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