I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
Senate Armed Services Leadership Files NDAA. On July 8, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Ranking Member Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) announced that they filed S. 4638, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (NDAA). The NDAA provides for a topline of $911.8 billion for military and national security programs, including for many MENA-related programs.
HFAC Holds Markup on Key Legislation. On July 10, the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) held a markup on several key bills, including legislation to limit funds to the United Nations and other organizations that grant recognition beyond observer status to the Palestine Liberation Organization (H.R. 8345); to withdraw federal funds for UNRWA (H.R. 8232); to reject the recent UN decision placing the Israeli Defense Force on a list of children’s rights abusers (H.Res.1323); to support the religious and ethnic minority survivors of genocide in Iraq (H.Res.554); to recognize the actions of the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces against non-Arab ethnic communities as acts of genocide (H.Res.1328)
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Bipartisan Representatives Condemn Turkish President Erdoğan. Led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), 26 representatives from both parties signed a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemning Turkey’s “professed solidarity with Hamas” and warning of the need to “reassess” the US-Turkey relationship.
Three Committee Chairs Write Letter to DOJ, Call for Investigation into The Palestine Chronicle. On July 9, Representatives Jason Smith (R-MO), James Comer (R-KY), and Virginia Foxx (R-NC), who chair the Ways and Means, Oversight, and Education and the Workforce committees, respectively, sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland calling for the Department of Justice to launch an investigation into The Palestine Chronicle and the affiliated “People Media Project.” The lawmakers accused the entities of “providing material support to a known terrorist organization” and of violating US tax law due to their purported support of Hamas.
HFAC Chair Requests Briefing with Biden Administration over Microsoft Partnership with UAE Firm. On July 11, HFAC Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party John Moolenaar (R-MI) requested a classified briefing from the Biden administration about the administration’s approval of Microsoft’s partnership with Group 42 Holding Ltd., the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) artificial intelligence holding company. The lawmakers asserted that Microsoft’s investment “deserves continued special scrutiny by both the Executive Branch and our Committees to ensure that strategic and national security interests are protected,” referencing concerns that the UAE could share sensitive US-origin technology with China.
Lawler, Torres Lead Letter Urging Biden to Nominate Abraham Accords Envoy. On July 11, Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Ritchie Torres (D-NY) led 34 members of Congress in a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to nominate a Presidential Envoy for the Abraham Accords, the Negev Forum, and Related Integration and Normalization Fora and Agreements. Torres and Lawler previously advanced legislation to create the position, which passed in December through the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024, but the Biden administration has not yet filled it.
3) Hearings and Briefings
House Committee Investigates Alleged Anti-Israel Sentiments in Unions. On July 9, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce held a subcommittee hearing on how labor unions have supported “anti-Israel causes.”
Helsinki Commission Holds Hearing on Russia, Syria. On July 10, the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the US Helsinki Commission, held a hearing entitled “Putin’s Syrian Puppet: War Crimes and Complicity from Syria to Ukraine.” The hearing explored the link between Russia’s actions in Syria and its war in Ukraine and underscored the need to hold the Assad regime accountable for human rights violations.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Biden Reaffirms Outlines of Gaza Policy at Solo Press Conference. Speaking from a solo press conference on July 11, President Biden stated that the administration is finalizing the details of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel and that the parties are “making progress.” During his speech, Biden also remarked that his administration does not support Israeli efforts to occupy Gaza, addressed plans for the US military to dismantle the temporary humanitarian pier in Gaza, and expressed regret that his administration has not been able to “convince” Israel to prosecute its war differently.
Jake Sullivan Says Hamas Primary Obstacle to Aid in Gaza. On July 11, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that the administration is working to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza but attributed current challenges to Hamas. “Hamas itself trying to disrupt and derail the delivery of humanitarian assistance. And that is really, chiefly, the obstacle to ensuring that the people of Gaza, the innocent people of Gaza get the lifesaving food, water, medicine that they need,” Sullivan said.
2) Department of State
Department Congratulates Mauritania President but Seeks Investigation into Post-Election Violence. On July 5, the Department of State congratulated Mohamed Ould Ghazouani on his re-election as president of Mauritania. The statement also expressed “regret” over the loss of life during post-election protests and called on the Mauritanian government to conduct a full investigation.
Assistant Secretary Leaf Travels to Region. From July 8 to 14, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara A. Leaf traveled to the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, and the occupied West Bank to hold talks on a Gaza ceasefire, humanitarian aid delivery, and plans for post-conflict Gaza.
Department Reiterates Call for End of Houthi Attacks. At a July 9 press briefing, Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the Department of State will “continue to impress upon [the Houthis], through all available channels, that they should stop their attacks and they should release all the workers that they are detaining.”
Secretary Blinken Speaks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty. On July 9, Secretary Blinken congratulated Egypt’s new Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on his appointment and affirmed the Egyptian-US “strategic partnership.” The two discussed Gaza ceasefire efforts and promoting stability in Yemen and Sudan.
New Sanctions on Extremist Settlers Announced. On July 11, the Department of State announced new sanctions on three Israeli individuals and five entities in the West Bank. The targeted entities include Lehava, an organization led by US-designated Ben Zion Gopstein, that has engaged in repeated acts of violence against Palestinians, and four outposts that have been used as bases for violent actions to displace Palestinians. The announcement was accompanied by a statement from the G7 foreign ministers condemning Israel’s recent announcement legalizing five outposts in the West Bank, declaring more than 1,270 hectares of land in the West Bank as ‘state lands,’ and the expanding settlements.
3) Department of Defense
Secretary Austin Speaks with Israeli Defense Minister. On July 5, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to discuss regional security challenges, the US commitment to Israel’s security, and efforts to end the conflict in Gaza.
Pentagon Announces End of Humanitarian Pier. On July 11, Pentagon Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that the US military had unsuccessfully tried to re-anchor the Gaza humanitarian pier and that the “pier will soon cease operations.”
4) Department of the Treasury
Secretary Yellen Meets with Israeli Foreign Minister. On July 10, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen met with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Washington. Yellen reaffirmed US commitment to Israel’s security, called on Israel to transfer tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority, and discussed US actions to hold individuals and entities accountable for perpetuating violence in the West Bank. Yellen and Katz also discussed actions to disrupt Iran and its proxies.
5) United States Agency for International Development
On Trip to Israel, Power Announces Additional $100 Million For Palestinians. On July 11, USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced that the United States, through USAID, will provide an additional $100 million in humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The announcement came during Power’s trip to Israel, where she met with UN and NGO partners and with Israeli officials, whom she pressed about improving protection of humanitarian workers in Gaza.
