Legislative Round-Up: June 24, 2022

Produced by the Foundation for Middle East Peace in cooperation with Americans for Peace Now, where the Legislative Round-Up was conceived.

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Hard Questions, Tough Answers- The Mid-July Biden Visit (June 27, 2022)

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Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst. He is the former director of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, a former senior official with the Mossad, and a former IDF intelligence officer. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent APN's views and policy positions.

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PeaceCast #243 Transcript: Young Progressive Jewish Americans on Israel, Palestine, and the Conflict

Madeleine Cereghino  0:09  

Hi, everyone, I'm Americans for Peace Now's Director of Government Relations, and I'm excited to welcome you all to this webinar with us are our guests and my colleagues who I will introduce in a moment. So today our guests are APN'S new communications and Development Associate Maxxe. Maxxe, I'm so sorry if I butcher your name, so please correct me-- Albert-Deitch? That right? Okay. Wonderful.

Maxxe Albert-Deitch  0:41  

Nobody ever gets it right, so thank you!

Madeleine Cereghino  0:42  

Thank you. Wonderful. her predecessor Claire Davidson Miller, and our intern Eliana or Ellie Blumberg. There has been a lot of discussion about the shift in the way the younger generation of Jewish adults engage with Israel. And the conflict for a while now. I know a number of articles were written about the evolution, my generation millennials, and kind of what we went through on the subject, but things kind of seem different to me First Gen Z. For one, they came into adulthood during the Trump era, where I would argue that there was kind of a new energy around activism in general. And I'm excited to explore how this among other things impacted your engagement on this issue. So to get us started, I'd love to have each of you take a few minutes to introduce yourselves. Share a little bit about your background, what brought you to Israel policy, advocacy? And what shaped your thinking around this issue? If Claire, you wouldn't mind going first?

Claire Davidson Miller  1:45  

Yeah, hi, my name is Claire. My pronouns are she her hers. And I'm actually on my way out of APN. Right now, over the past year or so, I've been the strategic communications and Development Associate. But I am going to be wrapping up my role at APN next month, and going back to school, specifically to rabbinical school. So when I say that it probably won't shock you that I grew up pretty engaged in the Jewish community. I'm from a family that kind of has straddled Conservative and Orthodox Judaism throughout my childhood and my life. And when I was young Israel was really was, I can't remember a time that Israel was not present in my life. My grandmother and her parents emigrated from a small town in Poland, to pre-state Palestine in the 1930s. And after the German invasion of Poland, pretty much just never heard from any of their extended family again, and would eventually learn that all of their family had been killed in the city. So Israel, for me growing up was always presented in this the Savior narrative without Israel, my grandmother wouldn't have remained alive and I wouldn't have been born. And I think the first thing to really introduce some nuance to my own understanding of Israel was when I was I believe I was 14 or 15. And Palestinian exchange student from Ramallah, joined my ballet class. And I had never really met a Palestinian before. And I remember being shocked when I found out that she didn't speak Hebrew, I didn't understand how someone could live in a country and not speak the language. And it was only then that I just that I started to conceptualize that living in the West Bank living in Palestine and living in Israel were two separate things. And from there, my interest took on a life of its own and I started to read on Israel, Palestine, I joined an Israeli Palestinian Discussion Club at my high school. And, you know, fast forward to college where I studied Middle East Studies and Judaic studies, so that I could focus on the conflict. And here I am now.

Madeleine Cereghino  4:24  

Thank you so much, Claire. Maxxe, I'll ask you to go next,

Maxxe Albert-Deitch  4:33  

of course. So, hello, my name is Maxxe. I'm the new strategic communications and Development Associate. I think my path towards Israel Palestine advocacy... In some ways, it's very, very typical. Given my upbringing and my experience with Jewish youth groups, and most people I know from that space became advocates in some way or another. I grew up reform, I was heavily involved in organizations like NFTY, I did a lot of work with groups like Stand With Us. And it was all very like, this is what your youth group organization run through your temple is telling you to do. Because advocacy is good and social action is important. And I didn't register until like, maybe late high school, that there was a sort of distinct contradiction between how they were talking about social action and advocacy, and how they were also structuring conversations about Israel and Palestine. It's like that planted a seed of doubt. That was just like, Hmm, I should ask more questions about this at some point. Um, fast forward a couple of years to college, I was majoring in history and anthropology and those are courses of study that make you ask a lot of questions. And in a lot of ways, anthropology in particular, like as a discipline, drags people into asking hard questions that I would say, professors don't necessarily like answering. And in my case, I had to look beyond my university for more answers. Which is when I started asking questions about things like borders, and why our borders where they are, and how did displacement happen in these areas, and something to know about me in general, as a person? There's no turn of phrase that I hate more than, Oh, it's because that's just the way it is. I like to ask, "why " a lot. And I kept asking why. And I kept getting told, Oh, it's just the way it is. So I ended up doing my master's in history, continuing to ask questions about border placements, Israel and Palestine. And then academia was very concerned with how did it happen, and I was a little bit more concerned about what's happening now. And so when I graduated with my master's, I came and joined APN. And here I am.

Madeleine Cereghino  6:59  

Well, we're very glad to have you, Maxxe. Ellie, do you mind sharing a little bit about your experience?

Eliana Blumberg  7:05  

Yeah, absolutely. So I'm Ellie Blumberg, I am going to be a junior at Brown in the fall. I'm studying public health and Middle East Studies there. And unlike Claire, and Maxxe, I probably didn't have like, the traditional Jewish upbringing, if that's even a thing. I went to like a very lefty reform Hebrew school as a child, and like, Israel was never really a part of my Jewish education. I knew that my dad's politics were to the left of like most other Jewish adults who I knew, but I didn't really know what that meant. And it wasn't until high school that I really started to thinking about things because you know, as an American Jew, you're in an environment where there aren't very many other Jews, usually you're asked to speak on Israel Palestine, even if you're 13, and have literally no information. And I always was really scared to talk about this stuff, because I felt like I didn't have enough information to really defend my opinion. Um, but fast forward to 2020. I'm supposed to start school in September, but Brown announces that they're not going to bring freshmen back until January in order to make the campus less populated COVID stuff. And I am sitting at home, really just like bored and lonely because all my friends are at college. And I am just like, at home. And I see a Facebook post in like the Hillel student group, talking about a J Street Meeting. And I had vaguely heard of J Street U mostly in relation to their birthright campaign but had very little information and just decided to show up because I had really nothing better to do and got pretty involved saw a talk by Breaking the Silence, which, if you're not familiar, is an organization of former IDF soldiers who speak out about their experience, and was really, really moved by this. Not particularly because it was information that I didn't necessarily know. But I found it really inspiring and that I felt like, what am I talking about? I do have enough information, right? Like, I know that occupation is bad. And it's against international law, and it's being funded with US dollars. And that should be enough information to motivate me to talk about this. Like I shouldn't keep hiding behind the idea that I don't have enough information. So got very involved said yes to things and yeah, so now I'm I'm the New England president of JStreetU. And a National Vice President, and I'm very excited to be interning for APN this summer. So that's a little bit about me.

Madeleine Cereghino  9:51  

Thank you so much. And that is actually the perfect segue into my next question. So well done, Ellie. I do want to talk and we'll get through, you know, the gamut of young adult experiences here. But, you know, something that really strikes me as different between our generations. And certainly the generations preceding mine is the opportunity for progressive pro Israel engagement on college campuses and kind of how much that weaves into people's stories about, you know, how they came to this, you know, for me, I'll date myself, it just wasn't prevalent when I was in college, I graduated a little bit after J Street was born. But certainly, you know, not when J Street U was like, a large presence on campus or any of the other groups for that matter. So, it seems like it's a common entry point into this world now. And my question for you guys is, you know, one, how did that I guess, this is more for Claire and Maxxe but Ellie, please weigh in. I've noticed there's been like a drop off, in formerly engagement in larger organizations upon graduation, where people are very, very involved while they're on campus. And then, after they graduate, it just doesn't seem to be as much of a space for them. So I'm one I'll ask you guys can one dig into a little more of your on campus experience? But to like, what was it like, you know, after Ellie, you can talk about your peers as well, like, how does how does that work? How do people stay involved? And why do you think there may be a drop off?

Claire Davidson Miller  11:36  

I personally found my campus experience around J Street to be a very complex one. Because at the same time, I was the president of our J Street chapter on campus. I was primarily focused on Israel Palestine in my academic studies, and I was in a leadership position at our Hillel. And our Hillel leaned pro Israel, my Middle East Studies classes lean, very pro Palestine. And then J Street found me kind of caught in the middle. And so I think the good thing about college campuses is that they're so unlike when you were in school, I think there's so much infrastructure provided now for different types of engagement, which is something I felt really lucky to have. But when I think back to why I stopped being involved in J Street U partway through my college career, I think I felt a lot of frustration of all the different expectations that were were being put on me by these different groups. So Ellie mentioned that when she started at Brown, she heard Breaking the Silence speak through J Street U is that right? So by contrast, when I was running the Brown's, J Street U chapter, and our Hillel, which J Street was kind of under the hill umbrella, would not approve an event with breaking the silence as part of J Street. And so navigating that as a student, when these were the organizations I was so dependent on was really complicated. I ended up hosting breaking the silence as kind of a private citizen event just out of the common room in my dorm. Which actually kind of ironically made it more popular because a lot of students who were to the left of J Street U and would not have been willing to come to a J Street U branded meeting, really did want to see Breaking the Silence. So we had students come from like Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voices for Peace. So I think that's the really complex aspect of the college atmosphere around Israel Palestine, is that you're at the same time being provided so much infrastructure, but also have to navigate the rules, both written and unwritten, of those institutions. But either way, there's structure there for you. And by contrast, when you graduate, that all kind of goes away. And I think that's something we see in the larger Jewish community of people who, you know, were involved in their Hillels on campus suddenly graduate and are lost. And I think in the Israel Palestine space, even more so. And I, I think, a significant next frontier for us. In the progressive pro Israel space is going to be finding meaningful forms of engagement for young professionals.

Madeleine Cereghino  15:00  

Thank you so much, Claire. Sorry, my dogs started barking. Maxxe. Ellie, do you guys want to weigh in?

Maxxe Albert-Deitch  15:05  

I think, though I agree with most of what Claire was just saying, I think that is the experience for a lot of people our age, I would add on to it that I went to a very, very tiny liberal arts school. I know shocking, I work in a progressive advocacy space, and I went to a tiny liberal arts school. So we didn't necessarily have all of the structure that a larger campus would have something like J Street U, I don't think would have been able to exist at a school as small as mine. But that meant that most of the interest was funneled into groups like Hillel and groups, like Students for Justice in Palestine. And the thing that I think is really key to understanding what goes on in college campuses, I think, is partially how progressive the word progressive ends up being defined to people who are 18, to 22. And the idea of what it means to be progressive and what it means to be involved, I think those are terms that have shifted meaning a little bit in the last five to 10 years. And I think that those are terms that have a very specific meaning on college campuses. So I was a Hillel, Vice President at my university. And I was also really heavily involved in a lot of sort of volunteer organizations on campus. And this is a thing that used to come up as people would say, oh, but I'm progressive. So I don't want to go to any event that's supporting Israel. And like, I have some issues with that statement, for obvious reasons. But I think that there is this idea that in order to fit a certain model of progressivism, or a certain model of liberalism, in a way, like there are certain topics that people either have to pick a side on when they're 18, uninformed and don't know anything, or there's a stance that they have to support no matter what, and navigating that and running multiple groups that were engaged with those topics on different angles of it. That I would say there is not as much institutional support for, and I think that that plays into it as well when people graduate. And all of a sudden, there isn't an institution telling them which side to take on any given issue. And there's so much more information. And there are so many fewer ways to sort of funnel that interest. I think it gets very muddled for a lot of people when they hit their mid 20s. And they're out of college. And there's just nowhere to take that interest and redirect that.

Eliana Blumberg  17:50  

Yeah, I mean, obviously, I don't know, because I am only halfway through and don't know how I'll feel in two years. But I think what Claire mentioned about structure is exactly right. I think that you know, there's this idea that I definitely think about frequently, and a way that I approach sort of this kind of work, which is that college is a really exciting time in people's lives for various various reasons. But one of them in regarding Judaism and regarding Israel Palestine, is that for the first time, you're really, by yourself, you're able to sort of define religiously what Judaism means to you. But you're also separate from the Jewish institutions that you were brought up in, you're separate from your parents for the first time. And that allows you to really have the opportunity to sort of question the narratives that you've been fed your whole life. And I think that a lot of people who are in J Street U that's a way that we justify our involvement in an organization that a lot of us don't necessarily align with, ideologically or politically. I know the joke that like everyone involved in J Street is to the left of J Street, as is a joke, but it's definitely rooted in truth, especially on college campuses. But I think this idea that like in these four years if we can get six or seven people to learn about occupation and learn about sort of the the destruction that AIPAC causes on the American political system, and also how, you know, like the American Jewish community funds occupation, if we can get like six people to graduate and say, You know what, I'm not going to donate to AIPAC. I'm gonna break this, this tradition, quote, unquote, tradition of supporting these Jewish institutions. That's enough, right. Like that's what motivates me to do this because I feel like we really have an opportunity to make people question what they've been taught. I think that you I know that lifelong learning is a thing. And that obviously you continue to learn even once you graduated from college, but I think that when you're in it, it's sort of this. You have this mindset of like, okay, I have four years to change these people's minds. And senior year, you know, if they're still, you know, in the Israel club and like, decide that they're never going to talk to us about their experience or about, you know, Palestine in general, they refuse to say the word occupation that like, it's a lost cause. And, like, there's no point in trying to do this after graduation, which is not true, I think. But I think that definitely is a mindset that contributes to this. And also, like Claire mentioned, doing this work is hard. It's exhausting. Because while yes, J Street U at Brown has like 35 members, which is really exciting and very big. And the Israel club has, like 10 to 15 members, institutionally, Hillel is on their side. Not, you know, and Hillel says they don't take a side, but it feels like we don't, we're not being supported by the Jewish institutions, which makes the work really, really exhausting. And I think after college, a lot of people decide that like, I can't keep doing this, because I just don't have the energy to. So

Claire Davidson Miller  21:20  

yeah, I just have to jump in really quickly and give Ellie like, a huge shout out because when I was running J Street, we also had around 10 to 15 people, and Ellie has not, perhaps not quite single handedly, but like, single handedly more than doubled the size of J Street, which is huge.

Eliana Blumberg  21:44  

Thanks, Claire. If people are presented with the information, they tend to, they tend to be interested in learning more, so just gotta get it to them.

Maxxe Albert-Deitch  21:53  

I kind of want to hop in on that, though, because I think some of it is very campus to campus different, like, I think people on different college campuses and on campuses that align politically in different ways have drastically different experiences on this. Like most of my friends from my university did not stay involved for a lot of the reasons that you just listed. It's exhausting. The communications aspect of it is not something that 18 to 22 year olds are necessarily equipped to deal with I mean, props to both of y'all. But I think my experience at a tiny liberal arts school was different from what the two of you experienced, is, in turn really different from what my friends who ended up at UGA did. I just think in a lot of ways it does come down to that idea of what structures are there and what structures are present. Because I think that it has a lot to do with what options for how that information is presented our in turn presented to you at your University, if that makes sense.

Claire Davidson Miller  23:04  

Yeah, I would actually while we're talking about campus specific stuff, I would love to jump in and also talk about maybe the coolest thing that I got to experience in the Israel Palestine space at Brown, which was a fellowship that our senior rabbi at our hill started, which was called the narrow bridge project, which was a basically a discussion group for Jews of all different political persuasions on campus, specifically regarding Israel, to talk about issues of Zionism of peoplehood, of nationalism, of belonging and of anti semitism. And it the relationships that built between campus groups were was something that was really unprecedented at our school, and I think it many other schools. So not only did it build, like friendly relations between, for example, like leaders of different groups on Israel and Palestine, but it actually made a tangible difference to the way the groups operated. I'm thinking of one time I want to say it was my junior year, when Students for Justice in Palestine, put out a statement that had a sentence in it just one sentence that felt like it was verging on anti semitic. I am not someone who believes that anti Zionism is always anti semitism. But this statement, I don't remember what the sentence was. But it was something that was starting to cross the line. And it was brought to my attention by one of the students in Brown Students for Israel who was in this discussion cohort with me. And they were like, what should We do should we put out a statement should, should we, you know, write an op ed. And I was like, You know what, let me see if we can handle this in another way. And I was able to talk to a friend of mine from this cohort, who was involved in like Jewish, anti Zionist work on campus, who had, you know, built up trust with me through this cohort, discussion cohort, and who had also built up really strong relations with non Jewish anti Zionist students on campus. And through this kind of word of mouth chain, that the narrow bridge project created. We were able to kind of get this message to students for Justice in Palestine without making a scene. They edited their statement, they took out the sentence, and they apologized for, for what they had said. And communicated that they really understood why what they had said, was crossing a line from anti Zionism into anti semitism. And I was just so I felt very, very lucky and very impressed with the way everyone in that situation from brands students, for Israel to Students for Justice in Palestine, was able to handle that, because of those relationships. I'm also in the chat, just gonna drop a little bit of information about that fellowship, because I think it's really special. And they created a wonderful handbook that some of you might enjoy.

Madeleine Cereghino  26:37  

Thank you, Claire, um, before we move on, from kind of the on campus, focus of our conversation so far, it did want to, you know, talk a little bit about, and Claire, you, you touched on this kind of both the left and a right, because I think it's very obvious to everyone who's watching that we're not the most diverse group of panelists, as we are all I'll be kind to myself and say, young woman, or female identifying in, you know, a progressive pro Israel space, all drawn to APN, for a reason. And there's obviously, you know, folks to our left and to our right, on campus and off. And something, you know, that struck me in particular is this recent article written by AIPACs on former president of their on campus arm at UC Berkeley, in Teen Vogue, where she cut ties with AIPAC, mostly, you know, discussing their political work, when we could have whole other webinar related to the AIPAC Pac and all that. So I don't want to go down that rabbit hole. But I do think it's striking, even though the contents of the op ed aren't necessarily a new evolution of thought or new opinions on AIPAC and the detrimental work that they do. But I still think it's really striking that someone's involved in their advocacy, as recently as 2019, would go through this political shift. And I'd love to hear your thoughts on both that shift and how you've kind of seen, you know, the interplay between folks to the right of us and folks to the left on campus.

Eliana Blumberg  28:26  

Yeah, I can speak about that for a little bit. I think that there's definitely a difference when you're obviously when you're talking about groups to the right and groups to the left. And I also will say that Brown is a very politically progressive campus. And I think that like we don't have an AIPAC chapter we have Brown Students for Israel, which calls themselves a nonpartisan Cultural Club. And yeah, so so we had this event last semester, with this organization called Shorashim, or roots, which brings together settlers and Palestinians and brings them together to give talks and do dialogue work. And obviously, just like going down an AIPAC rabbit hole, talking about dialogue, dialogue, or work is also a rabbit hole that that we can get caught in. But I will say that this event drew, it wasn't J Street Sponsored but Hillel had it which was cool that Hillel, it was the first time that Hillel have brought a Palestinian to speak inside of the building. And he was sitting right next to a settler but it was still a big deal. And for the first time, people who sort of had never really felt comfortable listening to Palestinian voices felt comfortable enough because a it was in a Hillel building where they felt safe, and be that this Palestinian was also setting sitting next to this settler. And that made them feel like it was okay that they were engaging in this work and a lot of what the Palestinian guy said, open some, some some of their eyes and I talked to a few friends afterward who were like, wow, like I, you know, I, I heard you guys talking about checkpoints and like never really realized that it really affects people. And so that was a big deal, I think on campus that got some people who had been in very pro Israel bubbles, to sort of question that a little bit. But I will say that in general, when we're talking about movement, it usually happens to the left that we get people to come into a J Street space. And for the first time, they're talking about these things, and realizing, like all the information that's been hidden for them from them for so long, and that slowly they end up moving further to the left of J Street just by being exposed to more information. I think on the right, we see it a lot less frequently, just because on Brown campus specifically. And I think on other smaller, liberal, artsy campuses that lean to the left, there's this mindset among students who identify as Zionist, that they're sort of under attack in this way, and that they really need to sort of stick together. Because it's scary to be a Zionist on campus. And I think that, while not everyone who identifies as a Zionist on campus feels that way, there is a small number of students who do and that sort of mindset that survivalist mindset makes it really, really difficult for people to sort of step out of that bubble and move to the left, or move to the right, I guess. Yeah, but those are my thoughts.

 

Maxxe Albert-Deitch  31:55  

I think my experience with this, again, maybe a little bit different from yours in the sense that, like, I did not go to Brown, I went to super tiny school didn't have access to things like J Street U as a result. I think there are a couple of things that happen. And you did touch on a couple of them. The big one is that, yeah, people are suddenly exposed to information that they did not previously have. I think we've talked a little bit as a group about the whole "summer camp lied to me and now I must question everything" thing that a lot of particularly Jewish students in our age range have gone through. I think there's a pretty big kernel of truth to that, in that I think a lot of people hit college. And they've been raised in a politically progressive ish left leaning arena, but heavily involved in super pro Israel, Jewish organizations. And then all of a sudden, they have a ton of new information, and they have no idea what to do with it. And so they start questioning everything. And yeah, I think that that's absolutely the case with people who are involved in organizations like AIPAC as college kids. It's the idea of suddenly not having to listen to everything that your parents are telling you, and suddenly not having to listen to everything that your summer camp counselor from two years ago said to you. And I think that's, again, not necessarily a new thing. But there's so much more information in there so much more of people talking about it in the last few years. But I don't think it surprises me at all that particularly Trump era to now we're seeing so much more than that, because and Madeleine, you touched a little bit on this in your intro. I'm not gonna say that everybody in our age range is more politically active than that age range would have been 10 years ago, because I don't think that's true. But I would say that there have been a lot of really easy entry points to political activism and to advocacy work between 2016 and now. For people our age, there were advocacy opportunities in high school that were created specifically because of what was going on in 2016. That I think, between that and the way that people our age tend to use the internet, the flow of information looks really, really different 2016 to now than I think it did 10 years ago, or 15 years ago. And that combined with the okay, maybe I do need to take a step back and reflect on why I feel this way about this country that I don't live in. Like I think that that's something that people were forced to grapple with a little bit earlier and a little bit more strongly than might have otherwise been the case.

Madeleine Cereghino  34:46  

Thank you so much, Maxxe. And Ellie and Claire, of course, I want to move on. I think we've spent a good chunk of this conversation talking about on campus, and I just want to move the conversation a little bit to what it looks like. Some more after and, and not just from your experience, but what you've heard. And also, you know, kind of some barriers that you've seen in particular. And Claire, I'm going to ask this of you first, since you were leaving the professional advocacy space, and looking to build your career in the Jewish communal space. And Ellie, I'm not sure what your career aspirations are. But on the off chance, you don't want to do this really, you know, uplifting work professionally. Despite the job security as we like to joke, dark humor is how we get through it. Anyway. I am curious, you know, particularly if you're looking to go into the Jewish communal space, like Claire is would you say, you know, how would you say fear mongering plays a role in your willingness to speak out and engage your peers willingness to speak out, engage in kind of what you see, taking a real stance on this, or how you see it impacting your career prospects?

Claire Davidson Miller  35:55  

Yeah, I can speak for myself, when I honestly say that, I am terrified. Like, I am really scared of what my Israel politics mean, for my career. I am going to school to become a rabbi. And I want to be a pulpit rabbi. And that means that I am going to have to, and I want to be able to be a rabbi for many different types of people, and be able to build trust and build relationships with as many people as I can. But in the Jewish community, there's so often, like a purity test around Israel, that I can see people really refusing to build relationships with me, solely predicated on my Israel politics. And I have a number of friends in rabbinical school who have had similar experiences, and similar fears. I do think the landscape is changing recently, there have been a few open letters from rabbinical students from different seminaries across the country, denouncing the occupation. But it's hard to know sometimes, where people see that line. And I think that I think that there are so many things that can make a job in the Jewish community harder. And I think this really, perhaps tops the list. Because so many people see it as a very black and white issue.

Maxxe Albert-Deitch  37:44  

I think, I mean, most of my professional experience dealing with this is in academia, but like grad school, publishing, academic conference, academia, where those are things that my paycheck and my stipend were absolutely dependent on. And yes, the reason I left like I can say that fundamentally, it is the reason why I said I wasn't going to do a PhD, was because there were conferences that I was informed that the reason I wasn't going to be invited was because of what I was publishing on. And the fact that I have very, I think, well, I backed thoughts on this particular issue. And I was backing it up with research, I was backing it up with interviews, I was backing it up with conversations. But because of the stance that I was taking, I was told several times over, like, Okay, your research is solid, but we won't publish you, or your research is solid, but you can't present at this conference, you can submit your paper, but it will not be selected. And like that, I think is a really, I'm not gonna say it's a really common thing, because it's not like there are that many people doing that research in that space to begin with. But it is absolutely a struggle as far as people doing this work run into.

Madeleine Cereghino  38:59  

Ellie, if you want to weigh on this, go ahead. If you don't, I know I didn't know what I was going to do with my future when I was at that point in college. So I don't think anyone would fault you if you don't want to. Okay, awesome. Awesome. Okay. All right, I'm gonna move on to something that is, had a really big presence among my generation. And certainly, I don't know how much of a presence it has for you guys, to be honest. But from my perspective, when it comes to talking about young adult engagement on Israel, Palestine, I'd be remiss to not bring up birthright cards on the table. I went on a birthright trip. Almost exactly 10 years ago, I'd had zero involvement similar to Ellie in the Jewish community growing up. Like Maxxe, I was in a small school, there was no on campus ad like activism. I really just had nothing to do it. I was working In DC, and doing government affairs on totally unrelated things, and just did not engage on this, but I also had no money and wanted a free trip. So there I went onto this birthright trip. And, you know, actually credit it for getting me involved. I've now been working in this space for over eight years. And that's really due to the inequities that I saw that they, you know, failed to hide from us despite their best efforts. And some of the incredibly biased and racist talking points that really drove me to want to get involved and want to take into this further. But I remember feeling really alone politically on my trip. It seems like that's changed. And there's been a growing number of other younger millennials or Gen Zers, who are declining to go on birthright trips, or organizing their fellow trip participants to push back against the narrative and arrange to see parts of the occupation for themselves. So first off, have either any of you three been on our birthright trip? Why are we not? And have you seen this kind of shift in perspective on birthright among your peers?

Maxxe Albert-Deitch  41:14  

I can jump in on this one. So I will say first of all, yeah, I went on a birthright trip. My trip was, I would say pretty atypical in that it had a built in extension that was academically inclined, I went specifically for the purpose of getting an archaeology  certificate degree. And it was built into my program that it was involved with Hebrew University. And so like it had most of the typical, like birthright checklist items. But it was because of the qualifications that the people leading it had to have, in archaeology and academics, they were really limited on who they could pick from. And they ended up giving us people who politically I don't think we're exactly in line with other birthright trip organizers. In other words, they were even worse at hiding most of the inequities that were going on around us, because they were actively pointing that out instead. And that, I think, is because they had like a couple of PhD students tagging along, who didn't have nearly as many restrictions on what they were and were not allowed to say, it was great. That said, my birthright trip was absolutely the key event that got me involved in this kind of advocacy. And in the kinds of questions that I was asking. I wrote my grad school personal statement on this, my statement of purpose had to do with this, it was literally, we went to Masada, it was a whole thing, made the whole big day out of it. And we got to the top and we started talking about the archaeology of the site. And I started asking questions, and they kept telling me, oh, we don't know or, well, the archaeological report says this. And if you asked about what about people who lived here, between, you know, this period of time and that period of time, oh, we don't know, oh, there was no one there. And like, that's not true. Like we do know, and it wasn't empty. And I was really dissatisfied with that. So I started doing my own research on it. I am now three published papers on that subjects later working in advocacy space, because I didn't like being told it's just the way it is, or we don't know, because like, that wasn't true. And I did not like that. And I think that the people on my trip were similarly inclined, partially because it was a bunch of people who were involved in anthropology and archaeology, and asking those kinds of questions. But again, my trip super atypical in that regard.

Claire Davidson Miller  43:50  

I love, Maxxe, that you really framed it around your trip leaders. Because my perhaps unpopular opinion about birthright, is that birthright's number one problem is not actually its political leanings, but is its lack of like, any sort of real screening process qualifications, or like control of the trip leaders, because everyone I speak to has had a completely different experience with their trip leaders. I personally found my grocery trip to be completely meaningless. I went on a birthright trip much younger than most people. I was 18 right out of high school, but like I said, I had been really involved, had gotten myself involved in Israel Palestine, stuff from the age of like 14 or 15. And I kind of went on my birthright trip. expecting to have disagreements with people about Israel Palestine, but to have a meaningful Jewish experience. And I had neither of those things, not only, like, not only was known, like not only two people had like, bad politics, but nobody wanted to engage politically at all, no one wanted to engage politically Jewishly, religiously, spiritually, with anything we were seeing. Everyone, including our trip leaders just wanted to go get drunk in Tel Aviv. And so I think like, what, what birth rate actually did kind of open my eyes two is the number of people who would consider themselves to be like pro Israel and love Israel, but really are just like treating Israel as like their private party land. You know, college students between 18 and 21, who can drink in Israel legally, but not in the United States, and who just want to drink and go to clubs and go to the beaches in Tel Aviv. And I think one thing it did for me because of that was making me realize how important it is to have a real and a deep connection to Israel, whatever form that connection takes to be willing to study and learn and engage with the complexity. Because I did not want someone to look at me and think I was like, a vapid airhead. The way I felt about most of my trip, and especially my trip leaders, who were in no way qualified to be there and should not have been there. So I think birthright has has quite a few changes to make.

Madeleine Cereghino  46:51  

And not just politically. So Ellie, I saw you excited to jump in before you do. Um, I just want to throw this out there. And then Ellie, you can answer this as well. And Claire and Maxxe, please do. But to Claire's point about AIPAC- birthright. I said AIPAC Freudian slip birthright's problem, really stemming from a lack of consistency in, you know, trip leaders, I would posit that, I think if they were consistent and be consistently bad from the way I've seen this itinerary structured, and kind of the obviously clear objectives that are beyond just a Jewish connection to Israel, but you know, have serious political roots. So, Ellie, if you wouldn't mind starting out addressing that. And then of course, going to everything else you want to say, and then Claire, Maxxe, you could add on to that.

Eliana Blumberg  47:49  

Yeah, so I have not gone on a birthright trip. And I am not going to go on a birthright trip. I've made the decision that I am not going to go. I think that there's this sort of mindset among other progressive Jews that like, yeah, like, it's not going to work on me, like, I'll go, and I'll take advantage of this free trip and the political alignment of the trip, or the like political goal of the trip is not going to work on me. And I'll just have a good time. And I think that I had some friends who went on a birthright trip through Brown, like last month, and came back and talked about their leaders and how, I guess, the Brown contingent has become notorious for asking challenging questions. And so no one wants to be the tour guide for that group. And my friend who was talking about this was very, very proud of this fact. That, you know, like, no one wants to give us tours, because like, we're so rebellious. And like, we want to ask the questions and like, we want to get to the bottom of this. And it became, it became clear that like, part of the excitement of going was in that like, we want to like, challenge the institution, and we want to go but like, we don't want to have a good time, or like we want to go but we want to, we want to like make it clear that we're not going to fall for it. We're not going to drink the Kool Aid. And I don't know how I feel about that. This is actually something that I've been thinking about a lot since I had this conversation with my friend. But I think that I've decided that that also is not a good enough reason to go. I think that there are enough things that I am upset about, regarding Israel and birthright's goal, that I don't think that it will enrich my religious life in any way. And I think that that's not the goal of the trip, even if, you know they claim that the goal of the trip is to get more in touch with your Judaism and to meet other Jewish youth like, I can do that here in a lot of different ways that don't involve me, sort of normalizing the current political situation and occupation and the fact that while I, even though my ancestors came to America before world war two and you know, have have never really had any specific connection with the State of Israel, that I have more right to go than a Palestinian whose grandparents were born there, that really upsets me. And so I think that for that reason, I decided that it's not, it's not gonna happen.

Madeleine Cereghino  50:43  

Claire, Maxxe, to either of you want to add anything more on this?

Maxxe Albert-Deitch  50:50  

I just want to echo something that both Claire and Ellie have mentioned, which is that, I mean, okay, first off, we all know birthrights a propaganda trip, right, like in every possible way. But I think beyond that, I don't think I know anybody who's actually had a birthright trip truly enhance their Judaism in any way. Like anybody who feels that really strong, deeper into connection to Israel was already going to go and probably did So earlier on a trip that would disqualify them from going on birthright in the first place. Anybody who's in a position, like, I was like, I didn't go for the Judaism, I went, because I wanted an archaeology certificate degree, like I was going because I cared about the history. And that was true for every single person on my trip, with one exception, who wanted to party and have a good time, it was very upset that there was schoolwork involved. Like, very upset was the whole thing. But I don't think I know anybody who's had a birthright trip really enhanced their religious experience and their religious connection to Israel. And I don't know exactly where I'm going with this. But I think that that's something that deserves a little bit more thought than I tend to give it on a regular basis.

Claire Davidson Miller  52:08  

But one thing that I do want to say sorry, Madeline, very quickly, before we wrap up the birthright conversation is I just want to like, really quickly, like, flag. US I'll say my for an out my own financial privilege and and many people's financial privilege that like, not everyone will have an opportunity to go to Israel, not on birthright and might actually be able to really take advantage of that free trip and that free flight. And to me thinking now, when I go on birthright? For me, that wouldn't be a good enough reason. And if I had to make the decision again, I would not go on birthright. But I also recognize that financially speaking, that decision looks different for everyone. And that's why while I might counsel people about, you know, the dangers and the problems with birthright, or encourage them, perhaps not to go if they have another option. I don't think that I would like flat out tell someone do not participate in birthright.

Madeleine Cereghino  53:27  

Fair point. Um, okay. So I know we're running short on time. So and I understand that some folks join this hoping to kind of get a vision for the future and hear how you guys think as well. So we'll end this on what I hope will be an optimistic note, but I have a feeling will not end up being so I'll just throw this out here. But what and this is a question from the q&a, but given, you know, everything that's going on Israel Palestine, I mean, even the United States is engaged in it. So how do you envision a solution to the conflict? Short question.

Maxxe Albert-Deitch  54:13  

So I've said this before, I think to most of you guys individually, I'll say it again. I think my answer to that looked a whole lot different before Russia did certain things that Russia recently did. And I think that my answer to this looks different a few years ago before, I mean, looks different a few days ago before the Israeli government did what the Israeli government did. But I think a functional solution and a solution that we're actually going to see aren't necessarily the same thing. I think a solution that I envision is not necessarily the same as a functional solution or a solution that we're going to see. I personally would very much like to see a two state solution with a shared Jerusalem and people getting along and acknowledging similarities over thier differences? Because, you know, those are ideals that I believe in really strongly. And I mean, even just leaning into my own Jewish values, I think the path to tikkun olam, at least where Israel and Palestine are concerned, involves people having actual honest to goodness conversations with each other. I also don't know how likely that is I, I want to believe that that is a possibility, and that it's something that can happen in the next, you know, short term period of time. That said, I'm also not unaware of global politics. I'm not unaware of Israel's history. And so I don't know, I think those distinctions between what I want and what might happen are something that I sort of have to constantly keep myself aware of.

Eliana Blumberg  55:53  

Yeah, this is a tough question. And I think one that I part of being involved in, in JStreet U, is that I have a lot of one on one conversations with people to like, get to know them and get to know their backgrounds and like, try to get them involved. And this is the question that I get very frequently. And I think my answer is that, like, we're not even in a place where we can start to think about that. And maybe that's me being like, I can't even really visualize a solution right now. Maybe that's me, like avoiding the conversation, the question. But I think that that's kind of true, that we're in a position right now, where something has to change, or this is going to continue and something's gonna something's gonna break. Like, I really hope to God that, you know, that the the history will, you know, play out and that it will, you know, and in justice and that that will happen soon. But I don't know what that soon means. I know, people talk about like a confederation instead of a two state solution. That's like the thing that people are talking about. You know, Peter Beinart is a fan of that. But yeah, I think so I think that's like sort of what I guess I envision when I think about this, but I think that my answer is that we still have a lot of work to do before we can even think about that. And that's not just like Israeli government work, you know, that's like American public work. Like we have to educate people. And we have to get people to realize that we are funding occupation, and that we need to stop. And we need to tell Israel that like, you can't keep doing this, we need to stand up to them, and let them know that like, you know, they should take us seriously because we actually care about human rights. And we care about justice. And, you know, how I feel about, you know, Zionism aside, right, like, this is a human rights issue. And I think that that's what brings a lot of young people in my generation to this work is that this is a human rights issue. And it's hard to think of a solution right now, when there are so many violations every single day, and so many lives are being affected by this, and that we can really, really do something to change that. And that right now, nothing's happening. So sorry, got a little fired up. But yeah.

Claire Davidson Miller  58:20  

Do not apologize. That was, I think, fantastic. And I think is very in line also, with what I'm thinking, um, you know, intellectually, I love to play around in my head with the idea of a confederation. But politically, sociologically, like that is not the reality on the ground right now. And I think that asking for a solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict at this point is like, asking for a solution to like the dispossession of like Native American land, create the United States of America, you know, it happened, it's done. We're not going to like solve the problems or solve the inequalities or solve the racism that has already been perpetrated. In my mind, it's more of a where do we go from here? And I can tell you what I envision my role in it to be like, I see myself as someone who is going to be working on this issue in the Jewish community and trying to move the needle within the Jewish community and, and help educate Jewish Americans in about what's actually happening, as Ellie said, on the ground regarding the human rights of Palestinians. But what that hopefully eventually one day leads to I don't know. And I will say to you now as a 23 year old that I fear it will not happen in my lifetime. I do not expect it to happen in my lifetime. But that doesn't mean we can't make some sort of change.

Madeleine Cereghino  59:53  

 So I promised that was the last question, but I broke my promises. But we've gotten used to broken promises on this issue. So, um, final question. Speaking of working on this issue, speaking of working on, you know, kind of making progress without an end in sight, I want to ask each of you concisely, because we are out of time, in what way has your involvement with APN served your passion on this issue.

Maxxe Albert-Deitch  1:00:28  

So, I've only been here for like, three weeks, I am brand new. But I can at least talk a good bit about why I gravitated to APN in the first place, and like why I sent in an application? I think there's a lot of misinformation about Israel and Palestine. And I think that there's a big fat question about what can Americans do when it comes down to a conflict that let's face it is a lot of miles away. And APN had answers to a lot of that for me in that, what can we do? We can talk to members of Congress about what the US government is doing in this situation for which we do have some partial responsibility. Yeah. You know, we can raise awareness, we can talk to people about the nuance of the issues. And I think that a lot of particularly progressive, or Jewish organizations feel the need to be one or the other of those things, progressive or Jewish. And APN is one of the few that, like, didn't find those two things in total binary opposition to one another. And I found that really important.

Eliana Blumberg  1:01:43  

Yeah. I think that, in talking about this issue, people get so caught up with the language we use. That was something that struck me immediately from like my first J Street Meeting at Brown when they were planning this breaking the silence event. And we had five meetings about the language we were allowed to use on the Facebook post, if Hillel were to put their name behind it. Which I thought was ridiculous. Like, we couldn't use the word occupation, we had to use the word, continued military presence. And we had to frame it in a very specific way. And it was, I thought it was hilarious, honestly, because I was like, What is going on? But then I thought about it more than it's kind of inferiorating, inferiorrarting infuriating, you know, the word. Yeah. And I think that that happens all the time in this work, is that we care so much about the language that we forget sort of what we're actually doing, and love, love J Street U J Street U got me involved in this. But I think that that's something that I get really frustrated with J Street is that it feels a lot like we are making compromises to on things that we don't need to be making compromises on like, I get that, you know, politically, politicians are not in a place where we can use certain language to talk about this stuff. Because just people won't listen, or things won't get done. But I think that what APN does really well, is they acknowledge that sometimes we do have to come out and say, you know, like, yeah, the Amnesty report was very controversial, but like, we need to focus on what's going on in that report, and not the language that was used. And we shouldn't get distracted by that. So I think that's one example of why I like APN so much is that it feels like a place where we're getting stuff done. And we're being practical, without compromising our our views. So, yeah.

Claire Davidson Miller  1:03:51  

Yeah, I think that APN has given me a really good lesson on how to operate strategically, with and both the Jewish community and the political, the various political fields, while also staying true and honest, to my beliefs and to what's right.

Madeleine Cereghino  1:04:22  

All right. Well, thank you all so much. I appreciate speaking of staying true and honest and speaking the truth. I appreciate you all, you know, being open and vulnerable with us. Especially really with you know, those kinds of concerns Claire you elucidated earlier, we are well over time, so I apologize to everyone who's stuck it out, but I'm going to wrap it here. Thank you so much for joining us. As a reminder, this will be on our YouTube page and as well on our peace cast podcast. So thank you so much for joining Claire, Maxxe, Ellie, and to all of our listeners. Take care.

Claire Davidson Miller  1:04:59  

Thanks, Madeleine.

Action Alert- Urge your Member of Congress to Speak Out Against Settlement Construction in E-1

Last fall we wrote to you warning of Israel’s plans to build in the area known as E-1. These plans have been called “doomsday settlements” because they  pose an irreconcilable challenge to a lasting peaceful solution between Israel and the Palestinians by threatening the territorial contiguity necessary for a viable Palestinian state. We asked you to contact your member of Congress to urge them to push the Biden administration to weigh in and use diplomatic pressure to halt Israel’s approval process of E-1 settlements. With your help, we bolstered congressional support for United States opposition to E-1 settlement construction and the Biden administration successfully pressured the Israeli government. In a rare move, the Israeli government publicly acknowledged the United States’ message and indefinitely postponed these plans.

Unfortunately, Israel has recently announced plans to move ahead with E-1 settlements once again, scheduling the final hearing on the objections to the project for July 18th, just days after the President’s planned visit.

We need your help again, and we’re running out of time. Congress must reiterate its opposition to settlement construction in E-1. The Biden administration must use every diplomatic tool at its disposal to prevent these devastating plans and ensure that this time, the message sticks.

Click here to ask your member of Congress to join Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) in urging the State Department to say no to settlement construction in E-1:

Take Action

Americans for Peace Now welcomes a new Senate letter urging the Biden administration to launch an independent investigation into the death of Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American journalist killed while reporting for Al-Jazeera in the West Bank town of Jenin on May 11th.

Led by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), 24 Senators are adding their voices to last month’s request by 57 Members of the House of Representatives that the State Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) launch an investigation into Ms. Abu Akleh’s killing.

Continue reading

What's Happening in Israel? Explaining The Election

Q: What happened? 

A: Last week, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister/Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid announced that they would dissolve the government. This Wednesday, the Israeli Knesset voted unanimously to dissolve the current governing coalition, bringing Israelis to their fifth election in less than four years. The government is expected to be officially dissolved early next week. 

 

Q: Why?

A: There are a few different explanations for this government’s failure to fulfill its four-year term, but all of them boil down to the fragility of the current coalition as the result of its ideological diversity. The coalition was initially formed by eight disparate parties in a bid to oust former Prime Minister Netanyahu from power. The common cause was enough to bring ideological rivals together, but the cracks quickly started to show. 

 

As violence flared across Israel and the West Bank this spring, tensions within the coalition became increasingly evident: nothing brings out the irreconcilable differences between left-wing and right-wing ideology in Israel like flares of violence. Additionally, two right-wing Members of Knesset recently defected from the governing coalition, under pressure from Netanyahu’s opposition. These surprising departures did away with the governing coalition’s narrow majority, leaving the Knesset with an even 60-60 split between the governing coalition and the opposition. 

 

The final straw came this month, with a vote on extending by another five years the regulations that apply Israeli civilian law to Israeli citizens who live in the occupied West Bank (settlers), while maintaining military law over their Palestinian neighbors. An Arab-Israeli Meretz MK, Rinawie Zoabi, left the coalition over this vote, leaving it in a 59-61 minority, though she ultimately returned. Several Palestinian members of the coalition refused to vote to maintain this system of inequality, and as a result, Prime Minister Bennett (himself a former leader of the settler movement) to dissolve the government, in an effort to delay the final vote on this bill. 

 

Q: After three other recent government dissolutions, why is this one notable?

A: While there are many factors that contributed to the current government’s collapse, it is undeniable that the Occupation was the final straw. It was simply impossible for a coalition with settlers, left-wingers, and Palestinian citizens of Israel to come to an agreement about the apartheid-like situation in the West Bank, whereby Israelis and Palestinians live under two different legal codes. Often, Israeli politicians try to dismiss the issue of the Occupation, suggesting that it is not as important as other matters plaguing the country, and therefore can wait to be solved. This government’s dissolution reaffirms what we at APN already knew: Even if you try to evade it, as this outgoing coalition tried to do, the Occupation will come back to haunt you. It is the chief problem plaguing Israel. It cannot and should not be put on hold. It must be addressed.   

 

Q: What happens next?

A: When the government is officially dissolved, current Minister of Foreign Affairs and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid will replace Bennett as the Prime Minister. Lapid is a member of the centrist Yesh Atid party. His rotating premiership agreement with Bennett was one of the chief conditions for the current coalition. This arrangement will last until elections are held and a new government is formed, with the elections likely in November. 

 

Q: Will Netanyahu return to power at the next election?

A: According to four public opinion polls conducted on Tuesday, neither the pro-Netanyahu bloc nor the current coalition parties are projected to have a majority to form a new coalition government. That being said, Netanyahu is the clear frontrunner. Yes, you read that correctly: a plurality of Israelis (48% according to one of the polls) currently consider Netanyahu to be their best candidate for Prime Minister, despite the fact that he is currently on trial for corruption.

 

Legislative Round-Up: June 17, 2022

Produced by the Foundation for Middle East Peace in cooperation with Americans for Peace Now, where the Legislative Round-Up was conceived.

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1. Bills, Resolutions, Letters
2. Hearings
3. On the Record

1. Bills, Resolutions & Letters

(IN THE FY23 NDAA — LEVERAGING ABRAHAM ACCORDS TO PROMOTE REGIONAL ANTI-IRAN “DEFENSE ARCHITECTURE”) S. XXXX: On 6/17/22, Jewish Insider reported: “The National Defense Authorization Act draft finalized by the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday includes the Abraham Accords Caucus’ DEFEND Act [HR 7987 & S. 4366, covered in detail in last week’s Round-Up], which orders the secretary of defense to explore creating an integrated Middle East air- and missile-defense infrastructure that includes Israel and numerous Arab states.” Stay tuned for next week’s Round-Up for full analysis of Israel/Middle East-related elements in the Senate Armed Services Committee’s draft of the FY23 NDAA legislation. Also see:

(TARGETING UN COMMISSION OF INQUIRY ON ISRAEL) S. 4389 (text): Introduced 6/14 by Scott (R-SC) and Rosen (D-NV) [and no other cosponsors], “the Commission of Inquiry (COI) Elimination Act,” aka, “A bill to provide for the abolition of certain United Nations groups, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. The bill — which is similar but not identical to HR 7223 (introduced in the House back on 3/24/22, and currently having 34 cosponsors — see the 3/25/22 and  4/1/22 editions of the Round-Up for details) would withhold from the US contribution to the UNHRC “25 percent of the amount budgeted for the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel, unless the Secretary of State submits to Congress a certification that the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel has been abolished.” Also see:

  • Scott press release (which among other things notes: “The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) supports this legislation.” Also see: AIPAC tweet
  • Scott (R-SC) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “While brutal dictators commit human rights violations with impunity across the globe, the UN Human Rights Council is unjustly targeting Israel—the Middle East’s only democracy. @SenJackyRosen & I are working to stop the discriminatory UNHRC investigation”
  • Rosen (D-NV) 06/14/2022: Twitter thread – “The @UN_HRC Commission of Inquiry unfairly holds Israel to a standard not imposed on any other country, does nothing to advance the prospects for peace between Israel and Palestinians, and undermines their credibility to investigate human rights violations around the world. We must oppose biased attacks against Israel, which is why @SenatorTimScott and I are introducing a bipartisan bill to make it U.S. policy to work to abolish this one-sided Commission.
  • NOTE: Jewish Insider published a piece 6/15/22 putting the spotlight on HR 7223 (suggesting that the bill is picking up steam in terms of support and noting that AIPAC this week is holding its first in-person National Council meeting in Washington since the start of the pandemic.  JI reported: “AIPAC-affiliated activists are on Capitol Hill this week to lobby more than 300 congressional offices on several measures, including the COI Elimination Act, an individual familiar with the matter told JI.”
  • Notably, as of this writing (at 2:25pm on 6/17/22) and following days of AIPAC lobbying, HR 7223 has 49 cosponsors – 40 Republicans, 9 Democrats; the Senate version hasn’t yet picked up any cosponsors).
  • Joining AIPAC in pressuring on this issue, FDD had an op-ed in the New York Post 6/14/22: The UN continues Israel-bashing after Biden promised to stop it

(US-ISRAEL DRONE COOPERATION) S. 4397: Introduced 6/14/22 by Lankford (R-OK) and having no cosponsors, the “Strengthening Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations (C-UAS) Partnerships Act.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Per Lankford’s press release, this is legislation to authorize the Secretary of Defense to bolster our work with our allies and increase training capacity in counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) with partners like Israel who also lead in this area.” [Note: this sure looks like something that is being introduced for the purposes of being added to the NDAA].

(TARGETING FOREIGN INFLUENCE) HR 8106: Introduced 6/16/22 by Golden (D-ME), Gosar (R-AZ), Porter (D-CA) and Gooden (R-TX), the “Fighting Foreign Influence Act.” Per the press release summarizing the legislation, this bill would (a) require tax-exempt organizations, including think tanks, to publicly disclose any high-dollar gifts from foreign governments or foreign political parties. It then directs the Treasury Department to publish the total amount of such contributions from each foreign government and each foreign political party”; (b) “impose a lifetime ban on former senior U.S. military officers, presidents, vice presidents, other senior executive branch officials, and members of Congress from ever lobbying for a foreign principal”; and (c) require political campaigns to verify that anyone making an online contribution has a valid US address (using credit cards’ three-digit CVV code) or are otherwise legally eligible to make a campaign contribution. This title would also prohibit foreign agents from fundraising for political campaigns.” The explanation for why this bill is necessary specifically mentions the current drama around alleged illegal lobbying on behalf of Qatar by John Allen (retired 4-star Marine general). Referred to the Committee on House Administration, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary Committee.  Also see:

(SHUT DOWN USAID – BUT WITH NOD TO ISRAEL) Rand Paul amdt to HR 3967 (text): This week the Senate continued its work on HR 3967, the “Honoring our PACT Act of 2021.” As noted in last week’s Round-Up, this is a bill that (per the official summary) “addresses health care, presumption of service-connection, research, resources, and other matters related to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during military service.” And again this week, Sen. Paul (R-KY) offered re-upped an amendment to add a provision stating: “During the 10-year period beginning on October 1, 2022, no Federal funds may be expended by the United States Agency for International Development other than funds that have been appropriated for Israel” — this time, seeking to add it to the amendment-in-the-nature-of-a-substitute that in effect was replacing the entire bill. Once again for the record: The government of Israel does not receive any USAID funding. It receives Foreign Military Financing, a small amount of Migration and Refugee Assistance, and additional funds via the Defense Appropriations bill. Yes, there is funding via USAID for “shared society” projects involving Israeli and Palestinians groups, under the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA), but that funding is not appropriated for Israel.” So once again: Paul is giving a nod to support for non-existent Israel aid as cover for an effort to shut down USAID worldwide.

(SOMALILAND VS IRAN) S. 3861: Introduced 3/17/22 by Risch (R-ID) and having 3 cosponsors (including 1 Democrat), the “Somaliland Partnership Act.” Reported out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee 6/14/22. Notably, the bill requires a report to Congress assessing (among other things), the extent to which Somaliland could “counter Iran’s presence in the Gulf of Aden and China’s growing regional military presence.”

LETTERS

(DON’T DOWNGRADE PENTAGON ENGAGEMENT WITH PALESTINIANS) Ossoff-Graham et al letter to SecDef: On 6/17/22, Sens. Ossoff (D-GA) and Graham (R-SC) led a letter, co-signed by 28 Senate colleagues (bipartisan), to SecDef Austin. The letter urges that “that the United States Security Coordinator (USSC) for Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Jerusalem remain an officer of three-star rank and not be downgraded below that level.” The letter states: “The USSC coordinates multilateral efforts toward peace and stability and serves as a critical liaison between Israeli and PA security forces. Downgrading this position would undermine U.S. leadership and credibility in a region where it is essential to have a high-ranking officer who can engage with other nations’ highest-level military leaders.” Recognizing that such downgrading may be driven by a requirement from Congress to reduce the aggregate number of flag and general officers, the letter also states “we urge you not to downgrade this position at a time when U.S. leadership in the region is critical, and we stand ready to work with you to amend the law as necessary to support this vital policy objective.” Also see:

(DON’T DOWNGRADE PENTAGON ENGAGEMENT WITH PALESTINIANS) Lankford letter to SecDef: On 6/16/22, Sen. Lankford (R-OK) sent a (lengthy) letter to SecDef Austin to voice his “strong support for the ongoing mission of the Office of the United States Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority (USSC) in Jerusalem, and to urge that the position continue to be filled by a general and flag officer (GFO).” Lankford also noted: “While I understand the congressionally-mandated requirement to reduce the number of active duty GFOs by 2023 per the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act and appreciate the difficult choices as a result, the USSC is critical to Israeli security, U.S. interests in the Middle East, and stability in the region. I am concerned that downgrading the USSC’s rank will weaken the USSC’s mission and imperil U.S. security interests in the Middle East.” Also see: press release

(MIDDLE EAST ORIGIN IN US CENSUS) Maloney-Tlaib letter to heads of OMB & Census Bureau: On 6/14/22, Rep. Maloney (D-NY), Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. Tlaib (D-MI), member of that same committee, led a letter – signed by 16 other members of the Oversight Committee (all Democrats) – to Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Shalanda Young, and Director of the US Census Bureau Robert Santos. The letter asks OMB and the Census Bureau to “end the longstanding erasure of a group of our fellow Americans by adding the Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) response category to the decennial census and the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) standards for federal data on race and ethnicity. This long-overdue action would reverse a baseless decision by the Trump Administration—which overruled the Census Bureau’s recommendation to add a MENA category—and would ensure that this vibrant American community can receive crucial federal resources and support.” The letter also asks that “inclusion of a MENA category be paired with a commensurate increase in funding for programs serving the needs of communities of color across the country, since members of the Middle Eastern and North African community were previously excluded from these programs.” Also see:

2. Hearings

June 22, 2022: The House Appropriations Committee’s State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee will hold a markup of the FY 2023 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill (aka, SFOPS).

June 22, 2022: The House Foreaign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Global Counterterrorism will hold a hearing entitled, Examining the U.S. Interest in Regional Security Cooperation in the Middle East and North Africa: Opportunities, Obstacles, and Objectives.” Scheduled witnesses (so far) will be: Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf; and Acting Assistant USAID Administrator for the Middle East Andrew Plitt.

June 22, 2022: The House Armed Services Committee will hold a mark-up of the FY23 Defense Authorization bill (HR 7900) (following subcommittee markups June 8-9, 2022).

June 13 & June 16, 2022: The Senate Armed Services Committee held CLOSED mark-ups (Round 1 – subcommittees; Round 2 – full committee) of the FY23 Defense Authorization Bill.

June 16, 2022: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing to consider the nominations by President Biden of several individuals to Middle East-related positions: Tamara Cofman Wittes to be a USAID Assistant Administrator – nominated almost a year ago but stalled by SFRC Republicans (testimony); Michael Ratney to be US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (testimony); and Timmy Davis to be US Ambassador to Qatar (testimony). Also see:

  • hearing video.
  • Notably, the Committee’s questions included significant focus on questioning Wittes’ views on the Abraham Accords and getting her, on the record, to attest to her total support for the Accords and her commitment to expanding them. She was also asked about the current controversy regarding Brookings (and whether she believed Qatar had influenced her work or the work of other Brookings scholars). Ratney was also asked for his views and the policies of the Biden Administration with respect to Saudi Arabia and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
  • Of special note: starting at 1:29:15 in the hearing, Sen. Cruz (R-TX) suggested that “the Democratic majority of this committee may have inadvertently convened a hearing on the profound anti-Israel bias of the Biden administration.” He then went on to aggressively attack both Ratney and Wittes. With respect to Ratney, Cruz picked up on a question/accusation from Sen. Hagerty, R-TN that Ratney was personally responsible for US funding going to an Israeli NGO that allegedly engaged in some political activities against then-Prime Minister Netanyahu, including stating, “it is one thing for Mr. Ratney to fund campaigns against the sitting prime minister of Israel”. He then launched a lengthy attack against Wittes: (a) arguing that her previous employment by Brookings and her work funded there by Qatar renders her untrustworthy as a steward of US aid/taxpayer funding — and in effect suggesting that even if she had nothing to do with that, the fact that her work was in part funded by Qatar is enough to render her unfit to serve; (b) attacking her views on the Abraham Accords (including calling her record on the Abraham Accords was “stunning”); and (c) attacking her for an alleged past statement regarding Egyptian president Sissi. He concluded (after dismissing all of her responses) by stating: “It is really stunning, the anti-Israel bias of senior nominees in this administration and it is inconsistent both with American national security interest and with standing with our friend and ally the state of Israel.”
  • Also see: USAID nominee Wittes says past skepticism over Abraham Accords was ‘wrong’ (Jewish Insider 6/17/22); ‘Funded by a Foreign Nation Who Is Not Our Friend’: Cruz Blasts Biden USAID Nominee for Taking Money From Qatar (Washington Free Beacon 6/16/22); In Biden Aid Nominee, Repressive Gulf Monarchy Found Enthusiastic Ally (Washington Free Beacon 6/15/22)
  • Cruz (R-TX) 06/16/2022: Retweet of @FreeBeacon – “Sen. Ted Cruz blasted a Biden USAID nominee for taking money from Qatar. Tamara Cofman Wittes is “funded by a foreign nation who is not our friend,” @tedcruz said during Wittes’ Senate confirmation hearing. Via @alanagoodman Republicans Blast Biden Aid Nominee for Qatar Work… | freebeacon.com

June 15, 2022: The House Homeland Security Committee held a hearing entitled, Current Status of ISIS and al Qaeda.”  Witnesses were: Samantha Vinograd, US Department of Homeland Security (statement not available); Karen Dowling, Directorate of Intelligence, National Counterterrorism Center (statement not available); and Timothy Langan, Federal Bureau of Investigation (statement not available). Also see: hearing video; opening statements – Chairwoman Slotkin (D-MI), Thompson (D-MS), Pfluger (R-TX)

June 15, 2022: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a CLOSED/Classified (TS/SCI) briefing, Update on Iran’s Nuclear Program and U.S. Strategy. Briefers were: Brett McGurk (NSC/Deputy Assistant to the President & North Africa Coordinator); Robert Malley (State Department Special Envoy for Iran); and “Official Briefer” (Office of the Director of National Intelligence). Also see: Senators skeptical an Iran deal will happen following latest classified briefing (Jewish Insider 6/16/22); Iran sanctions could tighten if nuclear talks fade, Biden admin officials tell senators (Politico 6/16/22)

3. On the Record

Media – General

The Guardian 6/16/22: Key Democrat warns of major security risk if US firm acquires NSO hacking code

Washington Free Beacon 6/15/22: From Peace Deal to Military Pact: Congress Wants Israel, Arab Allies To Unite Against Iran

Israel Hayom 6/13/22: Senate Foreign Affairs Committee approves Stop Iranian Drones Act

Jewish News Syndicate 6/12/22: Senate Foreign Affairs Committee approves Stop Iranian Drones Act

Jewish Press 6/12/22: 2 US Senators, 4 Congress Members Condemn ‘The Mapping Project’

Haaretz 6/12/22: Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey Condemn BDS Group Project Mapping Boston Jewish Orgs

Times of Israel 6/11/22: Democrats, including Pressley, condemn pro-Palestinian mapping Boston Jewish groups

 

Media & Members – Elections

 

General

Haaretz 6/16/22: AIPAC-backed Republicans at Center of New Capitol Riot Revelations

Jewish Journal 6/16/22: Anti-AIPAC Hypocrisy Rooted in Ignorance

Pro-Israel America 6/16/22: Pro-Israel America Announces Manuel Rajunov as Board Chair

Arizona

Jewish Insider 6/15/22: Arizona GOP Senate candidate Mick McGuire: ‘I do not support a two-state solution’

Nevada

Titus (D-NV-1) 06/15/2022: Retweet of @DemMaj4Israel – “Congratulations to Congresswoman @DinaTitus on her primary victory to represent Nevada’s 1st district! She’s an accomplished leader and a proud supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship. DMFI PAC is excited to continue supporting her in the general election. #NV01 Link to image

Jewish Insider 6/13/22: All bets are off in the Republican congressional primary in Las Vegas

New York

Jewish Insider 6/13/22: Alessandra Biaggi distances herself from AOC on Israel

Michigan

Detroit Free Press 6/17/22: US Rep. Andy Levin isn’t anti-Israel, though he’s being portrayed that way

AIPAC 06/16/22: Tweet – “.@Andy_Levin’s own bill officially divides Jerusalem and places the Western Wall & Jewish Quarter in ‘occupied Palestinian territories.’ It separates Israel from Judaism’s holiest sites on all US government documents. That’s not pro-Israel. That won’t advance a 2state solution.”

Levin (D-MI-9) 06/13/2022: Retweet of @WaelAlzayat – “There has been a lot of coverage around anti-Palestinian money being spent to prevent progressives & progressive women of color from achieving public office in America. With the midterms well under way, we need to better understand the full extent of this funding. 1/7”

Levin (D-MI-9) 06/13/2022: Retweet of @matanarad – “AIPAC has set its sights on its next target: a progressive, anti-occupation, pro-worker Jewish member of Congress. If you believe in equality, justice, and democracy. join us tonight at 6pm ET for the Jews for @Andy_Levin…”

Levin (D-MI-9) 06/13/2022: Retweet of @WaelAlzayat – “In #MI11, @Andy_Levin has fought for worker’s rights as a union organizer and progressive causes as a Member of Congress. AIPAC has given more money to his opponent than nearly every other candidate this cycle. 4/7 Will AIPAC Crush One of Congress’s Most Prominent Jewish Democrats?… | prospect.org

Middle East Monitor 6/13/22: US: new political committee plans to unseat Palestinian American politician

Washington Examiner 6/11/22: Lawmaker’s Israel record draws scrutiny from AIPAC in Michigan Democratic primary

The Intercept 6/10/22: New PAC Backed by Bakari Sellers Plans to Spend $1 Million to Unseat Rep. Rashida Tlaib

Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) 06/10/2022: Twitter thread – “Y’all. Republicans are spending tons of money in Democratic primaries. GOP and insurrectionist funders are trying to buy races, including Dem ones. Do your research and DON’T just vote for whoever has the most ads. To “Dems” who welcomed this blood money: you should be ashamed. Link to quoted tweet A reminder that today (and any day) is a good day to donate to the ONLY Palestinian-American woman to ever serve in the United States Congress. Apparently to some, one is too many. Not to us. Protect her….@RashidaTlaib is also one of the most prolific field and turnout organizers in the entire Dem party. In a SWING STATE. Seeking to defeat ground game leaders out of spite and replace them w/ low-field candidates are risking disastrous consequences for us all. So short sighted.

Illinois

Newman (D-IL-3) 06/16/2022: Retweet of @Leftists4Office – “June 15 Super PAC Filings DMFI $37k in Direct Mail against Marie Newman (IL06) Protect Our Future PAC $489k in Ads for Jonathan Jackson (IL01) It’s safe to say that we will not be joining Bernie Sanders in endorsing Jonathan Jackson, who wont even commit to M4All.

Newman (D-IL-3) 06/16/2022: Retweet of @rayhanania – “#Listen @arabnews @RepMarieNewman & @Marie4Congress During appearance on @RayHanania Radio Wed @Marie4Congress @RepMarieNewman said foreign policies of Pres Biden are strong except when speaking out against #Israel government policies #Palestine Biden needs to find the ‘will’ to pursue Israel-Palestine peace, a… | arab.news   Link to image

Jewish Insider 6/16/22: The mad rush to replace Bobby Rush

Newman (D-IL-3) 06/11/2022: Retweet of @Leftists4Office – “June 5 to June 9 Super PAC Filings DMFI PAC $33k in Direct Mail against Delia Ramirez (IL03) $37k in Direct Mail for Sean Casten (IL06) $3k in Direct Mail against Marie Newman (IL06) Protect Our Future PAC $251k in Ads for Nikki Buzinski (IL13)”

Wisconsin

Pocan (D-WI-2) 06/15/2022: In reply to Tweet – “@UWSinGA @repmarkpocan They are one of two groups that are new putting enormous money in campaigns, that’s why. Pretty simple. Link to reply @UWSinGA @repmarkpocan I hear you. It wasn’t the NRA. The other group is crypto-billionaires.

Members on the Record

Concern for Palestinians

Levin (D-MI-9) 06/13/2022: Tweet – “I’m disheartened to see reports that protesters rallying peacefully to #SaveMasaferYatta were attacked by Israeli settlers and police. Such actions infringe severely on Palestinian human rights and push peace and a two-state solution further out of reach.

Sanders (I-VT) 06/11/2022: Tweet – “Making Gaza’s beaches safe for swimming is a small but important step in addressing Gaza’s environmental and humanitarian crisis. We must continue to bring people together for these efforts in Palestine and across the region. Link to quoted tweet

Opposing Office of Palestinian Affairs in Jerusalem

Hagerty (R-TN) 06/13/2022: Tweet – “Once again, it appears the Administration is trying to compromise America’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal and undivided capital. I unequivocally oppose Biden’s plan.Biden unravels peace process in Middle East…rolls back Trump policy on Palestinians | bizpacreview.com

Hagerty (R-TN) 06/12/2022: Tweet – “This plan is inconsistent with the full and faithful implementation of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 and suggests that the Administration is once again trying to undermine America’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal and undivided capital.Biden Admin Takes First Step Towards Redividing Jerusalem | freebeacon.com

Roy (R-TX-21) 06/11/2022: Retweet of @VictoriaCoates – “It’s grimly comical that now any Palestinian who wants to access this abomination will have to travel to Tel Aviv to do so. This administration does not seem to understand Israel’s topography very well. Link to quoted tweet

Roy (R-TX-21) 06/11/2022: Retweet of @VictoriaCoates – “This is just the sort of unfortunate nonsense emboldened by the US decision to open a rump mission to the Palestinians—and it will result in a negative impact on the Palestinians. What a disgrace. Link to quoted tweet

Babin (R-TX-36) 06/10/2022: Tweet – “Biden’s failed foreign policy is undermining one of our greatest allies, Israel, damaging Israeli-Arab relations, and eroding the progress made by Trump’s historic Abraham Accords. All because @POTUS won’t stand up to his radical, anti-Israel wing. Biden administration overrules Trump policy on Palestinians… | foxnews.com

Blackburn (R-TN) 06/10/2022: Tweet – “Biden’s State Department is creating a new Office of Palestinian Affairs in Jerusalem to work separately from our embassy. This is an attempt to undo U.S. recognition of Israel’s sovereignty and support for Jerusalem as the nation’s capital. It must not be tolerated.

Hagerty (R-TN) 06/10/2022: Tweet – “I unequivocally oppose this plan. It’s inconsistent with the full & faithful implementation of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 & suggests the Admin is again trying to undermine America’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal & undivided capital. Biden reverses Trump move by beefing up the U.S. diplomatic mission to Palestinians in Jerusalem | Daily Mail Online

We <heart> AIPAC 

Bacon (R-NE-2) 06/16/2022: Tweet – “Great meeting with AIPAC to discuss our continued partnership with our strongest Democratic ally in the region. The recently found Hezbollah tunnels crossing into Israel, funded by Iran and spanning miles, only underscores the need to combat these radical terrorist groups. Link to image

Bacon (R-NE-2) 06/17/2022: Retweet of @AIPAC – “Thank you @RepDonBacon for your leadership in support of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship! Link to quoted tweet

Soto (D-FL-9) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “We met with @AIPAC yesterday to discuss their priorities for the FY2023 budget, combatting antisemitism, and more. Happy to hear more from them and work together. Link to image

Ruppersberger (D-MD-2) 06/15/2022: Retweet of @AIPAC – “Thank you @Call_Me_Dutch for your leadership in support of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship! Link to quoted tweet

Portman (R-OH) 06/16/2022: Retweet of @AIPAC – “Today on the AIPAC app: @SenatorCardin and @senrobportman discuss their work to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship, build upon the Abraham Accords, and help keep our ally Israel safe. Click here to register: Join me on the AIPAC App… | app.aipac.org   Link to image

Lesko (R-AZ-8) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “I had a wonderful time meeting with @AIPAC to discuss the need for continued U.S.-Israel relations and assistance to Israel. I will always stand proudly with our ally, Israel!  Link to image

Bacon (R-NE-2) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “We enjoyed seeing you and the AIPAC team yesterday. I will always support an iron-strong relationship with our ally Israel. Link to quoted tweet

Bacon (R-NE-2) 06/15/2022: Retweet of @AIPAC – “Thank you @RepDonBacon for your leadership in support of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship!  Link to quoted tweet

Emmer (R-MN-6) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “The United States must continue to stand with Israel. This week, I had the chance to sit down with @AIPAC to discuss our shared concerns regarding a potential nuclear agreement with Iran. Link to image

Ernst (R-IA) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “Thank you @AIPAC for an important discussion of our ongoing commitment to support Israel in the fight against Iran. Peace in the Middle East cannot happen in a vacuum. The Biden admin needs to step up to support our partners in the region. My DEFEND Act is a great place to start. Link to image

Lee (R-UT) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “Israel is a vital ally to the United States. I enjoyed meeting with @AIPAC today to discuss the partnership between our two nations. Link to image

Rubio (R-FL) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “Senator Rubio met with @AIPAC National Council Members to discuss the importance of providing security assistance to help #Israel defend itself from threats like #Iran. Senator Rubio will always stand with Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East. Link to image

Ruppersberger (D-MD-2) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “Yesterday I met with members of the @AIPAC National Council while they were on Capitol Hill to talk to Members of Congress about legislation strengthening U.S.-Israel relations. Thanks for stopping by. It’s always great seeing the AIPAC team! Link to image

Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-23) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “Great meeting with @AIPAC to discuss security assistance to Israel, preventing a nuclear Iran, and opposing the biased UN COI that undermines prospects for peace. Link to image

Smith (R-MO-8) 06/14/2022: In reply to Tweet – “@YanaLukeman @AIPAC Anytime, it was a great day with you all.

Manning (D-NC-6) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “Wonderful to meet with @AIPAC National Council members from North Carolina to discuss vital security assistance to Israel, preventing a nuclear-armed Iran, and opposing the one-sided UN COI targeting Israel. I am proud to support the U.S.-Israel relationship in Congress. Link to image

Rosen (D-NV) 06/13/2022: Tweet – “Spent the morning with @AIPAC to discuss my work to strengthen our critical security partnership with Israel. I will always advocate for our closest ally in the Middle East. Link to image

Stefanik (R-NY-21) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “Great meeting with @AIPAC today to discuss the US-Israel relationship. I will always stand with our allies Israel!

 

Supporting Israel, Greater Israel, Normalization; Attacking Palestinians, UN, BDS, Etc.

Weber (R-TX-14) 06/17/2022: Retweet of @IDF – “Unlimited range. Unlimited partnership. Link to quoted tweet

Weber (R-TX-14) 06/17/2022: Retweet of @IDF – “Overnight, IDF soldiers operated in the Jenin Camp to locate and confiscate illegal weapons. Palestinian assailants fired heavily toward the soldiers and hurled explosive devices at them. The soldiers responded with live fire. 1/2

Ernst (R-IA) 06/16/2022: Tweet – “#ICYMI: My DEFEND Act is uniting Israel and our allies and partners in the region against Iranian-backed aggression. Peace in the Middle East is possible by standing together. From Peace Deal to Military Pact: Congress Wants Israel, Arab Allies to Unite Against Iran… | freebeacon.com

Long (R-MO-7) 06/17/2022: Retweet of @starsandstripes – “Israel praised Argentina on for holding a Venezuelan plane that included Iranian crew, saying the flight shows Tehran is trying to expand its influence in South America. Israel praises Argentina grounding plane with Iranian crew | Stars and Stripes

Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog tweeting about his meetings with members of Congress this week [Moulton (D-MA), Jeffries (D-NY), McCaul (R-TX), Clyburn (D-SC), Garamendi (D-CA)]

Bacon (R-NE-2) 06/16/2022: Retweet of @JGreenblattADL – “Great meeting @RepDonBacon this week for a discussion about the future of bipartisanship in fighting #antisemitism and extremism on all sides. Link to image

Young (R-IN) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “Israel continues to position itself as a key player in the global energy market by agreeing to export natural gas to Europe for the first time. This is a milestone as Europe moves away from dependence on Russia while deepening ties w/ the State of Israel. Israel, EU, Egypt agree deal to export natural gas to Europe… | timesofisrael.com

Young (R-IN) 06/15/2022: Retweet of @AIPAC – “Thank you @SenToddYoung for your leadership! The DEFEND Act strengthens Israeli-Arab cooperation, promotes regional stability, and counters the Iranian threat. Urge your members of Congress to cosponsor this important bipartisan legislation: Urge Congress to Support the DEFEND Act… | p2a.co   Link to video

Sherman (D-CA-30) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “Good to see the United States under @POTUS Biden standing up against outrageous attempts to delegitimize #Israel through biased reports. US slammed for building 22-member bloc against UNHRC prob on Israel… | jpost.com

Wilson (R-SC) 6/15/22: Floor statement – “WORLD UNIFICATION AGAINST PUTIN” [entirely about “The European Union is set to sign an agreement with Israel and Egypt which will free itself from Putin energy reliance…”

Bacon (R-NE-2) 06/15/2022: Retweet of @JGreenblattADL – “After a recent speech I made, some took issue with my comparing the antisemitic threat of anti-Zionist orgs, ie @NationalSJP, to that posed by far-right extremist orgs. In a recent @TimesofIsrael piece, I explain how & why anti-Zionism is #antisemitism. You don’t need a map to find antisemitism… | blogs.timesofisrael.com

Cassidy (R-LA) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “The U.S. should always stand with our ally Israel and promote peace in the region. Biased reports baselessly condemning Israel does not help achieve peace. UN probe blames Israel for perpetuating conflict with Palestinians | The Times of Israel

Castro (D-TX-20) 06/15/2022: Retweet of @avischarf – “Israel appointed Noa Tishby to fight antisemitism and delegitimization. So she went on FoxNews to talk about Pelosi husband’s DUI arrest, Biden’s age and the ‘obvious double standard of MSM not talking about the attempt to kill a SCOTUS judge’ @Bsamuels0 What Israel’s ‘antisemitism envoy’ did on a conspiracy-laden Fox News panel – Israel News – Haaretz – Haaretz.com

Ernst (R-IA) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “We have a historic opportunity to work with our fellow Abraham Accords partners to combat Iranian-backed extremists.   FFD understands this. Check out their endorsement of our DEFEND Act Link to image

Ernst (R-IA) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “From Peace Deal to Military Pact: Congress Wants Israel, Arab Allies To Unite Against Iran From Peace Deal to Military Pact: Congress Wants Israel, Arab Allies to Unite Against Iran… | freebeacon.com

Wicker (R-MS) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel are all democracies facing direct threats to their existence. Arms sales to these countries should be a top priority to harden their defenses and improve their resilience. Expedite arms deliveries to beleaguered democracies… | defensenews.com

Scott (R-FL) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “This is wrong and another attempt by @benandjerrys to spread lies and indoctrinate people with anti-Israel propaganda. I will always unapologetically stand with our great ally, Israel. Ben & Jerry’s requires new employees to watch lectures on Israeli-Palestinian conflict… | jewishinsider.com

Ernst (R-IA) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “*Together* we will fight Iranian aggression and address the challenges we currently face in the Middle East. Thank you @AJCGlobal for supporting the DEFEND Act. Link to image

Palmer (R-AL-6) 06/14/2022: Retweet of @GOPpolicy – “.@USRepGaryPalmer is sitting down with @RepDavidKustoff to discuss the importance of supporting our ally, Israel. Video coming soon! Link to image

Tenney (R-NY-22) 06/13/2022: Tweet – “Our State Department must stand against anti-Israel bias at the UN and oppose and expose Hamas’ disinformation operations. Read my recent op-ed in Newsweek with @MichaelMakovsky: The Biden administration must crack down on Hamas’ disinformation campaign | Opinion

Aderholt (R-AL) 6/13/22: in the Record, “Recognizing The Republic Day Of Azerbaijan,” including “Azerbaijan is a significant partner to the United States and plays a key role in energy security, supporting Israel, and ensuring stability in the region.”

Bacon (R-NE-2) 06/14/2022: Retweet of @JGreenblattADL – “As my colleague @rtrestan says, this Mapping Project is the 21st c. version of the antisemitic Protocols of the Elders of Zion. It names, blames & shames Jews & Zionists for much of the world’s ills & paints them as legitimate targets. This is dangerous. BDS-promoted mapping project is antisemitic and must be condemned – The Boston Globe

Donalds (R-FL-19) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “This morning I had the honor of meeting with Oded Revivi, mayor of Efrat, one of the most significant cities in Judea & Samaria. Mayor Revivi and I discussed the issues his people are facing and the overall Israeli and American relationship. I will always stand with Israel! Link to image” Also on GETTR

Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “Nothing like a scoop of antisemitism to go with your @benandjerrys ice cream. Can you imagine being forced to sit through a politically charged, antisemitic BDS video on your first day of work? Employees should be trained to work, not brainwashed. Ben & Jerry’s requires new employees to watch lectures on Israeli-Palestinian conflict… | jewishinsider.com

Herrell (R-NM-2) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “It was a pleasure to attend! Link to quoted from Ezra Friedlander – ”My firm coordinated this roundtable discussion chaired by Bobby Rechnitz! @RepLaMalfa @BahrainEmbDC @MoroccoinUSA @RepDavidTrone @RadovanJavorcik @SlovakEmbassyUS @RepHerrell @TeviTroy @IsraelPolicy4m @ZOA_National @cjvalues @nissimbreuben @HungaryinUSA Linked to article – International Leaders Gather to Discuss the Implications of Iran Deal on Abraham Accords (The Yeshiva World 6/13/22)

Ernst (R-IA) 06/13/2022: Tweet – “We had a great time announcing our DEFEND Act on Thursday, joined by our friends, Matt with @jinsadc and Adam from @jfederations to show their support. But the best attendees were the students from Ephriam Curtis Middle School who stopped to watch lawmakers in action!  Link to image

Levin (D-MI-9) 06/13/2022: Tweet – “It’s truly amazing to read about the 170,000+ people marching in Tel Aviv for their annual #Pride parade. Across the globe, we must reinvigorate our efforts to continue the fight for gender expression and LGBTQIA+ rights for all. Tel Aviv Pride parade kicks off in a new location… | haaretz.com

Ernst (R-IA) 06/10/2022: Tweet – “Thank you for the support @JackRosenNYC and @AJCongress! It’s great to see all the organizations that have rallied behind the DEFEND Act. Link to image

Zeldin (R-NY) 6/11/22: Press release — Rep. Zeldin Statement on Antisemitic Boston “Mapping Project”

Schneider (D-IL-10) 06/11/2022: Tweet – “We can stand up to Iran, we can work to foster peace in the region by bringing the nations of the region together. The DEFEND act and U.S. leadership will make that difference. New US bill brings together Abraham Accords signatories against Iran… | jpost.com

Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-23) 06/10/2022: Retweet of @DemMaj4Israel – “Tens of thousands of people turned out for the 23rd annual Pride Parade in #TelAviv today. “We won’t let anyone feel afraid in our country, we will always provide protection to the people living in this country” – Mayor Ron Huldai #HappyPrideMonth Police shutter roads as tens of thousands expected at Tel Aviv Pride Parade… | timesofisrael.com

Egypt

Ruppersberger (D-MD) 6/14/22: Statement in the Record – Recognition of the Egypt-U.S. Partnership [“I rise today to recognize the fruitful United States-Egypt partnership. The year 2022 marks 100 years of diplomatic relations between our two nations. As co-chair of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Friends of Egypt Caucus, I believe it is of paramount importance that we commemorate this partnership rooted in shared commitments to peace, stability and prosperity. As such, I include in the Record this Newsweek article, entitled ‘Let’s Continue to Strengthen the Egypt-U.S. Partnership’ published on April 18, 2022, and penned by Ambassador of Egypt to the United States, Mr. Motaz Zahran…”]

 

Syria

Wicker (R-MS) 06/17/2022: Tweet – “Our military is the best in the world, and they continue to eliminate the ISIS threat. I am glad to hear of a successful operation conducted against a prominent ISIS bombmaker in Syria. US forces capture senior ISIS leader Hani Ahmed al-Kurdi in Syria raid | Fox News

Graham (R-SC) 06/16/2022: Twitter thread – “Great job by U.S. led Coalition forces in capturing Hani Ahmed al-Kurdi, a senior leader of the Islamic State and an assessed ISIS bomb maker in Syria. Congratulations to all involved in planning and executing this operation. Senior ISIS Leader Captured in Syria, U.S. Military Officials Say… | wsj.com I appreciate the Biden Administration leaving American forces in Syria to prevent the reemergence of ISIS and to provide some level of stability in this volatile region. This is a prime example of where American troops on the ground, working with local forces, pays big dividends in the War on Terror.  Well done.

Risch (R-ID) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “I implore @UN security council to reauthorize this vital mechanism so life-saving aid can cont. to millions in #Syria. This is essential to alleviate suffering inflicted by #Assad & his Russian backers. I wrote this two years ago & it sadly remains true: Opinion | With a U.N. Veto, Russia and China Add to Syria’s Misery (Published 2020)   Link to quoted tweet

Waltz (R-FL-6) 06/16/2022: Tweet – “The War on Terror is not over. ISIS & Al Qaeda WILL re-emerge and attack America again if we let them… US military ground raid in Syria captures top ISIS leader… | abcnews.go.com

 

Lebanon

Banks (R-IN-3) 06/10/2022: Retweet of @RepublicanStudy – “The #RSC FY2023 budget is a plan that puts America First. Republicans Want to Slash Aid to Iraq, Lebanon, and the United Nations… | freebeacon.com

 

Iran

Blackburn (R-TN) 06/17/2022: Tweet – “Communist China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea do not care what our soldiers’ pronouns are. The Biden Defense Department should focus energy on combatting our adversaries — not wokeism. Sen. Blackburn’s plan to ‘de-wokeify’ the military foiled by Democrats | Fox News

Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) 06/16/2022: Retweet of @AndrewDesiderio – “NEW: Blinken announces new sanctions on Iran. He says absent a deal to revive the JCPOA, the U.S. “will continue to use our sanctions authorities” ICYMI, I reported yesterday that admin officials told senators these sanctions were coming — Iran sanctions could tighten if nuclear talks fade, Biden admin officials tell senators… | politico.com   Link to image

McCaul (R-TX-10) 06/16/2022: Tweet – “Weakness invites aggression, and this administration must step up and show our adversaries that the U.S. won’t make the same mistakes we did with Russia when it comes to our adversaries like Iran and China. Thanks, @greta, for having me on your new @newsmax show, The Record! Link to video

Steube (R-FL-17) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “I am very glad to see the Biden Administration leave the IRGC on the Foreign Terrorist Organizations list, after considering removal. Now @SecBlinken must move forward with Sec. Pompeo’s policy recommendations to advance a more democratic, secular, & nonnuclear Republic of Iran. Link to image” Also on GETTR

Risch (R-ID) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “In addition to repeated attacks against our troops and diplomatic facilities without a U.S. response, #Iran has reportedly deployed kidnapping and assassination squads abroad to target #Israelis. We can no longer ignore the regime’s conduct and must suspend #JCPOA negotiations. Link to quoted tweet

Hyde-Smith (R-MS) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “Americans are dubious of the @WhiteHouse outreach to Iran, because they understand that the regime is a threat to our national security. @MarshaBlackburn’s bill attempts to ensure that US interests come first, not some nuclear agreement that would enrich Iran & China in the end.

Tenney (R-NY-22) 06/13/2022: Tweet – “I recently joined Voice of America to discuss the JCPOA 2.0 negotiations & ongoing protests in Iran. I will continue to stand with the people of Iran in their struggle to establish a democratic country that is at peace with its neighbors. The Iranian people want & deserve better. Link to quoted tweet

Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) 06/10/2022: Twitter thread – “Any nuclear deal with the Iranian dictatorship must be longer and stronger than the previous failed agreement.   It’s clear that the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism cannot be trusted to hold up its end of the bargain.   Nuclear watchdog says Iran is a few weeks away from having a ‘significant quantity’ of enriched uranium… | cnn.com As they continue their non-compliance with current safeguards, it is critical that we hold Iran and its corrupt leaders to account.   The IAEA Board of Governors Resolution on Iran – United States Department of State

 

Lebanon

Pence (R-IN-6) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “As a @USMC officer, I spent many nights on the roof of our barracks in Beirut to admire the lone American flag on the horizon. A symbol of Freedom, Liberty & Opportunity for all. A reminder of the sacrifices our American heroes make to protect those values. Happy Flag Day. Link to image

 

Saudi Arabia – energy issues

Brady (R-TX-8) 06/17/2022: Retweet of @WaysandMeansGOP – “On what Biden should do about rising gas costs, @RepKevinBrady: “I would stop trying to go for much higher taxes on American-Made energy & rather than flying to Saudi Arabia to beg for more energy, I would fly to West Texas & ask, ‘What can I do to help produce more in America?’”

Buck (R-CO-4) 06/16/2022: Tweet – “Instead of drilling for American oil this administration would rather send American dollars and jobs to Saudi-Arabia. This is what America last looks like. Link to quoted tweet

McCarthy (R-CA-23) 06/17/2022: Tweet – “A 12-hour, non-stop international flight. That’s how far President Biden would rather travel to plead for Saudi Arabian oil rather than simply issue more drilling permits to producers here at home. American oil is cleaner. More reliable. And more affordable. Put America FIRST!” Retweeted by: Malliotakis (R-NY-11), Carter (R-GA-1), Fischbach (R-MN-7), Herrell (R-NM-2), Murphy (R-NC-3), Mullin (R-OK-2)

Pfluger (R-TX-11) 06/16/2022: Tweet – “You’re completely right @MikePompeo. The Permian Basin is the largest secure supply of oil & gas in the world. It’s past time to unleash American energy dominance. Link to quoted tweet

6/16/22: House floor discussion of Saudi Arabia, energy issues, & Biden visit

Duncan (R-SC-3) 06/15/2022: Twitter thread – “…Instead of bowing down to the Saudis, Biden can simply stay home, save gasoline & reduce carbon emissions, & flip the switch on American energy production…

Grassley (R-IA) 06/16/2022: Tweet – “the Fed raised interest rates by the most since ’94 to combat inflation They revised estimates 2predict lower GDP+ higher unemployment +higher inflation We need 2pass bills incl my Middle Class Savings& Investment Act +stop blocking American energy ASAP use our oil not Saudi oil

Harshbarger (R-TN-1) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “President Biden would rather fly thousands of miles to beg Saudi Arabia for oil than to employ Americans do produce it here at home. There’s not enough sugar in the world to coat this sad reality.

Long (R-MO-7) 06/16/2022: Tweet – “@JoeBiden could #UnleashAmericanEnergy strengthening our national security while lowering #GasPrices however he’ll once again rely on #SaudiArabia to relieve the pain at the pump. Why does @POTUS keep putting America last?

Cramer (R-ND) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “Gas has soared past $5 per gallon. Instead of producing oil here, @POTUS has turned to Venezuela and the Saudis for theirs. The president and his radical left entourage are missing the opportunity to deliver a win for the economy and Americans being hurt at the pump. Link to image

Fitzgerald (R-WI-5) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “Why does President Biden want Saudi energy and not American energy?

Graves (R-LA-6) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “Instead of traveling across the world, we invite President Biden and his team to Grand Isle to see underutilized domestic energy production and to grab some boudin for the road. Statement on the taxpayer funded gas money for Saudi Arabia Road Trip: President Biden Enjoys Taxpayer-funded Gas Money for Saudi Arabia Road Trip, Graves Legislation Reminds Him ‘Home is Where the Heart Is’… | bit.ly   Link to image

Jordan (R-OH-4) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “Next month, President Biden will visit Saudi Arabia to beg the country for more oil. Why not just drill domestically?

Van Drew (R-NJ-2) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “Americans are spending an extra $160 a month on gas. President Biden’s solution is to beg Saudi Arabia for oil. Why not just utilize AMERICAN energy resources?

Biggs (R-AZ-5) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “Why is Biden traveling 6500+ miles to discuss increasing oil production with the Saudis? He should be meeting with American producers in Texas, Oklahoma, and more states at home. We have the energy here!

Burchett (R-TN-2) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “The @POTUS shouldn’t be traveling to Saudi Arabia to beg for oil production when we could get it here.

Cornyn (R-TX) 06/13/2022: Tweet – “Now he is going to the Saudis for more production hat in hand? Link to quoted tweet

Cruz (R-TX) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “Link to quoted tweet

Franklin (R-FL-15) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “Joe Biden was handed an energy independent country. Now Biden plans to go to Saudi Arabia to beg the OPEC cartel to pump more oil. He should work with American energy companies, unleash our domestic supply, and bring the costs down back home. ‘Pariah’ no more? Democrats grit their teeth over Biden’s Saudi trip… | politi.co

Graves (R-LA-6) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “President Biden is heading to Saudi Arabia to negotiate instead of utilizing our energy resources here at home. Louisiana is a much shorter commute. We calculated it for the White House last week. Link to video

Hagerty (R-TN) 06/13/2022: Tweet – “There is a solution to this crisis right at our doorstep: work with American drillers and get back in the energy business here at home. But this President refuses.Biden to visit Saudi Arabia next month seeking solutions as gas tops $5 per gallon: report | Fox News

Letlow (R-LA-5) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “When will this Administration realize that the solution to America’s energy crisis is in the Gulf of Mexico, not the Persian Gulf? Biden political gamble on Saudi trip unlikely to drive down gas prices… | thehill.com

Letlow (R-LA-5) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “Today, my Republican colleagues and I brought forward H.R. 6858 – a bill to reopen the Keystone Pipeline, restart leasing in the Gulf of Mexico, and replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Unfortunately, the majority defeated it. They’re not serious about fixing this crisis. Link to quoted tweet

Loudermilk (R-GA-11) 06/13/2022: Tweet – “Biden is planning a trip to Saudi Arabia to beg them to produce more oil, after he campaigned saying he’d punish them for human rights abuses. The flip-flop is predictable, but the question is, why go at all when we can produce all the oil we need here in the U.S?” Also on GETTR

Lynch (D-MA-8) 06/14/2022: Retweet of @BeckyCNN – ““Justice for Mr. Khashoggi [is] very important but there is an overarching interest here in stabilizing energy markets.” @RepStephenLynch is 1 of 6 U.S lawmakers calling for Saudi accountability on human rights but tells me he understands the need to recalibrate the relationship: Link to video

Donalds (R-FL-19) 06/12/2022: Tweet – “Biden doesn’t need to travel to Saudi Arabia to lower gas prices. He needs to travel to AMERICAN states like Texas, North Dakota, New Mexico, Alaska, and Colorado and support their ability to enhance our energy capabilities. Link to quoted tweet

Arrington (R-TX-19) 06/11/2022: Twitter thread – “This week, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen testified at the Ways & Means Committee. I conveyed my deep concerns with Biden’s disastrous economic policies … and invited the Secretary & President Biden to visit West Texas—the epicenter of global oil and gas production—rather than traveling to Saudi Arabia at the end of the month. See my full remarks here: Rep. Jodey Arrington | Ways & Means Committee Hearing – Treasury Secretary Yellen – June 8, 2022

 

Saudi Arabia – non-energy issues

Malinowski (D-NJ-7) 06/17/2022: Twitter thread – “Tom, @RepSpanberger, @RepColinAllred, @RepKatiePorter, @RepJasonCrow, and @RepDeanPhillips say Saudi “must show a greater willingness to work with us—not against us” if our partnership is to thrive. Read their statement ahead of @POTUS’ visit to Saudi  Representatives Malinowski, Spanberger, Allred, Porter, Crow, and Phillips Issue Statement Ahead of President Biden’s Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia… | malinowski.house.gov

Merkley (D-OR) 06/16/2022: Twitter thread – “Saudi Arabia cannot be allowed to cover up their egregious human rights record—including the murder of journalists—with a flashy golf tour. We all must call out human rights abuses wherever they occur, instead of putting money ahead of morals. Saudi-backed LIV Golf tournament accused of ‘sportswashing’… | abcnews.go.com I spoke with @SecBlinken yesterday about the urgent need for the pattern of Saudi Arabia helping Saudi nationals escape justice after they’ve committed crimes in the U.S. to be on @POTUS’s agenda during his visit. It hits close to home in Oregon—we can’t forget Fallon Smart.

Omar (D-MN-5) 06/16/2022: Retweet of @mehdirhasan – ““Let’s be honest: if Donald Trump was in office planning a visit to Saudi Arabia [and MBS]…Democrats would be outraged. They would! And yet Biden’s doing it & crickets.” My deep-dive @MehdiHasanShow monologue on Biden’s visit to MBS & Saudi Arabia: Link to video

Roy (R-TX-21) 6/16/22: On the House floor railing against golfers participating in Saudi-backed golf tour [“there is a cloud hanging over the United States Open this week. And that cloud is the greed and the absurd self-absorbed nature of a handful of the PGA Tour’s elites who are willing to sell their athletic soul, their professional soul to a Saudi Arabian league for their shekels. And it is absolutely an abomination….The tour has made these guys wealthy, and they turn around and they stab the tour in the back to go chase their 30 shekels. It is absolutely unconscionable.”] NOTE: As far as I can tell, nobody has raised any concerns for Roy’s use of the term “shekels” in this context. Also see my Twitter thread]

Roy (R-TX-21) 06/16/2022: Retweet of @dcexaminer – “Texas @RepChipRoy slammed PGA Tour defectors who have decided to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, arguing the players are “basically whores and has-beens.” ‘Whores and has-beens’: GOP Rep. Chip Roy blasts golfers in Saudi-backed event… | washex.am

Roy (R-TX-21) 06/16/2022: Retweet of @juliegraceb – “Chip shot: Chip Roy is taking aim at PGA tour players opting to join LIV Golf, praises Tiger for opting out. ‘Whores and has-beens’: GOP Rep. Chip Roy blasts golfers in Saudi-backed tour ‘Whores and has-beens’: GOP Rep. Chip Roy blasts golfers in Saudi-backed event… | washex.am

Wild (D-PA-7) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “When @mercan_resifi testified before the Foreign Affairs Committee, I assured her the U.S. would seek justice and accountability for the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi. I am not backing down from my commitment, and nor should President Biden. Link to image

McCollum (D-MN-4) 06/15/2022: Retweet of @DAWNmenaorg – “Rep. @BettyMcCollum04 (MN) shares her remarks for today’s unveiling of Jamal Khashoggi Way. DAWN thanks her and other advocates for their steadfast support in upholding Khashoggi’s legacy and vision for democracy, human rights, freedom of press. Join us: Jamal Khashoggi Way Ceremony… | fb.me   Link to video

Carson (D-IN-7) 06/15/2022: Twitter thread – “We must continue to fight and be reminded that human rights and the freedom of press must be the cornerstone of U.S. Foreign Policy. Link to quoted tweet I applaud this historic name change to honor Jamal Khashoggi, but we have to do more. We must demand accountability, and justice must be served for all journalists murdered for truth-telling.

Khanna (D-CA-17) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “A conditions-free photo op with MBS only emboldens this dictator who’s behind countless civilian deaths in Yemen & the hacking to death of a Washington Post journalist. Any meeting should be predicated on bringing the war in Yemen to a close & permanently lifting the blockade.

Levin (D-MI-9) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “We won’t see sustainable peace & security in the Middle East or achieve long-term US interests by supporting and legitimizing rulers that abuse human rights. @POTUS, you can’t reset Khassoghi’s murder, war crimes in Yemen or criminalized dissent in Saudi. US seeks full reset with Saudi Arabia, effectively moving on from the murder of Jamal Khashoggi… | cnn.com

Malinowski (D-NJ-7) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “This is not about human rights vs national security or oil vs Khashoggi. It’s about what is the best way for the United States as a superpower to ensure our client states are on our side in this crucial contest & do their part in ensuring Putin fails. -TM Biden Put Relations With Saudi Arabia on Ice. Then, He Saw an Opportunity…. | politico.com

Merkley (D-OR) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “Joined @mitchellreports this afternoon to discuss why @POTUS needs to push Saudi Arabia on their horrendous human rights record, including urging the release of civil society activists during his upcoming trip. Sen. Jeff Merkley: Biden must ‘push hard’ on human rights issues during Saudi Arabia trip… | msnbc.com

Durbin (D-IL) 6/14/22: Floor statement about political prisoners, including: “I have been troubled by the human rights record of this Kingdom,  including the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, for which there is no real accountability yet. This year brought a bit of welcome news. Writer Raif Badawi was finally freed from prison after completing a 10-year prison sentence for dubious charges about his peaceful writings. I hope that the Saudis will allow Raif the dignity of reuniting with his brave wife, Ensaf Haidar, who I met in Washington, and their three children, now living in Canada. Badawi’s lawyer, Waleed Abu al-Khair, a leading human rights defender, is still in prison. He was convicted in Saudi Arabia’s Specialized Criminal Court, usually reserved for terrorists.  I appeal to the Saudi Government to free Waleed and to allow Raif to be reunited with his family. These gestures would be particularly notable in light of President Biden’s upcoming visit.”

Wyden (D-OR) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “The United States cannot value Saudi oil more highly than the blood of Fallon Smart and Jamal Khashoggi. Embracing authoritarians only makes us more vulnerable to the whims of tyrants who will always prioritize unfettered power above international rule of law or American justice. Link to quoted tweet

Markey (D-MA) 06/14/2022: Twitter thread – “President Biden should not allow Mohammed bin Salman to get away with murder by giving him an audience without conditions during his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia. (1/7) The Crown Prince has thus far evaded accountability for orchestrating the gruesome murder of renowned journalist and U.S. permanent resident, Jamal Khashoggi. President Biden should condition any face-to-face visit with bin Salman as follows: (2/7) No less than his admission of wrongdoing for the murder of Khashoggi, immediate improvements in Saudi Arabia’s human rights protections, including for women and girls, release of political prisoners, (3/7) accountability for its violations of the laws of armed conflict in the seven-year war in Yemen, and an agreement to cease its reported illicit ballistic and nuclear missile cooperation with China. (4/7) On the domestic front, the long-term antidote to high gas prices as a result of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine can’t be to turn to another authoritarian government, Saudi Arabia, to fuel the gas tanks of the world. (5/7) The cure to America’s addiction to foreign oil is to invest in a clean energy revolution. 12 million electric vehicles would entirely replace the oil we import from Saudi Arabia. (6/7) This shift to all electric vehicles would save any future President from having to weigh our commitment to human rights with our continued reliance on dirty fossil fuels from the OPEC cartel. (7/7)

Doggett (D-TX-35) 06/10/2022: Tweet – “President Biden was right the first time, when he pledged to turn the kingdom into a “pariah” after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the brutal assassination and dismemberment of journalist Jamal Khashoggi with a bonesaw. Analysis | Biden’s flip-flop on Saudi Arabia

Doggett (D-TX-35) 06/10/2022: Tweet – “This trip is more than disappointing. It is time to end the pilgrimage of American Presidents for many years, from both parties, to flatter a regime that shares none of our values and has repeatedly acted in ways that are harmful to our families. Link to quoted tweet

Levin (D-MI-9) 06/11/2022: Twitter thread – “.@SecBlinken suggests the most effective way to stand up for human rights “may be a little bit different” in individual cases. But Biden’s embrace of Saudi Arabia’s leaders and rejection of others is more than a little different—and that’s bad policy. 1/2 Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Jorge Ramos of TelevisaUnivision – United States Department of State When we use different standards for different countries, we undermine US efforts everywhere. The US must be consistent in calling out rights abuses no matter who commits them if we truly believe in pursuing a foreign policy with “human rights and democracy at the center.”

UAE

Durbin (D-IL) 6/14/22: Floor statement about political prisoners, including: “This is Ahmed Mansoor, one of the last major human rights voices in the Emirates. He was arrested in 2017 for using blog posts to advocate for reform and human rights in his nation. He was convicted of charges of threatening the UAE’s state security and social harmony, they sentenced him to 10 years in prison. He has been there for more than 5, at times, in solitary confinement, isolated from other prisoners, no contact with his family. He has reportedly been tortured.  Despite the dismal conditions of his incarceration, he remains steadfast in his commitment to human rights. He has conducted multiple hunger strikes to protest prison conditions. I appeal to the United Arab Emirates’ new President, Muhammad bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, to take this opportunity early in his Presidency to demonstrate compassion and courage by releasing Mr. Mansoor.”

Yemen

Deutch (D-FL-22) 06/16/2022: Tweet – “I am deeply concerned about the decaying FSO Safer off Yemen’s coast. The int’l community must ensure this vessel does not leak 1+ million barrels of crude oil into the Red Sea, which would cause a humanitarian and environmental disaster & impede a critical commercial waterway.

Jayapal (D-WA-7) 06/17/2022: Retweet of @USProgressives – “The War Powers Resolution now has more than 80 co-sponsors! The momentum is real — and we’re not stopping here. We will end unauthorized U.S. military involvement in the war in Yemen. Link to quoted tweet

Jones (D-NY-17) 06/14/2022: Tweet – “What’s happening in Yemen is a humanitarian crisis of unimaginable proportions. We can’t sit idly by any longer. This unauthorized military involvement must end—full stop. Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen have been called war crimes. Many relied on U.S. support…. | washingtonpost.com

Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12) 06/13/2022: Tweet – “TWO MILLION children face starvation in Yemen! It should not be the policy of the United States to aid ANY nations that are committing war crimes. My colleagues and I have introduced a bipartisan War Powers Resolution to end U.S. involvement in Yemen. Link to quoted tweet” Retweeted by DeFazio (D-OR-4)

Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-8) 06/13/2022: Tweet – “I am proud to sign onto this bipartisan resolution calling on the administration to end our unauthorized military involvement in the war in Yemen. We must not be complicit in this humanitarian crisis. Lawmakers introduce resolution to end US military involvement in Yemen… | thehill.com

Meeks (D-NY-5) 06/13/2022: Retweet of @HouseForeign – “CM @RepGregoryMeeks: Strongly support the @StateDept’s $10 million pledge for the @UN plan to address the FSO Safer crisis in #Yemen in order to avoid an environmental catastrophe. I call on our partners to join in pledging to prevent damage to the ecosystem and trade routes. Link to quoted tweet

Schakowsky (D-IL-9) 06/13/2022: Tweet – “I am a cosponsor of the Yemen War Powers Resolution. Our military must end its unauthorized participation in this conflict that is causing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. We must stop our engagement and complicity!” Retweeted by DeFazio (D-OR-4)

Meeks (D-NY-5) 06/13/2022: Tweet – “CM @RepGregoryMeeks: Strongly support the @StateDept’s $10 million pledge for the @UN plan to address the FSO Safer crisis in #Yemen in order to avoid an environmental catastrophe. I call on our partners to join in pledging to prevent damage to the ecosystem and trade routes. Link to quoted tweet

Merkley (D-OR) 06/12/2022: Twitter thread – “Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has put food security of people in Ukraine and around the world in peril. Starvation should never be used as a weapon of war, and Russia must be held accountable for stealing vital grain from Ukraine. Russia Seeks Buyers for Plundered Ukraine Grain, U.S. Warns… | nytimes.com I led a bipartisan Senate Resolution calling on the Biden administration to condemn the weaponization of hunger wherever it occurs—from Ukraine to Yemen. Link to quoted tweet

Turkey

HFAC/SFRC leaders’ 6/15/22: Meeks, McCaul, Menendez, Risch Statement on Threatened Turkish Incursion into Northern Syria  also see Tweets – McCaul (R-TX-10), Meeks (D-NY-5), Risch (R-ID)

Bahrain

Wilson (R-SC-2) 06/15/2022: Tweet – “Grateful to meet H.E. Speaker of Bahrain’s Council of Representatives, Fawzia bent Abdulla Yusuf Zainal, to discuss issues of importance to further strengthen the valued relationship between our two countries. Speaker highlights boosting cooperation with US Congress… | bna.bh

Oman

Larsen (D-WA-2) 06/16/2022: Tweet – “Small world: Omani Ambassador Moosa Hamdan Al Tai & I are both graduates of @PLUNEWS in #Tacoma. Today, Ambassador Al Tai & I discussed the importance of the bilateral relationship between the United States & Oman.  #GoLutes @FMofOman Link to image

Hard Questions, Tough Answers- Elections Again (June 21, 2022)

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Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst. He is the former director of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, a former senior official with the Mossad, and a former IDF intelligence officer. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent APN's views and policy positions.

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Following today’s announcement of early elections in Israel and early premiership rotation, Americans for Peace Now (APN) wishes Yair Lapid success as Israel’s prime minister, and calls on him to use the next few months before the elections to take bold measures that will move us toward peace and a better future.

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Recording: Young Progressive Jewish Americans on Israel, Palestine, and the Conflict

Americans for Peace Now hosted a webinar to explore the ways in which young progressive American Jews are thinking, talking, and acting about Israel and its conflict with the Palestinians.What values are they prioritizing in the conversation about Israel? What is their vision of Israel and its relations with its Palestinian neighbors? What are their concerns about the current trajectory of Israeli society and what are their hopes for Israel’s future? How do they fit these topics into their worldview?


To answer these and other questions, we gathered APN’s new Communications and Development Associate Maxxe Albert-Deitch, her predecessor Claire Davidson Miller, and our intern Eliana Blumberg, in conversation with APN’s Director of Government Relations, Madeleine Cereghino.


The webinar was held on Thursday, June 23rd, at 1:00 pm Eastern Time.

View the recording here, listen to the podcast here, and read the transcript here.

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