8/24: The US Congressional elections and Israel — A focus on the 2024 Congressional elections is advisable in light of the power vested in Congress by the U.S. Constitution.

Missouri – Bush v. Bell

NOTE: The big news this week is the defeat of Cori Bush (D-MO-1) in her primary against AIPAC-backed (with MASSIVE financial support) challenger Wesley Bell. This comes on the heels of AIPAC investing massively to defeat Jamaal Bowman in New York. Love it or hate it, this is the state of US primaries today: a Super Pac [in this case AIPAC/UDP] focused on a single issue [in this case, Israel] spends hugely [in the case of Bush v. Bell, spending $8.6 million], on top of even more money raised/bundled by an allied PAC [AIPAC PAC, which in this week’s case raised/bundled more than $2.3M for Bell]. The bottom line in this week’s primary: ~$11 million in AIPAC-linked funding invested in a primary in which fewer than 125,000 people voted, to secure an ally in a safe Democratic seat. AIPAC’s guy won by fewer than 5k votes.

After the primary:

• Common Dreams 8/8/24: Tlaib Slams White House for Criticizing Cori Bush’s Vow to Fight AIPAC
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/8/24: White House slams Cori Bush’s threat to AIPAC to ‘tear your kingdom down’ [“The White House condemned as ‘inflammatory’ a pledge by Missouri Rep. Cori Bush to AIPAC that she would ‘tear your kingdom down,’ implying that heated rhetoric like hers could inspire political violence.”]
• Jewish Insider 8/8/24: How Wesley Bell engineered a come-from-behind victory over Cori Bush [“…interviews with a number of St. Louis-area strategists watching the race reveal that one of its central narratives — that heavy spending by national pro-Israel groups like AIPAC and Democratic Majority for Israel fueled Bush’s loss — is only one part of a complex picture that explains Bush’s political downfall. In fact, local issues, rather than her strident criticisms of Israel, may have played a more important role and gave pro-Israel groups an opening, they say…” But also: “In a video released by AIPAC, Bell thanked the pro-Israel group for its support and vowed that he’d continue to be an ally. ‘We’re not getting across the finish line without all of you,” Bell said. “We know how important it is to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters, to stand with Israel, and as the Democratic nominee … I want you to know that you will always have an ally with me.’”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/8/24: Jewish vote impacted Bell’s margin of victory over Bush, Agudah says [“Voter turnout rate in the Orthodox Jewish community doubled from 2022, according to Rabbi A.D. Motzen, national director of government affairs at Agudath Israel of America.”]
• Washington Post 8/8/24: Pro-Israel PAC notches striking electoral victories with Bush, Bowman defeats
• Jacobin 8/8/24: AIPAC Bought Cori Bush’s Seat
• Ayelet Shaked (right-wing Israeli former MK & Minister) 8/7/24: X-post – “Democratic congresswoman and “Squad” member Cori Bush has lost her primary race in Missouri. Good job of pro-Israel supporters and AIPAC. She is bad, and anti Zionist . Am Yisrael Chai” (That last part is written in Hebrew and translates to “the People [or “Nation” – this is a hot point of debate] of Israel Lives”)
• Commentary 8/7/24: The Story That Explains Why Cori Bush Lost [“There was no Jewish hypnotism at work here, or whatever she believes in the darker corners of her weary mind. It’s just that Bush’s handling of the Israel issue, and specifically of AIPAC, provided a window into the fact that the congresswoman had become untethered from reality and was therefore unconditionally unfit to represent the people of St. Louis.“]
• The Free Beacon 8/7/24: Cori Bush Melts Down on Stage After Primary Loss: ‘AIPAC, I’m Coming To Tear Your Kingdom Down’ [“Less than two days after the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s headquarters was vandalized, Rep. Cori Bush (D., Mo.) promised to tear down the Jewish group—a remark that caps off a failed primary campaign that began with an accusation she was “fanning the flames of antisemitism.”]
• The Guardian 8/7/24: US support for Israel is collapsing. And Aipac knows it
• The New York Times 8/7/24: AIPAC Demonstrates Its Clout With Defeat of a Second ‘Squad’ Member [“The pro-Israel group put more than $8 million into a primary to help beat Representative Cori Bush of Missouri, the second Democrat it has successfully targeted for not supporting Israel in the war.“]
• The Nation 8/7/24: Cori Bush May Have Lost an Election, but She Won the Moral High Ground
• Daily Beast 8/7/24: Rep. Cori Bush Tells AIPAC She’s ‘Coming to Tear Your Kingdom Down’ After Primary Loss
• The Guardian 8/7/24: Cori Bush warns pro-Israel lobby ‘to be afraid’ after primary loss -Member of progressive ‘Squad’ says her loss has freed her to openly challenge Aipac
• The Hill 8/7/24: Cori Bush calls out AIPAC after defeat: ‘I’m coming to tear your kingdom down’
• Associated Press 8/7/24: Wesley Bell defeats ‘Squad’ member Cori Bush. A pro-Israel group spent $8.5 million to help oust her
• Wall Street Journal 8/7/24: Cori Bush Defeated in Missouri Democratic Primary, Becoming Second House ‘Squad’ Member to Lose Seat [“Prosecuting attorney Wesley Bell wins race with backing of pro-Israel groups“]
• Mondoweiss 8/7/24: AIPAC spent $9 million to help oust Cori Bush
• Fox News 8/7/24: ‘Squad’ Rep Cori Bush’s loss cheered by right, left sounds off on AIPAC spending
• Newsweek 8/7/24: Cori Bush Primary Loss Mocked by MAGA: ‘Laughing So Hard’
• The Intercept 8/6/24: AIPAC Millions Take Down Second Squad Member Cori Bush – Bush was early calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza. Then AIPAC came after her with millions of dollars
• Mother Jones 8/7/24: One of the Most Vocal Proponents of a Ceasefire in Gaza Just Lost [“First, it was Rep. Jamaal Bowman in New York. Now, it is Rep. Cori Bush in Missouri. In a race with a lot of AIPAC money, another member of the Squad is defeated.”]
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/6/24: ‘Squad’ member Cori Bush is defeated in St. Louis primary that drew millions in pro-Israel money
• New York Times 8/6/24: Wesley Bell Defeats Cori Bush, a ‘Squad’ Member and Vocal Critic of Israel [“Her defeat is another loss for progressives in a race defined by Democratic divisions over the war in Gaza, with pro-Israel groups pouring millions into a campaign to oust her from office.“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/6/24: Wesley Bell defeats anti-Israel ‘Squad’ member Cori Bush in Missouri primary [“‘During this primary season, the pro-Israel mainstream has sent a powerful message that America stands with Israel,’ AIPAC stated.”]
• The New Republic 8/6/24: Cori Bush Loses Missouri Primary After Massive AIPAC Bid to Defeat Her
• Jewish Insider 8/6/24: Wesley Bell defeats Cori Bush in Missouri primary [“The super PAC affiliated with AIPAC, United Democracy Project, was by far the biggest spender, dropping more than $8.5 million into a race that became one of the most expensive elections of the cycle. ‘AIPAC congratulates Wesley Bell for his consequential victory over an incumbent anti-Israel detractor,’ the group said in a statement. ‘Once again, a progressive pro-Israel Democrat has prevailed over a candidate who represents the extremist fringe that is hostile to the Jewish state.’  UDP added in a statement that, ‘Bell’s win tonight, along with George Latimer’s (D) victory over Rep. Jamaal Bowman and John McGuire’s (R) defeat of Rep. Bob Good, is further proof that being pro-Israel is good policy and good politics on both sides of the aisle.’ Mark Mellman, the chairman of Democratic Majority for Israel, which also endorsed Bell, said the results underscored that ‘being pro-Israel is not just wise policy, but also smart politics.'”]
• Axios 8/6/24: “Squad” Rep. Cori Bush loses her Democratic primary [“… Bush, one of Congress’ most vocal Israel critics, was targeted by nearly $9 million in ad spending from United Democracy Project, the political arm of pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC…”]
• Huffington Post 8/6/24: Rep. Cori Bush Ousted By AIPAC-Backed Primary Challenger

Before the primary:

• The Nation 8/5/24: I’m a St. Louis Jew. Here’s Why I’m Backing Cori Bush. [“If AIPAC and its donors defeat her, we won’t just be losing one of Palestine’s staunchest allies but also one of the climate movement’s most effective champions.“]
• Washington Free Beacon 8/5/24: With Her Primary Looming, Cori Bush Refuses To Call Hamas a Terrorist Organization – Bush claims the term ‘terrorist’ is politically ‘weaponized’ by the far right
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 8/5/24: Missouri Rep. Cori Bush, leading critic of Israel, faces tight primary challenge from fellow progressive with pro-Israel backing
• New York Times 8/5/24: In Missouri, Cori Bush Fights for Survival Against an AIPAC-Backed Democrat [“The ultraliberal congresswoman and member of the ‘squad’ is facing a primary on Tuesday against Wesley Bell, a progressive prosecutor whose campaign has been financed by pro-Israel groups.”]
• Jewish Insider 8/5/24: Cori Bush rallied with pro-Kremlin activist critical of CBC PAC chair Greg Meeks [“The embattled congresswoman is struggling in her primary campaign against St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell“]
• Axios 8/4/24: AIPAC’s fight to take out another “Squad” member turns brutal
• AIPAC leaders letter in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch 8/4/24: Letter: For Jews, Cori Bush personifies a dangerous turn against Israel
• The Guardian 8/3/24: Pro-Israel groups have set sights on unseating this progressive lawmaker. Will they succeed? [“Challenger Wesley Bell switched party lines to vie for Cori Bush’s Missouri seat and has reaped millions from normally Republican-supporting donors”]

Minnesota

• New Arab 8/9/24: After ousting Cori Bush, could Ilhan Omar be pro-Israel AIPAC’s next target?
• Mother Jones 8/7/24: Can Ilhan Omar Fend Off AIPAC? Squad members keep losing—but one of the US’s only Muslim congresswomen is cruising to a win.
• The Forward 8/7/24: Pro-Israel groups helped defeat Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush. Why aren’t they targeting Ilhan Omar? Omar’s rival, Don Samuels, came within 2,500 votes of defeating her in the 2022 primary

Nevada

• Jewish Insider 5/6/24: In the Nevada Senate race, Sam Brown tries to outflank Sen. Jacky Rosen on Israel

Tennessee

• Knox News 8/9/14: Here’s how AIPAC spent money in Tennessee primary elections

New York

• Jewish News Syndicate/CAMERA 8/8/24: Jamaal Bowman’s political suicide — To say that Bowman’s views on Israel did not reflect those of his constituents would be an understatement.

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

• Jerusalem Post 8/8/24: Rashida Tlaib shares fake poll claiming half of Israelis support rape of terrorists;
  • Outraged responses via Jewish Insider’s Marc Rod: Gottheimer (D-NJ): “Antisemitic disinformation has spread like wildfire over the past year, fueled by the sharing of lies like this. It puts Jews in danger and it’s just plain wrong to legitimize these lies with a repost or a like.”; Torres (D-NY): “Falsely accusing the Israeli people of supporting rape against Palestinians is a 21st century blood libel against the world’s only Jewish State. Spreading so blatant a lie is unbecoming of a Member of Congress.”
  • Reality check: Israeli lawmaker defends alleged rape of Hamas prisoner as far-right protesters rage over IDF troops’ detention (CBS News 7/30/24); Far-Right Israelis Mob Bases After Soldiers Arrested for Allegedly Raping Palestinian (Common Dreams 7/30/24); Dozens of Protesters Storm Israeli Army Base Where Soldiers Suspected of Abuse of Palestinian Detainee Are Held; Soldiers attempted to stop dozens of protesters who stormed into the base and entered the military court building inside, as the demonstrators called them ‘traitors’ (Haaretz 7/29/24); Israel’s Torture & Rape of Palestinian Prisoners Defended by Knesset Members, Far-Right Mobs (Democracy Now 8/1/24); A riot for impunity shows Israel’s proud embrace of its crimes — Far-right protesters, soldiers, and MKs rallied for guards suspected of raping a Palestinian detainee. Once fringe, they’re now the public face of the state. (+972 Magazine 8/1/24); video of program on Israeli channel 14, with panelist calling anyone involved in prosecuting soldiers for abusing Palestinians “traitors”; video of program on Israeli Channel 14, with panel member comparing the Israeli military prosecutor with Jews who helped the Nazis; videos of protests targeting journalists who reported the story of the abuse of Palestinian prisoners and the military prosecutor; panel discussion on Israel’s Channel 12 with panelists explicitly justifying sexual abuse of prisoners and lamenting that it is not official policy (he later retracted, so all good, right?); WELCOME TO HELL – The Israeli Prison System as a Network of Torture Camps (B’Tselem August 2024)
• Foxx (R-NC) 8/8/24: Chair Foxx: “About time” Columbia deans resign [in response to this news: Three Columbia University deans who exchanged antisemitic text messages resigning (Jewish Insider 8/9/24)
• Jewish Insider 8/6/24: Not another penny for UNRWA, senator says – Marsha Blackburn said the U.N. agency is “antisemitic, terrorist-supporting.”
• Stefanik (R-NY) 8/5/24: Stefanik Statement on Iranian-Backed Attack on US Military at al-Asad Airbase in Iraq
• Green (D-TX) 8/4/24: Congressman Al Green’s Public Address & Vigil on a Permanent Ceasefire, End of War, & the Israel-Palestine Two-State Solution

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

1. Bills & Resolutions

2. Letters

WE SUPPORT ISRAEL

• (STOP DELAYING WEAPONS TO ISRAEL!!!!) 8/2/24: Cotton, 47 Senate GOP Colleagues to Biden-Harris Administration: Delaying Weapons to Israel Undermines Our Ally, Accommodates Iran [letter text] – letter accuses Biden/Harris of imposing a “partial arms embargo against Israel” [not accurate] and thereby “endangering our greatest ally in the Middle East and jeopardizing the lives of our American servicemembers stationed in the region.”
• (US MUST NOT STAND BY AND LET OTHER COUNTRIES BE EVEN A LITTLE HUMANE TO PALESTINIANS) 7/26/24: Cruz, Rubio, Colleagues Warn of Terrorist-Linked Gazans Crossing U.S.-Canada Border [letter text]

TARGET: FREE SPEECH/PROTEST/CRITICISM OF ISRAEL (and maybe also actual antisemitism but meh)

• (TARGETING X/MUSK FOR ANTISEMITISM) 8/2/24:  Congressman Dan Goldman Calls on Speaker Mike Johnson to Direct Oversight Committee to Hold Hearing on X’s Antisemitic Content and Possible Sanctions Violations [letter text] NOTE: while the letter does touch on ACTUAL antisemitism (hatred/threats against Jews because they are Jewish), the hook for the letter is the ADL’s allegation of a surge of antisemitism since 10/7/23 (which per the ADL’s approach is in large part if not mostly related to criticism of Israel and Zionism). Indeed, in pressing Johnson to push the Oversight Committee to convene an investigation of X, the letter explicitly links the demand to support for Israel: “Speaker Mike Johnson has reiterated his support for the Israeli people and condemned antisemitic demonstrations on college campuses. However, he has repeatedly refused to bring substantive bills to the floor that would address antisemitic hate.” Also see: Jewish Democrats call for hearing on terrorism sanctions violations, antisemitism on X (Jewish Insider 8/2/24)
• (TARGETING ACADEMIA) 8/1/24: Chair Foxx Demands Answers from Columbia University –Committee’s Investigation into Antisemitism Continues Despite University Stonewalling [letter text]; excerpt: “Columbia has failed to comply with the Committee’s requests in a timely manner. The Committee is providing Columbia an additional week to fulfill them. If these requests are not satisfied by the above deadline, the Committee is prepared to issue subpoenas…” Also see: Foxx threatens to subpoena Columbia University in antisemitism investigation (Jewish Insider 8/1/24)
• (TARGETING ACADEMIA) 8/1/24: E&C Republicans Open Investigation into Allegations of Antisemitism at UC San Francisco [letter text] – investigating claims of antisemitism related to protest of Israel’s war on Gaza. Also see: Lawmakers investigating antisemitism at UC-San Francisco medical centers (Jewish News Syndicate 8/1/24)

TARGET: BIDEN ADMIN (using Iran as hook for witch hunt)

• (WITCH HUNT USING IRANIAN-AMERICAN IN BIDEN ADMIN TO TARGET HARRIS ADVISOR) 7/31/24: Cotton, Stefanik Demand Answers Regarding Harris’ National Security Advisor’s Communications with Iranian Influence Operation [letter text] Also see: Kamala’s NatSec Adviser Probed Over Ties to Iranian Influence Network (Washington Free Beacon 7/31/24)
• (TARGETING ROB MALLEY) 7/30/24: McCaul, Risch Threaten Subpoena to Compel Response from State on Malley’s Security Clearance Suspension [letter text]

OTHER

• (KSA – FREE HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES) 7/30/24: Raskin, Wyden, Beyer and Schiff Demand Release of All Wrongfully Detained Human Rights Advocates in Saudi Arabia [letter text]

 

3. Hearings & Markups

July 30, 2024: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing entitled, Strategic Competition with the PRC: Assessing U.S. Competitiveness Beyond the Indo-Pacific. The sole witness was Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell (statement). Also see: Murphy (D-CT) press release – Murphy Questions Deputy Secretary Of State On Efforts To Combat Chinese Misinformation And Further U.S. Interests In The Middle East; Barrasso (R-WY) press release – Barrasso: China is “Puppet Master” Using Russia, Iran against U.S.

 

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

General

• Axios 8/1/24: Jewish lawmakers groan at “Genocide Josh” campaign
• Washington Post 7/31/24: Trump falsely calls Schumer a ‘proud member of Hamas’ —At a rally, Trump referred to actions by Schumer — the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S. — when Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress last week.
• Jewish Insider 7/31/24: Ernst accuses Harris of emboldening pro-Hamas demonstrators, Iran by skipping Netanyahu speech
• Jewish Insider 7/31/24: New ad campaign accuses Schumer of obstructing antisemitism bill – The ads, airing in Senate battlegrounds, accuse Schumer of ‘playing politics’ over fighting hatred [excerpt: “In addition to Schumer’s home state of New York, the source noted that the ads are strategically placed to run in several battleground states that will likely decide control of the Senate, including Arizona, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio and Wisconsin.“] Also see my X-thread: Efforts to legislate the IHRA definition of antisemitism – in order to legally enforce quashing/criminalizing of free speech supporting Palestinian rights/lives – is stalled in the Senate, thanks to bipartisan opposition. So naturally IHRA backers are coming for Chuck Schumer | NOTE: when folks who keep saying that the Antisemitism Awareness Act is the “gold standard”, “widely adopted,” “consensus” definition and that it has broad, bipartisan support and reflects a wide expert and public consensus, have them take a look at the receipts: First set of receipts: A compendium of expert views and other resources laying out concerns/objections to the IHRA definition. Second set of receipts: Statements & Analyses Opposing Federal IHRA legislation (2024) [all of which were responses to House passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act

Missouri

• NOTE: In the primary battle between Wesley Bell and Rep. Cori Bush, per its 1/1/24 FEC filings the United Democracy Project (AIPAC’s super PAC) has so far spent $8,502,459.06 in its effort to unseat Bush. This is in addition to funding from the AIPAC PAC, which as of 6/30/24 totaled $2,358,580.72 (details of July expenditures have not yet been processed by the FEC)
• Salon.com 8/2/24: Rep. Cori Bush faces media smears, torrent of AIPAC cash, for speaking truth about Gaza
• Democracy Now 8/2/24: AIPAC Spending Millions to Unseat Progressive MO Congressmember Cori Bush
• Jewish Insider 8/2/24: Signs point to a second Squad defeat in next Tuesday’s Missouri primary
• Mondoweiss 8/1/24: Activists hope grassroots outreach can overcome pro-Israel money as Cori Bush primary race enters final days
• Associated Press 8/1/24: A pro-Israel super PAC helped defeat one Squad member. Now it’s going after another, Cori Bush
• Teen Vogue 8/1/24: Cori Bush Primary Race Is Flooded With AIPAC Money Over Her Support for Ceasefire
• The Forward 8/1/24: ‘Antisemitism is on the ballot’ in St. Louis. What does that mean? –Campaign focused on Rep. Cori Bush’s St. Louis district echoes one that helped oust Jamaal Bowman in New York [“Echoing the campaign that ousted Rep. Jamaal Bowman in New York’s Democratic primary last month, a new group is trying to turn out Jewish voters in a St. Louis district represented by one of the harshest critics of Israel in Congress by saying ‘antisemitism is on the ballot’ when they go to the polls next week. The group, St. Louis Votes, won’t say exactly what that means, and its tax-exempt status prohibits it from explicitly campaigning for or against a specific candidate. But while its name suggests a citywide push, the campaign is only targeting voters in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, where Rep. Cori Bush, an outspoken progressive, is being challenged by Wesley Bell, the county prosecutor, in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. The nonprofit, which was created a few weeks ago, is staffed by veterans of a similar effort to boost Jewish turnout in Westchester County as part of a broader campaign to oust Bowman that was financed largely by AIPAC, which is also Bell’s main backer.”]
• Politico 8/1/24:  Knocking down the Squad: Dem prosecutor could oust second prominent House liberal [“…Although Democratic divides over Israel have barely factored into the race, the influx of outside spending prompted by the Israel policy fight have transformed it. Pro-Bell billboards dotted the city’s skyline, and ads funded by AIPAC’s political arm — the group’s super PAC has spent nearly $7 million — slamming Bush’s record and boosting Bell are inescapable on television.”]
• Mother Jones 8/1/24: The Big Money Push to Oust Cori Bush [“She introduced the first bill calling for a ceasefire. Now, she is facing her toughest political battle yet.”]
• Common Dreams 8/1/24: A Simple Question Those Who Smear Cori Bush Refuse to Answer [“AIPAC excels at strategic lobbying on Capitol Hill, relentlessly prodding or threatening lawmakers and their staffs to stay on the right side of a Zionist hardline, always brandishing the proven capacity to launch fierce attacks—while conflating even understated criticism of Israel with antisemitism. The basic formulas are simple: Israel = Judaism. Opposition to Israel’s lethal violence = antisemitism.Such formulaic manipulation has long been fundamental to claims that the Israeli government represents ‘the Jewish people’ and criticisms of its actions are ‘antisemitic.’That’s what the heroic Congresswoman Cori Bush is up against.“]
• The Hill 7/31/24: AIPAC super PAC accused of altering Bush’s appearance in ads
• The Intercept 7/31/24: AIPAC Used Distorted Photo of Cori Bush in $7 Million Negative Ad Blitz [“I shouldn’t have to ask my opponent to condemn his biggest funders for putting out an ad like this.”]
• Washington Examiner 7/31/24: AIPAC allies deny group distorted image of Cori Bush for ad campaign
• Jewish Insider 7/31/24: Cori Bush embellished, misrepresented anecdote during ‘Jews for Cori’ fundraiser, local activist says [“Bush claimed that Debbie Kitchen was individually responsible for AIPAC’s spending against her. Kitchen says she has nothing to do with the pro-Israel group”]
• Jezebel 7/30/24: Cori Bush’s Democratic Primary Could Cost the Party Its Reproductive Justice Champion [“‘My district isn’t for sale, and it’s not going to be just a stepping stone in a politician’s career,’ Bush told Jezebel about the stakes for abortion rights in her race and the outsized role of lobbyist groups like AIPAC.“]
• Common Dreams 7/30/24:  Nearly Two-Thirds of All Campaign Funds for Cori Bush Challenger Came From AIPAC [“‘Wesley Bell is now the No. 1 recipient of AIPAC cash this cycle—receiving $3 million and counting,’ Justice Democrats noted.“]
• Sludge 7/30/24: AIPAC Is Trying to Buy Another House Seat
• Jacobin 7/30/24: Cori Bush’s Opponent Is Swimming in Right-Wing AIPAC Cash
• Drop Site 7/30/24: Leaked Audio: “I’m NOT Running Against You,” Cori Bush’s Primary Challenger Told Her Months Before Running Against Her [“Progressive prosecutor Wesley Bell pledged to stay out of the race—before millions of dollars enticed him in“]
• American Prospect 7/30/24: Different Circumstances in the Next Squad Primary Fight [“Cori Bush faces off against Wesley Bell—and millions in super PAC money. But the story isn’t that simple.”]
• Roll Call 7/29/24: Rep. Cori Bush faces well-funded prosecutor in Missouri primary [“‘Squad’ member’s support for Palestinians draws heavy pro-Israel spending”]
• Jewish Insider 7/29/24: Wesley Bell builds momentum in final days of Missouri primary – Challenger to Rep. Cori Bush opens up six-point lead in new poll
• Newsweek 7/29/24: Cori Bush Could Lose Primary as Israel Divides Democrats
• Jacobin 7/27/24: The Right Is Hoping to Defeat Cori Bush Next
• Kansas City Defender 7/26/24: The Diverging Paths of Cori Bush and Wesley Bell: Following the Money Trail to Missouri’s 1st Congressional District Race [“The impending primary election in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District offers the voters of St. Louis a choice between a vocal advocate for the people and a prosecutor beholden to paid interests.“]

Arizona

• Jewish Insider 7/30/24: Phoenix House race features two Democrats with differing views on Israel  [“The race pits Yassamin Ansari, the former vice mayor of Phoenix, against Raquel Terán, a former state legislator and party chair“]
• Jewish Insider 7/29/24: ‘The dirtiest, nastiest congressional race in all the country’ comes to a head [“Blake Masters and Abe Hamadeh face off in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District on Tuesday”]

Minnesota

• Star Tribune 7/30/24: Minnesota’s primary elections are two weeks away. Here are four key races to watch. [“
• Star Tribune 7/27/24: Pro-Israel groups stay out of Ilhan Omar, Don Samuels rematch so far [“Omar meets all the qualifications for being a top priority for defeat by pro-Israel groups, but the fact they have stayed out of her primary suggests she’s seen as tough to beat in the August primary.“]

Florida

• VIN NEWS (press release outlet) 7/9/24: Former Trump Ambassador To Israel David Friedman Endorses Bryan Leib for Florida’s 25th Congressional District [“I know Bryan will be a fearless leader in Congress in supporting President Trump, the Jewish community in South Florida, in confronting the Islamic Republic of Iran head on, and in taking the US-Israel alliance to new heights. Bryan will always put America First while never wavering in standing tall with the State of Israel.“]

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

Escalation on all fronts

• Jewish Insider 8/1/24: U.S. lawmakers wary of regional unrest after Haniyeh assassination [“Legislators supportive of efforts to remove Hamas leadership while expressing concern“]
• Politico 7/31/24: Congress scrambles to make sense of Hamas leader’s death
• Fox News 7/31/24: Sen. Lindsey Graham calls on Israel to ‘destroy’ Iranian oil refineries
• Budd (R-NC) 7/31/24: Budd Statement on Death of Hamas Political Leader [“The death of Hamas’ political leader sends a clear and resounding message to terrorists that those who kill and kidnap Americans will ultimately face justice. Terrorists with American blood on their hands should be mourned by no one, especially by a major non-NATO ally like Qatar. Maximum pressure on Hamas terrorists is the best way to secure the release of hostages.”]
• McCaul (R-TX) 7/31/24: Chairman McCaul Issues Statement on Iran’s Extraterritorial Threats
• McCaul (R-TX) 7/31/24: Chairman McCaul Presses Biden Administration to Fast-Track Critical Weapons to Israel
• Daines (R-MT) 7/29/24: Daines Statement on Hezbollah’s Attack on Israel
• Jewish Insider 7/29/24: Schumer calls for de-escalation as other lawmakers back potential Israeli response to Hezbollah [“Sen. Ted Cruz: ‘This continued appeasement directly endangers the security of Israel and therefore the safety and prosperity of Americans”]
• Cruz (R-TX) 7/28/24: Cruz Condemns Hezbollah Attack on Israel, Blasts Biden-Harris Efforts to Block Israeli Response
• Stefanik (R-NY) 7/27/24: Stefanik Statement on Hezbollah’s Violent Attack Against Israelis At Playground And Soccer Field

Palestinians/Gaza Strip

• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 8/1/24: Gottheimer Statement Marking 300 Days Since Hamas’s October 7 Terrorist Attacks — Reaffirms call for hostages to be released
• Jewish Insider 8/1/24: [the same day Israel assassinated the guy they are ostensibly negotiating a ceasefire with] Cardin maintains that Hamas is to blame for the lack of a cease-fire deal [“The Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman said that the framework for a Saudi-Israel deal is ‘pretty well-developed’ and could be finalized quickly“]
• Jewish Insider 7/30/24: Lindsey Graham vows UNRWA won’t receive ‘one dime’ from U.S.
• Jewish Insider 7/30/24: House Abraham Accords Caucus meets with Abraham Accords ambassadors on Gaza reconstruction [“The House Abraham Accords Caucus met last week with the ambassadors of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco to the United States last week to discuss the reconstruction and future of the Gaza Strip, as the U.S. pushes for Arab states to become involved in the ‘day-after’ plan for the territory.“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/29/24: Legislators meet with ambassadors of UAE, Bahrain, Morocco to advance Gaza group [“‘Moving forward, it is imperative that we continue to facilitate these dialogues with global leaders to ensure Gazans can rely on a free and fair democracy,’ said Rep. David Trone (D-Md.).”]
• New York Times 7/29/24: Aides in Congress Create Dissent Channel to Protest Support for Israel [“An anonymous group of junior staff members has modeled its effort on an internal State Department messaging system, hoping to create an outlet for calls for a cease-fire in the war in Gaza.“]
• Jewish Insider 7/29/24: Senate Appropriations Committee votes to extend U.S. freeze on UNRWA funds [“Sens. John Tester, Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema voted with Republicans in favor of the continued freeze”]
• Kaine (D-VA) and Warner (D-VA) 7/29/24: Senators Kaine and Warner call for Israel-Hamas ceasefire

Reflections/analysis re: Bibi Address to Congress

• Mondoweiss 8/1/24: The Shift: Netanyahu protests lead to more bills targeting protesters
• Arab Center Washington/Khalil Jashan 7/31/24: Netanyahu’s Demagoguery Before Congress over the Gaza War
• Mondoweiss 7/28/24: Congress applauded the genocide in Gaza, but Netanyahu’s speech showed the political consensus on Israel is over
• Haaretz 7/28/24: Shame on the U.S. Senators and Congress Members Who Cheered Netanyahu
• Haaretz 7/28/24: Netanyahu Pulled an Old, Cruel Trick on Congress, and on Israel’s Hostages
• The Hill 7/28/24: Van Hollen says it was a ‘mistake’ for Democrats to support Netanyahu addressing Congress
• Jerusalem Post 7/27/24: ‘No way to treat an ally at war’: WSJ editorial slams protests targeting Bibi’s Congress address

Targeting Free Speech/Protest

• House Environment and Water Public Works Committee 8/1/24: VIDEO: Capito, Ricketts: EPA, Vice President Harris Doling Out Inflation Reduction Act Funds for Radical Groups [Capito: “…in our investigation, we found that a lot of this money that’s going out really has little to do with the environment and a lot to do with funding groups that are basically engaged in what I characterize as anti-American activities. They’re anti-American, anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, anti-police and anti-border security.”; Ricketts: “When you’re giving money to organizations like the Climate Justice Alliance, and they are funding the march on Washington and they are waving the Free Palestinian flags and so forth, we’re paying them to lobby our government. Everyday Nebraskans don’t think that’s a good idea that our tax dollars should go to radical organizations to lobby our own government. That’s just crazy.“]
• House Ways & Means leadership 8/1/24: What They Are Saying: How Ways and Means Legislation Will Protect Jewish Students and Help Parents Save for Kids’ Education
• Jewish News Syndicate 8/1/24: Congress should investigate ‘The Washington Post’ and ‘The New York Times’
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/29/24: ‘As if my home turf no longer mine,’ students tell senators about school Jew-hatred

Other stuff

• Jewish News Syndicate 7/31/24: Congresswoman Sara Jacobs is sorely mistaken
• Wild (D-PA) 7/30/24: Statement from Bipartisan Group of Jewish Members of Congress Condemning Antisemitic Incidents in Pennsylvania
• Jewish Insider 7/30/24: Senators denounce Erdogan’s Israel threat

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

1. Bills & Resolutions

TARGETING HAMAS/PIJ

• HR 9153: Introduced by Issa (R-CA), “To provide for the addition of senior leaders of HAMAS and Palestine Islamic Jihad, United States Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, as well as affiliated terrorists to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted terrorism list, and for other purposes.”  Referred to the Committees on the Judiciary, and on Foreign Affairs. NOTE: For the record, the FBI’s “Most Wanted Terrorists List” page states: “The alleged terrorists on this list are charged with federal crimes in the United States, as indicated on their wanted posters. The pending charges listed on the posters allow them to be arrested and brought to justice…” [so senior leaders of Hamas and PIJ would not appear to qualify to be added to this list unless/until they are chared with federal crimes in the U.S.]

TARGETING IRAN

• S. 4761: Introduced 7/24/24 by Graham (R-SC), “A bill to require increased duties for goods and services imported from countries that import crude oil or petroleum products produced in the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Referred to the Committee on Finance. Also see Graham’s press release – Graham Introduces Legislation to End Financial Support For Terrorist Iranian Regime; Graham introduces legislation to place tariffs on countries that buy oil from Iran (Jewish Insider 7/24/24)

======

(Senate NDAA) S. 4638: Introduced 7/8/24 by Reed (D-RI), the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.” This is the bill that will have to be reconciled, eventually, with the version passed by the House 6/14/24 HR 8070, covered in excruciating detail in the 6/14/24 edition of the Round-Up, and in the accompany special Round-Up analysis, Middle East provisions in the House version of the FY25 NDAA. NOTE: JINSA has produced a super useful analysis, A Long, Hot Summer for National Defense Authorization Act Negotiations Begins, which includes a detailed inventory/comparison of Middle East-related provisions in both the House and Senate bills. Last week’s Round-Up included an inventory of Middle East-related amendments introduced thus far. Below are additi0nal amendments offered this week.

• [TARGETING IRAN] S. Amdt. 3053: Offered by Cotton (R-AR), to attach to the NDAA a piece of legislation entitled the “No ICBMs for Iran Act of 2024,” imposing far-reaching new Iran sanctions and expanding existing sanctions. [also intro’d by Cotton as S. Amdt. 2204]
• [TARGETING IRAN/VENEZUELA FUEL EXPORTS] S. Amdt. 3047: : Offered by Rubio (R-FL), to impose a prohibition on the importation of crude oil, petroleum, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas from Venezuela and Iran.
• [US-JORDAN DEFENSE COOPERATION] S. Amdt. 3045: Offered by Rubio (R-FL), to attach to the NDAA the “United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2024′‘
• [NO SAUDI WMD] S. Amdt. 3039 : Offered by Markey (D-MA), to attach to the NDAA a piece of legislation entitled, “Stopping Activities Underpinning Development In Weapons of Mass Destruction Act” aka the “SAUDI WMD Act”
• *****[SOFTENING UP THE LEAHY LAW! (I WONDER WHY???)] S. Amdt. 2988: Offered by Cornyn (R-TX), to amend current law (the Leahy Law), which requires the suspension of US provision of “any training, equipment, or other assistance for a unit of a foreign security force if the Secretary of Defense has credible information that the unit has committed a gross violation of human rights.” Cornyn’s amendment would soften the requirement under that law that says that the resumption of provision of all these things is conditioned on a determination that the government in question “has taken all necessary corrective steps,” changing it to requiring that said government “is taking effective steps to bring the responsible members of the security forces unit to justice.”*****
• [TARGETING IRAN] S. Amdt. 2977: Offered by Ernst (R-IA) , to attach to the NDAA a piece of legislation entitled, the “Iran Sanctions Act” (similar to HR 6201)
• [TARGETING IRAN] S. Amdt. 2976: Offered by Ernst (R-IA), to attach to the NDAA a long piece of legislation entitled the  “Preventing Underhanded and Nefarious Iranian Supported Homicides Act of 2024” aka the “PUNISH Act of 2024” (previously introduced by Ernst as S. 3028.  This legislation would, in effect, wipe out all presidential waiver authority for all Iran sanctions, and impose an across-the-board ban on waiving/removing any sanctions.

============

(SENATE SFOPS APPROPS) S. 4797: On 7/25/24, the Senate Appropriations Committee marked up and passed/reported out of Committee the Senate’s version of the FY25 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act. Also see: bill text (pre-mark-up); committee report (pre-mark-up); amendments adopted in committee; committee announcement of passage of the bill (minority). As always, the SFOPS bill includes tons of provisions related to Israel and the Middle East – and as always, it lays out conditions, restrictions, vetting, oversight requirements, and bans on aid related to the Palestinians more far-reaching than on any other U.S. aid program anywhere in the world (notwithstanding the fact that the US provides very little funding to the Palestinians). State tuned for next week’s Round-Up for a run-down of all of these provisions in S. 4797.

• As a preview, note that a key battle over this bill in committee centered on UNRWA – see: X-thread 7/25/24, from the Center for Middle East Peace’s Joel Braunold running down the debate in committee around UNRWA, and his follow-up X-post 7/26/24: “Confirmation of yesterday the Collins Graham amendment that passed is a perm ban for UNRWA (once in base sfops never comes out) and also the Coons conditions that are a dead letter at this point given the previous adopted amendment“.
• Also see X-thread from MEDC’s Seth Binder 7/25/24, opening with: “Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed its foreign aid bill for fiscal year 2025. As expected, its markedly different than the House version. A non-exhaustive thread on some of the key provisions included by Senate appropriators for the Middle East and North Africa.“
• Also see McConnell statement 7/25/24: McConnell: We Will Not Fund UNRWA:

“The legislation reported favorably by the Appropriations Committee today is the product of diligent efforts by Vice Chair Collins and Ranking Member Graham to meet an increasingly dangerous world with necessary investments in American leadership and support to critical partners.  Just as important is our colleagues’ focus on the places SFOPS appropriations must not go. In both the national security supplemental and FY 2024 appropriations, Senate Republicans ensured that no taxpayer dollars would go to a corrupted international agency – the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) – whose staff aid and abet Iran-backed terror. More than a dozen UNRWA staff participated in the horrific attacks of October 7th, and many more have been traced to Hamas affiliations.  In the absence of substantive reforms at UNRWA, it is clear that the prohibitions protecting American taxpayers from underwriting terrorist savagery must be extended. Unfortunately, as demonstrated by a partisan amendment today, it is also clear that a number of Senate Democrats would rather weaken what must remain a bold red line of U.S. policy.  Here are the facts: An extension of the prohibition on UNRWA funding received bipartisan support. It comports with the House’s clear position and companion bill, which cannot be said of other provisions adopted today by the Committee. And any further insistence that taxpayers fund this discredited and corrupt agency will place the rest of the Committee’s enormously important efforts to fund critical State and foreign operations in jeopardy.”

2. Letters

Concern for Palestinians

• (HELP SICK/INJURED KIDS IN GAZA!) 7/24/24: Van Hollen Joins Welch, Colleagues in Call for Expedited Evacuations of Children with Complex Medical Needs from Gaza [letter text]
• (HELP GET AID TO GAZA/SUPPORT AID WORKERS!) 7/23/24: Duckworth Urges Secretary of State to Work with Israel to Expand and Expedite Delivery of Humanitarian Aid into Gaza to Support Aid Workers and Innocent Civilians [letter text]

Concern for Biden’s Legacy

• (RE-FRAMING REALITY TO TRY TO MAKE BIDEN’S MIDDLE EAST LEGACY NOT JUST GENOCIDE) 7/24/24: Chairs Cardin, Reed, Warner Support President Biden’s Vision to End Gaza Conflict, Pursue Comprehensive Peace [letter text included in press release]

Bibi’s Speech

• (BLAMING BIDEN ADMIN FOR ANTI-BIBI PROTESTS) 7/24/24: Westerman Demands Immediate Resources for U.S. Park Police Responding to D.C. Riots [letter text]. Key quote from the letter: “While USPP and other law enforcement officers protect our nation’s historical monuments and most treasured spaces around the National Capital Region, protestors have run wild…” Westerman goes on to explain how he defines “running wild” — “destroying federal property”  [presumably a reference to graffiti, which already has been or is now being removed], “burning American flags” [a totally legal form of protest], and raising Palestinian flags [also a totally legal action].” Also see: Biden-Harris Admin Denied Resources to Police During Pro-Hamas Protest Where Agitators Burned American Flag, Committee Chairman Says (Free Beacon 7/24/25)
• (THOU SHALT NOT PROTEST BIBI) 7/23/24: Johnson letter to House members warning of “zero-tolerance policy” for anyone “disturbances” anywhere in the Capitol related to Netanyahu address to Congress, including threat to arrest members/guests who disturb Bibi’s speech [reminder: Biden’s GOP hecklers vent their fury over the border — and more (Politico 3/7/24); Republicans repeatedly interrupt Biden during State of the Union address (CNN 2/8/23); GOP Reps. Greene, Boebert heckle Biden throughout State of the Union address (NBC News 3/2/22); Rep. Wilson shouts, ‘You lie’ to Obama during speech (CNN 9/10/09)
• (DON’T HOST BIBI IN CONGRESS) 7/23/24: “A group of senior Israeli figures including former national security officials, academics and business leaders have sent US congressional leadership a blistering letter accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is set to speak to Congress on Wednesday, of threatening both Israeli and American national security.” (CNN 7/23/24) [Letter text]

Targeting Free Speech/Protest in Support of Palestinian Lives/Rights

• (TARGETING PROTESTERS FOR PALESTINIAN RIGHTS/LIVES) 7/24/24: Gottheimer Leads 31 Bipartisan Members in a Letter Requesting Classified Briefing on Iranian Influence in Anti-Israel Protests [letter text]. Also see: Legislators call for briefing on Iranian influence over anti-Israel demonstrations (Jewish News Syndicate 7/25/24)

Standing with Israeli Military Actions

• (SUPPORT ISRAEL BOMBING LEBANON) 7/24/24: Stefanik, Hagerty Demand Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Support Israel’s Rig ht to Defend Itself Against Hezbollah [letter text]

Targeting Iran

• (IRAN IRAN IRAN) 7/22/24: Sen. Cruz Presses Biden Admin on Iranian Suicide Drones Built With American Components [letter text]. Also see: Iranian Suicide Drones Used in Tel Aviv Attack Constructed With American Components, Cruz Says (Free Beacon 7/22/24)

3. Hearings & Markups

July 23, 2024: The House Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing entitled, Fueling Chaos: Tracing the Flow of Tax-Exempt Dollars to Antisemitism. Witnesses were: Lara Burns, GW University (statement); Oren Segal, ADL (statement – including pitch to pass HR 7921, “the Countering Antisemitism Act” and HR 6408, “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations“); and Charles Small, ISGAP (statement – focused on alleging nefarious, largely undisclosed influence of Arab funding of US academia (Muslim Brotherhood and Qatar, at various universitieus and with respect to SJP). Reminder re ISGAP and undisclosed foreign funding: Think tank failed to disclose six-figure grant from Israeli government (The Forward 8/31/20] — reporting how Israeli government documents show that ISGAP “…received $445,000 from the Israeli government in 2018. That value equals nearly 80% of its reported revenue that year. A separate ministry document said the grant was for the institute’s annual seminar at Oxford University that trains professors to teach about antisemitism, as well as ‘conducting research in the field of antisemitism and delegitimization against Israel.’”].

Also see:

• Hearing video
• Committee press release – Four Key Moments: Hearing on Tax-Exempt Funding of Antisemitism
• press release announcing the hearing [excerpt: “House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman David Schweikert (AZ-01) announced today that the Subcommittee on Oversight will hold a hearing to examine the use of American-based tax-exempt organizations to finance antisemitism in the United States and terrorism abroad, including the role of foreign adversaries.”].
• Opening statements: Subcommittee Chairman Schweikert; Chairman Smith (R-MO)
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/23/24: Nonprofits being used to fund ‘explosion’ of Jew-hatred on campus, House committee hears [“‘The violence and hatred directed at Jewish Americans and in support of terrorist organizations like Hamas are not some organic uprising,’ said House Ways and Means Committee chair Jason Smith.”]

July 23, 2024: The House Foreign Affairs Committee held an HFAC Member Roundtable with Families of U.S. Hostages Held by Hamas. Also see HFAC media advisory; McCaul (R-TX) statement 7/23/24: Chairman McCaul Delivers Statement at Roundtable with Families of Americans Held Hostage by Hamas; Hostage’s brother tells US lawmakers Netanyahu blind to urgency of reaching deal (Times of Israel 7/24/24)

July 25, 2024: The Senate Appropriations Committee held a mark-up of the Senate’s version of the FY25 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill (video). Also see: the committee’s summary of its FY25 SFOPS. The committee passed the bill, with amendments, by a vote of 24-5. Also see: bill text (pre-mark-up); amendments adopted in committee; committee report

July 25, 2024: Per Jewish Insider, Sens. Rosen (D-NV) and Lankford (R-OK) hosted a Senate roundtable on campus antisemitism

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

VP Kamala Harris

• Attacking Harris for missing Bibi’s address to Congress: Ricketts (R-NE), Scott (R-FL),  McConnell (R-KY), Cornyn (R-TX), Tuberville (R-AL)
• Free Beacon 7/24/24: ‘She Can’t Be Serious’: RJC Launches Five-Figure Ad Slamming Harris for ‘Snubbing Israel’
• Free Beacon 7/24/24: GOP Senators Slam Kamala for Snubbing Netanyahu Address
• Jewish Insider 7/23/24: Jewish Democrats fall in line behind Harris [“One top backer calls the vice president ‘an old school liberal Zionist’ who’s ‘probably to the left of Joe Biden’“]
• Jewish Insider 7/24/24: Speaker Johnson: VP Harris will ‘pay a price’ politically for skipping Bibi speech [“In interview with JI, Johnson also addressed the foreign policy divide within the GOP“]
• Jewish Insider 7/23/24: Cardin to preside at Netanyahu’s speech, with VP Harris absent
• Jewish Insider 7/22/24: As rank-and-file Dems rally around Harris, some top leaders hold back endorsements
• Jewish Insider 7/22/24: Jewish Democratic lawmakers defend Harris’ record on Israel and antisemitism

Missouri

• Jewish Insider 7/26/24: Cori Bush faces diverse coalition of opponents looking to oust her from office [“The National Black Empowerment Action Fund surveyed Black voters in the district, and found the anti-Israel congresswoman’s support shaky“]
• Rob Pyers 7/26/24: X-post — “AIPAC’s United Democracy Project drops another $1 million in the #MO01 Democratic primary, $700K opposing incumbent Cori Bush, $300K supporting challenger Wesley Bell, sending their total spending in the race past $7 million.” See table attached to post.

Other

• Jewish News Sydicate 7/25/24: RJC endorses Joe Fraser in Minnesota Senate race [“RJC cited Fraser’s statement that he would ‘always be a champion for the Jewish people and a supporter of the State of Israel,’ and pointed to problems with his primary opponent.”]

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

The big news this week was the address to a joint session of Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Pretty much all Republicans (except for Massie, R-KY) and a large number of Democrats attended, applauded, and over and over gave Netanyahu standing ovations as he delivered a speech that felt like nothing so much as a cult leader addressing his acolytes & worshipful followers, with the Democratic side interspersed with the faces of fellow members who looked appalled/angry/scared/sad – whether at Bibi’s flying-in-the-face-of reality/facts/international law speech, wreaking of militarism, racial/ethnic/religious supremacism, and illiberal themes including targeting free speech and free thought/academia; the spectacle of fellow members of Congress all but dancing/genuflecting in ecstasy over Bibi’s illiberal utterances; the political realities that in some cases forced them to attend; Leader Johnson’s threat that anyone who “disturbed” the speech would be arrested; or maybe something else. Notable among them was Rep. Tlaib (D-MI), who sat through the entire speech holding up a sign reading on one side, ‘GUILTY OF GENOCIDE” and on the other “WAR CRIMINAL.”

This Round-Up’s coverage of members’ statements/X-posts regarding Bibi and his speech to Congress is NOT comprehensive. It includes a selection of statements from members critical of or boycotting the Bibi speech. It does not include any of the many, many, many statements/X-post supporting/celebrating Bibi and his speech (it’s just too many people saying versions of the same thing). Bottom line: if you want to see what a specific members said, check their website, X-account, or the Congressional Record. Also check out this useful thread tracking members who publicly said they would not attend; this X-post from an Axios journalist who was in the chamber during Bibi’s speech – “By my count, roughly 100 of the 212 House Democrats and 27 of 51 Senate Democrats (and Dem-caucusing independents) are in the chamber for Netanyahu’s speech. That’s around half of each caucus absent.”

Bibi on the Hill – Members on the Record re: Criticizing and/or boycotting, or responding to the speech (in alphabetical order)

• Bera (D-CA) 7/23/24: Rep. Ami Bera on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Joint Address to Congress
• Booker (D-NJ) 7/24/24: Booker Statement on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Joint Address to Congress [excerpt: “Prime Minister Netanyahu will perhaps be remembered as one of the worst leaders in Israel’s history. I’ve long had serious disagreements with his actions and those of his ultra-right wing governing coalition — from their actions to erode Israel’s democratic institutions, to their allowance of illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank and lack of accountability for extremist settler violence, to their undermining of the Palestinian Authority — all of which threaten Israel’s security and the prospects for a two-state solution. Furthermore, when Israel needed clear-eyed leadership in the wake of the horrific October 7 terror attacks, Prime Minister Netanyahu responded by prioritizing his own political survival over the security of Israelis and the safe return of the hostages held by Hamas – including eight American citizens. Many other Israeli leaders were willing to step up and accept responsibility for their failures; Prime Minister Netanyahu instead pointed fingers of blame. I believe his leadership has led to a prolonged military conflict between Israel and Hamas and horrific levels of death and suffering of civilians in Gaza. His actions have made ensuring true Israeli security, ending the conflict, and establishing a lasting and just peace more difficult…“]
• Bowman (D-NY) 7/24/24: X-post – “We should never platform or give political cover to war criminals. It’s our responsibility to uplift the shared humanity of all people and work together toward peace.“
• Bush (D-MO) 7/23/24: statement – “For lawmakers who genuinely care about democracy and freedom, standing up for human rights is not just a talking point. It’s not conditional. It’s an active choice we make every day. Days like tomorrow are crucial moments where we must show that we support the dignity and humanity of all people without exception. In solidarity with the Palestinian people and all oppressed people across the world, I will be boycotting Prime Minister Netanyahu’s joint address to Congress. By bestowing Prime Minister Netanyahu with a joint address, Congress is not only continuing to green-light genocide; it is actively celebrating the man at the forefront of that genocide. Instead of platforming a war criminal, Congress should be imposing an arms embargo and using its leverage to force Netanyahu to end the bombing and bloodshed that has already killed over 39,000 Palestinians and failed to ensure the safe release of the vast majority of hostages, all while decimating schools, hospitals, homes, and humanitarian convoys. Since day one, I have been advocating for a permanent ceasefire and the safe release of hostages and those arbitrarily detained. That is what I will keep pushing for until our pro-peace, pro-humanity movement wins. I urge my colleagues to boycott this war criminal and join us in the fight for a just and lasting peace that protects the right to self-determination for Palestinians and Israelis alike.”
• Carbajal (D-CA) 7/24/24: Rep. Carbajal Statement on Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Address to U.S. Congress [“Carbajal: ‘I remain deeply concerned that [the Prime Minister’s] bravado threatens to plunge his country and the region into larger and longer conflict.'”]
• Castro (D-TX) 7/24/24: Statement from Congressman Castro on Benjamin Netanyahu’s Address to Congress [“Over the last nine months, Benjamin Netanyahu has prosecuted Israel’s war in Gaza with contempt for human life. Under his command, Israeli troops have bombed hospitals, ambulances, and schools, killing nearly 40,000 people, most of whom are civilians, and leaving millions homeless. He has failed to prioritize the rescue of hostages and has pursued mass destruction of Palestinian society instead of accountability for the Hamas terrorists who carried out the October 7 attacks. Netanyahu clearly cares about nothing but his own political survival. I have no confidence that he is willing or able to negotiate the ceasefire and hostage deal that Israelis and Palestinians desperately need. The opportunity to address a joint session is an honor that should be reserved for the most distinguished world leaders. Netanyahu should be standing in front of a criminal tribunal — not the U.S. Congress.”]
• Chu (D-CA) 7/24/24: Rep. Chu Declines to Attend Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Address to Joint Session of Congress
• DeLauro (D-CT) 7/24/24: DeLauro Statement on Decision Not to Attend Speech by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
• Durbin (D-IL) 7/24/24: Durbin Delivers Floor Speech Ahead Of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Joint Address To Congress
• Durbin (D-IL) 7/23/24: statement – “I am committed to Israel and its right to defend its people. The Hamas attack on October 7 was unprovoked and cowardly, and its continued holding of hostages unconscionable. However, Israel’s execution of its war in Gaza under the direction of Prime Minister Netanyahu with 39,000 Palestinians dead and 90,000 injured is a brutal strategy beyond any acceptable level of self-defense. And Netanyahu’s refusal to consider any peace plan that gives both Israelis and Palestinians a guarantee of security is inconsistent with a peaceful conclusion to this age-old conflict. I will stand by Israel, but I will not stand and cheer its current Prime Minister at tomorrow’s Joint Session.”
• Escobar (D-TX) 7/24/24: Congresswoman Escobar Statement on Prime Minister Netanyahu Address [“An invitation to address a Joint Session of Congress is among the highest honors our government can grant a foreign leader. It is a privilege to speak directly to the American public and the world. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unworthy of this invitation. His reckless execution of the war in Gaza demonstrates his disinterest in mitigating the loss of civilian life, abiding by international law, or prioritizing the return of hostages – whose families I will meet with today. One can support Israel’s right to self-defense without the unconditional support for its current government that some demand. I will not be in attendance.”]
• Eshoo (D-CA) 7/24/24: Eshoo Statement on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Address to Congress [excerpt, “As a longtime friend of Israel, I made the difficult decision not to attend Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address to Congress because I cannot in good conscience applaud a man who has cynically pursued his political interests at the expense of Israelis and Palestinians alike.”]
• Foster (D-IL) 7/24/24: Foster Statement on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Address to Congress
• Gomez (D-CA) 7/24/24: Gomez Calls on Netanyahu to Resign, Reiterates Support for Ceasefire
• Green (D-TX) 7/24/24: Congressman Al Green’s Statement on His Not Attending Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Address to Congress
• Jacobs (D-CA) 7/24/24: Rep. Sara Jacobs Pens MSNBC Op-Ed on Why She Won’t Attend PM Netanyahu’s Address to Congress [also see her op-ed – excerpt: “It’s never easy being Jewish in today’s world, but the past 10 months have been especially excruciating. Like millions of Jews around the world, I’m still grappling with the aftermath of Hamas’ horrific attack on Oct. 7 and the sharp rise in antisemitism that we’ve seen since. And I’ve also been deeply alarmed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s brutal, unrelenting military operation that has reportedly left more than 39,000 Palestinians dead. This response hasn’t been proportional, strategic or effective — and I can’t in good conscience condone it by attending Netanyahu’s joint address to Congress.”]
• Jayapal (D-WA) 7/24/24: Jayapal Statement on Netanyahu Address [“Prime Minister Netanyahu should not have been invited to come and speak to the U.S. Congress. I cannot in good conscience sit and listen to him speak as Palestinian people starve and hostages, including Israelis and Americans, remain in captivity. He has used US taxpayer dollars for a horrific assault on Gaza and the Palestinian people and continued to flout both international humanitarian law and our own US domestic law in denying humanitarian assistance to Gaza and launching indiscriminate attacks that have killed over 38,000 Palestinians and injured over 88,000…Tomorrow morning, I will join my colleagues in meeting with the families of hostages taken in the horrific October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, to listen to and strategize on their efforts to bring their loved ones home and to give witness to their pain and suffering. And then, instead of attending Netanyahu’s address, I will attend a panel discussion led by the Center for American Progress and other organizations on the path to peace. This event will feature a Palestinian leader, an Jewish Israeli leader, and a former IDF soldier – all of whom are dedicated to finding a path toward peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. I am committed to working toward peace, security, and safety in the region for all people. That is not the path of the Netanyahu government.”]
• Kaine (D-VA) 7/23/24: Kaine Statement on Upcoming Speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [“Due to a previously scheduled commitment in Virginia, I am not able to attend this Wednesday’s speech. But it remains clear that the security of Israel and U.S. servicemembers in the region are immediately dependent on steps toward a deal to release hostages held by Hamas, establish a durable ceasefire, and increase humanitarian aid into Gaza. I would expect any leader in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s position to use this speech as an opportunity to provide an update on those matters.”]
  
• King (I-ME) 7/24/24: King Releases Statement on Decision to Not Attend Netanyahu Speech to Joint Session of Congress [excerpt: “While I am and always have been an unwavering supporter of Israel — and Israel’s right to defend itself and defeat Hamas after October 7 — I strongly disagree with the Netanyahu government’s initial conduct of the war and, especially, its current lack of postwar planning for Gaza and the risks that poses to long-term regional stability. For this reason I have made the decision to not attend today’s Joint Session of Congress...”]
• Lofgren (D-CA) 7/24/24: Rep. Lofgren: “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Address to Congress Became Political Instead of Productive”
• McCollum (D-MN) 7/23/24: Congresswoman McCollum Statement on Prime Minister Netanyahu Speech to Congress [“I plan to listen to the Israeli Prime Minister’s speech from my office. The Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023, were a heinous act that cannot ever be excused. Israel has the right to self-defense.  However, this speech is not about the survival of Israel, it’s about Prime Minister Netanyahu’s domestic political survival...”]
• McCollum (D-MN) 7/24/24: Congresswoman McCollum Statement following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Speech to Congress [“Today’s speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was outrageous.  He disrespected his role as a foreign leader speaking before a joint session of Congress. He used the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to make blatantly political attacks on American citizens who disagree with his policies. He also made a full endorsement of former President Trump. One wonders if the Prime Minister’s attacks were an attempt to salvage his own political survival in Israel by making it appear that he has the full support of the American people, which he does not.  This was a disturbing day for many Americans and a tragic day for Israelis and Palestinians who are desperately looking for leadership – not political grandstanding. What the American people want, and what Prime Minister Netanyahu failed to deliver, was a clear plan to end the violence and bring about a lasting two state solution in the region.”]
• Massie (R-KY) 7/24/24: X-post – “Today Congress will undertake political theater on behalf of the State Department. The purpose of having Netanyahu address Congress is to bolster his political standing in Israel and to quell int’l opposition to his war. I don’t feel like being a prop so I won’t be attending.“
• Merkley (D-OR) 7/24/24: Merkley Statement on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Address to Congress [“I did not attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress.  I was horrified by Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on October 7th and fully support Israel’s right to go after Hamas. But how they do so matters. Netanyahu’s war strategy in Gaza is at odds with American values and law. His government’s campaign of indiscriminate bombing has driven 1.9 million people from their homes and killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians—tens of thousands of whom are women and children. In addition, his government’s restrictions on humanitarian aid have brought Gaza to the brink of famine. This continues to drive further cycles of violence, radicalization, and instability. Netanyahu’s strategy has been to prioritize his political survival over peace and the return of hostages. A permanent ceasefire remains the only path to an end of war including the release of all remaining hostages, delivery of massive amounts of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and the creation of conditions for lasting peace.”]
• Merkley (D-OR) 7/22/24: X-post – “I will not attend Netanyahu’s speech. Following Hamas’ horrific attack, Netanyahu’s war strategy killed 12,000+ women and children, inflicted widespread starvation, and prioritized his political survival over the release of hostages. He should not have a platform before Congress.“
• Moore (D-WI) 7/24/24: Moore Statement on Not Attending Prime Minister Netanyahu Address to Congress [“I continue to stand with the people of Israel, which is why I strongly support the ongoing efforts of President Biden and his Administration to support them and innocent Palestinians by working to reach a ceasefire deal that will ensure the remaining hostages are released, end current fighting and supply more aid to address the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians, while setting up a path to end violence long term and work toward a two-state solution. The Prime Minister’s speech will not bring us any closer to achieving those goals given his record of publicly snubbing President Biden’s efforts to advance peace, dismissing the two-state solution, and failing to reign in the extremists in his coalition. What Israel and the Palestinians need is a new direction in this conflict, not another speech in the well of the House.”]
• Murphy (D-CT) 7/24/24: Murphy Statement On Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Address To Congress [excerpt, “…today’s speech was a setback for both the U.S.-Israel relationship and the fight against Hamas. Rather than lay out a path for achieving the peace agreement President Biden outlined two months ago to secure the long-term security of Israelis and Palestinians, Prime Minister Netanyahu used this speech as an opportunity to insert himself into American politics. His insistence on downplaying the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was astonishing to hear, and the suggestion that any American who objects to the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent Gazans is a Hamas sympathizer was way out of bounds. The truth is that the civilian deaths in Gaza will be bulletin board recruiting material for terrorists for years to come, increasing threats to both the U.S. and Israel. This was a speech designed to bolster Prime Minister Netanyahu’s political standing and Republican messaging. His time would have been better spent in Israel finalizing a deal to end the war and bring the hostages home.”]
• Nadler (D-NY) 7/23/24: Nadler on PM Netanyahu Joint Address [excerpt: “Benjamin Netanyahu is the worst leader in Jewish history since the Maccabean king who invited the Romans into Jerusalem over 2100 years ago. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address to a joint session of Congress is not in service of furthering the deep ties that bind the United States and Israel together, but rather is a cynical stunt aimed at aiding his own desperate political standing at home and meddling in domestic American politics only months before a highly consequential election. Prime Minister Netanyahu and his American allies are seeking to use the United States Congress, the greatest legislative body in the world, as the set for their next partisan advertisement, casting elected Members of Congress as glorified extras. There is no question in my mind that tomorrow’s speech should not be happening.“]. Also see Nadler X-post 7/24/24 just before Bibi’s address – “Getting ready for today’s speech with some essential history reading of @BenCaspit’s “The Netanyahu Years.” A very interesting read.“
• Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) 7/23/24: X-post – “It is a dark day in US history when an authoritarian with warrant requests from the International Criminal Court is allowed to address a joint session of Congress. 40k Palestinians are dead. Hostages aren’t home. Netanyahu is a war criminal. I will be boycotting his address.“
• Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) 7/23/24: X-post – “It is a dark day in US history when an authoritarian with warrant requests from the International Criminal Court is allowed to address a joint session of Congress. 40k Palestinians are dead. Hostages aren’t home. Netanyahu is a war criminal. I will be boycotting his address.“
• Omar (D-MN) 7/24/24: Rep. Omar’s Statement on Benjamin Netanyahu’s Address to Congress
• Pelosi (D-CA) 7/24/24: X-post – “Benjamin Netanyahu’s presentation in the House Chamber today was by far the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary invited and honored with the privilege of addressing the Congress of the United States. Many of us who love Israel spent time today listening to Israeli citizens whose families have suffered in the wake of the October 7th Hamas terror attack and kidnappings.  These families are asking for a ceasefire deal that will bring the hostages home – and we hope the Prime Minister would spend his time achieving that goal.“
• Pingree (D-ME) 7/24/24: Pingree to Skip Netanyahu Address, Citing the Appalling Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza and Long History of Failed Leadership [“Rather than support Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu’s misuse of a Congressional platform, this morning Pingree joined her Congressional colleagues for a meeting with the families of innocent Israeli hostages”]
• Pocan (D-WI) 7/24/24: Pocan to Boycott Netanyahu Congressional Address [“For nearly 10 months, Netanyahu has waged a deadly and excessive response that has targeted Gazan civilians. It is wildly inappropriate to give the distinct honor of addressing Congress to a man who has violated international human rights law so severely that an arrest warrant for war crimes has been recommended by the International Criminal Court. I regret that one has not been issued yet, as I would have gladly served it to him on the House floor. Additionally, he’s failed to rescue or secure the release of the more than 100 of his citizens who remain hostages of Hamas, while ignoring the pleas of their family members to bring them home. It’s time for Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire now and get the hostages back.”]
• Pressley (D-MA) 7/24/24: Rep. Pressley’s Statement on Netanyahu Visit to Congress [“Congresswoman Will Not Attend Speech, Will Spend Day Centering Families Impacted by Horrific War”]
• Raskin (D-MD) 7/24/24: Representative Raskin to Highlight Families of Hostages at Netanyahu Address Jayapal (D-WA) 7/24/24: X-post – “Prime Minister Netanyahu should not have been invited to speak to Congress. Today, instead of listening to his address, I joined an event with @amprog that brought together Palestinian and Israeli activists to engage in a real discussion about how we end this conflict.“
• Ramirez (D-IL) 7/23/24: X-post (with video of her speech on the House floor) – “Tomorrow, Congress will host an International Court-accused war criminal. We cannot work towards peace while giving Netanyahu the floor. We must listen to the American people and subject matter experts, like Major Harrison Mann, and demand an end to the atrocities. Not one more cent, not one more bomb, not one more excuse!“
• Sánchez (D-CA) 7/24/24: Sánchez condemns Netanyahu’s speech [“I attended Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech in hopes of hearing some path forward to peace. Instead, all Congress got was more justification for his administration’s disproportional response in Gaza. Netanyahu continues to use the atrocities of October 7th to wage a war that has resulted in the mass casualty of Palestinian civilians, jeopardizing the two-state solution and any chance for lasting peace. I remain committed to a ceasefire and call on Hamas to release the remaining hostages. But that will only happen through meaningful dialogue and diplomacy, not more fiery rhetoric like we heard today.”]
• Sanders (I-VT) 7/23/24: PREPARED REMARKS: Sanders on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Upcoming Speech [“We Should Not Invite a War Criminal to Address Congress”]
• Sanders (I-VT) 7/22/24: X-post – “No, Netanyahu should not be welcomed into the U.S. Congress. On the contrary, his policies in Gaza and the West Bank and his refusal to support a two-state solution should be roundly condemned. As I stated last month, I will not be attending his address.“
• Schakowsky (D-IL) 7/24/24: Schakowsky Statement on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Joint Address to Congress
• Schatz (D-HI) 7/19/24: statement – “Nine months after the atrocities of October 7 and the ensuing conflict, negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of all hostages are ongoing – and that should be the focus. Instead, Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to deliver what is clearly a partisan address to Congress just months ahead of our elections. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I welcome a substantive discussion about the future, not political rhetoric that will do nothing to bring peace in the region. I therefore will not attend Wednesday’s address.”
• Takano (D-CA) 7/23/24: Rep. Takano Statement on Not Attending Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Joint Address to Congress [“For weeks I have wrestled with whether or not to attend Prime Minister Netanyahu’s joint address before Congress. In recent months, I’ve grown increasingly troubled by Mr. Netanyahu’s actions, which have sought to further his own political survival rather than securing the return of hostages and a much-needed ceasefire. As someone who cares deeply about Israel, I recognize that any path towards a permanent peace must begin with a bilateral ceasefire. Mr. Netanyahu has consistently demonstrated that he is an obstacle to the peace that both Israelis and Palestinians alike deserve. It is apparent Republican leadership have given this platform to the Prime Minister in order to sow division amongst Members of Congress during this precarious time. Rather than engage in political games, I plan to meet with Israeli citizens during the morning of the address to support families that have suffered in the wake of the October 7th attack. It is critical to elevate the stories of those who were directly affected by the initial attack and who have further suffered due to Netanyahu’s indifference to securing the return of hostages still held by Hamas. The Prime Minister has shown us time and time again his disinterest in achieving a peace that would bring safety and security to Israelis and Palestinians. He has prolonged the conflict that arose after Hamas’s unprovoked attack, has ignored the pleas of Israeli citizens to focus on bringing home the remaining hostages, and has rebuffed concerns from Israel’s allies about the growing humanitarian cost this war is placing on innocent Palestinians. For those reasons I will not be attending the joint address.“]
• Tonko (D-NY) 7/24/24: Tonko Statement on Netanyahu Address [“I, many of my constituents, and countless more across the globe have stood united in an urgent call for a ceasefire. A ceasefire is the only path forward that will put an end to the violence in Gaza, bring the remaining Israeli hostages home and deliver essential humanitarian aid. I am more than ready to have meaningful discussions about how to end the violence and bring lasting peace to the region. But—through his words and actions—Prime Minister Netanyahu has made clear he has no intention to do that with his address. For that reason, I will not attend. I will be spending today, and the days that follow, conferring and standing with members of Congress, families of hostages, and Palestinian and Israeli leaders who are pursuing a path towards peace.“]
• Tlaib (D-MI) 7/24/24: X-post – “I will never back down in speaking truth to power. The apartheid government of Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians. Palestinians will not be erased. Solidarity with all those outside of these walls in the streets protesting and exercising their right to dissent.“
• Tlaib (D-MI) 7/24/24: X-thread – “Joining me in the chamber today is Hani Almadhoun, who has lost over 150 members of his extended family in Netanyahu’s genocide. After witnessing his sister forced to eat animal feed, he and his family were determined to start a soup kitchen to feed their starving neighbors. The Israeli apartheid regime is using starvation as a weapon of war, a war crime. They will not erase us. Palestinians exist and we deserve to live. Our presence today will be a reminder that we aren’t going anywhere.“
• Tlaib (D-MI) 7/23/24: Tlaib Statement on War Criminal Netanyahu’s Address to Congress [“Netanyahu is a war criminal committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is utterly disgraceful that leaders from both parties have invited him to address Congress. He should be arrested and sent to the International Criminal Court…Make no mistake: this event is a celebration of the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. It is a sad day for our democracy when my colleagues will smile for a photo op with a man who is actively committing genocide. It is hypocritical to claim to be concerned about the massive death toll of innocent civilians, and then turn around and welcome the person responsible for these war crimes to our Capitol. Their silence is betrayal, and history will remember them accordingly. Our government must stop supporting and funding this genocide now.”]
• Van Hollen (D-MD) 7/24/24: Van Hollen Floor Speech on Decision Not to Attend Netanyahu Address [WORTH READING IN FULL! excerpt: “…I will not be party to a spectacle that will inevitably be used to create the illusion that Prime Minister Netanyahu is the protector of the U.S.-Israel relationship. He is not. As many hostages’ families have said, it would be better for him to have stayed home and prioritized the release of their loved ones. Those who really care about the relationship will work to ensure that it’s based on our shared values, and as the points I made today reveal, that is not happening right now. The Prime Minister and his extremist partners are undermining those shared values. So, Mr. President, while I will continue to fight for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship based on shared values, I will not attend the joint session with Prime Minister Netanyahu tomorrow.”]
• Watson Coleman (D-NJ) 7/23/24: Rep. Watson Coleman Will Not Attend Netanyahu Address “I am deeply disappointed that Prime Minister Netanyahu will be addressing Congress tomorrow. A foreign head of government speaking directly to the legislative branch is a distinct honor that should be reserved for revered world leaders. Prime Minister Netanyahu has shown himself to be nothing of the sort. He has shown himself to be a war criminal. What began as a defensive operation in the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks of October 7th quickly turned into a campaign of total destruction. Over the past 9 months, over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed – most of whom are women and children. Roughly 1.1 million Palestinians are facing starvation – half the population of Gaza. Schools, homes, hospitals, mosques, all have been destroyed and 85 percent of the population has been displaced. Prime Minister Netanyahu has at every turn disregarded the safety of the Palestinian and Israeli people and ignored the reasonable requests of the United States. He has abandoned a two-state solution, the only viable option for an enduring peace. Time and again he has thumbed his nose at our country. His conduct has been both inhumane and disrespectful. I will not be attending his address.”
• Welch (D-VT) 7/23/24: Welch on Senate Floor: I will not be attending Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address tomorrow. [excerpt: “…While I welcome a constructive discussion on how to end this conflict and achieve lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians, I am not interested in participating in a political stunt. We, the United States, have a moral responsibility to do everything we can to help end this war and prevent further loss of innocent lives. That includes holding our allies and partners to the same standards that we expect of ourselves, and the rest of the world.”]

Greater WRATH over anti-Bibi Protests that over Actual Genocide 

• Thune (R-SD) 7/25/24: Thune: The Senate Must Do More to Protect Our Nation
• Hoyer (D-MD) 7/25/24: Hoyer: Hatred and Bigotry Endanger Not Only Jews, but Democracy Itself
• Schiff (D-CA) 7/25/24: Rep. Schiff Statement on Violent Anti-Israel Protests in Washington D.C.
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/25/24: ‘Despicable acts by unpatriotic protesters’ at Union Station, Harris says [“‘I support the right to peacefully protest, but let’s be clear: antisemitism, hate and violence of any kind have no place in our nation,’ the vice president said.”]
• Jewish Insider 7/25/24: McConnell urges DOJ to pursue pro-Hamas Union Station protesters with ‘equal vigor’ to Jan. 6 cases
• Jewish Insider 7/25/24: Congressional Democratic leaders condemn pro-Hamas demonstration in D.C.
• McConnell (R-KY) 7/25/24: Israel Sends Message Of Resolve Against Terror, Hamasniks Respond With Violence And Lawlessness
• Free Beacon 7/24/24: Pro-Hamas Agitators Burn American Flag and Foist Palestinian Flag Over Union Station as Bibi Addresses Congress
• Jewish Insider 7/24/24: Legislators condemn pro-Hamas protest against Netanyahu’s congressional speech
• Huffington Post 7/24/24: ‘Monstrous’: Hear From An Israeli Hostage’s Relative Arrested During Netanyahu’s Speech To Congress
• Axios 7/24/24: Six spectators charged for “disrupting” Netanyahu speech [“All the guests who were arrested are family members of hostages who are either currently held by Hamas or died in captivity.“]

Bibi on the Hill – media re: attendance

• Zeteo 7/25/24: EXCLUSIVE: Rashida Tlaib Speaks to Zeteo on Netanyahu’s Visit to D.C.
• Jewish Insider 7/24/24: Inside the chamber at Netanyahu’s address to Congress — Who stood, who remained seated — and the bold-face names there to take it all in
• Free Beacon 7/24/24: Bush, Tlaib Accuse Congress of Celebrating Genocide by Hosting Netanyahu as Mainstream Democrats Follow Squad’s Lead in Boycotting Bibi Speech
• Axios 7/24/24: Around half of Congress’ Democrats skip Netanyahu speech
• Axios 7/24/24: Sweeping bipartisan Netanyahu boycott grows to include Pelosi
• The New Republic 7/24/24: MAGA Republican Takes Shocking Stand on Netanyahu’s Speech to Congress [“Representative Thomas Massie broke with his party and took aim at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and AIPAC.“]
• Newsweek 7/24/24: Republican [Massie, R-KY] Refuses to Attend Netanyahu Speech After Mike Johnson’s Warning
• Mother Jones 7/24/24: The Pushback Against Netanyahu’s Visit to Congress
• Politico 7/23/24: Capitol Hill’s Netanyahu speech no-shows
• CNN 7/23/24: Progressive House Democrats plan counter-programming to Netanyahu visit
• WGNTV 7/23/24: Illinois congresswoman to skip Netanyahu’s visit to D.C.
• The Intercept 7/23/24: Dozens of Lawmakers Are Protesting Netanyahu — but Have Little to Say About Israel’s Systemic Abuses of Palestinians — Most lawmakers explained their boycott by focusing on the Israeli prime minister himself as a bad actor, rather than the system he represents.
• Common Dreams 7/22/24: Calls to Boycott Netanyahu Speech Grow as Israeli PM Heads to DC
• The Hill 7/22/24: Vance not attending Netanyahu speech to Congress

Bibi on the Hill – media re: the speech/message

• Jewish News Syndicate 7/25/24: Pelosi calls Netanyahu’s speech to Congress ‘worst’ of any foreign leader [“The verbal tongue-lashing by the longtime representative from California and former Speaker of the House highlights a widening rift between Democrats and Israel.”]
• Jewish Insider 7/25/24: Hill gives mixed response to Netanyahu’s congressional address [“Republicans and some pro-Israel Democrats praised Netanyahu’s forceful message, while other Democrats and family members of hostages criticized the speech“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/25/24: Netanyahu’s address to Congress ‘gutsy’ to some members of Congress, old news to others [“‘He was fiery, and he got a very enthusiastic response,’ said Rep. Brad Sherman, a Jewish congressman from California, who was looking for more details about ending the war.“]
• Zereo/Mehdi Hassan 7/25/24: What Netanyahu Didn’t Tell Congress –I debunk five of the Israeli prime minister’s biggest lies in Washington D.C.
• Jewish Insider 7/24/24: Netanyahu’s Hill speech forcefully rebuts Israel’s detractors, draws polarized response [“The hour-long address drew frequent applause from those who attended, but a sizable number of Democrats either boycotted or remained seated”]
• Huffington Post 7/24/24: Netanyahu Speech To Congress Underscores U.S. Complicity In Gaza War
• Jewish Insider 7/24/24: In Congress speech, Netanyahu to present ‘new way’ to counter Iranian threat [“The prime minister made last minute tweaks to his speech on Tuesday with adviser Ron Dermer and national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi”]
• Haaretz 7/24/24: Netanyahu Will Warn Congress About Iranian Aggression. But His Iran Policy Has Been a Colossal Failure
• Mondoweiss 7/24/24: Wanted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Congress
• Jewish Insider 7/23/24: U.S. hostages’ families call on Netanyahu to announce deal in Congress speech
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/23/24: In address to Congress, Netanyahu to reveal ‘new way’ of dealing with Iran
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/21/24: Netanyahu urged to denounce Judea and Samaria sanctions to Congress [“Fifty-five Knesset members ask PM to “make it clear that Israel will not be able to let such severe decisions go unanswered.”]
• Mondoweiss 7/20/24: Netanyahu’s speech to Congress will seek to maintain support for genocide

Bibi on the Hill:  analyses of the speech/appearance

• Center for International Policy 7/25/24: A Diminished Netanyahu Meets Growing Protest in Congress
• The Guardian 7/25/24: Netanyahu is presiding over a sharp decline in the US’s pro-Israel consensus
• The New Republic 7/24/24: “Utterly Immoral and Cruel”: Ilhan Omar Tears Into Netanyahu [Netanyahu is a “war criminal who is actively committing genocide against the Palestinian people,” Omar warned before his speech to Congress.]
• Responsible Statecraft 7/23/24: Bibi’s bullying visits to Congress never end well
• Newsweek 7/23/24: Democrats Snub Netanyahu Address as Trump to Welcome Him to Mar-a-Lago
• KTLA 7/23/24: Netanyahu’s visit to D.C. causes division in Congress
• The Forward 7/23/24: ‘He should go and stay’: As Netanyahu visits Congress, Israelis at home are tired of the act
• Jewish Insider 7/22/24: Netanyahu heads to Washington for Congress speech, Biden meeting
• Haaretz 7/21/24: How Three Democrats Paved the Way for Netanyahu’s ‘Total Victory’ in Washington [“Three politicians, all of them Democrats, bear responsibility for this astonishing turn of events: Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, two weak, cowardly “leaders” who are too lazy to try and understand what Israelis actually think about the invitation they sent to Netanyahu; and Biden, a good man with outdated views of the U.S.-Israel relationship, who has refused to adapt to changing realities – and will pay a political price for it.“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/21/24: The implications and audiences of Netanyahu’s address to Congress [“Netanyahu understands that the entire world will be paying attention to this high-stakes address, even amid other global crises. He is likely writing his speech specifically with several different audiences in mind.“]

Bibi on the Hill: Bibi’s Fellow Travelers

• Jewish Insider 7/26/24: Sen. Mitch McConnell in conversation with Jewish Insider [“McConnell sat down with JI to discuss rising antisemitism and Israel opposition after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s joint address to Congress”]
• The Intercept 7/24/24: Netanyahu Insulted and Smeared the Pro-Palestine Protest Movement. Congress Clapped. [“Organizers say attacks from the Israeli prime minister, who faces charges of war crimes, showed the strength of their movement.“]
• Foxx (R-NC) 7/24/24: Chair Foxx: College Students, Stop Being “Iran’s Useful Idiots” [““Prime Minister Netanyahu laid out the clearest case yet as to why it’s vital to root out antisemitism here in America: not only is it a matter of right versus wrong, but it also emboldens our adversaries. That’s why the Committee’s investigation into antisemitism will and must continue. To those who participated in illegal encampments, harassed Jewish peers, and chanted ‘from the river to the sea’ on college campuses: stop being ‘Iran’s useful idiots.’ Stand with our ally Israel and stand for the democratic values that make our two nations great.”]
• Free Beacon 7/24/24: WATCH: Netanyahu Praises UNC Frat Bros, Republicans Chant ‘USA’ While Democrats Pout
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/24/24: Netanyahu meets evangelical leaders ahead of Congress address
• Foxx (R-NC) 7/23/24: floor speech — Freedom’s Threat: Antisemitism [“I rise today to support Prime Minister Netanyahu in the just cause of eliminating Hamas. Soon, the Prime Minister will address the People’s House. As he speaks, we will be reminded of the mounting peril facing America and our allies around the world. In the struggle for freedom and democracy against antisemitism and terror, the Committee on Education and the Workforce is proud to do its part. We’ve held countless hearings exposing the roots of antisemitism on the home front and will continue to do so. The success of this vital mission will help decide whether America remains safe for the Jewish people. As Ronald Reagan once said: ‘Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.’  His words ring especially true today—not since WWII have the stakes felt so high.”]

Other stuff

• Banks (R-IN) 7/25/24: White House Refusing to Impose Iran Sanctions Required by Rep. Banks’ MAHSA Act
• Daines (R-MT) 7/25/24: Daines on CNBC: “The Iranians would love to see Kamala Harris Elected as President of the United States.”
• The Free Beacon 7/24/24: Biden-Harris Admin Fails To Produce Congressionally Mandated Report on Iranian Human Rights Abuses
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/24/24: Capitol Police arrest 200 protesting military aid to Israel [“The protest, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, was held inside the congressional Cannon House Office Building.“]
• The Intercept 7/24/24: Rights Groups Demand Biden Give Answers on Israel’s Secret Influence Campaign on Congress [“Ahead of Netanyahu’s speech to Congress, rights groups decried the secret social media campaign to prop up support for Israel.“]
• Mondoweiss 7/23/24: Pro-Palestine orgs and lawmakers react to Biden dropping out
• Jayapal (D-WA) 7/23/24: X-thread – “This is extremely important. There is an effort to say that Netanyahu’s war on Gaza and Palestinians only matters to a small group of people, but that is not the case. This issue matters to a broad swath of voters including unions, working people, Black, Brown, & young people. They don’t want the US violating our own domestic laws and international law by sending offensive military assistance to a government that has killed over 38,000 Palestinians and does not support our own stated policy of a two-state solution.” [Responding to X-thread by Dave Jamieson – “Seven major unions just sent a joint letter to Biden calling on him to “immediately halt all military aid to Israel” ahead of Netanyahu’s visit to Washington: –SEIU –NEA –UAW –UE –APWU (postal workers) –AFA (flight attendants) –IUPAT (painters) | Below is the full letter the 7 unions sent to Biden. “Recent reports only underscore the urgency of our demands. Large numbers of Palestinian civilians, many of them children, continue to be killed, reportedly often with US manufactured bombs.“]
• McCaul (R-TX) & Meeks (D-NY) 7/21/24: McCaul, Meeks Condemn Houthis’ Attack on Tel Aviv
• Bush (D-MO) 7/20/24: Congresswoman Bush Statement on the International Court of Justice’s Landmark Advisory Opinion
• Kaine (D-VA) 7/19/24: Kaine Statement on Knesset Vote Rejecting Establishment of Palestinian State
• Jewish Insider 7/19/24: Bipartisan lineup of lawmakers demand Houthis get listed as a foreign terrorist organization
• Stefanik (R-NY) 7/19/24: Stefanik Statement on Houthi Terror Attack Near U.S. Consulate in Tel Aviv

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

New:

• New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast, The Core Truths About Palestine and Israel, ft. FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaking with Ahmed Moor, a Palestinian-American writer who was born and raised in Gaza, about why Israel/Palestine is not exceptional, why Palestinians turn to armed resistance, and why neither Palestinians nor Jewish Israelis will leave the land between the Jordan river and the Mediterranean Sea.

1. Bills & Resolutions

(AMIA BOMBING) S. Res. 758: Introduced 7/10/24 by Rubio (R-FL) and Cardin (D-MD), “A resolution remembering the 32nd anniversary of the bombing of the Embassy of Israel in Buenos Aires on March 17, 1992, and the 30th anniversary of the bombing of the Argentine-Israeli Mutual Association building in Buenos Aires on July 18, 1994, and recommitting to efforts to uphold justice for the victims of the attacks.”  Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: Press releases — Rubio, Cardin Introduce Resolution Honoring Victims of Terrorist Attacks Against Argentina’s Jewish Community; Cardin, Rubio Resolution Honors Argentina’s Jewish Community, Victims of Terrorist Attacks

===========

(ISRAEL/ANTISEMITISM IN LABOR/HHS APPROPS) HB 2909: Introduced 7/12/24 by Aderholt (R-AL), the “Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025.” Introduced following mark-up in the full Appropriations Committee on 7/10/24 (where it was passed by a vote of 31-25).

• The bill itself includes Section 537: “(a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be made available to a United States institution of higher education unless and until such institution adopts a prohibition on antisemitic conduct that creates a hostile environment in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in all documents relating to student or employee conduct.  (b) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be made available to a United States institution of higher education that has failed to take administrative action against any student, staff member, or student group that commits acts of antisemitism while utilizing the facilities, grounds, or resources of such institution.“
• The Report accompanying the bill includes: “The Committee provides $4,000,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 2024 enacted level and $4,000,000 above the fiscal year 2025 budget request, for a bilateral cooperative program with the Government of Israel for the development of health technologies.” Also includes: “Antisemitism Investigations.—The Committee is concerned by the explosion of antisemitism at IHEs across the U.S. following the terrorist attack on Israel and the subsequent failure of many IHEs to address antisemitic conduct on their campuses. It is unclear what actions OCR has taken to date in response to the numerous complaints received. The Committee requests that OCR produce a quarterly report on the status of OCR shared ancestry investigations and provide an initial report to the Committee and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate no later than 30 days after enactment of this Act. Such report should include a brief overview, including timeline, status of the investigation, and any actions taken by the Department.”

(b) The FY25 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,  marked up in Committee 7/9/24 and passed by a vote of 30-26.

• Report text includes: “Within International Affairs, the recommendation includes $2,000,000 for the Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation and $4,000,000 to continue the U.S. Israel Center of Excellence in Energy Engineering and Water Technology.“

=============

(Senate NDAA) S. 4638: Introduced 7/8/24 by Reed (D-RI), the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.” This is the bill that will have to be reconciled, eventually, with the version passed by the House 6/14/24 HR 8070, covered in excruciating detail in the 6/14/24 edition of the Round-Up, and in the accompany special Round-Up analysis, Middle East provisions in the House version of the FY25 NDAA. NOTE: JINSA has produced a super useful analysis, A Long, Hot Summer for National Defense Authorization Act Negotiations Begins, which includes a detailed inventory/comparison of Middle East-related provisions in both the House and Senate bills.

Given that the NDAA is a must-pass piece of legislation, it always attracts a huge number of (mainly grandstanding, point-scoring, totally non-germane) amendments. Given that it is an election year, plus given that Israel is in its 9th month of erasing Gaza, there is the usual (and then some) flood of “WE STAND WITH ISRAEL” and “F**K THE PALESTINIANS AND ANYONE WHO SUPPORTS THEM” amendments (plus some others, including of course related to GETTING TOUGH, FINALLY! on Iran).

Text of all 842 amendments — introduced 7/9/24, 7/10/24, 7/11/24 (my thread: https://x.com/LaraFriedmanDC/status/1812946993620394294)

• [LEGISLATING THE IHRA DEFINITION] S. Amdt. 2914: Offered by Casey (D-PA), to attach to the NDAA the “Antisemitism Awareness Act” – legislating/enforcing the IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its examples.
• [BARRING AID TO PALESTINIANS] S. Amdt. 2823: Offered by Ricketts (R-NE) and Scott (R-SC), to amend existing law to massively expand existing restrictions/limitations on aid to the Palestinians (mainly by replacing the term “directly” with “directly or indirectly” – such that pretty much ANY assistance to Palestinians, including humanitarian aid, will be barred based on the argument that it “indirectly” benefits a terrorist organization.
• [SEEKING TO BLOCK WORLD BANK/IMF PROJECTS FOR PALESTINIANS] S. Amdt. 2767: Offered by Scott (R-SC), requiring the US to use its position in the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund to “oppose all projects relating to the Palestinian Authority or territories of the West Bank or Gaza Strip” until Hamas, PIJ, “or any successor organization” has been totally vanquished from the West Bank and Gaza. Also, same for Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq (no projects until Houthis, Hizbollah, and Kata’ib Hizballah. respectively, are utterly vanquished).
• [US ADMIN MUST PROVIDE ALL AID TO ISRAEL] S. Amdt. 2747: Offered 7/11/24 by Cruz (R-TX), compelling the Biden Administration to provide all military support to Israel as approved by Congress (notwithstanding any other US laws)
• [NO NORMALIZING ASSAD REGIME] S. Amdt. 2713: Offered by Risch (R-ID), the “Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2024.”
• [US-ARAB ANTI-DRONE COOPERATION] S. Amdt. 2711: Offered by Risch (R-ID), granting authority for the U.S. to enter into a “Cooperative Agreement to Protect Americans in Iraq, Jordan, and on the Arabian Peninsula From Weaponized Unmanned Aerial Systems” with “partners in Iraq, Jordan, and on the Arabian Peninsula [the latter defined as: “Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.”
• [US ADMIN MUST PROVIDE ALL AID TO ISRAEL] S. Amdt. 2709 – Offered 7/11/24 by Risch (R-ID), to prevent any US president from suspending/freezing/with-holding of defense articles from Israel for any reason (including when required to do so under US law) without the explicit, advance approval of Congress
• [TARGETING PALESTINIAN REFUGEES, ENFORCING IHRA DEFINITION, SUPPORTING ETHNIC CLEANSING OF PALESTINIANS] S. Amdt. 2705: Offered 7/11/24 by Risch (R-ID), the “UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act,” seeking to (a) define Palestinian refugees out of existence, (b) effectively impose a permanent ban all funding to UNRWA unless/until UNRWA meets a long list of requirements, some related to terror but some related to erasing Palestinian rights/claims, like requiring that nobody associated with UNRWA be permitted to describe Israelis as “occupiers” or “settlers”; (c) legislate & enforce the IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its examples [according to which the mere assertion of Palestinian history/rights is “antisemitic” and therefore disqualifying UNRWA from receiving US aid]; (d) make it US policy to encourage other countries to similarly re-define Palestinian refugees to erase them from existence, to apply the same restrictions on UNRWA funding; and (2) to make it US policy to encourage and seek to shut down UNRWA and once and for all END the Palestinian refugee issue via permanent displacement/ethnic cleansing: “(C) working with other countries to phase out UNRWA and assist Palestinians receiving UNRWA services by– (i) integrating such Palestinians into their local communities in the countries in which they are residing; or (ii) resettling such Palestinians in countries other than Israel or territories controlled by Israel in the West Bank in accordance with international humanitarian principles; and (D) ensuring that the actions described in subparagraph (C)– (i) are being implemented in complete coordination with, and with the support of, Israel; and (ii) do not endanger the security of Israel in any way.”]
• [TARGETING THE ICC & ANYONE WHO WORKS WITH IT] S. Amdt. 2669: Offered 7/11/24 by Risch (R-ID), the “Prohibiting International Criminal Court Prosecutions Against Americans and Allies Act,” seeking to make it a criminal offense – punishable by up to $5 million in fines and 5 years in prison – for any person (and the bill explicitly includes extraterritorial jurisdiction) acting under the authority of the ICC or another international organization “to knowingly indict, apprehend, detain, prosecute, convict, or participate in the imposition or carrying out of any sentence or other penalty on, any protected person in connection with any proceeding by or before the International Criminal Court or another international organization in which such protected person is accused of a covered crime.” The term “protected person” is defined to mean: “(A) any citizen or national of the United States, or any other person employed by or working under the direction of the United States Government; or (B) any citizen or national of Israel, or any other person employed by or working under the direction of the Government of Israel.“
• [TARGETING THE PLO/PA & ANYONE ASSOCIATED WITH THEM] S. Amdt. 2522: Offered 7/11/24 by Cotton (R-AR), the “PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act of 2024,” seeking to impose far-reaching sanctions (blocking property, barring & revoking visas), on anyone who is or ever has been in any way associated with the PLO or PA, and imposing far-reaching sanctions on any financial institutions that in any way engage with the PA or PLO — notwithstanding the fact that neither the PA or PLO are US-designated FTOs.
• [MORE $$ FOR US-ISRAEL PROGRAMS] S. Amdt. 2511: Offered 7/11/24 by Moran (R-KS), requiring the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of State, to “award grants to eligible entities to carry out collaborative research between the United States and Israel with respect to post-traumatic stress disorders.“
• [US-JORDAN DEFENSE COOPERATION] S. Amdt. 2439: Offered 7/11/24 by Rubio (R-FL), the “United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation“
• [IMPACT OF US SUPPORT FOR GAZA WAR ON US INTERESTS IN INDO=PACIFIC] S. Amdt. 2340: Offered 7/11/24 by Schatz (D-HI), requiring the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, to submit a report to Congress “regarding the impacts to United States security and diplomatic interests in the Indo-Pacific region as a result of the United States’ actions and engagements with Israel during the ongoing Israel-Hamas War.”
• [ASSESS INTELL LESSONS OF GAZA WAR] S. Amdt. 2274: Offered 7/11/24 by Warner (D-VA), seeking to attach the entirety of the “Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025” to the NDAA, including “Sec. 421. Inclusion of Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS officials and members among aliens engaged in terrorist activity,” and “Sec. 438. Assessment of the lessons learned by the intelligence community with respect to the Israel-Hamas war.“
• [TARGETING THE ICC] S. Amdt. 2211: Offered by Cotton (R-AR), the “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act,” imposing sanctions (blocking of property, denying/revoking visas) on any foreign person in any way engaged with or assisting the ICC in going after any “protected person.” The amendment defines “protected person” to include, “current or former elected or appointed government officials” of any ally of the United States.
• [FUNDING FOR KEY US GOVT FUNCTIONS CONDITIONED ON GIVING ALL AID TO ISRAEL] S. Amdt. 2210: Offered by Cotton (R-AR), the “Israel Security Assistance Support Act,” to (a) cut off salaries to employees of the Deptartment of State and DOD if they are engaged in withholding aid to Israel; and (b) to withhold funding to DOD, the State Dept, and the office of the President until all military aid for Israel has been released.
• [TARGETING IRAN] S. Amdt. 2204: Offered by Cotton (R-AR), the “No ICBMs for Iran Act of 2024,” imposing far-reaching new Iran sanctions and expanding existing sanctions,
• [TARGETING BOYCOTTS OF ISRAEL/SETTLEMENTS] S. Amdt. 2170: Offered by 7/10/24 by Scott (R-SC), to require the head of the Office of Antiboycott Compliance of the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce to submit to Congress “a report on boycotts targeted at the State of Israel or based on anti-Semitism.” [bearing in mind that for Scott and his ilk, the act of boycotting or calling for boycott of anything related to Israel is ipso facto antisemitic, and settlements are viewed as part of Israel…]
• [TARGETING IRAN] S. Amdt. 2167: Offered by 7/10/24 by Scott (R-SC), seeking to repeal the sunset of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996

2. Letters

7/16/24: Walberg & Stefanik Lead Colleagues Outlining Concerns in Harvard’s Antisemitism Task Force Report [letter text]

3. Hearings & Markups

July 23, 2024: The House Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight will hold a hearing entitled, Fueling Chaos: Tracing the Flow of Tax-Exempt Dollars to Antisemitism. Also see press release [excerpt: “House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman David Schweikert (AZ-01) announced today that the Subcommittee on Oversight will hold a hearing to examine the use of American-based tax-exempt organizations to finance antisemitism in the United States and terrorism abroad, including the role of foreign adversaries.”]

July 23, 2024: The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold an HFAC Member Roundtable with Families of U.S. Hostages Held by Hamas. Also see HFAC media advisory.

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

Missouri

• Open Secrets: As of 7/19/24, the United Democracy Project has spent $4,790,093 to try to defeat Cori Bush in the 2024 primary.
• Jewish Insider 7/18/24: Linda Sarsour and Marc Lamont Hill speak at ‘Jews for Cori’ Bush fundraiser – the fundraiser was organized in conjunction with Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow
• Mondoweiss 7/18/24: AIPAC is spending big to beat Cori Bush
• Jewish Insider 7/18/24: Inside Wesley Bell’s Jewish turnout operation — Wesley Bell’s campaign against Rep. Cori Bush is mounting an aggressive push to bring Jewish voters out to the polls
• Democratic Majority for Israel 7/17/24: DMFI PAC announces new cable, broadcast, and digital ads in support of Wesley Bell and Yassamin Ansari
• Mondoweiss 7/17/24: ‘They are trying to buy this seat’: Can Cori Bush beat AIPAC?
• Washington Free Beacon 7/15/24: Anti-Israel ‘Squad’ Member Cori Bush Down 23 Points in Primary Poll

Minnesota

• Jewish Insider 7/19/24: Pro-Israel groups steering clear of Ilhan Omar, to her rival’s frustration
• Minnesota Reformer 7/16/24: Samuels undeterred by Omar’s massive cash advantage in Minnesota congressional race [“AIPAC and its super PAC, the United Democracy Project, did not respond to the Reformer’s requests for comment about whether they intend to spend in Omar’s primary race.“]

Other stuff

• Jewish Insider 7/18/24: Kustoff: Biden’s handling of antisemitism could lure Jews to back Trump — Tennessee lawmaker suggests Jewish voters will sense ‘not enough pushback on antisemitism’ from administration
• ABC News 7/17/24: Rep. David Kustoff (at RNC) says Israel’s fight against terror is also America’s battle
• Nebraska Examiner 7/17/24: Fundraising for Nebraska’s U.S. Senate races tilts toward GOP incumbents [“Ricketts has continued to garner support from many of the state’s top GOP supporters, as well as national donors, including some PACs supporting business groups. He also received the support of AIPAC, a group that backs the defense of Israel…“]
• Mondoweiss 7/16/24: The Shift: J.D. Vance’s anti-Palestine record – J.D. Vance is a strong supporter of Israel, and, like many U.S. Zionists, he attributes the allegiance to his Christianity.
• Press release 7/15/24: Imraan Siddiqi Posts $360K Fundraising Haul to Fight AIPAC and Kim Schrier
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/15/24: Republican Jewish Coalition endorses eight candidates taking on incumbents [“‘House Republicans have recruited an array of impressive challengers for the most competitive races,’ RJC leaders say.”]

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

Bibi on the Hill

• Washington Free Beacon 7/18/24: Mike Johnson Vows To Arrest Congressional Officials Who Disrupt Netanyahu’s Floor Speech
• Washington Examiner 7/18/24: More than 200 congressional staffers voice protest against Netanyahu address
• Jerusalem Post 7/17/24: ‘A devious prime minister’: 500 Israeli academics ask Netanyahu be disinvited from US Congress

AMIA bombing anniversary

• Jewish Insider 7/19/24: Cardin: U.S. ‘could do more’ to seek justice for victims of AMIA bombing
• Cardin (D-MD) 7/18/24: Chair Cardin Honors Victims of AMIA Jewish Center Terrorist Attack in Argentina on 30th Anniversary

Congress in Israel

• Orthodox Times 7/19/24: U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen visited the Patriarchate of Jerusalem
• OPB 7/17/24: Conservative group made last-ditch play to influence Democratic primary in high-profile Oregon congressional race [“…In the Democratic race for Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District, a political action committee affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, spent millions of dollars attacking candidate Susheela Jayapal, a Multnomah County Commissioner, and supporting Maxine Dexter, a physician and state lawmaker who won that primary election.“]
• Office of the President of Israel 7/15/24: X-post (with pic) President @Isaac_Herzog met with a group of young staffers from US Congress: “It was a pleasure to welcome you all – especially those of you making your first visit to Israel. This is a complex and challenging region, but understanding and seeing firsthand the realities on the ground and the diverse and beautiful make up of Israeli society, is crucial in reinforcing the bipartisan, steadfast alliance between our two peoples. Welcome to Israel, I wish you much success.”
• Jewish Insider 7/15/24: Chris Van Hollen slated to travel to Israel this week [“The Maryland senator, who has been critical of Israel’s actions in its war against Hamas, is not slated to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or Foreign Minister Israel Katz“]
• Feenstra (R-IA) 7/11/24: My Weekly Column: My trip to Israel [“...We walked the Kibbutzes where innocent Israelis were murdered, raped, beheaded, and tortured by Hamas terrorists and learned more of the horrifying details about the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust. We saw firsthand the food, water, medical supplies, and other aid that Israel is actively delivering to civilians in Palestine despite unfounded outcry from Hamas apologists.“]

Other stuff

• Rep. Lawler (R-NY) 7/18/24: X-post – “These global guidelines for combatting antisemitism underscore strong support for the IHRA definition of antisemitism. It’s time for Senator Schumer to bring up my bill for a vote which would codify this definition.” [responding to – U.S., 30 other nations unveil new ‘global guidelines’ to fight antisemitism (Jewish Insider 7/17/24)]
• Middle East Eye 7/15/24: Senior senators warn Israel-Saudi normalisation is slipping away from US
• Jewish Chronicle 7/15/24: Google’s £23 billion purchase of Israeli startup Wiz would be a ‘middle finger up to BDS’ [“Richie Torres, Member of the US House of Representatives, said the deal represesents [sic] ‘a $23 billion middle finger to the BDS movement against the Jewish State’. The politician, who has been outspoken in his support for Israel, continued ‘The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction movement should itself be boycotted, divested, and sanctioned’.“]
• Politico 7/12/24: A Palestinian push on Capitol Hill during NATO
• Common Dreams 7/12/24: ‘Every Single Senator Should Be Supporting’ Sanders Bid to Block Massive New Arms Sale to Israel
• Cardin (D-MD) press release 7/12/24: Chair Cardin Statement on Framework to Reach Ceasefire, Bring Hostages Home
• Sanders (I-VT) statement 7/12/24: “We Must Not Forget Gaza,” says Sanders

 

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

New:

• Netroots Nation Conference (featured panel) 7/12/24: Defending Dissent: Palestine, Freedom of Speech, and the Future of Protest, organized by JustVision — ft. Suhad Babaa (JustVision/moderator), Fadi Abu Shammalah (Just Vision), Sabiya Ahmed (Palestine Legal), Lara Friedman (FMEP), Vincent Warren (Center for Constitutional Rights); Simone Zimmerman (Diaspora Alliance and co-founder of IfNotNow)
• New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast, The Assault on the Khalidi Library in Jerusalem, ft. FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaking with Columbia Professor Emeritus Rashid Khalidi about how and why Jewish settlers are trying to take over the Khalidi Library in Jerusalem and the history of Israel’s treatment of Palestinian educational institutions. They also reflect on the current war, looking at its impact on Palestinians, on U.S. politics, and the ways in which it is strengthening Hamas.

1. Bills & Resolutions

Press releases 7/10/24 [no bill in Congressional Record as of 7/12/24]: Rubio, Cardin Introduce Resolution Honoring Victims of Terrorist Attacks Against Argentina’s Jewish Community; Cardin, Rubio Resolution Honors Argentina’s Jewish Community, Victims of Terrorist Attacks

(Senate NDAA) S. 4638: Introduced 7/8/24 by Reed (D-RI), the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.” Also see: Press release 7/8/24 — SASC Completes Markup of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025; Executive Summary; Report; Jewish Insider 7/9/24: Senate defense bill pushes for review of U.S.-Qatar relationship. NOTE: Stay tuned for Israel/Middle East details of this bill in a future edition of the Round-Up.

2. Letters

• 7/11/24: Representatives Lawler and Torres Lead Letter Urging President Biden to Nominate Abraham Accords Special Envoy [letter text]. Also see: House lawmakers urge administration to ‘immediately’ nominate Abraham Accords ambassador [“33 lawmakers said Biden should name an envoy ‘as soon as possible,’ adding that they’re aware of no progress in that direction“] (Jewish Insider 7/11/24)
• 7/10/24: Rubio, Graham, to Biden DOJ: We Must Not Allow the CCP to Succeed in Information War Against Our Country [letter text]. The letter is focused on alleged Chinese efforts to “sow discord in the United States” on the wake of the Oct 7. 2023 Hamas attacks, and suggests that US protests of Israel’s war on Gaza reflect “attempts by our primary adversary to exploit our open system to promote its malign agenda.” The letter goes on to request a briefing on steps the Department of Justice and other US agencies are is taking to prevent such efforts, and specifically asks the briefing to address “investigative efforts” into a list of specific organizations “for potential violations of FARA.” That list includes: Code Pink, Shut It Down for Palestine, ANSWER Coalition, Al-Awda NY, National Students for Justice in Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement, Palestinian American Community Center NJ, and Samidoun.
• 7/10/24: McCaul, Moolenaar Underscore Potential Risks, Request Intelligence Briefing on Microsoft’s Billion Dollar Partnership with UAE Firm G42 [letter text]
• 7/10/24: Graham: ODNI in Violation of Law for Failing to Report to Congress on Iran Nuclear Threat [letter text]. Also see: Graham to place hold on all ODNI nominations [“His move comes after the Office of the Director of National Intelligence missed deadlines for Iran nuclear program assessments”] (Jewish Insider 7/12/24)
• 7/9/24: Gottheimer, Bilirakis Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging Secretary Blinken to Address President Erdoğan’s Pro-Hamas, Anti-Israel Foreign Policy — Highlights Turkish leader’s repeated support of Hamas terrorists who perpetrated the October 7 attack on Israel [letter text]. Also see: Bipartisan group of lawmakers expresses ‘serious concerns’ about Erdoğan’s hostility toward Israel (Jewish Insider 7/9/24)
• 7/9/24: Smith, Comer, Foxx Demand DOJ Investigate The Palestine Chronicle for Providing Support to Terrorism, Potential Tax Crimes [letter text]. Also see: House committee chairs ask DOJ to investigate publication linked to Hamas affiliate who held hostages (Jewish Insider 7/10/24)

3. Hearings & Markups

July 9, 2024: The House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing entitled, “Confronting Union Antisemitism: Protecting Workers from Big Labor Abuses” (hearing video). Witnesses were: Ilana Kopmar, Staff Attorney, Nassau County Legal Aid Society (statement); William Sussman, Graduate Student, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (statement); Anne Marie Lofaso, Professor of Law, West Virginia University College of Law (statement); and Glenn Taubman, Staff Attorney, National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation (statement). Also see: Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) opening statement; Rep. Good press release – Chair Good Exposes Union Antisemitism and Big Labor Abuses. Also see: Congressional witnesses accuse unions of fostering hostile, antisemitic environments (Jewish Insider 7/10/24); House subcommittee hears testimony about Jew-hatred in labor unions (Jewish News Syndicate 7/9/24). NOTE: The UAW’s federal monitor twice pressured the union to back off its call for Gaza ceasefire, then launched an investigation (Drop Site 7/11/24)

July 10, 2024: The House Foreign Affairs Committee marked-up & passed a list of measures, including a number related to Palestine (mark-up video Part 1, Part 2):

• HR 8345 (introduced by Baird, R-IN, and having 7 Republican cosponsors, including HFAC chair McCaul, R-TX), “To limit funds to the United Nations and other organizations that provide any status, rights, or privileges beyond observer status to the Palestine Liberation Organization, and for other purposes.” [reminder, from press release: “Current U.S. law prohibits U.S. funding to organizations, such as the UN, which give the PLO full membership or standing as a member state. The NOPE Act updates the existing funding prohibition to organizations that offer the Palestinian Authority or the Palestine Liberation Organization “any status, rights, or privileges beyond observer status.”]. NOTE: based on the recent move by the UN General Assembly, this bill would require the immediate de-funding of the United Nations. Following extensive, shameless grandstanding by committee members in support of Israel and totally disconnected from the events of the past 9 months in Gaza (including members who oppose HR 8345), plus a bit of more moderate commentary by, for example, Castro (D-TX), the bill passed by a mostly party-line vote of 28-18.
• H. Res. 1323 (introduced by Burchett, R-TN, and having 9 cosponsors, including 2 Democrats – Gottheimer, D-NJ, and Moskowitz, D-FL), “Rejecting the United Nations decision to place the Israel Defense Force on a list of child’s rights abusers.” Passed by a voice vote.
  
• HR 7914 (introduced by Sherman, D-CA, and having 23 bipartisan cosponsors), “To require the imposition of sanctions on the Popular Resistance Committees and other associated entities, and for other purposes [aka the “Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act”]. Passed by a voice vote.
• HR 8232 (introduced by Mast, R-FL, and having 4 cosponsors, including 1 Democrat – Gottheimer, D-NJ) “To authorize the Secretary of State to withdraw from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Federal funds previously made available to such organization.” Passed by a party-line vote of 24-22.  Also see: Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans pass measure to claw back UNRWA funding with no support from Democrats (Jewish Insider 7/12/24)
• H. Res. 554 (introduced by Slotkin, D-MI, and having 10 bipartisan cosponsors), “Affirming the nature and importance of the support of the United States for the religious and ethnic minority survivors of genocide in Iraq.” Passed by a voice vote.
• H. Res. 1328 (introduced by James, R-MI, and having 2 Democratic cosponsors), “Recognizing the actions of the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias in the Darfur region of Sudan against non-Arab ethnic communities as acts of genocide.” Passed by a voice vote.
  
• Also see: Al-Monitor 7/11/24 – US lawmakers advance bill to block new UN rights for Palestine -The House Foreign Affairs Committee also voted on legislation to claw back UNRWA funds and denounce a UN decision to list Israel as an abuser of children’s rights.

July 10, 2024: The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe held a hearing entitled, “Putin’s Syrian Puppet: War Crimes and Complicity from Syria to Ukraine.” Witnesses were: M. Night Shyamalan, Film Director, Producer, and Screenwriter & Co-Founder and President of The M. Night Shyamalan Foundation; Mohammed Alaa Ghanem, Syrian Civil Society Leader and Human Rights Activist; and Mouaz Moustafa, Executive Director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force. Also see: video.

July 9, 2024: The House Ways and Means Committee held a mark-up of a number of measures that use claims of antisemitism to target US academia (and reported the out of committee:

• HR 8914, the “University Accountability Act.” Introduced 7/2/24 by Malliotakis (R-NY) and having 12 Republican cosponsors, HR 8914 seeks to impose massive fines on universities over allegations of antisemitism – (press release issued on introduction). Also see: Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) Description of HR 8914; Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS) to HR 8914; JCT Description of the ANS to HR 8914. ANS was passed by a voice vote; HR 8914 passed (as amended) by a party-line vote of 24-12.
• HR 8913, the “Protecting American Students Act.” Introduced 7/2/24 by Ferguson (R-GA) and having 9 Republican co-sponsors, HR 8913 seeks to revoke tax benefits for US educations institutions over pro-Palestine protest (press release issued on introduction). Also see: JCT Description of HR 8913; ANS to HR 8913; JCT Description of the ANS to HR 8913. ANS was passed by a voice vote; HR 8913 passed (as amended) by a party-line vote of 24-13.
• Also see: Democrats reject bills threatening tax penalties on colleges and universities (Jewish Insider 7/10/24); House Republicans Advance 2 Contested Antisemitism Bills (Insider Higher Ed 7/10/24)

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

AIPAC & Elex

• Portland Mercury 7/10/24: How a Super PAC Upended Portland’s 3rd Congressional District Race — Polling shows candidate Susheela Jayapal had an impressive lead in spring, before AIPAC spent big money to help Maxine Dexter defeat her.
• Arab America 7/10/24: AIPAC and The “Squad”
• City Journal 7/10/24: Lessons from a Squad Member’s Demise — Democrats can learn from Jamaal Bowman’s defeat—and George Latimer’s victory.
• Discourse 7/10/24: A Critical Look at AIPAC’s Political Clout — The pro-Israel interest group shows how outside entities can decisively change the course of policymaking
• TruthDig 7/8/24: With Democratic Friends Like These… The historic spending campaign against Jamaal Bowman highlights the Democrats’ billionaire-funded effort to undermine the party’s fledgling left wing.

Other stuff

• Jewish Insider 7/11/24: RJC endorses challengers to eight endangered House Democrats — The RJC is backing challengers to nearly all Democrats in toss-up districts [“The incumbents hold varying records on Israel and other Jewish issues, although some have broken with others in the Democratic Party on multiple occasions in recent months in support of pro-Israel legislation and issues. In a statement, the RJC described many of its endorsees as strong supporters of Israel, while characterizing their opponents as unreliable on or hostile toward Israel.“]
• Washington Times 7/10/24: Democratic House candidate invests in distillery that hosted pro-Hamas chef
• Democratic Socialists of American 7/10/24: Status of DSA National Endorsement for Rep. Ocasio-Cortez; also see: Jewish Insider 7/11/24: DSA pulls endorsement of AOC over Israel, antisemitism
• Jewish Insider 7/8/24: Rep. Cori Bush draws ire of St. Louis Jewish community [“One St. Louis rabbi: ‘I look at Cori Bush and what she has done as being dangerous to the safety of Jews, both here in the States, as well as the safety of Jews in the Jewish state’”]

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

• Jewish Insider 7/11/24: Lawmakers express optimism about hostage deal prospects after Israel visits [“Rep. Josh Gottheimer said the mood in the region is ‘the most optimism that I’ve seen’ about a hostage deal”]
• Kustoff (R-TN) 7/8/24: ICYMI: Kustoff Meets with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Addresses Members of the Knesset, and Visits Sites of Oct. 7th Attack
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/8/24: A congressman from the Bible Belt comes to Israel as a friend [“’We need to show America, Israel and the entire world that the U.S. stands firmly with Israel,’ says Rep. David Kustoff of Tennessee.”]

Netanyahu on the Hill

• The Forward 7/11/24: Netanyahu’s speech: Some members of Congress will boycott. Who else have they snubbed? – As Congress prepares to host Netanyahu, a look back at the past two decades shows that Israel’s leaders are not the only ones that have been boycotted
• Jerusalem Post 7/11/24: When Israel wobbles, Judaism trembles: Netanyahu must use Congress talk to unite Jews – opinion
• The Forward 7/11/24: If members of Congress truly cared about Israel’s well-being, they would boycott Netanyahu’s speech
• LGBTQ Nation 7/11/24: Why we must uninvite Netanyahu from addressing the U.S. Congress
• Jewish Insider 7/9/24: Hostage families to fly on Netanyahu’s plane to attend address to Congress

• Jewish Insider 7/12/24: Memorial for Buenos Aires Jewish center bombing to highlight connection to Oct. 7 terrorism [“Members of Congress, government officials from around the world and Argentina’s president are expected to attend a ceremony marking 30 years since Hezbollah attacked the AMIA Jewish center“]
• Inside Higher Ed 7/12/24: Columbia’s President Denounced Her Before Congress. Firing Could Be Next. [“Law professor Katherine Franke has long been outspoken in her support of Palestinians. Now, after House Republicans and her university president called her out in an antisemitism hearing, she faces potential termination.“]
• Jewish Insider 7/12/24: Washington warned of Iranian influence in Gaza protests. Now what?
• Jewish Insider 7/12/24: How Marco Rubio’s changed foreign policy views are making him more palatable to Trump [“…The main source of contention stems from Rubio’s vote in April against a $95 billion aid bill for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, which passed the Senate by an overwhelming margin.”]
• Ballotpedia 7/11/24: Three candidates challenge incumbent Cori Bush in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District Democratic primary
• Jewish Insider 7/11/24: House Appropriations Committee Republicans approve $10 million cut to Department of Education’s civil rights office [“Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee approved a bill cutting funding for the Office of Civil Rights, which is responsible for investigating antisemitism claims“]
• Times of Israel 7/11/24: Window for Biden to broker Israeli-Saudi deal before election has shut — sources [“With Congress in session for only 4 more weeks before US presidential vote, there’s not enough time left for Senate to ratify agreement, which first requires still-elusive Gaza truce“]
• Mace (R-SC) 7/11/24: Rep. Nancy Mace: Iran’s Influence is Just the Tip of the Iceberg
• Cruz (R-TX) 7/11/24: Democrats Block Arms for Israel, Put Americans in Harm’s Way to Aid Hamas — Cruz’s remarks on the Senate floor here and here.
• The Intercept 7/10/24: Even Centrists Are Questioning Biden. But the Squad Is Divided. — Several Squad members who were vocal critics of Biden’s handling of Israel’s war on Gaza have voiced support for the president.
• State Department 7/10/24: 2024 Report to Congress on Section 5 of the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-441) [as amended] [“Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization that has vowed to annihilate Israel and repeat the October 7, 2023, massacre, during which it murdered almost 1,200 Israelis, took more than 240 people hostage, and committed horrific acts of sexual violence. In response, Israel has engaged in military actions in Gaza with the stated intent of defending itself against future Hamas attacks. By the end of the reporting period, tens of thousands of Palestinians were killed and over a million displaced as a result of Israel’s military actions. Israel has an inherent right to defend itself consistent with international law, in response to the October 7 attack, and the United States has made clear that Israel has a moral obligation and a strategic imperative to protect civilians, investigate allegations of any wrongdoing, and ensure accountability for any abuses or violations of international human rights law and violations of IHL. As President Biden stated in his 2024 State of the Union address, ‘Israel has an added burden because Hamas hides and operates among the civilian population. But Israel also has a fundamental responsibility to protect innocent civilians in Gaza. This war has taken a greater toll on innocent civilians than all previous wars in Gaza combined.’ Secretary Blinken has urged Israel to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties and has consistently reiterated at the highest levels that Israel’s military operations in Gaza must comply with IHL.“]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/10/24: Biden report to Congress under Elie Wiesel Act seems to use Hamas stats, blame Israel for war deaths
• Wall Street Journal 7/10/24: Where’s the Report to Congress on Iran’s Nuclear Program? – The White House has missed legal deadlines for more than a year.
• CNY Central 7/9/24: Senator Gillibrand backs Biden, calls for new Israel defense strategy
• McConnell (R-KY) 7/9/24: McConnell Delivers Remarks At The Reagan Institute NATO Summit Event [excerpt: “Slow-walking aid to Ukraine didn’t stave off further Russian escalation. It only guaranteed that this terrible conflict will be longer and bloodier. Conditioning further assistance will weaken Ukraine’s hand and risk emboldening the very tyrant we hope to defeat. By the same token, micromanaging Israel’s defense strategy doesn’t lessen the costs of war for innocent civilians. It just shields the terrorists responsible from justice. Our friends in Israel and Ukraine are fighting existential wars of survival. Their enemies are working together to weaken the American-led order. The security of the free world will either be strengthened by our friends’ victory or weakened by their defeat. They deserve our support. This is Reagan 101.“]
• Mace (R-SC) 7/9/24: Rep. Nancy Mace Speaks About Democracy at the 2024 Free Iran Conference
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 7/9/24: Gottheimer Questions U.S. Secretary of Treasury Yellen  [“Questions Treasury on rising childcare costs. Follows up on efforts to enforce sanctions against Iran and its state sponsorship of terrorism. Asks Treasury to look into state banking laws posing a conflict of interest with federal anti-money laundering requirements“]
• Insider Higher Ed 7/9/24: The GOP’s Bad Faith Focus on Campus Antisemitism
• Jewish Insider 7/9/24: Mike Johnson channels Ronald Reagan while touting Trump’s foreign policy [“‘He doesn’t treat China like an enemy,’ he said of Biden. ‘He’s stopped supporting Israel and has cozied up to Iran to revive the failed nuclear deal.’…]

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

Note: Huge thanks to Haydn Welch and Sheridan Cole, advocacy officers at the Middle East Democracy Center, for their great work guest-writing the Round-Up the past two weeks!

New from FMEP:

• New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast (7/3/24), Witnessing in the West Bank & Gaza Strip with Riham Jafari, ft. FMEP Fellow Rania Batrice speaking with Palestinian communication and advocacy specialist Riham Jafari about Gaza and the West Bank, focusing specifically on the impact of the last nine months on women and girls, on the health system in Gaza, and on the use of starvation as a weapon against the Palestinians in Gaza.
• New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast (6/25/24), Israel is Annexing the West Bank, ft. FMEP fellow Peter Beinart in conversation with Professor Yael Berda about Israel’s de facto annexation of the West Bank.

1. Bills & Resolutions

Targeting Student Protests/Protesters for Palestinian Rights/Lives

• HR 8913 (pdf): Introduced 7/2/24 by Ferguson (R-GA) and 8 Republican co-sponsors, the “Protecting American Students Act“. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. Also see press release — “‘The rising antisemitic behavior on college campuses is beyond unacceptable, and many leaders of these movements are international students,’ said Congressman Ferguson. ‘United States educational institutions should not be rewarded with generous tax benefits while condoning this behavior, and the Protecting American Students Act ensures these universities create a safe environment for all students.’”
• HR 8914 (pdf): Introduced 7/2/24 by Malliotakis (R-NY) and 7 Republican cosponsors, the “University Accountability Act.“ Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. Also see press release — “…Under current federal law, a violation of Title VI, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin, can result in the loss of federal funds, but often times results in a mere corrective action that would bring the college or university back into compliance. The University Accountability Act would require colleges and universities that meet the penalty criteria to pay a fine of either five percent of the school’s aggregate administrative compensation as reported on the school’s Form 990, or $100,000, whichever is greater. After three civil rights violations, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would be required to review the college or university’s tax-exempt status for possible revocation. If enacted, Columbia University, which has been at the epicenter of anti-Israel protests and horrific antisemitic attacks against those of the Jewish faith, would be fined $1.9 million.“[emphasis in the original]. Also see: Stefanik, Malliotakis Introduce Legislation to Impose Penalties on Antisemitic Universities
• HR 8833 (pdf): Introduced 6/28/24 by Banks (R-IN) and 7 Republican cosponsors, “To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to disclose campus policies relating to responding to certain incidents of civil disturbance, and for other purposes,” aka the “No Tax Dollars for College Encampments Act.” Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Also see: Banks’ press release; Stefanik press release; Stefanik, Banks introduce No Tax Dollars for College Encampments Act (Jewish News Syndicate 7/1/24); Republicans introduce bill attacking Gaza solidarity encampments at US universities (Middle East Eye 7/2/24)
• HR 8902 (pdf): Introduced 6/28/24 by Pfluger (R-TX) and 4 Republican cosponsors, “To make certain individuals ineligible to receive any Federal financial aid under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965,” aka the “Freeze Aid for Student Assaulters (FAFSA) Act of 2024.” Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Also see: Pfluger press release – Pfluger Introduces Legislation to Revoke Visas and Federal Student Aid for Individuals Convicted of Assaulting Police Officers or Rioting
• HR 8903 (pdf): Introduced 6/28/24 by Pfluger (R-TX) and 7 Republican cosponsors, “To direct the Secretary of State to revoke the visa of any alien admitted to the United States under section 101(a)(15)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act who has been convicted of assault in a police officer or an offense related to rioting,” aka the “Uproot Rioting International Students Engaged in Radical Subversion Act (UPRISERS) Act.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Pfluger press release – Pfluger Introduces Legislation to Revoke Visas and Federal Student Aid for Individuals Convicted of Assaulting Police Officers or Rioting

2. Letters

7/2/24: Emmer sends letter to new University of Minnesota President asking for plan to protect Jewish students on Campus [letter text]. Also see: University of Minnesota overtaken by ‘radical, pro-Hamas activists,’ House majority whip says (Jewish News Syndicate 7/3/24)

3. Hearings & Markups

July 9, 2024: The House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions will hold a hearing entitled, “Confronting Union Antisemitism: Protecting Workers from Big Labor Abuses.” No witnesses have been announced as of this writing. Also see: press release – Chair Good to Hold Hearing on Divisive, Contentious Union Political Activism

July 10, 2024: The House Foreign Affairs Committee is scheduled to hold a mark-up up a list of measures, including:

• HR 8345 (GOP, co-sponsored by HFAC chair McCaul, R-TX), To limit funds to the United Nations and other organizations that provide any status, rights, or privileges beyond observer status to the Palestine Liberation Organization, and for other purposes. [reminder, from press release: “Current U.S. law prohibits U.S. funding to organizations, such as the UN, which give the PLO full membership or standing as a member state. The NOPE Act updates the existing funding prohibition to organizations that offer the Palestinian Authority or the Palestine Liberation Organization “any status, rights, or privileges beyond observer status.”]
• H. Res. 1323, Rejecting the United Nations decision to place the Israel Defense Force on a list of child’s rights abusers.
• H. Res. 554, Affirming the nature and importance of the support of the United States for the religious and ethnic minority survivors of genocide in Iraq.
• HR 7025, To extend and authorize annual appropriations for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom through fiscal year 2026.
• H. Res. 1328, Recognizing the actions of the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias in the Darfur region of Sudan against non-Arab ethnic communities as acts of genocide.

July 10, 2024: The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe will hold a hearing entitled, “Putin’s Syrian Puppet: War Crimes and Complicity from Syria to Ukraine.” Scheduled witnesses are: M. Night Shyamalan, Film Director, Producer, and Screenwriter & Co-Founder and President of The M. Night Shyamalan Foundation; Mohammed Alaa Ghanem, Syrian Civil Society Leader and Human Rights Activist; and Mouaz Moustafa, Executive Director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force.

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Politics/Elex

Targeting of Candidates/Incumbents Who Care about Palestinians (general)

• New York Post 7/4/24: The Squad demonizes pro-Israel AIPAC with fake ‘dark money’ charge — despite its modest sway
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency 7/3/24: AIPAC spent more than $14M to unseat Bowman
• The Week 7/3/24: Is Jamaal Bowman’s primary defeat the beginning of the end for DC’s Squad?
• The Hill 7/1/24: Progressives unleash fury on AIPAC after Bowman loss
• Arab American Institute/Jim Zogby 7/1/24: A Deep Dive into the Bowman Loss
• Rosa Luxemburg Foundation 7/1/24: Jamaal Bowman’s Defeat: A Blow to the Pro-Palestine Left in the US
• LA Progressive 6/29/24: AIPAC’s Destructive Reach in American Politics — How it made an Example of Rep. Jamal Bowman
• The Atlantic 6/29/24: What Left-Wing Democrats Haven’t Learned From Defeat – Jamaal Bowman and the infantile style in American politics

Cory Bush in the Crosshairs

• Salon.com 7/4/24: “You’re gonna see just millions being poured in”: After Bowman defeat, AIPAC targets Cori Bush
• JTA 7/1/24: Next up Cori Bush: After Jamaal Bowman defeat, pro-Israel donors pivot to Missouri – “We have a short window to act,” AIPAC told donors in a text [“‘On Tuesday night, the pro-Israel community helped ensure anti-Israel Rep. Jamaal Bowman won’t be returning to Congress next year,’ said the fundraising text the American Israel Public Affairs Committee sent Thursday afternoon. ‘With your support, we can also help defeat Rep. Cori Bush, another member of the anti-Israel Squad.‘”]
• Politico 7/2/24: Jeffries, Dem leaders endorse Cori Bush [“It’s a show of force behind the embattled incumbent ahead of a tough primary.“]

• The Forward/JTA 7/3/24: Challenger backed by Republican Jewish Coalition defeats Bob Good, leader of far-right faction [“Involvement in primaries was once a rare occurrence for partisan Jewish groups on both sides, but that has changed as both parties grapple with internal realignments over support for Israel”]
• Jewish Insider 7/2/24: Crowded race shaping up for top GOP spot on House Foreign Affairs Committee [“…Many of the possible contenders are seen as staunchly pro-Israel, with often similar records on the issue, and hold traditional GOP foreign policy positions, eschewing the isolationism that’s been making inroads in the party.“]
• Fox News 7/3/24: Adam Schiff voter flips to GOP opponent Steve Garvey after Israel trip: ‘If you’re Jewish… you’re not happy’
• Sacramento Bee 7/2/24: Garvey’s Senate campaign went to Israel, where he says he converted a Schiff voter
• Jewish Insider 7/2/24: Rep. Jake Auchincloss talks Netanyahu, Bowman, Biden and antisemitism [“The Massachusetts Democrat said he’ll walk out of Netanyahu’s congressional speech if he attacks Biden, and discussed his concerns about the Antisemitism Awareness Act“]
• Daily Wire 7/1/24: Steve Garvey Visits IDF Soldiers Wounded In Hamas War
• Jewish Insider 7/1/24: On ICC sanctions vote, Allred breaks with other Democratic Senate hopefuls [“Reps. Elissa Slotkin, Ruben Gallego and Adam Schiff all voted in favor of ICC sanctions, which Allred opposed“]
• Politico 7/1/24: She’s a Blue-Collar, Bible-Quoting, Israel-Supporting, Pro-Choice, Millennial Latina. Is She the Future of Democratic Progressivism? [“With an eclectic voting record, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez from Washington state has riled the left flank of her party. She thinks that’s a good thing.“]
• NPR 6/29/24: Fetterman traveled to Israel and met with Netanyahu despite blowback on the left

5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

• Kustoff (R-TN) 7/3/24: press release – Congressman Kustoff Delivers Historic Address on U.S. Support for Israel at Knesset
• Jerusalem Post 7/3/24: PM Benjamin Netanyahu meets US Congressman Josh Gottheimer in Israel
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/3/24: Netanyahu stresses ‘joint stand against Iran’ in meet with US lawmakers [“The Israeli premier thanked Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) for their support since Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre.”]
• Gottheimer (D-NY) 7/3/24: In Israel and UAE on House Intelligence Committee Trip, Gottheimer Focuses on American Hostage Release, Fighting Iran, Other Terrorist Proxies in Region [“Meets in UAE with Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security, Director of Signals Intelligence Agency to discuss the Israel-Hamas war, the fight against terror, and long-term solutions in the region”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 7/3/24: Israeli, US politicos inaugurate Parliamentary Friendship Group [“The bipartisan group sends a message to the world that the relationship between the two countries ‘transcends parties and administrations,’ said Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana”]
• Jewish Insider 7/3/24: Knesset, House launch parliamentary friendship group to strengthen U.S.-Israel ties [“‘In your fight to eradicate Hamas, America is with you all the way,’ Rep. David Kustoff says in Knesset”]

• Al Jazeera 7/4/24: Senator Lindsey Graham slams Palestinians as ‘radicalised’ in social post
• Middle East Eye 7/3/24: Aipac-backed US lawmaker [Slotkin] slams Israel’s seizure of occupied West Bank land
• House Committee on Education and the Workforce 7/2/24: Columbia Administrators’ Texts Reveal New Depths of Apathy and Disdain Towards Jewish Students
• Jewish News Syndicate 6/30/24: McCaul: Biden admin ‘effectively withholding seven weapon systems’ from Israel [“The House Foreign Affairs Committee chair said that he signed off on the weapons, and Congress appropriated them.“]
• The Atlantic 6/30/24: How Congress Could Protect Free Speech on Campus -Shielding students from discrimination matters. So does preserving academic freedom.
• CBS News 6/29/24: Neighbors remain on edge after overnight protest outside Rep. Brad Schneider’s home in Highland Park, Illinois

Weekly Legislative Round-Up
June 28, 2024

Brought to you in cooperation with Americans for Peace Now, where the Round-Up was born!

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

This week’s round-up was guest-written by Haydn Welch and Sheridan Cole, advocacy officers at the Middle East Democracy Center, with contributions by Lara Friedman.

1. Bills & Resolutions

(Well-Being of Refugees) H.Res.1314 and S.Res.743: Introduced 6/21/24 by Lieu (D-CA) and 58 cosponsors in the House and Cardin (D-MD) and 22 cosponsors in the Senate, “Reaffirming the importance of the United States promoting the safety, health, and well-being of refugees and displaced persons in the United States and around the world.” H.Res.1314 referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee; S.Res.743 referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. [The text notes that approximately 75 percent of the population of Gaza have been internally displaced.] Also see: press release – Rep Lieu and Sen Cardin Lead Bicameral Resolution Supporting Refugees Worldwide

(Shielding IDF From Accountability) H.Res.1323: Introduced 6/26/24 by Burchett (R-TN) and cosponsored by Moskowitz (D-FL), Lawler (R-NY), and Gottheimer (D-NJ), “Rejecting the United Nations decision to place the Israel Defense Force on a list of child’s rights abusers.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: press release – Rep. Burchett introduces bipartisan resolution defending IDF against UN condemnation

FY25 SFOPs – House
Lara’s full analysis/summary of the Middle East-related details of the FY25 SFOPs bill and the accompanying report is available here.

>>State-of-play: On 6/28, the House of Representatives passed the FY25 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act in a heavily lopsided vote of 212 – 200, with only one Democrat (Gluesenkamp Perez D-WA), voting in favor.

>>Amendments of Note That Were Adopted

• Amendment from Moskowitz (D-FL) that prohibits funds being made available for the State Department to cite statistics obtained from the Gaza Health Ministry. The amendment passed 269 – 144, with 62 Democrats joining Republicans to adopt the amendment.
  • See also: Tlaib (D-MI) 6/27/24 X-post and floor speech condemning the amendment. [“It’s disgusting that my colleagues would support legislation to prohibit U.S. officials from even citing the Palestinian death toll. They want to erase the Palestinians who are living, and now they are trying to erase the Palestinians who are dead. This is genocide denial.”]
  • The Intercept 6/27/24: 62 Democrats Join 207 Republicans in Vote to Conceal Gaza Death Toll
• Amendment from Connolly (D-VA) that “increases and decreases funding by $5 million to support civil society in Tunisia and express concern for Tunisia’s authoritarian trajectory and an intensified crackdown against political opponents which has dissolved parliament, annulled the existing constitution, and disbanded the independent judicial system.” The amendment was passed en bloc.
• Amendment from Waltz (R-FL) that prohibits funds from SFOPs appropriations bill being used to support the Gaza aid pier. The amendment passed 209 – 200.
• Amendment from Ogles (R-TN) that prohibits the use of funds from being used to administer or enforce National Security Memorandum 20, which “directs the Department of State to seek assurances from partners involved in conflict and receiving U.S. military grant assistance that they would abide by U.S. and international law.” The amendment passed 216 to 197.

FY25 Defense Appropriations – House

>State-of-play: On 6/28, the House of Representatives passed the FY25 Defense appropriations bill in a similarly lopsided vote, 217 – 198, with five Democrats voting in favor.

>Amendments of Note That Were Adopted

Amendments from Ogles (R-TN) that recommends that the U.S. Army and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency “should not participate in the Eurosatory exhibition or any international defense exposition that restricts or threatens to restrict the full participation of Israeli-owned companies.” Both amendments were passed en bloc.

 

2. Letters

• 6/26/24: Rogers (R-AL) Urges Biden Admin to Immediately Cease Failed Gaza Pier Operation [“Three and a half months since the President’s announcement of a maritime corridor for Gaza and at least $230 million wasted, the operation has been riddled with setbacks, sidelined more often than operational, and can only be classified as a gross waste of taxpayer dollars.”]
• 6/26/24: Schiff (D-CA), Goldman (D-NY)  Urge Clarity on Biden Administration’s Omission of Hamas Sexual Violence in Fact Sheet [letter text]
  • On June 27, the Biden administration updated its conflict-related sexual violence fact sheet to include multiple references to Hamas.
  • Also see: Jewish Insider 6/27/24: White House adds 10/7 reference to sexual violence fact sheet after criticism from Jewish Dems; press release 6/27/24: Reps. Schiff, Goldman Applaud Biden Administration for Condemnation of Sexual Violence by Hamas, Continued Support of Israel
• 6/25/24: Tom Cotton (R-TX) Demands Action From DOJ and White House on Synagogue Attack by Pro-Hamas Mob [letter text] [“I call for the administration to conduct a manhunt for every one of these antisemitic, pro-terrorist rioters with the same vigor it used to prosecute non-violent Trump supporters who were at the Capitol on January 6. Failure to act would only further expose this administration’s pro-Hamas bias.”]
  • Also see: New York Times 6/24/24: Biden and Democratic Leaders Condemn Protest Outside L.A. Synagogue as Antisemitic, Associated Press 6/27/24: Feds investigating violence during pro-Palestinian protest outside Los Angeles synagogue, The Guardian 6/26/24: Efforts to sell ‘Anglo neighborhoods in Israel’ at LA synagogue erupt in protests
  • Members of Congress condemned the protest on Twitter/X, including: Padilla (D-CA), Stevens (D-MI), Meng (D-CA), Schumer (D-NY), Khanna (D-CA), Lawler (R-NY), Scalise (R-LA), Blackburn (R-TN), and many more.
• 6/24/24: James Comer (R-KY) Presses American Muslims for Palestine to Produce Requested Information Related to the Funding of Illegal, Pro-Hamas Activities
• 6/21/2024: Burgess Owens (R-UT), Andrew Ogles (R-TN), Jefferson Van Drew (R-NY), Elise Stefanik (R-NY) Urge Northwestern University in Qatar to Sever Ties with Al Jazeera  
• 6/20/24: Steil (R-WI) Calls on Federal Agencies to Ensure U.S.-Nonprofits Are Not Supporting Terrorist Activity [letter text 1] [letter text 2]
• 6/20/24: Cotton (R-TX) Cotton to Mayorkas: Your Job Is to Protect our Borders, Not Interrogate our Allies [letter text] [“Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents are reportedly asking Israelis applying for permanent U.S. resident status detailed questions about their time in the Israeli Defense Forces that go far beyond previous standard inquiries. If true, this Administration is expending a disgraceful amount of time, energy, and resources in a thinly veiled attempt to “prove” IDF members have committed hypothetical war crimes.”]

 

3. Hearings & Markups

6/26/24:The House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing entitled, “Combating Workplace Antisemitism in Postsecondary Education: Protecting Employees from Discrimination.” Witnesses included Mark Rienzi, President and CEO of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, Professor Brian Keating of the University of California, San Diego, Melissa Emrey-Arras, the Director of Education, Workforce, and Income Security at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and Professor Dafna Golden of Mt. San Antonio College. [Excerpt from Rep Kiley R-CA)’s opening statement: “College may be out for the summer for the most part, but the rise of antisemitism remains a grave risk to students, faculty, and American higher education…It cannot be tolerated.”] NOTE: Witness Brian Keating, in response to a question from Rep. Stefanik (R-NY), recommended the banning of masks and “full head gear and covering” as a tool to address rising antisemitism on campuses.

4. Israel/Palestine in 2024 Elex/PoliticsNew York

• New York Times 6-25-24: Bowman Falls to Latimer in a Loss for Progressive Democrats [“Mr. Bowman was defeated by George Latimer, the Westchester County executive, in a race that became the year’s ugliest intraparty brawl and the most expensive House primary in history.”] See also: Associated Press, Politico, WSJ, Haaretz, BBC
• Washington Post 6/25/24: Why Jamaal Bowman’s New York primary is huge for pro-Israel groups [“Unseating Bowman would be the strongest sign yet that criticizing Israel is a recipe for heartburn and may at least be a contributing factor in an incumbent’s loss. It would also be a particularly significant victory given that these groups failed to stop Bowman in 2020 — and given that the Democratic base has trended sharply away from Israel in recent months.”]
• The Intercept 6/25/24: Half-Hearted Attempts By Democratic Leaders Couldn’t Save Jamaal Bowman From AIPAC’s Attacks
• New York Times 6-25-24: 5 Takeaways From Jamaal Bowman’s Loss
• Responsible Statecraft 6/26/24: Bowman crushed by GOP-fueled AIPAC cash [“But Latimer’s win also provided the most dramatic proof of concept for a controversial new strategy by AIPAC, the country’s biggest pro-Israel lobby: using its super-PAC, United Democracy Project, to funnel millions of dollars in Republican donor funds into a Democratic primary.”]
  • Delia Ramirez (D-IL) X-post: [“The outcome out of NY should concern everyone who cares about Democracy and dark money in politics. Far right Republican mega donors funded a $15 mil misinformation campaign to unseat a progressive Congressman, in a democratic primary, for daring to fight for peace and justice.”]
• Axios 6/26/24: Democrats groan at AIPAC “overkill” against Jamaal Bowman [“A senior House Democrat said spending at this volume inevitably has a chilling effect on lawmakers, saying of AIPAC: ‘They do that a lot.’”]

Missouri

• Politico 6/27/24: The Squad could lose a second member. It’s not the warning sign you may think. [“Notably, both AIPAC and DMFI passed on spending in Rep. Summer Lee’s (D-Pa.) race, the first member of the Squad to face a primary challenge this year. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) crushed her primary opponent on Tuesday. And most members of the Squad didn’t even draw a challenger, including Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) — though there was a recruitment effort — and Greg Casar (D-Texas). Neither group has indicated that they’re jumping into Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-Minn.) primary, where she faces Don Samuels, a former member of the Minneapolis City Council who came close to unseating her in the midterms.”]
• Axios 6/26/24: All eyes on Cori Bush after fellow “Squad” member’s ouster [“Unlike Bowman, Bush hasn’t been endorsed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) or his top deputies, Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.). Those endorsements are forthcoming, two House Democratic leadership sources told Axios, with one saying they will happen “eventually.”]
• USA Today 6/26/24: Will Cori Bush be ousted like Bowman? New poll shows her opponent leading by one poin

 

5. Selected Media & Press releases/statements

Netanyahu & The Hill

• New York Times op-ed, authored by David Harel, Tamir Pardo, Talia Sasson, Ehud Barak, Aaron Ciechanover, and David Grossman, 6-26-24: Netanyahu Does Not Speak for Us. Congress Should Disinvite Him [“But Congress has made a terrible mistake. Mr. Netanyahu’s appearance in Washington will not represent the State of Israel and its citizens, and it will reward his scandalous and destructive conduct toward our country.”]
• Roll Call 6/28/24: Progressive staffers call on their bosses to boycott Netanyahu visit [“Ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned speech to Congress in July, House and Senate staffers are circulating a letter calling on Democrats to protest or skip it. ‘This is not an issue of politics, but an issue of morality,’ the letter reads.”]
• Politico 6/22/24: ‘No one knows what he’s going to say’: White House fears mount about Bibi’s DC visit [“The big unknown, the senior official admitted, is if Netanyahu will use the moment to offer any specific criticisms of Biden or his response to Israel’s operations in Gaza. The West Wing is keenly aware of Netanyahu’s precarious domestic political situation, in which he is trying to placate the far-right members of his coalition who want further escalation of the war against Hamas. For the prime minister, being perceived at home as fighting Biden could be helpful.”]
• Associated Press 6/23/24: Democrats wrestle with whether to attend Netanyahu’s address to Congress as many plan to boycott

Congressional Visits to Israel

• Landsman (D-OH) 6-24-24: Landsman Returns from Bipartisan Congressional Visit to Israel [“The major military operations in Gaza are likely coming to an end within weeks, and Hamas’ military and governing capabilities appear to have been effectively destroyed. Ending Hamas’s reign will allow Israel and the Palestinians to move forward in peace. The remaining priority must be to get every hostage home and ensure the surge in humanitarian aid gets to every corner of Gaza.”]
• The Hill 6-26-24: Netanyahu meets with Fetterman: ‘Israel has had no better friend’
  • See also: The New Yorker 6-24-24: John Fetterman’s War; Isaac Herzog 6-25-24: X-post, Netanyahu 6-26-24: X-post [“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US Senator John Fetterman, and thanked him for his visit and his consistent support of Israel. The PM told the Senator that his standing up to pro-Palestinian demonstrators, while waving an Israeli flag, was courageous and heart-warming.”]

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s Visit to DC

• Washington Post 6-26-24: U.S. war aid of $6.5 billion discussed during ‘productive’ Gallant visit [“In the early weeks of the conflict, emergency shipments to Israel were expedited aboard U.S. military aircraft. In a few instances at the end of last year, the administration also invoked emergency authorities to bypass Congress in order to approve the sale of arms and ammunition to Israel, a move that prompted objections from some Democratic lawmakers about the fast-rising civilian death toll in Gaza as Israel stepped up its bombing campaign and ground operations.”]
• Reuters 6-26-24: Israeli defense chief says progress made on munitions supply in US talks [“‘During the meetings we made significant progress, obstacles were removed and bottlenecks were addressed, in order to advance a variety of issues, and more specifically the topic of force build-up and munition supply that we must bring to the State of Israel,’ Gallant said in a statement.”]
• Yoav Gallant 6-23-24: X-post [“Great discussion with Senator @LindseyGrahamSC about the importance of ongoing U.S. support as we work to bring the hostages home, continue dismantling Hamas capabilities and defend our northern border against Hezbollah. Thank you Senator, for standing with Israel.”]
• Yoav Gallant 6-25-24: X-post [“Thank you Leader @SteveScalise for standing with Israel and for the warm welcome from the Chairmen of the House Committees. Your leadership and friendship is critical to the U.S. – Israel relationship.”]
• House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority 6-25-24: X-post [“CHM @RepMcCaul: ‘I had a productive meeting today with Israeli Defense Minister @yoavgallant. We discussed Iran’s role as the head of the snake, backing terror proxies in the Middle East & I reiterated the importance of strong U.S. deterrence through support for our ally Israel.’”]

Pro-Israel Lobbying

• Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) 6-25-24: Sinema & Arizona AIPAC discuss her strong support for Israel & growing antisemitism against Jewish community
• Yoav Gallant 6-23-24: X-post [“Thank you to @AIPAC leaders Howard Kohr and Arne Christenson for an important discussion at the start of my visit to Washington. Committed to ensuring a strong U.S.- Israel alliance. The United States is the most important ally of Israel – and more central than ever before.”]

Other stuff

• Responsible Statecraft/Blaise Malley 6/27/24: These are the craziest ‘pro-Israel’ votes on the Hill today
• Punchbowl News 6/27/24: Gottheimer [D-NJ] talks bipartisanship, Netanyahu and the presidential debate