Daily Kickoff
Good Tuesday morning.
In today’s Daily Kickoff, we interview New York congressional candidate Mazi Melesa Pilip, and look at how the Jewish communal world is approaching Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs following the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks. Also in today’s Daily Kickoff: Gov. Josh Shapiro, Yohanan Plesner and Jon Bon Jovi.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made his second trip to Israel on Monday, meeting with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Brown.
In his meeting with Netanyahu, Austin reaffirmed the U.S.’ “unshakeable” commitment to Israel. Amid reports that the Biden administration has in recent weeks pressured Israel to wind down its war with Hamas, Austin said, “this is Israel’s operation, and I’m not here to dictate timelines or terms.” A Department of Defense readout said Austin “reiterated the unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism and called for the immediate return of all hostages.”
Among the issues discussed were scenarios for a post-war Gaza as the administration pushes for a two-state solution. Israeli officials including Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog have both in recent days ruled out restarting negotiations in the immediate term, with Herzog telling the Associated Press that the “bereaved” country is experiencing an “emotional chapter” that “must be dealt with.”
An individual with knowledge of the meetings told JI that Israeli officials “want to be 100% transparent with the Americans,” and as such are “sharing extremely detailed and sensitive information that we wouldn’t necessarily share with anyone else.”
“Professionally and diplomatically,” the individual said of one of the sit-downs, “it was a very, very productive meeting.”
From Israel, Austin traveled on to Bahrain, where he announced the creation of a new multinational task force aimed at curbing the Houthis’ malign activities in the Red Sea, calling the Iran-backed group’s attacks on vessels in the region “an international challenge that demands collective action.”
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, who rejoined government over the summer as the Biden administration’s senior advisor for regional integration in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, is stepping into a new role at the Defense Department, replacing Dana Stroul, who is departing her posting as deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East.
pilip’s pitch
Mazi Melesa Pilip discusses her policy platform in pivotal special election

In the special election to replace recently expelled Rep. George Santos (R-NY), Republican leaders have pinned their hopes on Mazi Melesa Pilip, an Ethiopian-born Jewish county legislator and Israel Defense Forces veteran who is now preparing for a high-stakes battle against a formidable Democratic opponent. Owing largely to her compelling biography, Pilip, 44, is widely viewed as a rising star among New York Republicans seeking another upset in a Long Island-based swing district that could help decide the balance of power in the House. But the political newcomer, picked as the GOP’s nominee last week, has drawn criticism from Democrats for not taking positions on hot-button issues, raising questions about her political inexperience and offering fodder for partisan attacks. Speaking with Jewish Insider’s Matthew Kassel on Monday, however, Pilip was ready to clarify her views on a range of key topics, including abortion rights and the criminal charges against former President Donald Trump, while addressing her longtime party registration as a Democrat and past support for Santos, who was ousted from Congress a few weeks ago.
Moderate voice: In her first in-depth interview with a news outlet since entering the race, Pilip, who launched her campaign on Friday, cast herself as a moderate Republican voice reflective of the swing voters in the district who backed President Joe Biden in 2020 but later voted for GOP candidates in last year’s midterms. With regard to Trump, Pilip refrained from defending the former president as he faces multiple indictments that have contributed to a surge in national support. “Trump has to go through his process,” she argued. “Nobody’s above the law.” Still, Pilip vowed to stand behind the nominee no matter which candidate ultimately prevails. “Trump is one of the candidates,” she reasoned. “The debate is ongoing. We have great candidates right now. We have to wait and see, and once we know who is the Republican nominee, we’re going to support that person.”
Israel connection: Pilip said her unique personal ties to Israel, where she served in the army before settling in New York, would only boost her standing in the House as a defender of the Jewish state. “Israel is a big deal for me, and I want to make sure, here in the United States, that we understand what Israel is about and how important it is to continue to support Israel,” Pilip, who said that some of her family members are now fighting in the war, told JI. “Israel is our true ally, a democratic country that shares our values. Nobody can tell this story more than me. Even if you are here and supporting Israel, nobody can be me. You cannot argue with that.”
Read the full interview here.