Jewish Insider
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Jewish Insider
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David May argued the UN has become a venue for Iran and other authoritarian governments to “launder their human rights records.”

“People are noticing the absurdity of the UN secretary-general congratulating the Islamic Republic on the anniversary of seizing power,” May said.
Former Trump officials, analysts slam UN’s conciliatory moves towards Iranian regime
On Tuesday, the UN elected Abbas Tajik of the Islamic Republic of Iran as vice chair of its Commission for Social Development
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Liz Magill, the former University of Pennsylvania president who resigned after facing criticism of inaction against campus antisemitism, has been tapped as the dean of Georgetown University Law Center.
Embattled former UPenn President Liz Magill tapped as dean of Georgetown law school
Magill resigned as president from UPenn after a disastrous Capitol Hill hearing where she evaded questioning over whether calling for the genocide of Jews violated school policies
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:56 PM
The U.N. this week elevated an Iranian official to a senior leadership role and publicly congratulated Tehran on the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution — moves that former Trump administration officials and Middle East policy analysts say reflect a troublingly conciliatory posture.
Former Trump officials, analysts slam UN’s conciliatory moves towards Iranian regime
On Tuesday, the UN elected Abbas Tajik of the Islamic Republic of Iran as vice chair of its Commission for Social Development
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Sen. John Cornyn warned that the U.S. needs to continue to monitor the “shifting loyalties” of Saudi Arabia, amid concerns Riyadh is pivoting away from its traditional allies and toward Islamist actors.
John Cornyn warns of ‘shifting alliances’ from Riyadh and Doha
The GOP senator also told JI he doesn’t believe Iran will abide by ‘one sentence, one word of any negotiated agreement’ with the U.S.
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Beth Israel Congregation President Zach Shemper wrapped up a week on Capitol Hill feeling “confident” that sharing the story of the recent arson attack on his synagogue with lawmakers would bring increased security funding for houses of worship nationwide — including his own.
President of damaged Miss. synagogue presses for more security funding for houses of worship
Congregation Beth Israel President Zach Shemper spent time in Washington as a grand jury indicted the suspected arsonist
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM
American University has suspended its chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine through November 2027, the D.C. private school confirmed to Jewish Insider.

The organization was suspended for “violations to university policies,” an AU spokesperson said, but did not elaborate.
American University bans Students for Justice in Palestine on campus until 2027
The university said that SJP was suspended for ‘violations to university policies’, but didn’t elaborate further
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:44 PM
New Jersey’s Democratic congressional delegation has fully lined up behind progressive activist and congressional candidate Analilia Mejia — with the exception of Rep. Josh Gottheimer.
Josh Gottheimer sole remaining holdout among N.J. congressional Dems endorsing Mejia
After the rest of the state’s Democratic delegation jointly endorsed Mejia, Gottheimer said he’s ‘looking forward to sitting down with her’
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman urged voters in her district not to vote for East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen, one of the 17 candidates running to replace her, accusing him of being a “hard-line supporter” of Netanyahu, while otherwise remaining agnostic on the race.
Retiring Rep. Watson Coleman slams only Jewish candidate for being a ‘hardline supporter of Netanyahu’
The retiring New Jersey congresswoman clashed with Cohen in 2019 after she voted against a resolution opposing the BDS movement
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Josh Shapiro delivered an upbeat speech to Jewish teens at BBYO’s International Convention in Philadelphia, urging them to be proud of their Judaism and to strive to live out Jewish values

“I want you to wear your Stars of David with pride. That will give strength to others,” said Shapiro.
Josh Shapiro tells BBYO teens: Be proud to be Jewish
The Pennsylvania governor kept his Jewish identity front and center when addressing the opening ceremony of BBYO’s International Convention
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:09 PM
The largest global membership organization for social workers from around the world will vote next week on whether to expel Israel’s leading social work body, sparking a feverish advocacy campaign by Jewish and Israeli practitioners to urge members to vote against the measure.
Jewish social workers in U.S., Israel, Canada urge international body against expelling Israel
The International Federation of Social Workers is set to hold a vote on Feb. 18 to expel Israel over its members’ service in the IDF
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Facing a heated primary against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Sen. John Cornyn accused his right-wing challenger of associating with antisemitic and anti-Israel voices within the MAGA movement.
Cornyn slams Paxton for associating with Steve Bannon, not calling out antisemitism on right
The Texas senator, facing a competitive primary, praised Sen. Ted Cruz for taking the lead in speaking out against anti-Jewish hate
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:58 PM
A who’s who of the world’s major political leaders, past and present, are descending on Munich for the annual Munich Security Conference.
At this year’s Munich Security Conference, the Middle East figures less on the agenda 
The annual confab, which kicks off today, will focus more on Europe’s shifting relations with the U.S.
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Read today's #DailyKickoff:

🌍 Previewing the Munich Security Conference

Full briefing 👇

ji.news/4rfug
Previewing the Munich Security Conference
Plus, Cornyn talks to JI about primary, concern over Saudis
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:21 PM
“It’s a real challenge out there running as a Jewish candidate right now,” Jason Friedman told Jewish Insider, while also emphasizing that these issues are not front-and-center or the ones he’s focusing on in conversations with most voters in the district.
Longtime Chicago Jewish federation leader Jason Friedman makes a bid for open House seat
AIPAC’s super PAC has recently thrown its support behind his opponent, Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:57 AM
Jason Friedman described himself as a “firm believer” in aid to Israel which has “proven incredible benefits over the years,” and that he is a “big believer and supporter” of the memorandum of understanding on military aid between the U.S. and Israel.
Longtime Chicago Jewish federation leader Jason Friedman makes a bid for open House seat
AIPAC’s super PAC has recently thrown its support behind his opponent, Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:58 AM
SCOOP | A pair of senators and a House lawmaker will introduce bipartisan, bicameral legislation aimed at boosting U.S.-Israeli cooperation on bilateral defense programs.
Bipartisan bill seeks to strengthen U.S.-Israel defense cooperation
The United States-Israel FUTURES Act, will be introduced in the Senate by Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and in the House by Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX)
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:14 AM
Brad Lander condemned social media posts from a former top campaign consultant that promoted Hamas, Iran and anti-Israel conspiracy theories — but refused to explain how he came to hire him in the first place.
Brad Lander denounces consultant’s ‘extremely offensive’ posts — but won’t say why he hired him
Dan Goldman’s left-wing primary challenger refuses to answer how he came to work with the ‘Hot Girls for Zohran’ founder
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:04 AM
@jasonfriedmanil.bsky.social, a prominent real estate developer and longtime leader in the Jewish United Fund, Chicago’s Jewish federation, is seeking to make a name for himself in the crowded primary for Congress in Illinois’ 7th district, long represented by retiring Rep. Danny Davis.
Longtime Chicago Jewish federation leader Jason Friedman makes a bid for open House seat
AIPAC’s super PAC has recently thrown its support behind his opponent, Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:40 AM
The Mississippi man indicted last month in connection with setting the state’s largest synagogue on fire is facing two additional federal charges.
Grand jury indicts Mississippi synagogue arsonist on civil rights charges
If convicted on all federal counts, Pittman could face up to 50 years in prison and up to $750,000 in fines
jewishinsider.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:23 AM
The nomination of Jeremy Carl, tapped to be the assistant secretary of state for international organizations, appears bound for failure after Sen. John Curtis announced his opposition to Carl’s confirmation following a contentious confirmation hearing in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Jeremy Carl nomination derailed after grilling over antisemitic, anti-Israel comments
GOP Sen. John Curtis said of Carl, ‘I find his anti-Israel views and insensitive remarks about the Jewish people unbecoming of the position for which he has been nominated’
jewishinsider.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Zohran Mamdani and his team refused to condemn social media posts from the co-founder of the group ‘Hot Girls for Zohran’ that boosted antisemitic and pro-Iran voices and bashed police and leading U.S. politicians.
Mamdani refuses to condemn ‘Hot Girls for Zohran’ head’s pro-Hamas, antisemitic conspiracy posts
When pressed, neither the mayor nor his spokesperson would condemn Kaif Gilani’s signal-boosting of a Holocaust revisionist and ex-Hamas chief
jewishinsider.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:54 PM
While Carrie Prejean Boller was removed from the White House Religious Liberty Commission on Wednesday, she found an ally who has stood by her this week and who remains on the commission’s advisory board: Sameerah Munshi, a Muslim activist who first gained a public profile in the summer of 2023.
Two Trump religious liberty appointees joined forces in anti-Israel push for antisemitism hearing
Activist Sameerah Munshi was appointed by the White House to the commission’s advisory board; the two women have jointly posted antisemitic content online
jewishinsider.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Rep. Elise Stefanik urged the Trump administration to investigate reports that a clique of radical staffers at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene that had launched an anti-Israel “working group” inside the agency.
Elise Stefanik asks RFK Jr. to probe anti-Israel ‘working group’ in NYC health office
The upstate Republican urged the Trump administration to look into possible use of federal funds for the 'Global Oppression and Public Health' working group
jewishinsider.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Edmund Fitton-Brown called the recent Al Jazeera Forum in Doha a “convention of enemies of America,” telling Jewish Insider that the decision to give Hamas leaders a platform is “thoroughly obnoxious.”

“How do you have a close relationship with Qatar when it evidently supports Hamas?”
GOP senator Ted Budd calls on Qatar to extradite Hamas leader to the U.S.
Budd says Qatar should hand over Khaled Mashaal because he has the ‘blood of Americans on his hands’
jewishinsider.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:55 PM
As he departed Washington, Netanyahu voiced skepticism about the U.S.’ ability to reach an agreement with Iran.

“The president thinks the Iranians understand who they’re dealing with,” Netanyahu said.

But he added: “I do not hide my general skepticism about the possibility of any deal with Iran.”
Netanyahu ‘skeptical’ about Iran deal after Trump meeting
Departing from Washington, the Israeli PM said he stressed to Trump that if any deal is reached, it must go beyond the nuclear issue
jewishinsider.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:16 PM