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☆ How one 'Squad' member avoided an avalanche of pro-Israel money
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

When Summer Lee ran for Congress in 2022, she had to battle a wave of pro-Israel spending. AdvertisementGoing into this year, Rep. Summer Lee seemed likely to be a top target for pro-Israel groups. Both AIPAC and another key pro-Israel group, Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI), opted to stay out of the primary. Pro-Israel groups spent money against Lee not just in the primary, but in the general election as well. Meanwhile, progressive groups supporting Lee spent nearly $710,000, and on Sunday, Ocasio-Cortez came to Pittsburgh to rally with Lee.

Persons: Summer Lee, Lee, —, Bhavini Patel, Mark Mellman, Sen, Bernie Sanders's, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez —, That's, o6e7abRSr2 —, Patel, Jeff Yass, Cortez, Lee —, Joe Biden —, Biden, who've Organizations: Service, Democratic, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Israel, Washington Post, Rep, AIPAC, Pennsylvania, House, Democratic Socialists of America, o6e7abRSr2 — AIPAC, Democratic Party, GOP, Law Locations: Israel, Pittsburgh, Alexandria, Squirrel Hill, Gaza, Emboldening

☆ Pro-Israel Groups Promised to Be Active in Democratic Primaries. They Haven’t Done Much Yet.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Jonathan Weisman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

After Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel, pro-Israel political groups put the Democratic Party’s most outspoken critics of the Jewish state on notice: An avalanche of spending was coming to either unseat them or force them to change their posture on the Middle East. But the first expeted target of that avalanche, Representative Summer Lee of Pittsburgh, will face only nominal opposition in the Pennsylvania primary on Tuesday. And though groups like Democratic Majority for Israel and United Democracy Project, an affiliate of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, have raised tens of millions of dollars to make good on their threats, they have so far mostly declined to spend it. Pro-Israel groups were unable to recruit an experienced, well-known primary challenger to Ms. Lee. That is not the case in primaries to come, especially Representative Jamaal Bowman’s in New York in June and Representative Cori Bush’s in Missouri in August.

Persons: Summer Lee, Lee, Jamaal Bowman’s, Cori Bush’s Organizations: Israel, Democratic, United Democracy Project, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Synagogue Locations: Israel, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Squirrel, New York, Missouri

☆ Biden Chides Netanyahu, Threatening to Pivot U.S. Policy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

During a 30-minute call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, President Biden went further than ever in pressing for change in the military operation. “President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” according to a White House summary of the call. But Mr. Kirby would not outline specific metrics for judging Israel’s response or what Mr. Biden would do if not satisfied. Mr. Biden called himself “outraged and heartbroken” over the incident and made a point of calling Mr. Andrés to express his condolences. Bibi obviously doesn’t care what the U.S. says, its about what the U.S. does.”Jon Favreau, a former chief speechwriter for Mr. Obama, was even more derisive of Mr. Biden.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, President Biden, Biden, “, Netanyahu, ”, Fatima Shbair, Antony J, Blinken, ” Mr, Biden’s, Chris Coons, Mr, Coons, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Biden “, Mohammed Saber, John F, Kirby, emboldening, John Hannah, José Andrés, Andrés, Zomi Frankcom, Damian Soból, Barack Obama, Bibi, ” Ben Rhodes, Obama, ” Jon Favreau, doesn’t, ‘, ’, aggravation, Jill Biden, Joe, Katie Rogers, David E, Sanger, Lara Jakes Organizations: Israel, Hamas, Credit, Associated, NATO, Democratic, CNN, Republican, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Iran, Central Kitchen, Shutterstock, Jewish Institute for National Security of America, Biden, Mr, Israel Defense Forces, White Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Brussels, Michigan, Washington, Delaware, Jerusalem, Iran, Syria, United States, “ Hamas, Haiti, Cyprus, U.S, “

☆ C.I.A. Director Is Heading to Cairo for New Truce Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Julian E. Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +14 min

During a 30-minute call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, President Biden went further than ever in pressing for change in the military operation. Credit... Fatima Shbair/Associated PressBy the middle of the night in Jerusalem, Israel made its first gestures to Mr. Biden. The reported agreement came as American officials held out the prospect of consequences if Mr. Netanyahu resisted. But Mr. Kirby would not outline specific metrics for judging Israel’s response or what Mr. Biden would do if not satisfied. Mr. Biden called himself “outraged and heartbroken” over the incident and made a point of calling Mr. Andrés to express his condolences.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, President Biden, Biden, Biden’s, “, Netanyahu, ”, Fatima Shbair, Mr, Antony J, Blinken, ” Mr, Chris Coons, Coons, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Biden “, William J, Burns, Mohammed Saber, John F, Kirby, emboldening, John Hannah, José Andrés, Andrés, Zomi Frankcom, Damian Soból, Barack Obama, Bibi, ” Ben Rhodes, Obama, ” Jon Favreau, doesn’t, ‘, ’, aggravation, Jill Biden, Joe, ” Julian E, Barnes, Katie Rogers, David E, Sanger, Lara Jakes Organizations: Israel, Hamas, Credit, Associated, U.S . National Security Council, NATO, Democratic, CNN, Republican, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Iran, Central Kitchen, Shutterstock, Jewish Institute for National Security of America, Biden, Mr, Israel Defense Forces, White Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Jerusalem, Ashdod, Jordan, Brussels, Michigan, Washington, Delaware, Iran, Syria, United States, Cairo, “ Hamas, Haiti, Cyprus, U.S, “

☆ Israel has ‘no choice’ but Rafah offensive, Netanyahu tells US members of Congress
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Benjamin Brown | Eugenia Yosef | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Israel has faced criticism internationally ahead of its planned offensive on the southern Gaza city, in which more than one million people are currently sheltering. Netanyahu had earlier told the delegation that displaced Palestinians in Gaza could “just move” out of Rafah and “move with their tents.”“There’s all of the Gaza Strip north of Rafah,” Netanyahu said. “People move down, they can move up,” the prime minister added. Disagreements over the impending invasion of Rafah and the worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza have driven relations between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden to a low. The White House said Wednesday that Netanyahu had agreed to reschedule the planned visit by the Israeli delegation to Washington to discuss the possible Rafah operation.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “ We’ve, We’ll, ” Netanyahu, Israel “, Said Khatib, Israel, Biden, Joe Biden, Yoav Gallant, Defense Lloyd Austin, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Gallant Organizations: Israel CNN, Israeli, ’, Wednesday, ”, Minister’s, Israel, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Getty, UN Security, Security, CNN, Defense, National Locations: Haifa, Israel, Gaza, It’s, Jerusalem, Rafah, AFP, Washington

☆ White House Denies Biden Has Set ‘Red Lines’ for Israel-Hamas War in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Peter Baker | Alan Yuhas | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The White House denied on Tuesday that President Biden had set any “red lines” for Israel in its campaign against Hamas in Gaza but warned again that Israel should not attack the city of Rafah, the southernmost city in the enclave, without protections for more than a million people sheltering there. “The president didn’t make any declarations or pronouncements or announcements,” said Jake Sullivan, the president’s national security adviser, referring to an interview Mr. Biden gave over the weekend in which he was asked whether he had a “red line” Israel should not cross in its prosecution of the war. In the interview, with MSNBC, Mr. Biden rebuked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel over the rising civilian death toll in Gaza, saying that “he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost” and that “he’s hurting Israel more than helping Israel.”Mr. Netanyahu later dismissed that contention as “wrong,” and on Tuesday he again defended Israel’s efforts to minimize civilian casualties. Mr. Sullivan, who met on Tuesday with Israel’s ambassador, Michael Herzog, declined to discuss reports that Mr. Biden, if Israel proceeded with the Rafah operation, might impose restrictions on how Israel can use the arms the United States is supplying it. “We’re not going to engage in hypotheticals about what comes down the line, and the reports that purport to describe the president’s thinking are uninformed speculation,” Mr. Sullivan said.

Persons: Biden, didn’t, ”, Jake Sullivan, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, “, ” Mr, Netanyahu, Sullivan, Michael Herzog, “ We’re Organizations: White, Hamas, MSNBC, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Israel, Israel’s Locations: Israel, Gaza, Rafah, Washington, United States

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing a barrage of super PAC money, more than 20 progressive groups are coming together to forcefully counter pro-Israel groups’ efforts to primary challenge liberal members who've been critics of Israel's blistering military offensive in Gaza. The coalition, called Reject AIPAC, includes Jewish peace organizations and Arab American and Muslim groups that have been organizing in record numbers since the Israel-Hamas war began in October. That campaign has turned the otherwise safely Democratic districts into election battlegrounds. Israel’s air and ground offensive has also driven most Palestinians from their homes and pushed one-quarter of the population toward starvation. This comes as AIPAC shifted in its own strategy in the last several years, transitioning from strictly a lobbying organization to helping elect centrist, pro-Israel Democrats.

Persons: who've, ”, Usamah, Jamaal Bowman, Ilhan Omar, Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, Cori Bush of, ” Andrabi Organizations: WASHINGTON, Israel, Hamas, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Democratic, Justice Democrats, AIPAC, Democratic Party, Press, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Israel Democrats Locations: Gaza, Israel, Washington, New York, Minnesota, Cori Bush of Missouri

☆ As Gaza Death Toll Mounts, the Peace Lobby Fights for Influence in Washington
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Kate Kelly | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Going up against the many forces backing Israel is a challenge for any group. AIPAC, founded about 70 years ago to promote Israel’s interests in the U.S., is a juggernaut. Last year, its nonprofit arm reported more than $73 million in revenue. Last month, its political action committee, which supports candidates who embrace its policy priorities, reported record fund-raising — bolstering a $40 million war chest that could be spent trying to defeat political opponents in Washington. It has the ear of congressional leaders in both parties.

Persons: Israel Organizations: American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Israel, Quaker, West Bank, Capitol, Friends Committee, Democratic Party Locations: United States, Israel, East, U.S, Washington

America’s weak.”Neither Casey nor McCormick are likely to face serious opposition in Pennsylvania's April 23 primary before facing off against each other in November's general election. The Biden administration's support for Israel has been complicated politically in other states the president is counting on in his reelection bid. “Israel needs America's firm and unequivocal support,” McCormick wrote. Jewish voters typically vote overwhelmingly Democratic, and Democrats right now are trying to balance their interest in protecting Israel with that of younger voters, who have been sympathetic to Palestinians, he said. “Jewish voters have been one of their most loyal supporter groups.

Persons: —, Biden, hasn't, David McCormick, Joe Biden, Democratic Sen, Bob Casey, McCormick, Casey, Donald Trump, West Virginia Sen, Joe Manchin, persuadable, Hillel, “, ” McCormick, Barack Obama, Israel's, ’ ” Casey, Israel, Israel ”, George W, Bush, Christopher Borick, ” Borick, it’s, Marc Levy Organizations: U.S . Senate, Democratic, Israel, Biden, Trump, Senate, West, Republicans, Hamas, CBS, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Foreign, Jewish Community Center, Army, Pennsylvania, Jewish, Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Locations: HARRISBURG, Pa, Pennsylvania, Israel, Gaza, Iran, U.S, Afghanistan, Pennsylvania's, Michigan, Wisconsin, Rust, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Allentown

☆ Former GOP House member's wife said Sen. Markwayne Mullin put his finger in the noses of sleeping members of Congress and their spouses on a trip to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

In 2015, Sen. Markwayne Mullin went to Israel along with several colleagues and their spouses. Two people on the trip said he picked the noses of sleeping members and their spouses on the bus. AdvertisementThe wife of a former Republican congressman said Sen. Markwayne Mullin put his fingers in the noses of sleeping congressional spouses for photo ops on a trip to Israel. Kappy Trott, the wife of former Rep. David Trott, described the story to Politico on Friday. She said the event occurred amidst a trip to Israel in 2015 with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee alongside nearly 40 members of Congress and some of their spouses.

Persons: Sen, Markwayne Mullin, —, Kappy Trott, David Trott, Mullin, Trott, Bernie Sanders, He's, it's, Mullin's Organizations: Service, Republican, Politico, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Teamsters Locations: Israel, Oklahoma

☆ Opinion | The War in Gaza Is Splintering the Democratic Party
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Michelle Goldberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +15 min

Should a few members of the Squad lose their primaries, the blow to Democratic unity could be severe. “And they’ll either stay at home or they’ll go to a third party.”Already, there are signs that the party is fracturing over Israel. Advocates for the freedom and safety of Palestinians, horror-struck by more than 10,000 civilian deaths in Gaza, believe that the Democratic Party is giving its approval to atrocities. These big-footed donors, who are overwhelmingly targeting representatives of color, are going to exacerbate the fissures in the Democratic Party. Diana Lovett, a Democratic Party district leader who held a fund-raiser for Bowman last year, said polarization over the congressman was tearing apart local Democrats.

Persons: Ryan Grim, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Bernie Sanders, she’d, ”, Ilhan Omar, who’ve, Tlaib, “, Omar, Mark Mellman, Israel, ” Mellman, Bowman, Eliot Engel, Grim, he’d, George Floyd, Giddins, —, Don Samuels, Cori Bush, Wesley Bell, Summer Lee, Bhavini Patel, Bowman doesn’t, George Latimer, imploring, Latimer, hadn’t, Waleed Shahid, Ocasio, imploring Biden, they’ve, He’s, ” Bowman, I’m, haven’t, hasn’t, Shahid, Ta, Nehisi Coates, Coates, Isaac Herzog, Weinberger, Sam Bankman, Nina Turner, Andy Levin, Republican megadonors, Bernie Marcus, “ I’ve, Mark Pocan, Mellman, Diana Lovett, Lovett, who’d, dreading, “ He’s, we’re Organizations: Israel, ”, Democratic, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Times, New, New York Democratic, The New York Times, Minneapolis City, Missouri Democrat, Pittsburgh Democrat, Squad, Justice Democrats, Democratic Party, Democratic Socialists of America, West Bank, Democratic Socialists, U.S, Westchester Jewish Council, New York Democratic Socialists of America, Jewish, Politico, United Democracy, AIPAC, Jewish Democrat, Republican, Home Depot, Wisconsin Democrat, Congressional Progressive Caucus Locations: Israel, Palestine, Gaza, New York, Minneapolis, Missouri, Louis County, Hebron, “, Manhattan, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin

☆ Nikki Haley and Those High Heels - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Jessica Bennett | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Ms. Haley seemed to know she’d gain more by shutting down a male jerk with humor than letting the moment go. A bit later, too, when Mr. Ramaswamy brought up Ms. Haley’s daughter’s use of TikTok, an unusually personal attack on a family member, Ms. Haley spoke for many when she said, “You’re just scum.”Now imagine Ms. Haley on the debate stage with Mr. Trump. Maybe Mr. Trump has imagined it. Whether you love or hate these playground-style duels, these moments can be more consequential than many of us assume. And when you kick back, it hurts them more if you’re wearing heels.”

Persons: Haley, Ramaswamy, Haley’s, “, Trump, ”, Tristan Bridges, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Hillary, “ I’ve Organizations: University of California, American Israel Public Affairs Locations: Santa Barbara, Iraq, South Carolina

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar got a prominent Democratic primary challenger Sunday when former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels announced he'll try once again to unseat her after coming close in 2022. But Omar — a Somali American and Muslim — has come under renewed fire for condemning the Israeli government’s handling of its war against Hamas. Jeremy Slevin, a spokesman for Omar, did not immediately return a phone message left Sunday seeking comment on Samuels' announcement. Omar has been critical of Hamas for attacking Israel and taking hostages — but even more so of Israel’s military response. That drew pushback from a strong supporter of Israel, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who issued a public show of support for Omar this summer.

Persons: Ilhan Omar, Don Samuels, he'll, Omar, Omar —, —, “, Samuels, beatable, George Floyd, Barack Obama, ” Samuels, Jeremy Slevin, Israel, Louis Park, Isaac Herzog’s, " Samuels, ”, Hakeem Jeffries, didn't, Sarah Gad, Tim Peterson, Dalia Al Organizations: — U.S . Rep, Democratic, Sunday, Minneapolis City Council, House Democrats, Hamas, Associated Press, WCCO Radio, Twitter, Israel, Israel Public Affairs Committee, House Democratic, AIPAC, Republican Locations: MINNEAPOLIS, Minneapolis, Somali American, Minnesota, Gaza, U.S, Somali, Russia, Ukraine, Iraqi American

Bowman, Lee, Omar and Tlaib also were among the 17 sponsors of Bush’s resolution asking the Biden administration to call for a ceasefire. Challenges to Bush and the others were possible even before the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 or Israel’s subsequent attack on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It is unfortunate, Andrabi said, that the House Democratic leadership has not taken a stronger stance against AIPAC’s efforts to knock off rank-and-file Democrats. It remains unclear whether House Democrats will help incumbents fend off primary challengers through campaign fundraising arms. Before Oct. 7, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., issued statements of support for Omar and others, saying he will support the reelection of every House Democratic incumbent, regardless of ideology.

Persons: Cori Bush, Israel, Wesley Bell, Bush, Bush isn’t, Israel —, Bell, Summer Lee, Jamaal Bowman, Ilhan Omar, Rashida, Israel's staunchest, Omar, Bowman, Thanedar, Lee, Tlaib, Gaza . Bowman, Biden, Omar —, “, Democrats ’, Usamah Andrabi, Andrabi, Hakeem Jeffries, ” Tlaib, Israel Democrats ” —, Thanedar —, Detroit —, Sen, Adam Hollier —, Reconstructionists, ”, Daniel Fellman, Lee isn’t, ” Lee, Bhavini Patel, Lee doesn’t, Don Samuels, George Floyd, George Latimer, Latimer, Bush —, —, Darryl Gray, Louis, ” ___ Levy, Steve Karnowski, Joey Cappelletti, Anthony Izaguirre Organizations: LOUIS, Hamas, The Missouri Democrat, U.S, Senate, Democratic, Democrats, Israel, Democratic Party, Justice Democrats, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, “ Democratic, ”, House Democratic, Democratic Congressional, Palestinian American, Israel Democrats, Tlaib, Detroit, Conservative, Somali American, Westchester Locations: Israel, The Missouri, St, Louis, Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota, Michigan, Detroit, Gaza ., Gaza, D, Detroit House, Dearborn, Southfield, Hollier, In Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh’s Temple, Minneapolis, Somali, Westchester County, Missouri, Iran, Harrisburg , Pennsylvania, Lansing , Michigan, Albany , New York

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to China in the coming weeks for talks, two U.S. officials told NBC News on Tuesday. The news comes after a previously planned trip was postponed following the discovery of a Chinese spy balloon flying over the United States. U.S. officials did not provide additional details on the timing of Blinken's rescheduled trip, which was first reported by Bloomberg. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping previously met in November in Bali, Indonesia, where they agreed that Blinken would visit China to follow up on the discussions. A Chinese government representative defended its actions, saying Monday that "China always respects the right of navigation."

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Wang Yi, Ned Price, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, John Kirby, Biden Organizations: American Israel Public Affairs, NBC, U.S, Bloomberg, ., State Department, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Security, U.S . Locations: Washington , DC, China, United States, . American, South Carolina, Singapore, Bali , Indonesia, Taiwan, Bali, American, Beijing

☆ Blinken heads to Saudi Arabia amid strained ties, Israel normalization in mind
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | Thomson Reuters | Humeyra Pamuk Is A Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent Based In Washington Dc. She Covers The U.S. State Department | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan traveled to Saudi Arabia on May 7. Speaking at the pro-Israel lobby group the American Israel Public Affairs Committee on Monday, Blinken said Washington had "a real national security interest" in advocating for the normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, but cautioned that it will not happen quickly. "[Blinken should explain] why Chinese interests do not align with Saudi Arabia, and why closer relations in a strategic way inhibit closer relations with Washington," Goldberg said. U.S. citizens and residents with family members detained in Saudi Arabia called on Blinken in a letter on Tuesday to press Saudi officials for an immediate release of their relatives. The list included prominent cleric Salman al-Odah, children of former spy chief Saad al-Jabri, human rights defender Mohammed al-Qahtani and aid worker Abdulrahman al-Sadhan.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jake Sullivan, Blinken, Washington, Richard Goldberg, Goldberg, Joe Biden, Prince Mohammed, Jamal Khashoggi, Biden, Bashar al, Assad, Salman al, Saad al, Mohammed al, Abdulrahman, Arshad Mohammed, Simon Lewis, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Leslie Adler, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Saudi, White House, diplomat's, Israel, American Israel Public Affairs, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, MbS, Arab, U.S, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Iran, Jeddah, U.S, Israel, Saudi, Washington, Syria

☆ Blinken to Talk to Saudis About Normalizing Ties With Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Edward Wong | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The NewsSecretary of State Antony J. Blinken said Monday that he planned to talk to Saudi leaders and other Gulf state officials this week during a visit to Saudi Arabia about the possibility of the kingdom normalizing ties with Israel. “The United States has a real national security interest in promoting normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia,” Mr. Blinken said at a conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Mr. Blinken and other Biden aides are trying to grapple with politics in Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United States that would make normalization difficult. Growing tensions would hamper negotiations over the conditions for normalization that Saudi Arabia demands. Mr. Biden was outraged in October when Saudi Arabia led the OPEC Plus oil-producing nations in a coordinated production cut.

Persons: Antony J, Blinken, Biden, ” Mr, “, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Organizations: American Israel Public Affairs Committee, OPEC Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Israel, United States, U.S

WASHINGTON, June 5 (Reuters) - Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged continued U.S. commitment to both Israel's security and a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict on Monday, but said the expansion of Jewish settlements would be an obstacle to peace. "Settlement expansion clearly presents an obstacle to the horizon of hope that we seek," Blinken said to muted response from the audience. They also undermine the basic daily dignity to which all people are entitled," Blinken added. "The United States has a real national security interest in promoting normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia," Blinken added. Reporting by Simon Lewis and Doina Chiacu; editing by Rami Ayyub, Bernadette Baum and Will DunhamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Joe Biden's, Israel's, Simon Lewis, Doina, Rami Ayyub, Bernadette Baum, Will Dunham Organizations: Israel, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Israel, Jerusalem, Israel's, Washington, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United States

☆ Blinken vows US support for Israel despite unease over govt
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday the U.S. will not shrink from its unwavering support for Israel despite stark differences with Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu and concerns the Biden administration may have about potential members of his incoming right-wing government. Blinken said the Biden administration would engage with Netanyahu’s government based on its policies and not on personalities, including potential senior Cabinet ministers who have expressed vehement anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab views in the past. He said those would be detrimental to Israel’s long-term security or future as a Jewish democratic state. We will hold it to the mutual standards we have established in our relationship over the past seven decades,” Blinken said. He lauded the recent completion of a maritime border accord between Israel and Lebanon.

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