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Pentagon appointee raises concerns over isolationist bent

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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.

“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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:mt6yt76remortmbo6coq2mhh" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky-mention">@marcrod.bsky.social has more:

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.

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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.

<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:mt6yt76remortmbo6coq2mhh" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky-mention">@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

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.

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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.

<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:mt6yt76remortmbo6coq2mhh" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky-mention">@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

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.

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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.

<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:mt6yt76remortmbo6coq2mhh" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky-mention">@marcrod.bsky.social reports:

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:

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, @marcrod97 reports

https://ji.news/3ZYYC4J

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:

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:

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:

“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:

“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:

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:

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:

“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:

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: