Read today's Daily Kickoff Pentagon appointee raises concerns over isolationist bent Full briefing ⬇️ https://ji.news/4awwr26

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. @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. @marcrod.bsky.social reports:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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 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:

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, 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:

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:

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:

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:

EXCLUSIVE | House lawmakers are circulating a joint statement condemning Amnesty International for its report accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people. @marcrod.bsky.social reports:

Talks over the future of the Antisemitism Awareness Act remain largely where they stood prior to Thanksgiving, with time dwindling to finalize the annual defense and national security bill to which the legislation could be attached. @marcrod.bsky.social reports:

A new group of six Democrats will soon enter the Senate — a shift that could impact the level of support for measures like those Sen. Bernie Sanders led last month to halt certain U.S. weapons shipments to Israel. More from @marcrod.bsky.social:

Sen. Chris Van Hollen urged Biden to take dramatic action to “send a message” to Israel in his final weeks in office, even if the incoming Trump administration might reverse such actions. @marcrod.bsky.social reports: https://ji.news/3VnUKsK

The DSA nationally withdrew its endorsement of AOC in July — accusing her of being insufficiently anti-Israel and criticizing her for participating in a webinar on antisemitism. But those differences were nowhere to be seen during the Zoom event. More from @marcrod.bsky.social:

Florida state Sen. Randy Fine, an outspoken Jewish Republican and staunch supporter of Israel with a history of inflammatory comments, has announced his campaign for Florida’s 6th Congressional District. Fine entered the race with Trump’s endorsement. @marcrod.bsky.social reports:

“We have to trust the IDF, and we need to provide them the resources that they need to eradicate Hamas,” Rep.-elect Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) told Jewish Insider. “They are our only ally in the Middle East and we need to be there for them.” @marcrod.bsky.social reports:

A new bipartisan, bicameral bill seeks to respond to criminal activity in the United States organized by the Iranian regime by increasing the criminal penalties for those who commit or attempt certain crimes on behalf of foreign adversaries. @marcrod.bsky.social reports:

EXCLUSIVE | A bipartisan group of House lawmakers urged the Dutch prime minister last week to take prompt action in response to the string of recent antisemitic attacks and mob violence in Amsterdam that followed a soccer match more than two weeks ago. @marcrod.bsky.social reports:

Former Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL), who is Jewish, expressed high praise for Bondi, telling Jewish Insider that “she’s super qualified,” will be “the nicest, kindest attorney general ever” and cares deeply about the Jewish community. @marcrod.bsky.social reports:

Really interesting @marcrod.bsky.social interview with Rep. Auchincloss here - lengthiest exposition of the congressman's current views on Mideast policy that I've seen jewishinsider.com/2024/11/jake...

To get things rolling here... a roundup of some of my latest scoops on the log jammed Antisemitism Awareness Act. I reported Friday that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer planned to try to add the bill into the 2025 NDAA (defense bill) jewishinsider.com/2024/11/chuc...