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Dmitriy Shapiro

Dmitriy Shapiro

Dmitriy Shapiro is the Washington, D.C., correspondent for JNS.

“We want to show the world that we care,” said Sigal Sidi from Maryland, “that the news that they get is not always the truth, and we support Israel 100 percent on her ability and her right to protect our citizens. That’s why we are here.”
“The reality is there have been a host of statements from Democrats, as well as from Republicans, condemning the missiles, condemning the rocket attacks and making clear that Israel has the right to defend itself,” said Mark Mellman, president and CEO of the Democratic Majority for Israel.
The U.N. Security Council called an emergency meeting that resulted in no action as tensions escalated in Jerusalem and rockets fell on Israel from Hamas in Gaza.
Their support ranks among abortion and religious freedom as key political concerns, according to former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer.
With a looming vote to remove the Wyoming congresswoman from her leadership position comes debate over policy issues, the lingering status of the November elections and voting concerns, and where the party is headed as it approaches 2022.
“We look at anti-Semitism around the world today, the rise in Europe—double-digit increases. But one place, it’s different. In one sector of the world,” said Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations executive vice chairman Malcolm Hoenlein.
Richard Goldberg, senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, says it “makes no sense from a U.S. negotiation posture. We’re giving up historic leverage in exchange for compliance with an already flawed deal that is already expiring.”
While America and Israel had reached an agreement in 2005 to prevent the Jewish state from exporting defense systems to China, trade in other economic sectors has expanded, with China now Israel’s second-largest trading partner.
The backlash over allegations that former Secretary of State John Kerry may have provided Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif inside information on Israeli military operations has sparked calls for an investigation.
“If you talk to any legitimate historian, they’ll say there was a real genocide. If there was a real genocide, it should be recognized as such,” said ZOA national president Mort Klein.
“The administration will be questioned or criticized by some Democrats on the Hill, but it will move forward just as in 2015, without regard to their worries,” said Elliott Abrams, former U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela and Iran in the Trump administration
U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.), vice chair of the House Armed Services Committee said putting conditions on aid to Israel would threaten security and U.S. interests in the region, “Israel is America’s most vital ally in the Middle East.”