I. Election News
AIPAC Scores Big Win in Cori Bush’s Primary Defeat. On August 6, Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) was defeated in the Missouri 1st congressional district Democratic primary. Bush, one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s war on Gaza, had been the target of almost $9 million in ads against her funded by AIPAC.
Harris Quashes Rumors that She’s Open to Israel Arms Embargo. On August 8, Vice President Kamala Harris’s National Security Advisor Philip Gordon rejected rumors that Harris would consider an arms embargo on Israel. At a campaign event the day before, Harris had briefly spoken to national leaders of the “Uncommitted” movement, who then said that Harris “expressed an openness…to discuss an arms embargo.”
II. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
House Bill on Internet Freedom in Iran Introduced. On August 2, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) introduced H.R.9299, a bill to promote internet access and freedom in Iran.
Rep. Lawler Introduces Legislation to Nullify 9/11 Plea Deals. On August 6, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) introduced H.R.9311, legislation to nullify any plea deals made between the US government and Guantanamo Bay inmates who planned the September 11 attacks.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Lawmakers Call for Release of Detained Saudi Rights Advocates. On July 30, Reps. Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Don Beyer (VA-08), and Adam Schiff (CA-30), alongside Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), sent a letter to President Joe Biden, calling on the United States to urge Saudia Arabia to release human rights advocates wrongfully detained in the country.
Bipartisan Senate Effort Calls for the Return of American Journalist Austin Tice from Syria. On August 6, over a third of the Senate urged President Biden to take stronger action to return American journalist Austin Tice, wrongfully detained in Syria since 2012, to the United States.
Bipartisan Effort Urges US Crackdown on Hezbollah Financing. On August 5, 46 bipartisan House members, led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), sent a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Attorney General Merrick Garland, calling on the administration to “use all tools at its disposal Hezbollah’s international financing network.
III. Executive Branch
1) White House
Kirby Says US Ready to Defend Israel. At an August 7 press briefing, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said that the United States “will remain postured to help defend Israel with a wide range of military capabilities” should it come under attack by Iran or Hezbollah.
Biden Issues Joint Statement Calling for Revitalized Ceasefire Push. On August 8, President Biden joined leaders from Qatar and Egypt in issuing a statement stating “the time has come to conclude the ceasefire and hostages and detainees release deal.” The statement asserts that “there is no further time to waste nor excuses from any party for further delay,” adding that the mediating parties are “prepared to present a final bridging proposal that resolves the remaining implementation issues in a manner that meets the expectations of all parties.” The statement calls on Israeli and Hamas officials to resume discussions on August 15 in Doha or Cairo. The statement followed phone calls that Biden held throughout the week with King Abdullah II of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar.
White House Concerned About Israeli Strike on School That Killed At Least 90 Gazans. On August 10, the White House expressed concern over reports of an Israeli airstrike earlier that day that killed at least 93 Palestinians sheltering inside. The statement reaffirmed that “Israel must take measures to minimize civilian harm,” adding that “far too many civilians continue to be killed and wounded.”
Kirby Condemns Israeli Minister’s Recent Statements. On August 10, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby criticized recent statements from Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich. Kirby accused Smotrich of “misleading the Israeli public” in his recent statements that equated a potential hostage deal with a surrender to Hamas and in Smotrich’s suggestion that the war on Gaza should go on indefinitely.
2) Department of State
G7 Foreign Ministers Call for an End to the Violence in the Middle East. On August 4, Secretary Blinken spoke with the foreign ministers of the G7 conference on de-escalation, ceasefire, and humanitarian aid efforts. The leaders reiterated their commitment to Israel’s security. On August 5, the G7 foreign ministers called for an end to “the current destructive cycle of retaliatory violence” in the Middle East.
Secretary Blinken Speaks with Head of SAF. On August 5, Secretary Blinken held a call with General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Head of the Sovereign Council of Sudan, who also leads the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Blinken emphasized the need for the SAF to participate in proposed ceasefire talks in Switzerland later this month.
Secretary Blinken Talks Gaza with Jordanian, Egyptian, and Qatari Foreign Ministers. On August 5, Secretary Blinken spoke with the foreign ministers of Egypt and Qatar, and on August 6 with the foreign minister of Jordan, about ceasefire negotiations and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
US Engaged in “Intense Effort” to Deescalate Tensions. On August 6, Secretary Blinken commented that the United States is “intensely focused on de-escalating tensions in the region,” having communicated “directly” with Iran on the importance of de-escalation. With negotiations at their “final stage,” Blinken encouraged Israel and Hamas to “work to finalize an agreement as soon as possible.”
Department Calls for Investigation of Sexual Abuse in Israeli Prisons. On August 7, Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters that the Department has “seen the video, and reports of sexual abuse of detainees are horrific,” referencing evidence that Israeli soldiers have sexually assaulted Palestinian prisoners in the Sde Teiman detention facility. Miller stated that the ongoing allegations “ought to be investigated fully by the Government of Israel.”
US to Send $3.5 Billion in Military Aid to Israel. According to media reports, a Department of State spokesperson said on August 9 that the Biden administration has notified Congress that it will send Israel an additional $3.5 billion for weapons and military equipment. The funds are part of the $14.1 billion supplemental funding for Israel passed by Congress in April.
US Clears IDF Unit of Leahy Law Violations. Media reports revealed that the Department announced on August 9 that the Israeli security unit Netzah Yehudah, found by the Biden administration to have committed gross violations of human rights (including the 2022 death of a 78-year-old Palestinian American man in the West Bank), can continue to receive US security assistance following a recent Leahy Law investigation. According to Spokesperson Miller, the IDF “effectively remediated” the unit’s past violations through administrative measures.
Blinken Speaks with Israeli Defense Minister. On August 9, Secretary Blinken spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant about efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region, US commitment to Israel’s security, and the need to surge humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
3) Department of Defense
Secretary Austin Speaks with Israeli Defense Minister. On August 5, 8, and 11, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant about the recent Iran-aligned militia attack on US forces at Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq, measures to strengthen US military posture in the region, the importance of a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza, and de-escalation efforts. Austin “reiterated the United States’ commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel.”
Austin Updates on Force Posture Adjustments. At an August 6 joint press availability with Secretary Blinken and the Australian foreign minister, Secretary Austin reviewed changes to US force posture in the Middle East, saying that he has ordered more cruisers and destroyers capable of ballistic missile defense to the region, in addition to deploying another fighter squadron. Austin stated that he has been focused on ensuring that the United States is “in a good position to aid in the defense of Israel if called upon to do that.” On August 11, the Department of Defense announced that the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, would be accelerated to the CENTCOM area of responsibility, in addition to the USS Georgia (SSGN 729) guided missile submarine.
Austin Speaks with Egypt’s New Defense Minister. On August 8, Secretary Austin held his first call with the new Egyptian Minister of Defense, General Abd-al-Majid Ahmad Saqr. The officials discussed the US-Egypt strategic partnership and ceasefire efforts in Gaza.
4) Department of the Treasury
Counter ISIS Finance Group Releases Statement. On August 8, the Department of the Treasury issued a statement about the 20th meeting of the Counter ISIS Finance Group (CIFG), co-hosted on July 23-24 by the United States, Italy, and Saudi Arabia. The statement highlighted the meeting’s focus on disrupting the financing of the so-called Islamic State and the CIGF’s commitment to increase information-sharing, strengthen oversight of informal funds transfer mechanisms, and strengthen anti-money laundering regimes.
