I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
House Resolution Condemns Erdogan for Anti-Israel Statements. On November 1, Rep. Dana Titus (D-NV) introduced H.Res.1562, which condemns Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for statements critical of Israel.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Senate Republicans Condemn Palestinian Efforts to Suspend Israel from UNGA. On October 29, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and ten other Republicans wrote to US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield regarding Palestinian-led efforts to suspend Israel from full participation in the UN General Assembly. The letter reiterates prior warnings that the lawmakers will seek to limit US participation in and funding across the UN if Israel is suspended. The lawmakers also threatened to downgrade cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, end US assistance to the West Bank and Gaza, terminate Palestinian-related offices across the US government, and curtail engagements between US and Palestinian officials.
SFRC Chair Leads Call for Investigation into ICC Prosecutor. On November 1, Ben Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), led Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SS), John Thune (R-SD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and John Fetterman (D-PA) in urging the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court to investigate allegations of misconduct against Prosecutor Karim Khan. The senators also raised concerns over Khan’s application for arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.
Senators Seek Redesignation of Houthis as FTO. In an October 31 letter, Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bob Casey (D-PA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to redesignate the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
HFAC Chairman Asks Biden to Surge Weapons to Israel. On November 1, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) urged President Joe Biden to expedite defense articles to Israel, including 2,000-pound bombs, and to eliminate delays to weapons cases purchased via Direct Commercial Sale. McCaul also took issue with the Biden administration’s October 13 letter to Israel threatening to suspend military aid if Israel does not allow a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
HFAC Chairman Urges EU Not to Appoint Special Envoy to Syria. In a November 7 post on X, HFAC Chairman McCaul (R-TX) urged the European Union not to appoint a Syria Special Envoy, warning that it would normalize relations with the Assad regime. McCaul wrote, “creeping normalization with the Assad regime is a strategic error and a moral stain.” McCaul said that he would work to pass the Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act.
Senate Republicans Seek Change in Policy Toward Qatar. On November 8, Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), ranking member of SFRC, and Roger Wicker (R-MS), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, led 12 Senate Republicans in writing to Secretary Blinken and Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding US policy toward Qatar. The senators requested that Qatar no longer facilitate ceasefire negotiations by hosting Hamas leadership. They also pushed for the extradition or indictment of senior Hamas officials.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
President Biden Issues Memorandum to Reduce Petroleum Purchased from Iran. On November 7, President Biden issued a memorandum stating that “there is a sufficient supply of petroleum and petroleum products from countries other than Iran to permit a significant reduction in the volume of petroleum and petroleum products purchased from Iran by or through foreign financial institutions.”
2) Department of State
Secretary Blinken Speaks with Egyptian Foreign Minister. On November 3, Secretary Blinken spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty about the war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, establishing a path for the post-conflict period, diplomatic efforts to end the fighting in Lebanon, and the conflict in Sudan.
Secretary Blinken Speaks with Israeli Defense Official. On November 4, Secretary Blinken spoke with then-Israeli defense minister Gallant, who was fired by Netanyahu on November 5. They discussed humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the importance of ending the war there and in Lebanon.
Secretary Blinken Speaks with Iraqi Prime Minister. On November 4, Secretary Blinken spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani about diplomatic efforts to end the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Blinken also called on the Iraqi government to control armed groups operating from its territory.
Department Condemns Rise of Settler Violence. On November 4, Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed concern over reports of increased extremist settler violence in the West Bank, particularly recent incidents in which Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinians, damaged property, killed livestock, and prevented Palestinians from harvesting their olive crops.
Israel’s Measures to Address Humanitarian Concerns in Gaza Still Insufficient. On November 4, Spokesperson Miller stated that Israel has not yet met US recommendations to Israel to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza, outlined as part of the October 13 letter. On November 7, Miller said that Israel has taken “a number of important steps over the past several weeks, including in just the past few days” to address the situation, but that it needs to make additional progress.
United States Forgives $1.14 Billion of Somalia’s Debt. On November 4, US Ambassador to Somalia Richard H. Riley announced the United States is forgiving $1.14 billion dollars of Somalia’s debt as part of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative.
United States and Saudi Arabia Announce Partnership to Strengthen Civil Aviation. On November 5, Spokesperson Miller announced that US and Saudi officials have finalized negotiations on a Protocol of Amendment to expand the US-Saudi Arabia Air Transport Agreement of 2013 that would allow US airlines to carry cargo between Saudi Arabia and third countries without needing to stop in the United States.
Biden Administration to Continue Push for Ceasefire Through End of Presidential Term. On November 7, Spokesperson Miller stated that the Biden administration will continue to pursue an end to the wars in Gaza and Lebanon and a surge of humanitarian assistance until the end of Biden’s term in office on January 20, 2025.
Secretary Blinken Speaks with UN Secretary General. On November 8, Secretary Blinken spoke with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The officials discussed security conditions in Somalia and the Houthis’ detention of UN, diplomatic, and NGO staff in Yemen.
Secretary Blinken Speaks with UAE Foreign Minister. On November 8, Secretary Blinken spoke with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan about efforts to end the war in Lebanon in addition to ceasefire and humanitarian efforts in Gaza and Sudan.
Secretary Blinken Speaks with Saudi Foreign Minister. On November 8, Secretary Blinken spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud about the situations in Gaza and Lebanon. The officials also discussed the need to reach a ceasefire and expand humanitarian access in Sudan.
3) Department of Defense
CENTCOM Conducted 95 Defeat-ISIS Strikes Since Late August. On November 4, CENTCOM announced that it has conducted 95 operations in Iraq and Syria against the so-called Islamic State since August 29, resulting in the death of 163 militants and the capture of another 33.
Secretary Austin Speaks with Bahraini Crown Prince. On November 5, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Austin thanked the Crown Prince for Bahrain’s hosting of US naval forces and for its participation in Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea. The officials also discussed regional security issues.
Secretary Austin Speaks with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister. On November 6, Secretary Austin spoke with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah to discuss the US-Qatar defense partnership and regional security issues.
Secretary Austin Speaks with Departing and New Israeli Defense Ministers. On November 7, Secretary Austin spoke with former Israeli minister of defense Gallant. The Secretary told him that he has been a trusted partner and friend as Israel’s Minister of Defense. Gallant also underscored the US commitment to Israel and to de-escalation in the region and to emphasize the importance of addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza. On November 8, Austin spoke with newly appointed Minister of Defense Israel Katz to express concern over the attacks against Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam and reiterate the US commitment to a diplomatic solution in Lebanon and Gaza.
4) United States Agency for International Development
Administrator Power Discusses Yemen with UN Development Official. On November 6, Administrator Samantha Power met with UN Assistant Secretary-General for Development Coordination Oscar Fernandez-Taranco to discuss the Houthis’ detention of UN, diplomatic, and NGO staff, urging for diplomatic efforts to secure their release.
