Daily Kickoff
Good Monday morning.
In today’s Daily Kickoff, we talk to Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares about his investigation into Americans for Muslims in Palestine’s funding sources, spotlight Delaware gubernatorial candidate Matt Meyer and interview Reps. Jim Banks and John Curtis about their recent trip to Israel. Also in today’s Daily Kickoff: former Vice President Dick Cheney, Karen Dunn and Ralph Lauren.
What We’re Watching
- American and Middle East diplomatic and policy leaders are in Washington today for the inaugural MEAD summit. More below.
- Dan Senor will interview Republican Dave McCormick, who is running for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, tonight in Bala Cynwyd, Pa.
- New York City Mayor Eric Adams is holding his annual pre-High Holiday roundtable with Jewish press today.
What You Should Know
A who’s who of more than 200 top officials from the United States, Israel and across the Middle East gathered in Washington on Sunday evening for the first day of MEAD, the inaugural summit advancing Middle East-America Dialogue, Jewish Insider’s Gabby Deutch reports.
The new, invitation-only summit is leaning in on exclusivity — and bipartisanship. Its co-chairs are former U.S. Ambassadors to Israel Tom Nides and David Friedman, longtime American diplomat Dennis Ross and Elliott Abrams, a Republican foreign policy mainstay. Guests described it as Saban Forum 2.0, referring to the gathering once hosted by the Brookings Institution that, until its final iteration in 2017, was the annual must-attend buzzy foreign policy conference for people working the Israel file.
In the ritzy lobby of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel near the National Mall, attendees networked and schmoozed as top policymakers shared insights — off the record — about the issues everyone in the region is talking about.
At the top of the list is Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, and where hostage negotiations stand after Hamas murdered six hostages last month. Gen. Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for hostages, offered a sober assessment about the odds of reaching a deal in a rare on-the-record conversation.
“Hamas say and believe and feel that they achieved many achievements, and they do not need to be in a hurry regarding negotiations because the hostages are their only assets to them,” said Hirsch. He argued that Hamas’ recalcitrance in the negotiations is due to a lack of international pressure on the terrorist organization. He pointed to pressure from the Biden administration on Israel as one reason Hamas has been unwilling to budge in negotiations.
“There is a direct connection between the international pressure on Israel and the willingness of Hamas to be part of negotiations,” said Hirsch. “When they see that Israel is under huge pressure by our best ally or by the U.N. Security Council, or by the U.N. resolutions, or by Great Britain [or by] ICC, ICJ, they [Hamas] say: No rush.”
Former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz also spoke on record, suggesting that Israel shift its focus from Gaza to Lebanon. “In Gaza, we have crossed a decisive point of the campaign,” Gantz explained. “We can conduct anything we want in Gaza. We should seek to have a deal to get out our hostages but if we cannot in the coming time, a few days or few weeks, or whatever it is, we should go up north.”
Other conversations on Day One of MEAD focused on the Iranian nuclear threat, the future of Israeli-Arab normalization and American diplomacy in the Middle East. We’ll be on the ground to cover the summit’s second and final day today.
AG interview
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares targets terrorist funding of anti-Israel groups
Jason Miyares, the Republican attorney general of Virginia, recently scored a major court victory in his closely watched investigation of a pro-Palestinian advocacy group with alleged ties to Hamas — inching closer than other ongoing legal efforts to obtaining financial documents long shielded from public scrutiny. In his first interview addressing the case, Miyares told Jewish Insider’s Matthew Kassel last week that his team is “aggressively in the process of using the legal system” to obtain the documents requested in a civil investigative demand approved by a judge in July — marking a significant turning point in the case.
‘Relentless’ pursuit: His monthslong case against American Muslims for Palestine has drawn national attention in the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks on Israel — as he has accused the group of “potentially violating” state charitable laws “including benefitting or providing support to terrorist organizations.” In a conversation with JI on the sidelines of the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual summit in Las Vegas, where he gave remarks on Thursday as a first-time speaker, Miyares said, “We have been relentless in that pursuit, and we will continue to be relentless in that pursuit,” he said. “Our job is to get to the truth. It’s all systems go.”
Read the full story here.
border talk
Two GOP lawmakers optimistic Philadelphi Corridor disputes can be resolved following visit to region
Two GOP House members who traveled to the Middle East in recent weeks expressed optimism that disputes over control of the strategic Philadelphi Corridor, which have emerged as a major sticking point in cease-fire and hostage-release negotiations, can be resolved in a manner favorable to Israel, Jewish Insider’s Marc Rod reports. Reps. Jim Banks (R-IN) and John Curtis (R-UT) traveled with other lawmakers to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
What they said: Banks said he sees the border issue as one that can be resolved. “Most of the conversations we have again go back to the border … and if that’s where we are, I think that gives a lot of us hope that we’re close to a deal,” Banks said, “as long as Israel is able to control and secure that border … I remain hopeful that this is something that can happen in the near-term, but it has to be in the best interest of Israel.” Curtis told JI that the Philadelphi Corridor was a frequent topic of discussion throughout the region and that there was “optimism that it could be worked out on both sides.” Curtis framed control of the corridor as critical to ensuring that Hamas does not pose a future threat.
first state race
Delaware gubernatorial candidate seeks to become nation’s fifth Jewish governor
Matt Meyer, a proud son of Delaware’s small Jewish community, is a front-runner in Tuesday’s Democratic primary to be the state’s next governor. Meyer is the county executive in New Castle County, which includes Wilmington, the state’s largest city, and would be the second Jewish governor in Delaware history. In a recent interview with Jewish Insider’s Marc Rod, Meyer, 52, said that growing up in a small Jewish community “makes you a little prouder of your Judaism,” comparing the experience to his time living in New York.
Jewish upbringing: “If I don’t do something to retain the connection to my family’s own history and our community’s own culture, it will be lost,” Meyer, who was a leader in Jewish youth organizations, explained. He mentioned, as an example, his mother driving an hour and half to Lakewood, N.J., during his childhood for kosher meat. Meyer said that values of service to the community were also a key part of his Jewish upbringing, invoking the tradition of tikkun olam. He also discussed a childhood tradition — instead of receiving a present on the eighth night of Hanukkah, his family would give tzedakah, allocating money to a charity. He said his family has maintained that tradition of charitable giving each year.
granite state race
In New Hampshire, Colin Van Ostern focuses on democracy protection as part of his foreign policy platform
Colin Van Ostern, one of two Democratic candidates running to replace retiring Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH) in New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District, says his foreign policy doctrine places a heavy emphasis on “protecting democracy around the world,” arguing in an interview with Jewish Insider’s Emily Jacobs last week that what is happening overseas has “profound impacts within our own communities here in New Hampshire.” Van Ostern, a former member of the state’s Executive Council and Democrats’ 2016 gubernatorial nominee, is running against Maggie Goodlander, a former deputy assistant attorney general in the Biden administration and the wife of White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, in the Democratic primary, which takes place on Sept. 10.
On Israel: Asked whether he supports Israel’s goal of fully eliminating Hamas in the aftermath of the terrorist group’s execution of six hostages, Van Ostern told JI that “Hamas’ execution of hostages was absolutely horrific. I continue to support the goals of returning all the hostages home and eliminating Hamas. It is critical for the road to a two-state solution that Hamas be removed from operational control in Gaza and that its leaders be held accountable.”
Seeing Red at Brown: In The Wall Street Journal, Joseph Edelman explains his decision to resign from Brown University’s board of trustees in light of its upcoming vote on divestment from Israel. “I find it morally reprehensible that holding a divestment vote was even considered, much less that it will be held — especially in the wake of the deadliest assault on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. On Oct. 7, 2023, Israel was invaded and brutally attacked by Palestinian terrorists. Twelve hundred innocent people were slaughtered, some of them raped and burned alive, and more than 250 were abducted to Gaza and held as hostages. Israel, like all nations, has a moral duty to defend its citizens from terrorist attacks, and that is exactly what it has been doing. It is revealing that of all the countries in the world, only Israel is expected to restrain itself because of the civilian lives that will tragically be lost in war.” [WSJ]
Charge Card: The Washington Post’s Jason Willick argues that those accusing Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using Israel’s war against Hamas to shield him for his legal woes should call for the charges against him to be dropped. “If the caricature of Netanyahu’s motives were accurate, then a deal with Hamas would be significantly more likely in the absence of the criminal cases against him. For the international liberal community pushing a Gaza truce, advocating the end of Netanyahu’s prosecution would be an obvious avenue. Perhaps that sounds unseemly or corrupt. But Israel is already negotiating the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including many convicted of murder, to get a hostage deal with Hamas. Critics say Israel’s concessions have been insufficient, and want it to compromise on objectives such as control of the Philadelphi Corridor with Egypt, which Hamas uses to smuggle weapons into Gaza. For those who want a cease-fire in Gaza at virtually any cost to Israel: — well, would asking Israel to abandon one politician’s criminal prosecution be too much to ask?” [WashPost]
Girding for Oct. 7: In The Jerusalem Post, William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, lays out guidelines, issued by his organization together with other Jewish groups, to ensure the protection of Jewish students on campus. “The upcoming anniversary of the October 7 Hamas massacre is a date that all universities must prepare for. We anticipate that this extraordinarily tragic day could be utilized as a flashpoint for protests and potentially disruptive activities on campuses across the country. We already know that on many campuses anti-Israel student groups have begun preparations for such activity. It is imperative that universities ensure that any such activities do not interfere with the operations of the campus or the rights of Jewish students. Proactive planning and communication will be key to mitigating potential conflicts and ensuring that the day does not devolve into chaos.” [JPost]
Word on the Street
The U.S. has indefinitely postponed its plan to present Israel and Hamas with a final cease-fire proposal, days after Hamas changed one of its demands regarding the prisoners released from Israeli jails and detention centers…
U.S. officials told CNN they are increasingly skeptical that Hamas wants a cease-fire agreement with Israel and that a deal can be reached before the end of President Joe Biden’s tenure…
U.S. officials are raising concerns that Moscow could soon provide weapons to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen; meanwhile, CENTCOM head Gen. Erik Kurilla sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin cautioning that the U.S. is not doing enough to deter Houthi attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea…
Separately, American officials confirmed that Iran has sent short-range missiles to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine…
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Mike Herzog did not attend last week’s vigil at Washington’s Adas Israel Congregation after organizers denied him a speaking slot, underscoring tensions between hostage families and the Israeli government…
The current and former heads of 88 different major companies and corporations signed onto a letter endorsingVice President Kamala Harris; among those to sign the letter are Peter Orszag, Mark Cuban, Larry Summers, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Barry Diller, Michael Lynton and Reid Hoffman…
Former Vice President Dick Cheney endorsed Harris days after his daughter, former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) endorsed the Democrat; the elder Cheney said former President Donald Trump “can never be trusted with power again”…
The Wall Street Journal spotlights Brian Nelson, a top Treasury official and senior aide to Vice President Kamala Harris who is expected to play a role in a Harris administration policy shop…
The New York Times profiles attorney Karen Dunn, who is coaching Harris ahead of Tuesday’s presidential debate as she represents Google in an antitrust case brought forth by the Justice Department…
Wired interviewed Secretary of State Tony Blinken about the administration’s efforts to enhance global cybersecurity, Elon Musk and the role of technology in diplomacy…
A Pakistani national was arrested while attempting to cross the Canadian border into the U.S. in order to commit an ISIS-style terror attack against New York’s Jewish community; Muhammad Shahzeb Khan wanted to carry out the attack on either the anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks or days layer, on Yom Kippur…
The New York Times pieces together the events that led up to the ouster of former Disney CEO Bob Chapek and the return of his predecessor and successor, Bob Iger…
CNN’s Jake Tapper called out anti-Israel protesters who have targeted his Jewish colleague Dana Bash for antisemitism…
The New York Times spotlights “Ralph Hampton,” designer Ralph Lauren’s show at one of his Long Island estates that attracted a range of celebrities and high-profile names, including First Lady Jill Biden…
A new report released by an Israel-based law firm that used AI to analyze the BBC’s coverage of Israel found that the British broadcaster breached its own editorial guidelines more than 1,500 times in its reporting…
A Turkish-born American citizen was killed in clashes with the IDF while demonstrating against settlements in the West Bank; the woman’s family has demanded an independent investigation into her death…
The Wall Street Journal interviews former hostages and government officials about the efforts Hamas takes to film scripted videos of hostages in captivity…
Three Israeli civilians were killed by a Jordanian national in a terror attack at the Allenby Bridge Crossing at the border with Jordan; one of the victims, Adrian Marcelo Podzamczer, was the father of a Nova music festival survivor…
The Wall Street Journal reports on how Iraqi banks used a system created by the U.S. to transfer money to Iran and finance terrorist groups…
Israeli strikes in central Syria late Sunday killed at least four people, according to Syrian state media…
Jazz journalist and historian Dan Morgensten died at 94…
Photographer and art director Lloyd Ziff died at 81…
Pic of the Day
Ami Omer Dadaon and Gal Hamrani, flag bearers of Team Israel, paraded with their national flag yesterday during the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games. Israel took home 10 medals in the competition, including four gold, marking its best result in the event in 20 years.
Birthdays
Former president of Israel, Reuven “Ruvi” Rivlin turns 85…
Beverly Hills resident, Barbara Schechter… Real estate investor and manager, he operates seven hotels, resorts and retreats with 6,300 rooms in the Orlando metropolitan area, Harris Rosen turns 85… Senior fellow emeritus in the foreign policy program at The Brookings Institution, Kenneth G. Lieberthal turns 81… Former administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Donald M. Berwick turns 78… President of the Middle East Forum and publisher of its Middle East Quarterly journal, Daniel Pipes turns 75… President emeritus of Yeshiva University, Richard M. Joel turns 74… A founder of the Shas party, he served in the Knesset for 16 years, Nissim Mordechai Ze’ev turns 73… Founding president of Shalem College in Jerusalem, Martin Kramer turns 70… Brooklyn educator, Steven Elworth… Retired editorial director of Schocken Books (the Judaica imprint of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, which is part of Penguin Random House), Altie Karper… Israeli businesswoman and philanthropist, Shari Arison turns 67… Israeli businessman, based in Monaco, he is the president of Limmud FSU, Aaron G. Frenkel turns 67… Suzanna Stone… D.C.-based communications strategist and tactician, Jeffrey Weintraub… Crisis management consultant, author and founder of D.C.-based PR firm Dezenhall Resources, Eric B. Dezenhall turns 62… Founder and managing member of Alternative Asset CFO Services, Lloyd Eric Appel… U.S. senator (D-DE), Chris Coons turns 61… Professional golfer formerly on both the PGA Tour and then on the Champions Tour, Jules Ira “Skip” Kendall turns 60… Actor, comedian, screenwriter, film producer and musician, famous for “The Chanukah Song,” Adam Sandler turns 58… Author and senior national correspondent at HuffPost, Jonathan Cohn turns 55… Former member of the Knesset for the Yesh Atid party, Dov Lipman turns 53… Former partner and associate director at Boston Consulting Group, now an independent consultant, Sacha Frédéric Litman… New York City-based freelance journalist, David Freedlander… Israeli entrepreneur and the CEO and co-founder of Lightricks, Zeev Farbman turns 45… Global head of financial innovation and digital assets at Amazon Web Services, Michael B. Greenwald… Program specialist at USC’s school of architecture, Carla Hashley… Former head of Google Cuba, now an investor and strategist, Brett Perlmutter… Managing director at Alums for Campus Fairness, he is also the D.C. chair of B’nai B’rith Connect, Trey Meehan… Co-founder of International Hummus Day in 2012, now an angel investor, Ben Lang… Fourth overall pick by the New Jersey Devils in the 2021 NHL draft, he is the son of hockey star Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, Luke Hughes turns 21…
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