Marc Rod

Daily Kickoff: Pentagon appointee raises concerns over isolationist bent Daily Kickoff: Pentagon appointee raises concerns over isolationist bent

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Pentagon appointee raises concerns over isolationist bent

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Pro-Israel Republicans alarmed over Trump’s Defense Department appointee Michael DiMino, tapped as deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, has said that the U.S. has ‘minimal to nonexistent’ vital interests in the region

The Trump administration’s pick for deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East brings a record on Iran, the Houthis and the region that is alarming pro-Israel conservatives.

Pro-Israel Republicans alarmed over Trump’s Defense Department appointee Michael DiMino, tapped as deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, has said that the U.S. has ‘minimal to nonexistent’ vital interests in the region

“It’s worse than Biden’s approach. At least Biden wanted to fight the Houthis a little bit,” a former Trump official who worked on the presidential transition told Jewish Insider.

Lipstadt: U.N.’s Guterres said U.N. Special Rapporteur Albanese is ‘a horrible person’ The U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism also spoke about her hopes for the Trump administration’s efforts to fight antisemitism during a roundtable with reporters

Deborah Lipstadt said that, during an event during the Munich Security Conference, she had spoken to António Guterres about the U.S. government’s concerns with Francesca Albanese.

In Lipstadt’s retelling, Guterres responded, twice, “She’s a horrible person.”

Rubio says U.S. should be open to an Iran deal, with conditions The incoming Trump administration’s nominee to be secretary of state is expected to enjoy an easy glide-path to confirmation with overwhelming bipartisan support

Overall, Rubio’s hearing — businesslike and cordial, focused on details of every region of the globe — marked a striking difference from the heated partisan slug-fests at confirmation hearings for other top Trump nominees this week.

Top Senate Republicans push to re-impose Houthi terror designation The Biden administration rejected such an effort even as Houthi attacks ramped up in the Middle East

A group of top Senate Republican lawmakers introduced legislation to re-impose a Foreign Terrorist Organization designation on the Houthis, a signal that the issue is likely to be a top priority for GOP hawks coming into the Trump administration.

House Republicans urge Trump to immediately nominate an Abraham Accords ambassador The lawmakers lambasted Biden for failing to nominate someone to fill the position, which was created in December 2023

SCOOP | A group of 47 House Republicans led by Rep. Mike Lawler urged President-elect Donald Trump to immediately nominate an ambassador-rank special envoy for the Abraham Accords, a position that has been left empty since it was created by Congress in late 2023.

@marcrod.bsky.social has more:

Lipstadt: U.N.’s Guterres said U.N. Special Rapporteur Albanese is ‘a horrible person’ The U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism also spoke about her hopes for the Trump administration’s efforts to fight antisemitism during a roundtable with reporters

Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt told reporters that U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres had, in a one-on-one conversation with her, condemned Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on the situation on human rights in the Palestinian territories.

@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

Top progressive Jayapal to join House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), the former chair of the House Progressive Caucus who has been a leading supporter of efforts to block weapons sales to Israel, is set to join the influential House Foreign Affairs Committee, House Democratic leadership announced on Tuesday. Jayapal will join Reps. George Latimer (D-NY), Johnny Olszewski (D-MD), Julie Johnson (D-TX)... Read More

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), the former chair of the House Progressive Caucus who has been a leading supporter of efforts to block weapons sales to Israel, is set to join the influential House Foreign Affairs Committee.

@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

House passes bipartisan ICC sanctions for a second time The bill passed the House by a 243-140 vote, with 45 Democrats in support

The House passed a bill sanctioning the International Criminal Court for issuing arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant by a 243-140-1 vote, with 45 Democrats in support. The outcome was similar to the vote by which the bill passed last year.

@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

Secure Community Network backs Noem’s Homeland Security nomination The Jewish communal security group said ‘there are few governors who have shown greater interest or been a stronger partner’ in building relationships with the Jewish community

The Secure Community Network is endorsing South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s nomination to head the Department of Homeland Security, a significant stamp of approval from the national Jewish community for Noem’s confirmation to the national security post.

@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

Eric Trager to fill top Middle East slot on Trump’s National Security Council Trager, a Senate Armed Services Committee staffer and former Washington Institute fellow, has focused his research on Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood

SCOOP | Eric Trager, currently a staff member for Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee, is set to be the National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa in the new Trump administration, two sources told Jewish Insider.

@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

A look at the right-wing lawmakers that could constrain pro-Israel legislation in the new Congress Rep. Thomas Massie is the most notorious of the GOP’s right-wing rebels, emerging as the only Republican who refused to support House Speaker Mike Johnson in this last week’s leadership election

As House Republicans enter the new congressional session with just one vote to spare on party-line legislation, even a small number of defectors could have significant sway over legislation relating to antisemitism or Israel.

@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

Maryland state legislator blasts Van Hollen at JCRC breakfast State senator Ben Kramer, a longtime Van Hollen backer, said he believes Maryland’s senior senator has been swayed by anti-Israel propaganda

Maryland state Sen. Ben Kramer, a Democrat, blasted Sen. Chris Van Hollen at a breakfast organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington over his outspoken criticism towards Israel’s war in Gaza and votes to block some military aid to Israel.

@marcrod97 reports:

How the Antisemitism Awareness Act fell apart After bipartisan dealmaking efforts failed, Congress will likely conclude its business, in the worst period of antisemitism in decades, without passing any major new legislation on the issue

A source familiar with the negotiations said that Schumer will ultimately take the blame in the Jewish community, but that he did make a real effort. They noted the significant political pressures that Johnson faced if the bill was added to a package.

Full story by @marcrod97:

Rep. Kathy Manning says Jews are feeling increasingly insecure in American life The retiring Manning, who led the House antisemitism task force, linked that trend both to the Oct. 7 attack — and to President Trump’s first election

Rep. Kathy Manning says Jews are feeling increasingly insecure in American life, @marcrod97 reports

https://ji.news/3ZYYC4J

Sen. Jacky Rosen to join Senate Foreign Relations Committee The reliably pro-Israel Democrat joins a roster that includes a significant number of lawmakers who voted to block U.S. aid to Israel

Sen. Jacky Rosen is set to join the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the new Congress, bringing one of the Democrats’ strongest pro-Israel voices to a committee roster that includes several lawmakers who voted to block some U.S. aid to Israel.

@marcrod97 reports:

Newly elected Rep. Gabe Evans brings Middle East military experience to Capitol Hill Evans tells JI: ‘We cannot live in a world with a nuclear Iran’

Rep.-elect Gabe Evans (R-CO), an Army veteran who operated in nine countries in the Middle East, is set to bring personal experience to Capitol Hill in January.

“We cannot live in a world with a nuclear Iran," he told Jewish Insider.

@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

Jeanne Shaheen, who has turned critical of Israel, becomes key foreign policy voice for Senate Dems The New Hampshire Democrat, up for re-election in 2026, is taking over the top Democratic spot on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is set to assume the top Democratic spot on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, weeks after voting for resolutions that sought to block certain shipments of military aid to Israel.

@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

Daily Kickoff: The last effort to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act this year Daily Kickoff: The last effort to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act this year

“Senator Schumer has promised many in the Jewish community he would get the legislation passed. It is fair to say the pressure is on him, and the expectation is he will do what he said he would do,” a source familiar with the situation told Jewish Insider.

@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

Torres raises concerns about Oct. 7 roleplay game on Steam video game store “Steam is selling a video game that represents nothing less than an open invitation of violence against Israelis and Jews,” Torres said in a letter to Valve President Gabe Newell

“Antisemitism is not a business model from which to profit,” @ritchietorres.bsky.social said. “It is a demon that must be exorcised from the soul of humanity.”

More from @marcrod.bsky.social:

Schumer’s bid to add Antisemitism Awareness Act to NDAA defense bill fails The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act was released Saturday evening, without the antisemitism bill, following opposition from House Speaker Mike Johnson

Chuck Schumer’s bid to add the Antisemitism Awareness Act to the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act has been blocked by Mike Johnson, making it increasingly unlikely that the bill will pass Congress this year.

@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

Duckworth lambastes Israeli government, but dismisses Sanders’ resolutions as ineffectual Sen. Tammy Duckworth sent a lengthy letter to constituents this week about her decision to vote against resolutions that would have cut off aid to Israel

SCOOP | In a letter to constituents, Sen. Tammy Duckworth lambasted Netanuyahu and the Israeli government while also arguing that the resolutions that would have blocked some U.S. aid would have created more challenges and done nothing to address issues on the ground.

@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

Trump DOJ civil rights pick blasted campus protests, opposed Antisemitism Awareness Act ‘Sue every university that refuses to keep students safe based on their religion. Make them regret their choices,’ Harmeet Dhillon said. ‘Sue each and every violent protester and organizers.’

“Sue Yale. Sue every university that refuses to keep students safe based on their religion. Make them regret their choices,” Harmeet Dhillon said in April. “Deplete their endowments. Sue each and every violent protester and organizers.”

More from @marcrod.bsky.social:

Pro-Israel firebrand Rep. Brian Mast to be next Foreign Affairs chair Mast is among the leading opponents of a two-state solution and aid to the Palestinians in the House

Rep. Brian Mast, an outspoken supporter of Israel and one of the most ardent opponents of a two-state solution in the House, is set to become the next chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee following a surprise vote.

@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

House Republicans urge congressional leaders to ensure prohibition on UNRWA funding in 2025 'Terror is in woven into the fabric of UNRWA, and there is no hope for peace in the Middle East if UNRWA is allowed to continue to operate,’ lawmakers said

EXCLUSIVE | As lawmakers work to finalize a stopgap spending package, a group of House Republicans is urging congressional leaders to ensure that U.S. funding to UNRWA remains banned in the upcoming bill and that the U.S. works to begin to dismantle the agency.

@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

Elliott Abrams breaks down the path forward in Syria Abrams: ‘It’s hard to believe that this rebel army, which now has to worry about governing the whole country, would want to start a fight with Israel’

Elliott Abrams, the former U.S. special representative for Iran, said he doesn’t expect much U.S. involvement in Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, but that the newly volatile situation creates both new opportunities and perils in the region.

@marcrod.bsky.social has more:

Pro-Israel firebrand Rep. Brian Mast to be next Foreign Affairs chair Mast is among the leading opponents of a two-state solution and aid to the Palestinians in the House

Donald Trump helped push Rep. Brian Mast to victory, personally calling members of the GOP steering committee to pressure them to support the Florida legislator, a source familiar with the situation told Jewish Insider.

@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

U.N. deputy secretary-general says Lebanon cease-fire is holding, for now ‘It’s holding as fast as it can,’ despite breaches on both sides, Amina Mohammed says at Aspen Security Forum

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said she believes the cease-fire agreement in Lebanon is holding, in spite of continued Hezbollah attacks and attempted attacks on Israel, which have prompted Israeli strikes.

“It’s holding as fast as it can."

@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

Gottheimer, Sherrill offer diverging post-Oct. 7 records on Israel Some Jewish leaders in New Jersey are wary of the congresswoman for ‘playing both sides of the fence’ as she begins her race for governor

Support from New Jersey’s sizable Jewish community could be critical in the state’s upcoming gubernatorial primary, which features Democratic Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill.

We examined their records on Israel policy — which feature notable differences:

@marcrod.bsky.social reports: