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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved Jacob Lew to be ambassador to Israel, moving quickly to get him in place during the country’s new war with Hamas. The panel voted 12-9 on Wednesday to move Lew’s nomination to the Senate floor for a final vote, which could come as soon as next week. The Senate is moving quickly to confirm Lew, who was nominated by President Joe Biden last month after Tom Nides left as ambassador in July. Republicans have criticized Lew for his role in the Obama White House when it negotiated the Iran nuclear agreement in 2015, among other foreign policy moves. Lew defended his work in the Obama White House and called Iran an “evil, malign government.”

Persons: Jacob Lew, Kentucky Sen, Rand Paul, Lew, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Tom Nides, Obama, Iran —, —, Donald Trump, Idaho Sen, Jim Risch, ” Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Foreign Relations, Hamas, Republicans, Obama White, Idaho, Republican Locations: Israel, Kentucky, United States, Gaza, Iran

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez returns to court Monday to enter an expected not guilty plea to a conspiracy charge alleging that he acted as an agent of the Egyptian government even as he chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Menendez, 69, was scheduled to appear in the afternoon before Judge Sidney H. Stein at federal court in Manhattan. As a member of Congress, Menendez is prohibited from acting as an agent for a foreign government. Last week, Nadine Menendez and a businessman, Wael Hana, pleaded not guilty to the superseding indictment. Both of them were charged with conspiring with the senator to use him as an agent of the government of Egypt and its officials.

Persons: Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Sidney H, Stein, Nadine Menendez, ghostwriting, Wael Hana Organizations: — U.S, Foreign Relations, Democrat, Prosecutors, Democrats, U.S, U.S . State Department Locations: Manhattan, Jersey, United States, Egypt, Cairo

Senator Bob Menendez is set to enter a plea on Monday to a new indictment charging him with conspiring to act as an unregistered foreign agent for the Egyptian government. In an Oct. 12 statement, Menendez said "piling new charge upon new charge does not make the allegations true." Nadine Menendez and one of the businessmen, Wael Hana, pleaded not guilty to the foreign agent charge on Oct. 18. Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, individuals must register with the department if they act as "an agent of a foreign principle." In return, the businessman put Nadine Menendez on the payroll of a company he controlled, prosecutors said.

Persons: Bob Menendez, Craig Hudson, Menendez, Sidney Stein, Nadine Menendez, Wael Hana, Hana, Luc Cohen, Noeleen Walder, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Democratic, Capitol, REUTERS, New, New Jersey Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, Foreign, Prosecutors, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, New Jersey, Jersey, New York

☆ Menendez Pleads Not Guilty to Plotting to Be an Agent of Egypt
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Tracey Tully | More About Tracey Tully | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey pleaded not guilty on Monday to a new federal charge that accused him of illegally plotting to be an agent of Egypt while serving as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It was Mr. Menendez’s second not-guilty plea in a month after he and his wife, Nadine Menendez, were accused of being at the center of a broad web of political corruption. The couple has been charged with accepting bribes in exchange for Mr. Menendez’s efforts to increase aid and weapons sales to Egypt while also working to quash criminal investigations for associates in New Jersey. The bribery-related charges were first announced last month by federal prosecutors in Manhattan; a revised indictment, made public on Oct. 12, included the new charge of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government. Ms. Menendez, 56, pleaded not guilty to the new conspiracy charge last week, but Mr. Menendez was granted permission to appear on Monday, instead, so that he could be present in Washington for legislative business.

Persons: Robert Menendez, Menendez’s, Nadine Menendez, Menendez Organizations: Robert Menendez of New, Senate Foreign Relations Locations: Robert Menendez of, Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Egypt, New Jersey, Manhattan, Washington

☆ The bill to arm Israel and Ukraine could be the last great fight of Biden's political life
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Walt Hickey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Biden has little chance of passing ambitious legislation given the state of Congress, and faces a tough election. After decades of service in Washington, much of it on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Israel and Ukraine will define his legacy. In this July 13, 1982, file photo Secretary of State designate George Shultz, right, speaks with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. AP Photo/Ira Schwarz, FileBiden's legacy was already strongly linked to foreign policy. If there is a bipartisan coalition that exists within the US Congress, Israel policy and Ukraine policy might very well be it.

Persons: Biden, —, Joe Biden, he'll, there's, George Shultz, Sen, Joseph Biden, Charles Percy, Edward Zorinsky, Ira Schwarz, Madeline Albright's, he'd, Vladimir Putin, Kevin McCarthy, J, Scott Applewhite, he's, Bob Menendez, it's, Susan Walsh, That's, what's, Benjamin Netanyahu, Miriam Alster, Obama, Harris Organizations: Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Service, Senate Foreign Relations, AP, Senate Foreign, State, Senate, Capitol, Republican, Democratic, Republicans, GOP, White House, Israeli, Hamas, Biden, Ukraine Locations: Washington, Israel, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, Russia, Arizona, United States, Republican, Democratic, Tel Aviv

The attacks prompted Israel to launch an intensive bombing campaign against the Gaza Strip, which is governed by Hamas. “I cannot remember a time when Israel’s struggle for security was not at the forefront of my mind,” Mr. Lew said. If confirmed, I will uphold President Biden’s commitment to deny Iran a nuclear weapon.”But his declarations did little to deter Republican senators. Senator John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming, accused Mr. Lew of acting as the Iranian government’s banker by negotiating deals to release funds in exchange for American prisoners. “Preventing this from becoming a multifront war is hugely important for Israel, for the region, for the world,” he said.

Persons: Jacob J, Lew, Biden’s, Biden, Obama, Jim Risch of, Lew of, Lew’s, —, Chuck Schumer, Israel, Thomas R, Nides, Schumer, “, Mr, ” Mr, fides, Marco Rubio, John Barrasso, Barrasso, ” Organizations: Senate Foreign Relations, Israel, Hamas, Republican, Foreign Relations, Mr, Jewish, Investigations, State Department Locations: Israel, Gaza, Jim Risch of Idaho, Iran, United States, Florida, Oman, Tehran, Wyoming, Iranian, U.S, Saudi Arabia

☆ Biden's pick for Israel envoy faces tough questions from senators on Iran
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON — Jacob Lew, President Joe Biden's nominee for ambassador to Israel, defended his handling of Iran policy in the Obama administration on Wednesday at his Senate confirmation hearing. "This whole thing is about Iran," said Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee. As Treasury secretary under former President Barack Obama, Lew played a key role in formulating the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Several Republicans suggested that Lew had effectively opened the door to grant Iran access to the mainstream banking system. If he were confirmed, Lew said, he would uphold Biden's commitment to deny Iran a nuclear weapon.

Persons: Jack Lew, WASHINGTON — Jacob Lew, Joe Biden's, Obama, Sen, James Risch, Barack Obama, Lew, Donald Trump Organizations: U.S, Treasury, Foreign, Capitol, D.C, Foreign Relations, Republicans, Democratic, CNBC Locations: Israel, Capitol Hill, Washington, Iran, Idaho, U.S

Pro-Israel demonstrators protest in Times Square on the second day of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., October 8, 2023. Thursday's protest in Times Square, organized by the nonprofit Israeli American Council, was expected to draw hundreds of demonstrators and many officials, including New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Plans call for 15 billboards in Times Square to show the faces of people believed to be held hostages and Israeli flags. Ceasefire is the only way to bring hostages home," organizers of Friday's New York rally said on their event page. His administration, facing mounting pressure to secure the release of the hostages, must walk a fine line.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jim Risch, Risch, Eric Adams, Biden, Rachel Goldberg, Hersh Goldberg, Goldberg, Adrienne Neta, Chen, Itay Chen, Jonathan Allen, Gabriella Borter, Patricia Zengerle, Frank McGurty, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Israel, Palestinian, Hamas, REUTERS, Protesters, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, Israeli American Council, New York City, Public, Cannon, U.S . Capitol, Friday's, Israel Defense Force, Thomson Locations: Israel, Manhattan, New York City, U.S, New, New York, York, Gaza, Qatar, Jerusalem . U.S, Washington

NEW YORK (AP) — Four defendants in the criminal bribery case against U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez pleaded not guilty Wednesday in New York City to a revised indictment alleging that the senator, his wife and a third defendant conspired to use him as an agent of the Egyptian government. The defendants entering the pleas included his wife, Nadine Menendez, and a businessman, Wael Hana. The earlier indictment charged Menendez and his wife with participating in a bribery conspiracy by accepting bribes of cash, gold bars and a luxury car from three New Jersey businessmen who wanted the senator's help and influence over foreign affairs. The new charge against the trio alleges that they conspired to take a series of steps on behalf of Egypt, including for Egyptian military and intelligence officials, from January 2018 to June 2022. In a statement last week, Menendez said he will “show my innocence” at trial.

Persons: U.S . Sen, Bob Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Wael Hana, Hana, Menendez, Sidney H, Stein, Daniel Richenthal, Lawrence Lustberg, ” Lustberg, Richenthal, Lustberg, Prosecutors Organizations: —, U.S ., Senate Foreign, U.S Locations: New York City, Manhattan, Jersey, Egypt

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks as he visits Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 18, 2023. Multiple sources familiar with the request told Reuters on Tuesday that Biden was considering a supplemental request of about $100 billion that would include defense aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, as well as funding for efforts to beef up security on the U.S. border with Mexico. He told a news conference he had heard that the administration was considering $10 billion for Israel. Several sources said on Wednesday that Biden has not settled on a final figure, and the breakdown has not been communicated to Congress. Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Additional reporting by Nandita Bose; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Evelyn Hockstein, Joe Biden's, Biden, Jim Risch, Patricia Zengerle, Nandita Bose, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, Israel, Reuters, Wednesday, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, Administration, U.S, Thomson Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, Ukraine, Washington, Taiwan, U.S, Mexico

☆ Biden Mulls $60 Billion for Ukraine, $10 Billion for Israel in Funding Request - Source
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Patricia ZengerleWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is considering $60 billion in assistance for Ukraine and $10 billion for Israel in a supplemental spending request he will send to Congress as soon as Friday, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday. Multiple sources familiar with the request told Reuters on Tuesday that Biden was considering a supplemental request of about $100 billion that would include defense aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, as well as funding for efforts to beef up security on the U.S. border with Mexico. Senator Jim Risch, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he was not aware of the $100 billion figure, except from news reports. He told a news conference he had heard that the administration was considering $10 billion for Israel. Several sources said on Wednesday that Biden has not settled on a final figure, and the breakdown has not been communicated to Congress.

Persons: Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, Joe Biden's, Biden, Jim Risch, Patricia Zengerle, Nandita Bose, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Israel, Reuters, Wednesday, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, Administration, U.S Locations: Ukraine, Washington, Israel, Taiwan, U.S, Mexico

The request to Congress would cover a year, according to another person familiar with the administration’s expected request. Lew, a Treasury Secretary under former President Barack Obama, was nominated by Biden last month after former Ambassador Tom Nides left the post in July. Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesThe White House could make a formal request for the foreign war aid as soon as this week. Some Republicans have criticized Lew for his role in the Obama White House as it negotiated the Iran nuclear agreement in 2015, among other foreign policy moves under Obama, and that opposition could slow his nomination. “Our ability to support Israel at this pivotal moment is significantly hamstrung by the fact that we don’t have a U.S. ambassador on the ground," Murphy said.

Persons: Jacob Lew, Joe Biden, Lew, Barack Obama, Biden, Tom Nides, —, Obama —, Ben Cardin, Jack, ”, Cardin, Kevin McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Obama, Donald Trump, Republican Sen, Tom Cotton of, Jack Lew, ” Cotton, Jack Lew’s, ” Lew, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy of, Murphy, Seung Min Kim Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Israel, Hamas, Foreign, White, Management, Republicans, Republican, Hamas ’, “ Fox, Democratic, Foreign Relations, Associated Press Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, China, D, Congress, U.S, Iran, Tehran, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Gaza

And as if to punctuate the tragedy and horror of the conflict, an explosion rocked a hospital in Gaza, causing hundreds of civilian casualties. "There is a significant U.S. interest here, showing strong support for Israel," which Biden did immediately after the attack and subsequently, she says. Hamas is based in Gaza, where civilian Palestinians have fought the Israeli government – Netanyahu especially – for civil and human rights. But while there are indeed Palestinians who support Hamas, not all do – and half of Gaza residents are children who are vulnerable as Israel seeks to erase Hamas forever. Biden and Netanyahu have had a chilly relationship going back to the Iran nuclear deal negotiated when Biden was vice president and which Netanyahu opposed.

Persons: Joe Biden, nudging, Biden, Biden doesn't, Benjamin Netanyahu, Jordan, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Mahmoud Abbas, Abdel Fattah el, Eileen Babbitt, Babbitt, Kamala Harris, Israel –, Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, Robert Lieberman, Israel, Lieberman, – Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Doug Schoen, Schoen, hamstrung Organizations: Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian National, White, Israel, The Fletcher School, Tufts University, Foreign, New, United Nations, Biden, Johns Hopkins University Locations: U.S, Israel, nudging Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Egypt, Afghanistan, New Jersey, American, United States, Russia, China

Biden's travels will be rife with security concerns, and visits by other U.S. officials have been disrupted by rocket launches into Israel. ... And if we don’t, who does?”In Israel, Biden was expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials before heading to Jordan. However, Abbas has withdrawn his planned participation because of the destruction at the hospital in Gaza. Abbas has been Palestinian president for nearly 20 years. Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 2,700 people and wounded more than 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Mahmoud Abbas, Abbas, Biden, Jordan, Ukraine —, Joe Biden, ”, Jon Alterman, There's, ” Alterman, Biden's, Antony Blinken, “, Benjamin Netanyahu, King Abdullah II, Abdel Fattah el, it's, Netanyahu, Abdullah II, — Biden, Richard Hecht, haven’t, Josh Boak, Josef Federman, Matthew Lee Organizations: WASHINGTON, Hamas, Ministry, Palestinian, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Senate Foreign Relations, Hezbollah, Associated Press, Israel, Republicans, CBS, International Monetary Fund, Gaza Health Ministry, United Nations Locations: Israel, East, Gaza, Palestinian, Ukraine, United States, Iran, Southern Lebanon, “, The U.S, Tel Aviv, —, U.S, United States of America, Jordan, The Israel, Jordanian, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Washington, Jerusalem, Amman

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden may consider a supplemental request of about $100 billion that would include defense aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, multiple sources familiar with the request told Reuters on Tuesday. Two of the sources said the request was for a full year of funding, explaining the large size. Bloomberg first reported that Biden was considering making a $100 billion request. Senator Mitch McConnell, the chamber's top Republican, said he expected the request to include assistance for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, and said Republicans want it to include "something serious" for the border. Top Biden administration officials will hold a classified briefing on Wednesday for the Senate on the situation in Israel and Gaza.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Ben Cardin, Cardin, " Cardin, ISRAEL, Kevin McCarthy, Israel, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Schumer, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Trevor Hunnicutt, David Ljunggren, Dan Whitcomb, Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio Our Organizations: White, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Tel, Israel, Senate, Democratic, Senate Foreign Relations, Republicans, Republican, Hamas, Bloomberg, Biden, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, Washington, Tel Aviv, Amman, Jordan, Egypt, Gaza, U.S, Iran, United States

☆ Democrats Want Quick Confirmation of Jack Lew as Israel Ambassador
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

), who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said America needs a confirmed ambassador to Israel as soon as possible. President Biden's nominee, Jack Lew, a former Treasury secretary and White House chief of staff during the Obama administration, is set for a confirmation hearing on Wednesday. "I will do everything I can not only to have a hearing but to move him out of committee on the floor of the United States Senate because we do need a confirmed ambassador of Israel," Cardin said Tuesday. He said he wants to "make sure that's a reality as soon as possible." Some Republicans have expressed opposition to Lew and could try to slow walk the nomination.

Persons: Sen, Ben Cardin, Biden's, Jack Lew, Obama, Cardin, Lew Organizations: Foreign Relations, White House, United States Senate Locations: Md, America, Israel

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) delivers remarks during the AIPAC convention at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, U.S., March 2, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Democratic U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Monday the Senate will seek within days to pass a resolution supporting Israel, approve additional funds for Israel and confirm a new U.S. ambassador to the Jewish State. "That means military assistance, intelligence assistance, diplomatic assistance and humanitarian assistance to care for innocent civilians. Schumer said he thought Senate passage of a strong pro-Israel legislation might encourage the House of Representatives to act, despite its leadership impasse. Schumer called Lew "capable and strong" and urged the committee to approve Lew as soon as possible, so the full Senate can confirm him "in all due haste."

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Tom Brenner, Schumer, Kevin McCarthy, Israel, Jack Lew, Joe Biden's, Lew, Antony Blinken, National Intelligence Avril Haines, Defense Lloyd Austin, Staff General C.Q, Brown, Patricia Zengerle, Katharine Jackson, Sandra Maler Organizations: Democratic, Washington Convention Center, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic U.S, Israel, Jewish State, Hamas, U.S . Congress, Republican, Foreign Relations, National Intelligence, Defense, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Israel, U.S, Ukraine

He had been scheduled to take a tour of CS Wind, the world’s largest facility for wind tower manufacturing. The official, who was not authorized to comment about the president's potential visit, said a final decision to visit Israel hasn't been made. Blinken was in Israel on Monday for his second visit in less than a week for talks with Israeli leaders. He has been crisscrossing the Middle East with stops in Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It’s the deadliest war for Israel since the 1973 conflict with Egypt and Syria.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Abdel Fattah el, Mohammed Shia, Olaf Scholz, Harris, Jeff Zients, Jake Sullivan, National Intelligence Avril Haines, Bill Burns, Israel hasn't, idled, Sissi, Antony Blinken, Blinken, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, Matthew Miller, Israel, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Chuck Schumer, “, ” Schumer, Schumer, Kevin McCarthy, Jacob Lew, — Lee, Jon Gambrell, Mary Clare Jalonick Organizations: WASHINGTON, National, National Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency, CS, U.S, Union, United, United Arab Emirates, Israeli, ”, “, Israel, Air, Hamas, Israeli Ministry of Defense, United States Senate, Foreign, AP Locations: Gaza, Israel, Iraqi, Pueblo , Colorado, Egypt’s, Cairo, Europe, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, Syria, Iran, Hezbollah, Lebanon, U.S, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Washington

Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) speaks to reporters while on his way to a vote following a Senate Democratic caucus meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., September 28, 2023. Senator Bob Menendez on Thursday brought a new criminal charge against him that he conspired to act as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government. Prosecutors have said that co-defendant Hana arranged meetings between the senator and Egyptian officials, who pressed him to sign off on military aid. In return, the businessman put Nadine Menendez on the payroll of a company he controlled. The new indictment said both Hana and Nadine Menendez communicated requests and directives from Egyptian officials to the senator.

Persons: Bob Menendez, Craig Hudson, Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Nadine, Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, Fred Daibes, Hana, Lawrence Lustberg, Nate Raymond, Kanishka Singh, Susan Heavey, Mark Porter, Lisa Shumaker, Grant McCool Organizations: Democratic, Capitol, REUTERS, Prosecutors, U.S, New, New Jersey Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, U.S . Department of Justice, Foreign, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, New Jersey, New York, Jersey, Egypt's, Washington, United States, Egypt, Boston

The American people must understand just how shocking and gruesome Hamas’ actions were, Biden told his aides. I think we can change the Middle East,” Biden told a group of Jewish American leaders on Wednesday. “If tomorrow Hezbollah started launching missiles into Israel, that would be seen as a real escalation,” according to a person close to the situation. In his private conversations with Netanyahu, Biden has not urged the Israeli leader to practice restraint in its counterattack against Hamas. “He has always approached Israel with moral clarity and full commitment,” a senior adviser to the president told CNN.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, ” Biden, “, Benjamin Netanyahu, John Kirby, it’s, ”, Netanyahu, –, Biden’s, CNN’s Matthew Chance, I’m, Jake Sullivan, Netanyahu’s, ” Sullivan, Netanyahu “, Alexandria Ocasio, ” Ocasio, Cortez Organizations: CNN, White, Jewish, Israel, National Security Council, Senate Foreign Relations, Defense Department, Biden, Democratic Party, New, New York Democrat Locations: Israel, Europe, Tehran, Gaza, United States, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, “, Alexandria, Cortez, New York

☆ Sen. Bob Menendez, once top Senate foreign-policy chairman, accused of acting as foreign agent
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Federal prosecutors say Sen. Bob Menendez acted as a foreign agent on behalf of Egypt. They said in a new indictment that Menendez should have registered as a foreign lobbyist. He was the top Senate Democrat for foreign policy for most of the time the allegations stemmed from. In a new superseding indictment, prosecutors added the foreign-agent charge to the litany of counts against Menendez, his wife, Nadine Menendez, and a New Jersey businessperson. At the time from which the allegations stem, Bob Menendez was the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Persons: Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez, —, Democratic Sen, Nadine Menendez, Will Hana, Hana, Prosecutors, Nadine, Trump, David Rivera Organizations: Service, Democratic, Prosecutors, Benz, Senate Foreign Relations, Democrats, New, State Department, Justice Department, US Department of Agriculture, USDA, Foreign, Republican Locations: Egypt, New Jersey, Menendez's, Cairo, Washington, FARA

Biden said he and his national security team were working “round the clock" on the crisis, including plotting how to get the Americans home safely. If I told you I wouldn't be able to get them home," Biden said at the start of a White House roundtable with Jewish community leaders. The move is meant to starve resources for Hamas, but aid groups have warned of a humanitarian crisis for the Palestinian people who are also suffering because of the attack. Secretary of State Antony Blinken left Wednesday for Israel, where America's top diplomat is set to meet with Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Biden is an old foreign policy hand, having chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his career as a U.S. senator from Delaware.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Biden, beheadings, Netanyahu, Bibi, Antony Blinken, Isaac Herzog, –, Blinken, Benny Gantz Organizations: Israeli, Hamas, ISIS, Israel, National Unity, Foreign Locations: Gaza, Israel, United States, U.S, Delaware, Dachau, Germany

☆ Congress is in shambles and failing America when it needs it to function most
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

War broke out in the Middle East with one of the US' closest allies, but Congress can't do a thing. Without a House speaker, very little additional aid can be approved to aid Israel or even Ukraine. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe United States Congress is tragically failing when the world — not just the country — needs it to function most. While President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that some aid has already been sent, sending more will likely depend on the cooperation of Congress.

Persons: —, gridlock, Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, Israel isn't, there's, McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, George Santos, Santos, Matt Gaetz, Tommy Tuberville, Justin Sullivan, Sen, Bob Menendez, he's, GOP Sen, Chuck Schumer, Democratic Sen, Dick Durbin, Republican Sen, Ted Cruz, Biden, Cruz isn't Organizations: Service, United, United States Congress, Democratic Caucus, Hamas, Republican Party, Republicans, Representatives, GOP, Biden, Foreign Relations, Democratic, Senate, Republican, Counterterrorism, Politico, Biden White House Locations: Israel, Ukraine, United States, New York, Minden, Oman, Kuwait, Lebanon

☆ Who Is Nadine Arslanian, Bob Menendez's Wife Indicted in a Bribery Scandal?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Michelle Mark | Katherine Long | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife Nadine Arslanian arrive at federal court following an indictment on corruption charges. Still, even prior to Menendez and federal indictment, Arslanian brushed up against fame and scandal. Arslanian "liked nice things," Anton told Insider. The longtime friend, who asked not to be identified by name, told Insider that Arslanian was conscious of her looks. AdvertisementAdvertisement"We felt that it was a very one-sided investigation," Koop's sister, Rosemarie Koop-Angelicola, told Insider.

Persons: Nadine Arslanian, Richard Koop, Robert Menendez, Arslanian texted Menendez, Sen, Bob Menendez, Brendan McDermid, Menendez's, Arslanian, Menendez, Chris Christie, Doug Anton, Kim DePaola, Kelly, Anton, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Mareva Mitsotakis, Chip Somodevilla, Nadine Tabourian, Raffi Arslanian, Sabine, André, Arslanian's, Last, Marco Tacca, Anton's, Koop, —, Narendra Modi, Stefani Reynolds, Bono, — Menendez, Taj, Robert, Nadine, Menendez cradling Arslanian, they've, Koop's, Rosemarie Koop, Angelicola, she's, Wael Hana, Douglas Anton, Jose Uribe, Uribe, Fred Daibes, Bob, Nadine wasn't, Aaron Short Organizations: New Jersey IHOP, Benz, Reuters, Democratic Party, Prosecutors, longtime Garden, Arslanian's, Real Housewives of New, Attorney, Greek, White House, New York University, New York Times, Housewives of, Indian, Getty, Lincoln, Police, Senate Foreign Relations, Strategic, Business Consultants, Strategic International Business Consultants, Hana, Department of Justice Locations: New Jersey, Bogota , New Jersey, Englewood Cliffs, Real Housewives of New Jersey, Beirut, Lebanon, United States, Bergen, Jersey, Cernobbio, Italy, AFP, Bergen County, Union City, Queens, Arslanian's Englewood, Washington, DC, Bogota, Egypt, Arslanian, Egyptian, Englewood

The White House has been working urgently in the past 24 hours to get a Senate confirmation process in motion for President Joe Biden's nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Israel, according to two White House officials. But the White House officials said they hope lawmakers in both parties will agree with the president on the need to quickly confirm Lew amid the war between Israel and Hamas. "Everyone understands the importance behind it," one White House official said. Tom Nides, Biden's former ambassador to Israel, told NBC News in an interview that the Senate needs to confirm his successor "immediately" upon return. One official said Lew is "eager" to get to work, and the White House hopes he is confirmed with bipartisan support.

Persons: Jack Lew, Joe Biden's, Obama, Biden, Lew, Tom Nides, Nides, Sen, Chris Murphy, Israel, Chris Coons, Coons, hasn't, Ted Cruz, Bill Clinton Organizations: International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, IMF, White, Foreign Relations, White House, West Bank, Palestinian Health Ministry, NBC News, Connecticut, U.S, State, Counterterrorism, U.S . Agency for International Development, USAID, Republicans, Senate, Washington, Management, Israel, Organization, Economic Locations: Europe, Washington , DC, Israel, Gaza, U.S, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, Ted Cruz of Texas

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