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

Produced by the Foundation for Middle East Peace in cooperation with Americans for Peace Now, where the Legislative Round-Up was conceived. 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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1. Bills, Resolutions, & Letters

(FY21 NDAA) S. 4049 (pdf of text is here): Introduced 6/24 by Inhofe (R-OK) — following markups in various Armed Services Committee subcommittees and passage by the full Armed Services Committee (which reported the measure out of Committee on 6/23), “the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.” The bill was immediately taken up on the Senate floor, where consideration is ongoing as of this writing.

• Base text: As always, the NDAA’s base text includes a number of Middle East-related elements (detailed below).
• Amendments: The annual NDAA as a rare piece of “must-pass” legislation and is thus guaranteed every year to to be the target of a large number of amendments (leading me to dub the annual period of NDAA floor consideration “amendment-pa-looza”). This year, the temptation to offer such amendments is even greater, with the NDAA being one of the only — if not the only — piece of major legislation likely to be passed into law before the November elections. As of this writing, 529 amendments have been submitted to the bill. Many of these will be non-germane (i.e., they have nothing to do with the underlying bill) and most will never be considered (but still offer a valuable window into what senators are cooking up). So far, text is available only for some of the amendments, including two related to the Middle East (detailed below). It is a certainty that there are other amendments focused on the Middle East and specifically on Israel (including, potentially, an amendment to add the text of S. 3176, the “United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2020” — the “grab-bag-of-everything-Congress-could-think-of-to-give-to- Israel-short-of-a-seat-in-Congress” that was passed by the SFRC on 5/20 – details in the 5/22/20 Edition of the Round-Up). Reporting on all the amendments will be included in next week’s Round-Up..

Middle East-related elements in the NDAA, before amendments:

• Section 1221 – “Extension of Authority and Limitation on Use of Funds to Provide Assistance to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.” This section extends current law another year with respect to assistance to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. It also limits such assistance under DOD/OCO funding to $322.5 million.  Lastly, it puts a hold on 75% of the permitted funding until the Secretary of Defense reports to Congress regarding how the funding will be used and what it will achieve, and other related matters.
• Section 1222 – “Extension and Modification of Authority to Provide Assistance to Vetted Syrian Groups and Individuals.” This section extends current law another year with respect to assistance for vetted Syrian groups and individuals. It also adds additional reporting requirements.
• Section. 1223 – “Extension and Modification of Authority to Support Operations and Activities of the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq.” This section extends current law regarding the operations and activities of the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq another year, and modifies current law by reducing funding.
• Section 1284 – “Notification with respect to withdrawal of members of the Armed Forces participating in the Multinational Force and Observers in Egypt.”  This new section requires that “not later than 30 days before a reduction in the total number of members of the Armed Forces deployed to the Multinational Force and Observers in Egypt to fewer than 430 such members of the Armed Forces, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a notification that includes” a laundry list of information including an explanation of “any anticipated negative impact of such a reduction on the ability of the Multi-national Force and Observers in Egypt to fulfill its mission of supervising the implementation of the security provisions of the 1979 Treaty of Peace between Egypt and Israel and employing best efforts to prevent any violation of the terms of such treaty.”
• Section 1286. Establishment of United States-Israel Operations-Technology Working Group [NOTE: This is the same legislation as HR 7148, introduced in the House by Wilson. R-SC) and covered in last week’s Round-Up]. This section establishes a new “United States-Israel Operations-Technology Working Group.”
  • This group would be led by the U.S. Secretary of Defense (or designee) and the Chair of the Joints Chiefs of Staff (or designee) and Israeli counterparts, with mandatory membership to include representatives of OSD, the Joint Staff, all military departments & relevant subordinate entities, the defense agencies, US Centcom and US Eucom.
  • Its purpose would be to provide a “standing forum for the United States and Israel to systematically share intelligence-informed military capability requirements,” to “identify military capability requirements common to both the Department of Defense and the Ministry of Defense of Israel,” to “assist defense suppliers in the United States and Israel, by incorporating recommendations from such defense suppliers, with respect to conducting joint science, technology, research, development, test, evaluation, and production efforts,” and to “develop, as feasible and advisable, combined United States-Israel plans to research, develop, procure, and field weapons systems and military capabilities as quickly and economically as possible to meet common capability requirements of the Department of Defense and the Ministry of Defense of Israel.”
  • As part of standing up this forum, the bill requires the US to conclude an MOU with Israel reflecting the above. The legislation also requires a report to Congress within 180 days of the establishment of the Working Group, detailing its formation (the MOU, the members, the groups plans, metrics, and a “description of any authority or authorization of appropriations required for the Working Group” to carry out its work.”
  • The bill also requires a detailed annual report to Congress on the activities of the Working Group during the preceding calendar year.
  • Given longstanding concerns in US national security circles about technology transfer by Israel (of U.S. technology), the most interesting detail required in the report is the following: “A description of the efforts of the Working Group to prevent the People’s Republic of China or the Russian Federation from obtaining intellectual property or military technology associated with combined United States and Israel science and technology efforts and research, development, test, and evaluation efforts.”]
  • Also see: FDD press release celebrating inclusion of this legislation in the NDAA.
• Section 1661 – “Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system and Israeli cooperative missile defense program co-development and co-production.”  This section authorizes:
  • $73 million to the Government of Israel to procure components for the Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system through co-production of such components in the United States by industry of the United States, subject to “the terms and conditions in the Agreement Between the Department of Defense of the United States of America and the Ministry of Defense of the State of Israel Concerning Iron Dome Defense System Procurement, signed on March 5, 2014, as amended to include co-production for Tamir interceptors”;
  • $50 million to the Government of Israel to procure the David’s Sling Weapon System, including for co-production of parts and components in the United States by United States industry,  “subject to the terms and conditions in the bilateral co-production agreement”;
  • $77 million to the Government of Israel for the Arrow 3 Upper Tier Interceptor Program, including for co-production of parts and components in the United States by United States industry.

Middle East-related amendments introduced (for which text is available in the Congressional Record as of 6/26 at 12:30pm EDT):

• Senate Amdt, 1681 – Introduced 6/24 by Warren (D-MA), to require a Report on Humanitarian Effects of the De Facto Air, Land, and Sea Blockade of Yemen and the Activities of the Houthis, the Government of the Republic Of Yemen, and the Southern Transitional Council.
• Senate Amdt 1756: Introduced 6/24 by Gillibrand (D-NY) to provide for the Expansion of Open Burn Pit Registry of Department of Veterans Affairs to Include Open Burn Pits Used in Syria and Egypt.

(TARGETING FOREIGN FUNDING FOR US UNIVERSITIES) HR 7170: Introduced 6/11 by Hern (R-OK) and 18 GOP cosponsors, “To require institutions of higher education to disclose gifts from foreign sources in the publications of certain professors and affiliates, and for other purposes.” This is the bill noted in last week’s Round-Up (which I missed in the Congressional Record – sorry!), which Hern has dubbed, the  “America: Foreign Influence Resistance Starts with Transparency (America: FIRST) Act.” Hern’s press release describes the legislation as seeking to “force transparency from universities who receive foreign funding, in particular from the professors and programs who promote the interests of those foreign nations.” Also see: press release; pdf of the text. Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Letters

(WE <ISRAEL> & HAVE…CONCERNS…ABOUT ANNEXATION) Schakowsky/Deutch-led letter to Israeli leaders: On 6/25, Reps. Schakowsky (D-IL), Deutch (D-FL), Price (D-NC) and Schneider (D-IL) led a letter, co-signed a total of 191 House Democrats, expressing “deep concerns” about possible annexation of West Bank land by Israel. The letter is addressed to Prime Minister Netanyahu, Alternative Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gantz, and Foreign Minister Ashkenazi. The letter explains these concerns but noting that annexation would likely be bad for Israel, hurting ongoing successful normalization with the Arab world, destabilizing Jordan (“with serious ancillary risks to Israel”), and creating problems for Israel with Europe and the world. The letter concludes by boldly (ahem) asking Israel to “reconsider” its plans to annex. Press releases: Deutch, Price, Schneider. Also see: response to this letter from Israeli non-lefty commentator Yossi Klein Halevi: “Criticizing Israel with anguish and love,” in which he notes, “Unlike a letter sent to the Israeli government by several Democratic senators, the letter by Deutch and Schneider made no threats, overt or implicit, to link aid with annexation. The very notion of linking American aid to Israeli policy negates their most basic instincts and commitments. Instead, they felt an almost desperate need to warn Israeli leaders and the Israeli public of the dangers to Israel of annexation.”]

(WE <HEART> ANNEXATION & WILL MATERIALLY SUPPORT IT) Senate GOP Letter to Trump: On 6/23, Sen. Cruz (R-TX) led a letter to President Trump, co-signed by GOP Senators Cotton (R-AR), Cramer (R-ND), Tillis (R-NC), Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Barrasso (R-WY), and Ernst (R-IA). expressing their  support for Israel’s “ongoing implementation including the extension of Israeli civil law into Israeli communities and areas critical for Israel’s security such the Jordan Valley, and to commit to providing your administration with the resources it requires for such implementation.” Cruz press release is here. Media reports: JNS – Senate Republicans send letter to Trump in support of Israeli annexation; Jerusalem Post – Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton: Trump should support annexation; The Hill – Cruz urges Trump to support Israeli annexation

(WE <HEART> ANNEXATION) House GOP Letter to Netanyahu: On 6/22, a letter signed by 116 Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives (more than half of the total number of GOP reps) was sent to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, expressing the view that “Israel has the right to make sovereign decisions independent of outside pressure” and expressing concern over “threats being expressed by some to retaliate against Israel as it makes decisions to ensure defensible borders” [code for annexation of West Bank territory]. The letter states that the signers “will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel and oppose any effort to apply pressure.” The letter was led by House Minority leader McCarthy (R-CA) and Minority Whip Scalise (R-LA); signers include GOP Conference Chair Cheney (R-WY), and GOP Policy Committee Chair Palmer (R-AL), plus ranking members on almost all House committees, including Appropriations (Granger, R-TX), Foreign Affairs (McCaul, R-TX), Armed Services (Thornberry, R-TX), Administration (Davis, R-IL), Budget (Womack, R-AR), Education (Foxx, R-NC), Homeland Security (Rogers, R-MI), Judiciary (Jordan, R-OH), Natural Resources (Bishop, R-UT), Rules (Cole, R-OK), Small Business (Chabot, R-OH), Transportation and Infrastructure (Graves, R-MO), Ways and Means (Brady, R-TX). See section 3 (below) for members’ statements in support of the letter. Scalise (R-LA) press release announcing the letter is here. For media coverage, see: Free Beacon (which appears to have been given the honor of breaking the story) – Top House Republicans Back Netanyahu as He Pushes to Annex West Bank Territory; JTA/Times of Israel – Republicans sign letter backing Israel’s right to set its own borders; Israel Hayom – Letter from Republican lawmakers voices firm support for sovereignty bid; Haaretz – Majority of House Republicans Sign Letter Endorsing Israeli Annexation; i24 News – House Republicans pen letter supporting Israel’s right to set own borders: report

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2. Hearings

The House Armed Services Committee is scheduled to hold a full committee mark-up of the FY21 NDAA on July 1.

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3. On the Record...

Members on the Record

Re: Opposing Annexation/Supporting House Letter-of-concerns

• Cardin (D-MD) & Schumer (D-NY) 6/19:  Cardin, Schumer and Menendez Issue Statement to Express Opposition to the Proposed Unilateral Annexation of Territory in the West Bank [also see Jewish Insider, Sens. Schumer, Menendez, Cardin issue joint statement cautioning Israel against annexation]
• Deutch (D-FL) 6/25: Tweet – “Today, 191 Members of Congress who support our strategic relationship with Israel and are committed to Israel’s security expressed our deep concern over unilateral annexation of the West Bank.”
• Gottheimer (D-NJ) 6/24: “I strongly support our ally Israel and its non-negotiable right to defend itself. I believe it is in America’s national interest to maintain our ironclad commitment to Israel’s security by providing American security assistance under the 2016 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding negotiated during the Obama Administration. I remain committed to a viable two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and I urge Israel to refrain from the proposed unilateral annexation of territory in the West Bank, outside of the context of negotiations. I also hope the Palestinians will change course and agree to enter into direct negotiations with Israel leading to a lasting agreement with two states for two peoples, living side by side in peace and security.”
• Hirono (D-HI) 6/25: Tweets – “As a strong supporter of the two-state solution, I oppose any unilateral move that puts the cause of peace further from reach. I urge @IsraeliPM and @gantzbe not to move forward with any unilateral annexation of the West Bank.” & “Annexation is a threat to Israel’s long-term security and to the right of self-determination for Palestinians. I join with many of my colleagues in the U.S. Congress opposed to any unilateral annexation of the West Bank.”
• Lowenthal (D-CA) 6/23: Tweet – “Annexation will threaten Israeli security, block the path to a peaceful and just two-state solution, and entrench the injustices faced by the Palestinian people. Congress and the international community have spoken clearly. Israel must not proceed.”
• Lowenthal (D-CA) 6/25: Tweet – “Proud to join so many of my colleagues to speak out against annexation. Congress spoke overwhelmingly when it passed my resolution, H.Res 326. We support a two-state solution, which safeguards a secure, Jewish and democratic state of Israel. Annexation is dangerous.”
• Price (D-NC) 6/25: Tweet – “I & 190 Members of Congress, who are committed to maintaining Israel’s security & the creation of a viable Palestinian state, sent a letter to Israeli PM Netanyahu to express our deep concern over potential unilateral annexation of West Bank territory.”
• Rose (D-NY) 6/25: Statement – “I steadfastly support Israel’s right to self-defense, and continue to be a strong supporter and believer in the importance of the US-Israel relationship. However, I’m concerned that Israel’s proposed unilateral annexation of territories in the West Bank would only take us further from our shared goal of long-lasting peace in the region. The President’s plan, and long-standing bipartisan American policy, has made clear that final status arrangements should only come as the result of negotiations between the two parties. I fear unilateral actions by either party will undermine years’ worth of efforts to advance peace in the region. I continue to oppose attempts to delegitimize or condition aid to Israel and urge both Israeli and Palestinian leaders to come to the table to secure an equitable future for their people.”
• Rosen (D-NV) 6/18:  Rosen Statement on Possible Israeli Annexation of West Bank [“…unilateral steps by either party push both parties farther away from peace. To that end, as I have communicated to Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, I am deeply concerned about the possibility of Israel unilaterally annexing the West Bank. Many former Israeli military leaders have warned that even a partial unilateral annexation of the West Bank could undermine the prospects for a two-state solution. Moreover, territorial issues should be resolved at the negotiating table – to be determined directly by Israel and the Palestinians. While Palestinian refusal to negotiate should be noted, in the absence of negotiations, it is incumbent upon both parties to foster an environment conducive to eventually restarting talks. Unilateral annexation is not the answer. Now is the time for the United States to recommit to the objective of two states for two people, and for Israelis and Palestinians to refrain from any unilateral steps that push us farther away from securing that peaceful future.”]
• Schawkosky (D-IL) 6/25: Tweet – “I believe two states for two peoples is essential to securing a Jewish, democratic Israel living in peace with an independent and viable Palestinian state. That is why I helped lead this unified message against potential annexation.”
• Schneider (D-IL) 6/25: Tweets: “ Israel is our closest ally in the Middle East and one of our most important allies in the world. The United States has unconditionally supported a secure Jewish and democratic state of Israel, and our nations share common, democratic values and common strategic interests.” & “Like so many others, I believe permanent security and peace for both Israelis and Palestinians can only be achieved through a two state solution. Successive administrations and Congress have supported direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians towards this end.” & “But for too long, Palestinians have refused to return to the negotiating table. I call on both sides to seek a path towards peace.” & “I also believe unilateral steps by either side will push negotiations & peace further away. That’s why I helped lead nearly 200 colleagues expressing concern w/ Israel’s stated intention to move ahead with any unilateral annexation of West Bank territory”
• Sires (D-NJ) 6/20: Tweet – “As a long-time supporter and advocate of robust U.S.-Israel relations, I worry that the potential unilateral annexation of West Bank territory will be consequential for Israel’s security. I urge both sides to come together to directly negotiate a lasting two-state solution.”
• Sires (D-NJ) 6/20: “Israel is a vital ally and friend to the United States, and the special relationship between the U.S. and Israel has a long history. A strong Israel is in the best interest of both of our countries, which is why continued U.S. security assistance to Israel remains a fundamental part of our strategic partnership. As a long-time advocate for robust U.S.-Israel relations, I worry that unilateral annexation of West Bank territory could have detrimental consequences for Israel’s security and regional stability. I also urge the Palestinians to come back to the negotiating table and work with Israel to find a lasting resolution. U.S. policy has been consistently rooted in the pursuit of a two-state solution that is directly negotiated between the Israelis and Palestinians. I am concerned that should either side pursue unilateral action, an enduring peace for Israelis and Palestinians will become unattainable.”

Re: Endorsing Pro-Annexation Letters [many tweets include link to article from the Free Beacon bearing the headline, “Top House Republicans Back Israeli Plan to Annex West Bank Territory”]

• Babin (R-TX) 6/25: Tweet – “The people of Israel should never be forced to compromise their security in return for bad-faith negotiations on the part of Palestinian leadership. I stand with @realDonaldTrump and my colleagues in support of Israel’s right to defend itself and its citizens.”
• Balderson (R-OH) 6/23: Tweet – “It is shortsighted to threaten relations with Israel, a long-time friend and critical ally that shares our democratic values.” Proud to stand firmly with #Israel and send this letter with more than 100 colleagues. We must continue to support our ally.”
• Banks (R-IN) 6/22: Tweet – “#Israel, like any nation, has the right to sovereignty and defensible borders. Happy to sign onto this letter to @IsraeliPM Netanyahu led by @SteveScalise in support of one of our greatest allies!”
• Buck (R-CO) 6/23: Tweet – “Proud to join @SteveScalise and my GOP colleagues in this letter to @IsraeliPM reaffirming the steadfast alliance between the U.S. and Israel.”
• Budd (R-NC) 6/23: Tweet – “Proud to join a delegation of @HouseGOP members to reaffirm our commitment to one of our closest allies. We should always support Israel’s right to sovereignty and defensible borders.”
• Calvert (R-CA) 6/23: Tweet – “A critical ally and partner of the US, we must continue to support Israel’s right to sovereignty and authority over its borders. I was proud to sign this letter supporting the leadership of democratically-elected @IsraeliPM Netanyahu and the Trump Admin’s Vision for Peace Plan.”
• Carter (R-GA) 6/23: Tweet – “Proud to join @GOPLeader, @SteveScalise and more than 100 of our GOP colleagues this week in a letter to Israeli Prime Minister @netanyahu affirming our support for the U.S.-Israel alliance.”
• Cheney (R-WY) 6/23: Tweet – “Republicans believe the alliance between the United States & Israel is critical to global safety & security. I was proud to join my colleagues in leading a letter to @IsraeliPM Netanyahu expressing support for Israel’s right to defend its sovereignty”
• Cruz (R-TX) 6/23: Tweet thread – “RELEASE: Sen. Cruz leads congressional letter supporting President Trump’s vision for peace, extension of Israeli civil law.” & “In our letter: ‘Mr. President, there is no other alternative to this fact-based approach, and as long as opponents of Israel and of the US-Israel relationship believe otherwise, peace will not be achievable.’”
• Ernst (R-GA) 6/24: Tweet – “A strong U.S. — Israel relationship is important to Iowa, and our country, & I’ve been proud to work with the Trump Admin to further our partnership with the nation & its people. I support @realDonaldTrump’s Vision for Peace and its continued implementation.”
• Fulcher (R-ID) 6/24: Tweet – “I support President @realDonaldTrump’s efforts to bring peace to our strong ally, Israel, through the Vision for Peace Plan. So many in Congress reinforce this support for @IsraeliPM and the government of Israel, particularly during times like these”
• Griffith (R-VA) 6/24: Tweet – “Israel is a strong ally and friend to the U.S. I was proud to sign this letter to ⁦@IsraeliPM ⁩Benjamin Netanyahu affirming support for its rights as a sovereign nation.”
• Guest (R-MS) 6/24: Tweet – “I stand with America’s greatest ally in the Middle East. We must continue to protect Israel’s sovereignty and reaffirm our unwavering alliance with this nation.”
• Hagedorn (R-MN) 6/25: Tweet – “Proud to join my @HouseGOP colleagues in signing onto a letter to @IsraeliPM reaffirming our support of the U.S.-Israel alliance and for Israel’s right to make sovereign decisions, set its own borders and defend itself against hostile neighbors.”
• Kustoff (R-TN) 6/22: Press release – “The United States and Israel have an unshakeable alliance and this letter reaffirms the United States’ commitment to Israel and her ability to make sovereign decisions. I was proud to lead this letter with my Republican colleagues, and it is my hope that President Donald Trump’s Peace Plan will help bring prosperity and security to our great friend and ally, Israel, and the entire region.”
• McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) 6/24: Tweet – “Agree! The plan should move forward. It acknowledges the desire of the Palestinian people for peace & autonomy while maintaining Israel’s security. @POTUS’s recognition of the territorial reality on the ground is an essential step towards more substantive peace negotiations.”
• Mast (R-FL) 6/25: Tweet – “While my colleagues across the aisle cave to the pressure of the hateful and bigoted BDS Movement, I stand firm in support of our Israeli allies. Our common values of freedom, democracy and human rights are values that I will never stop defending.”
• Reschenthaler (R-PA) 6/23: Tweet – “Israel is a shining beacon of freedom & a strong ally of the US. I’m proud to stand w/ Israel as they assert their sovereignty & support @POTUS’s Israel-Palestinian Peace Plan. I joined @GOPLeader in writing to @IsraeliPM to support his efforts to protect his nation’s borders.”
• Riggleman (R-VA) 6/23: Tweet – “”It is our hope that this plan brings peace, security, and prosperity to a region that has long endured conflict.” Yesterday, I sent a letter to @IsraeliPM affirming our support for his plans to increase Israel’s national security.”
• Rogers (R-AL) 6/23: Tweet – “I have and always will stand up for Israel. I was proud to join @SteveScalise and so many of my colleagues on a letter to @IsraeliPM to reaffirm the strong alliance between our two great countries.”
• Scalise (R-LA) 6/23: Press release, “House Republicans Send Letter of Support to Israel”
• Smucker (R-PA) 6/23: Tweet – “The USA stands resolute in our support of Israel. I signed a letter to @IsraeliPM @netanyahu to reaffirm our unwavering support for the State of Israel.”
• Steube (R-FL) 6/24: Steube Joins Republican Colleagues in Letter to Netanyahu Reaffirming Support of U.S.-Israel Alliance
• Tillis (R-NC) 6/25: Press release – “Tillis, Colleagues Send Congressional Letter Supporting President Trump’s Vision for Peace, Extension of Israeli Civil Law” [Tweet – “Joined my colleagues to send a letter supporting President Trump’s Vision for Peace and its continued implementation, including the extension of Israeli civil law into Israeli communities and areas critical for Israel’s security.”]
• Walker (R-NC) 6/24: Tweet – “Proud to join my Republican colleagues in support of Israel’s right to sovereignty and defensible borders. Our critical ally should never be forced to compromise its security.”
• Walorksi (R-IN) 6/25: Tweet – “America stands with Israel. I joined more than 100 of my Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirming the U.S.-Israel alliance. We support Israel’s right to self-defense and continue to oppose the radical BDS movement.”
• Waltz (R-FL) 6/23: Tweet – “#Israel is one of our greatest allies in the region. It’s critical we support their efforts to defend their country’s sovereignty & safety. Joined my House Republican colleagues to show Israel and its people that we stand with them.”
• Wenstrup (R-OH) 6/23: Tweet – “I’m proud to have signed this letter, and I continue to stand with our allies in Israel
• Williams (R-TX) 6/23: Tweet – “Proud to join my @HouseGOP colleagues reaffirming our long-standing commitment to Israel, and supporting their right to sovereignty and defensible borders.”
• Williams (R-TX) 6/25 – Tweet – “Proudly joined my @HouseGOP colleagues this week writing to Prime Minister Netanyahu to reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship, and support their right to sovereignty and defensible borders. I will always stand with Israel.”
• Wright (R-TX) 6/23: Tweet -”Israel has the right to make sovereign decisions to ensure their country’s safety and security. Yesterday over 100 of my @HouseGOP colleagues and I sent a letter to Prime Minister @netanyahu reaffirming our steadfast commitment to one of our closest allies.”

Re: Miscellaneous matters

• Lamborn (R-CO) 6/23: Tweet – “Liberal elite colleges should never use federal funding to promote Anti-semitism on their campuses. I am calling for an investigation of U.C. Berkeley over their potential misuse of Title VI funds.”
• Sherman (D-CA) 6/23: Twitter thread: “(1/3) Testified today before @AppropsDems to support the #WarPowersAct enforcement provision, which I authored in 2011, passed by amendment & has been in every defense approp. bill since. Also spoke on the importance of the nearly $5 billion in the #HeroesAct for #medicalresearch” & “(2/3) Testified before the @AppropsDems on the importance of providing $2 million to communicate in the #Sindhi language.” & “(3/3) Finally, I testified in favor of funding a co-operative research with #Israel, particularly $2 million for the BIRD foundation & robust funding for the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Agreement, which I wrote a decade ago.”

Articles and Reports Related to the Hill

Israel in the Primaries: 

• Jerusalem Post 6/26: The fallout from Eliot Engel’s likely defeat and a look at other primaries
• New York Magazine 6/24: Engel Teaches Dems That Backing War and Apartheid Has a Downside
• The Intercept 6/25: What Would Jamaal Bowman’s Win Over Pro-Israel Eliot Engel Mean for Palestinian Rights?
• Jerusalem Post 6/23: Pro-Israel organizations trying to help embattled Eliot Engel
• +972 Magazine (Alex Kane) 6/22: New York primary puts Democratic divide over Israel in the spotlight
• Jewish Insider 6/22: In Long Island, Democrats are vying to unseat Rep. Lee Zeldin
• Jerusalem Post 6/22: Israel-US defense tech cooperation may soon get a big congressional boost
• RJC 6/21: Tweet – “We’re excited to share with you the our latest production for the 2020 cycle, ‘Sunrise’ The documentary captures the historic relationship between the US & Israel which has been made stronger than ever by @realDonaldTrump See the entire documentary here: bit.ly/RJC_Sunrise”
• Israel Hayom 6/22: Republicans set to declare support for sovereignty bid
• Al Monitor 6/19: How the Engel, Omar primaries became proxy wars over Israel

Miscellaneous Matters:

• Al-Monitor 6/25: Intel: Democrats stare down AIPAC with annexation warning
• Al-Monitor 6/23: Intel: Vulnerable Senate Republicans targeted for supporting Trump on Iran
• Washington Post (Shibley Telhami) 6/22: Israel is about to reveal its West Bank annexation plans. How will Congress respond? [“Our new poll finds Americans are open to questioning the Israeli-U.S. relationship”]
• JPost 6/22: Friedman to Democrats: Palestinian Authority needs to condemn terror
• Lankford (R-OK) & Rosen (D-NV) 6/19: Lankford, Rosen Statement on Further Adoption of IHRA Definition of Anti-Semitism
• McCaul (R-TX) 6/19: McCaul Remarks on Protecting Syrian Civilians, Caesar Act