Several of Roman Gofman’s current and former colleagues spoke to Jewish Insider about the new appointee on condition of anonymity. Full story from @lahavharkov.bsky.social: ji.news/4jqmb

Kuwait revoked the citizenship earlier this month of Tareq Al-Suwaidan, a prominent Islamic cleric and media figure associated with the Muslim Brotherhood. Experts who spoke to Jewish Insider suggested that the move was a sign that the country may be taking action on the Islamist movement.

Experts warn that Trump’s push for stabilization is increasingly being challenged by the incorporation of jihadist-aligned figures into Syria’s emerging military and security apparatus.

Blaise Misztal raised concerns about the proposal’s objective to decrease the number of four-star generals and admirals who report directly to Hegseth, which would see CENTCOM’s command status downgraded and remove its four-star authority.

Maj.-Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen said Roman Gofman’s background, as an immigrant from the former Soviet Union, is an advantage. “He knows that America is not the whole world and there are other forces we need to talk to and understand in depth.” More from @lahavharkov.bsky.social:

Roman Gofman’s supporters tout him as an Israeli patriot and Oct. 7 hero. His detractors say he’s unfamiliar with the agency. Full story from @lahavharkov.bsky.social:

“The ISIS attack that killed U.S. service members and a civilian should be a wakeup call that the terrorist group is still a threat, and will seize opportunities to reconstitute,” said Dana Stroul, director of research at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Trump has taken an unusually open approach toward Damascus, seeking to usher in a new era of stability and regional integration. But that strategy is beginning to face significant tests.

EXCLUSIVE | @blumenthal.senate.gov wrote to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem pushing for additional information about Nonprofit Security Grant Program allocations, as well as criticizing the funding allocation proposed last week by Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Ian Hurd, a Northwestern University professor who supported the anti-Israel encampment on the campus, was tapped to join a new presidential search committee, the school announced last week. His appointment to the search committee drew criticism from some of the school’s Jewish alumni.

Netanyahu’s announcement that his military secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman, would become head of the Mossad, came as a surprise to the public. However, for those who know Gofman, he was a natural choice. @lahavharkov.bsky.social reports:

Senior Pentagon officials are reportedly weighing a sweeping proposal to reorganize the U.S. military that would shift authorities and resources away from the Middle East, a move experts warn could undermine U.S.-Israel security cooperation and destabilize the region.

Tim Chapman, the president of former Vice President Mike Pence’s think tank, said he expects his Advancing American Freedom organization to poach more staffers from the Heritage Foundation after announcing the hiring of 15 individuals from the embattled conservative organization.

Several Trump appointees to the board of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum are pushing for the ouster of Sen. Bernie Sanders, alleging that he has rarely attended meetings and that his accusations of genocide against Israel run directly counter to the museum’s mission.

ANALYSIS | When Netanyahu meets with Trump next week, the Iranian threat will be at the top of the agenda. That’s a sentence that could have been written countless times in the past – but this time was supposed to be different. Read the full analysis by @lahavharkov.bsky.social:

Read today's #DailyKickoff: 🎠 Bibi’s Mar-a-Lago merry-go-round Full briefing 👇 ji.news/4jhrr

“I don’t think that he’s inherently antisemitic … but I don’t think he has been very thoughtful about standing with Jews when it comes to concerns for our physical security, anywhere — overseas, here, or whatever it is,” said Yvette Pintar, a local Jewish and Democratic leader.

“I think that it’s an important opportunity to bring a message of life, unity, warmth and positivity in a way which might otherwise not even be possible,” said Rabbi Levi Shemtov.

"We’re seeing a preview of where our country could be headed without a change in direction. And while that may sound pessimistic, the reality is there’s a lot more that can be done to deal with the growing Gen Z radicalism." Analysis by Josh Kraushaar:

“We are a proud community that has experienced challenges for thousands of years. We’re not going anywhere. If you’re not going to take this seriously, then we’re going to keep ramping up the pressure until you do,” American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch told Jewish Insider.

Lisa Strauss, a leader in the local Jewish community, said Talarico’s comments are “very disappointing.” “He’s very popular among the younger people and it’s very disheartening to see that he’s … going to pander to that very far-left wing progressive movement.”

Ted Deutch, a former Democratic member of Congress, said that antisemitic actors on both sides of the political aisle have “not been marginalized” in the way that they should be. He said he’d “like to see more from leaders across politics and throughout the country and in every part of our society.”

During Hanukkah this year, Rabbi Levi Shemtov attended as many as four events in a day, shuttling between government institutions and reciting the blessings in front of dignitaries. In an interview with Jewish Insider, he reflected on the importance of spreading a Hanukkah message of light.

Senate Appropriations Committee Republicans, in a long-delayed Homeland Security funding bill, proposed a modest increase in funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $330 million.

Jewish leaders in Texas are growing increasingly concerned about Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico’s comments on Israel, with four members of the community telling Jewish Insider that without concerted outreach from Talarico, they’re likely to back Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the primary.

A new report by the ADL highlights several members of NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team who have used antisemitic tropes and justified Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, among other issues the group flags as “deeply troubling” and that raise further questions about his vetting process.

Following the shooting at a Sydney Hanukkah event in which 15 people were killed, American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch said that it’s critical for Jewish communal organizations to join together around a campaign to protect the Jewish community worldwide and win over allies in that fight.

Even as power changes hands in Washington, one person is a fixture at Republican and Democratic White House Hanukkah parties, as well as Hanukkah gatherings all across the Beltway: Rabbi Levi Shemtov, the executive vice president of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad).

ANALYSIS | The kids aren’t alright. That’s the unmistakable takeaway from a weekend filled with shocking developments surrounding the views of young conservatives.

Read today's #DailyKickoff: 💥 Gen Z's conservative crack-up Full briefing 👇 ji.news/4jdxk

@kinney4dc.bsky.social told Jewish Insider she sees parallels between the city of D.C. and the Jewish community. “At the moment, we’re both under attack. We’re both small but mighty groups of people... I’m fighting for D.C. with a spirit that I learned fighting for the Jewish community.”

As Providence has found itself a fixture in the national news, Mayor Brett Smiley has also found himself in the spotlight. The mayor has leaned on his own faith in the days following a mass shooting at Brown University.

SCOOP | Jeremy Carl, a Trump administration nominee for a senior position at the State Department, has expressed a range of derogatory views of the Jewish community in writings and public interviews.

Rep. Elise Stefanik said the decision to end her short-lived gubernatorial bid was based on her desire to spend more time with family and the uphill battle she would face in the general election after what would likely be a bruising Republican primary battle.

A group of 136 House Republicans released a joint statement calling for increased oversight of and accountability from Syria, days after voting to repeal the last major sanctions package on the country as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

“Social media is the only reason anyone has heard of Fishback, and 20 years ago no one would even be talking about him,” Steve Schale, a Democratic strategist in Florida, told Jewish Insider.

ANALYSIS | While James Fishback has sought to cast next year’s GOP primary as a race between him and Rep. Byron Donalds, political operatives are skeptical his insurgent bid will ultimately amount to any sort of meaningful traction even as he continues to provoke controversy from behind the screen.

Kinney Zalesne, a longtime Jewish community activist, is one of a slew of Democratic candidates mounting a bid to unseat the District of Columbia’s longtime non-voting representative to Congress. “My run for office is really motivated by my Jewish sensibility,” she told Jewish Insider.

Jamaal Bowman, the far-left former House member who is pursuing an appointment as New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s public schools chancellor, recently posted a comment on Instagram supporting remarks from neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes.

A new bill introduced by several prominent House progressives blasts the Trump administration’s agenda and actions on combating antisemitism, while also implementing new posts and requirements across a series of federal departments to fight Jewish hate.

Omer Shem Tov told Jewish Insider about setting up a table on campus at the University of California, Berkeley, with an Israeli flag and a sign that read “I was a hostage in Gaza for 505 days, ask me anything.” @lahavharkov.bsky.social has more:

SCOOP | Sen. Bill Cassidy sent a letter to the National Education Association accusing the largest teachers’ union in the country of a “deeply troubling” pattern of antisemitism within its ranks.

All three of the leading Democratic contenders hoping to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters condemned two antisemitic incidents targeting Chabad at Michigan State University this week, during the first days of Hanukkah.

The ongoing dispute between Ben Shapiro and Tucker Carlson took center stage during the opening night of Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, the organization’s annual gathering and its first since the killing of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk in September.

Turning Point USA’s annual AmericaFest kicked off on Thursday with prominent names on its four-day agenda, including Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Joining them on the program on Friday is Omer Shem Tov, who was held hostage by Hamas in Gaza for 505 days.

After pressure from Capitol Hill — including a blockade by Democratic senators of the confirmation of the Coast Guard commandant — the Coast Guard struck from its disciplinary policies language describing swastikas and nooses as “potentially divisive,” rather than as explicitly banned hate symbols.

Read today's Daily Kickoff: 🥊 Shapiro, Tucker spar at AmericaFest Full briefing ⬇️ ji.news/4j6dy

“Norman believed that words matter, and arguments matter, and his leadership of Commentary was a 30-year effort at putting forward the best arguments in defense of America, Israel, the West and the Jews,” said Elliott Abrams.

“My record, my consistent views, my outspoken opposition to Mamdani, will earn people’s trust on the issue of Israel and combating antisemitism,” Rory Lancman told Jewish Insider. “From there, we can talk about the things that clearly favor Democrats."

Former state assemblyman Rory Lancman told Jewish Insider: "I confess to being disappointed that Democrats aren’t making a bright line litmus test out of whether someone supports the existence of the Jewish state."