Ambassador Tom Nides' shiva chronicles - Six months into the job the U.S. ambassador to Israel is on a mission to show America cares - DigitalOcean
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J U NE 17, 2022 ♦ 18 S I VAN, 5782
THE WEEKLY PRINT
Ambassador Tom Nides’ shiva chronicles; Meet Aviva Aron-Dine, the White House’s newest
econ wonk; The mad rush to replace Bobby Rush; The view from Washington on the one-year
anniversary of Israel’s groundbreaking government; One year on, Bennett’s government hangs
on by a thread; Blinken, Lapid highlight regional reconciliation, Iran and Ukraine; Alessandra
Biaggi distances herself from AOC on Israel; To crack Emirati market, CEOs line up for ‘speed-
dating’ with Israel’s ambassador in Abu Dhabi; and From Tel Aviv to Athens: Meet the Israeli
hotelier taking a gamble on Greek tourism.
JUNE 15, 2022
Ambassador Tom Nides’ shiva chronicles
Six months into the job the U.S. ambassador to Israel is on a mission to
show America cares
By Ruth Marks Eglash
A
few days after a Palestinian Nides’ own son is 27. ultra-Orthodox Jewish community and the
terrorist opened fire on a While it’s not unusual for an American secular Jewish community – everyone,”
Tel Aviv bar in April, killing ambassador to pay condolence calls to the he noted, emphasizing, “We just can’t let
three Israelis, the U.S. ambassador to families of terror victims, Nides appears to terrorism – or the very, very, very small
Israel, Tom Nides, joined hundreds of have made it his personal mission. During minority in this country, the West Bank and
mourners in paying his respects to the the most recent wave of violence earlier this Gaza who want to do harm – win.”
young victims’ families. spring, the top U.S. diplomat in Israel has “Ninety-nine percent of the people in
It wasn’t his first set of shiva calls. met with the relatives of many of the victims Israel, the West Bank and Gaza have no
Nides, who had been on the job for just four killed as a result of the Israeli-Palestinian interest in causing harm,” he continued.
months, had already visited the relatives of conflict. Last month, he attended the wake “They just want to live in peace and
those killed two weeks earlier in a stabbing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen prosperity, and we cannot let that 1 percent
and vehicular attack in Beersheva and spent Abu Akleh, who was killed while reporting of lunatics ruin it for everyone else.”
time with families grieving five more people on clashes between Israeli soldiers and Despite the tension and the heartbreak,
killed in an attack in Bnei Brak, including Palestinian militants. The U.S. has called for Nides, a former banker, who was deputy
that of a young Christian police officer from a joint investigation into her death. secretary of state for management and
Nazareth. But for Nides, the deadly shooting “This is not about me, it’s about America,” resources from 2011 to 2013, said he feels
in the heart of Tel Aviv drove home what it’s Nides told JI. “It’s about showing up and extremely lucky to be serving in Jerusalem
like to live in a place embroiled in constant telling people how much we care about and tries to remain focused on his central
conflict. them and how much the United States cares goal: strengthening Israel’s character as a
“I don’t think people really understand,” about their tragedy.” democratic Jewish state, which also includes
Nides told Jewish Insider in an interview Admitting that the condolence calls are working to maintain the concept of a two-
last week. “They might read about what among the hardest things he’s ever done, state solution for Israelis and Palestinians,
happens here in the newspapers, but unless Nides said, “The shiva calls have made what while at the same time maintaining Israel’s
you go to a house in Tel Aviv and sit with the happens here very real to me… it has also security.
fiancée of the 27-year-old kid who got shot made it clear to me that it’s not one particular He’s a supporter of the normalization
in the bar in Tel Aviv, and you hold her hand part of this country that is affected by these agreements Israel signed two years ago with
and she says to you, ‘I just don’t get it, he just attacks.” the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and later
proposed to me three weeks ago,’ … then you “Everyone is affected – the Arab Morocco and Sudan, despite the fact it was
really don’t know.” community, the Druze community, the achieved by the previous administration
1and spends much of his time promoting that make it exceptionally difficult to keep State Cup.
programs aimed at improving the daily lives the vision [of a two-state solution] alive,” While at the game, Nides took advantage
of the Palestinian people. Nides explained. “I know that’s a lofty, Nobel of his diplomatic status – and his reputation
Of the first diplomatic posting for Peace Prize-winning thing to say, but it’s as a friendly, approachable guy – making an
the self-described “little Jewish kid from pretty damn important and it goes for the impromptu introduction between the two
Duluth, Minnesota,” Nides said, “obviously Israelis, as well as the Palestinians.” men and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
it’s exhausting but it’s beautiful. I love this When potentially flagrant or sensitive Tapping on the glass of the VIP box, he
place and to wake up and be the ambassador, events do occur, such as the killing of Abu brought the two men over to meet Israel’s
I mean, how cool is that?” Akleh, an iconic Palestinian voice who top ceremonial leader. “I told the guys, ‘I
While “totally humbled by the covered the West Bank for two decades, hate that you got shot and you had to treat
experience,” Nides said he is determined or the provocative Israeli nationalist flag victims, but it is kind of cool that you got to
to get “stuff done” and is trying to “focus marches that took place in the Old City meet the president,’” Nides mused, adding,
on things that I can manage” – not an on Jerusalem Day, Nides said he feels “The whole place, this whole country, is so
easy endeavor in a country in constant confident articulating the views of the Biden small. Only 9 million people and everyone’s
conflict, with polarizing political and administration “in a clear and succinct way.” affected [by the conflict].”
religious communities and flagrant leaders Continual meetings and interactions
continuously vying to shore up their with Israeli officials, he said, have enabled
political support. him to forge strong ties here that allow him
“I have no ideology, I just want to do the to “express either my love or displeasure”
right thing and I’m trying to send a message with what is going on.
to people that I will talk to and see everyone,” On the Palestinian side, in lieu of an
he said. official consulate for direct diplomatic
Nides has made a point of meeting with relations, which was closed during the
as many people as possible, traveling the Trump administration, Nides said he works
length and breadth of the tiny country and closely with the Palestine Affairs Unit in
hearing out even those who hold views the embassy. The unit will soon have direct
contrary to the U.S. administration that access to Washington with the appointment
he represents. He excitedly shares many of Hady Amr, the deputy assistant secretary
of his interactions in colorful social media for Israeli and Palestinian affairs, to the role
posts, including a weekly Shabbat greeting of special envoy to the Palestinians. Amr’s
that often highlights peace, tolerance and appointment, some believe, is a first step to
coexistence. reversing former President Donald Trump’s
Coming across as genuinely congenial approach to the region.
and warm, Nides, however, upset some On the specific issue of who killed
Israelis in his first local media interview by Abu Akleh, Nides said that there has been
stating that as the U.S. envoy he would never progress and that he is working closely with
visit an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. both sides to convince them to collaborate
His comments were in stark contrast with and share evidence.
his predecessor David Friedman, who was a “Obviously, there’s lots of suspicion
strong advocate for Israeli settlements. between the sides,” said Nides. “But we are
“I probably could have been a bit more trying to be the bridge between the two.”
artful in my words,” Nides told JI of the Even after months of violence and
interview with the Israeli daily Yediot tension between Israelis and Palestinians,
Aharonot. The ambassador’s words drew no and absent moves toward restarting the
small amount of criticism from Israel’s very peace process, Nides said he remains
vocal settler movement. hopeful and has even found small ways to
“I tried to explain that my position is not advocate his firm belief in coexistence and
to do things that agitate people, although I peace.
think even by saying that I agitated those Recently, he brought together two local
who live in the settlements,” said Nides, who embassy employees – one a young Jewish-
has since clarified that he is willing to meet Israeli who was injured during the Tel Aviv
with Israelis from the settlements, but only bar attack, the other an Arab-Israeli, who
at his office in Jerusalem. also works part-time as a paramedic and
“Our role here is to make sure the parties who treated the wounded at the bar – to
[Israelis and Palestinians] don’t do things watch the final soccer match of the Israel
2JUNE 13, 2022
Meet Aviva Aron-Dine, the White House’s
newest econ wonk
Aron-Dine is the White House’s new deputy director of the National
Economic Council, succeeding David Kamin
By Jacob Miller
A
One of the lesser-known — but vice president for health policy at the Center “There were just lots of choices about
vitally important — advisory on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), a how to set up the exchanges and do the
bodies in Washington, tucked nonpartisan think tank, before returning reinsurance subsidies for cost-sharing,”
away in the Eisenhower Executive Office to her old post at OMB when President Joe said Furman about her role in the ACA’s
Building, is the National Economic Biden took office. implementation. “She was just very
Council (NEC). Currently led by Brian In an interview with JI, Furman lauded involved.”
Deese, who directs the council, and Aron-Dine, high praise from the policy Additionally, Aron-Dine successfully
attended by many cabinet members and shaper the Washington Post once called the argued the merits of continuing several tax
federal agency heads, the NEC helps the White House’s “wonkiest wonk.” Furman credit programs, which mitigate poverty for
president develop his economic policy. first worked alongside Aron-Dine from an estimated 16 million people.
With the recent departure of the NEC’s 2005 to 2008 at the CBPP, where Aron-Dine “I’m not sure the White House would
deputy director, David Kamin, who is researched federal tax policy before heading have made those tax credits permanent and
returning to his post at NYU’s law school, the to Cambridge to start graduate school, and permanently reduced child poverty were
White House is tapping Aviva Aron-Dine, they later worked together in the Obama it not for her combination of advocacy and
an economic policy analyst who served as administration. analysis,” Furman said.
executive associate director of the Office of “Within hours of meeting her, it was clear Besides helping working families,
Management and Budget (OMB), to fill the just how extraordinarily brilliant she was,” Aron-Dine pushed to ensure the U.S. tax
role. Furman recalls. “Just an amazing analytic code would continue to create incentives
The White House did not make Aron- mind that effectively gets to the heart of any for charitable donations. In a 2012 memo
Dine available for comment on this article, question.” written alongside Jonathan Greenblatt,
but confirmed she has started working in Bucking the pipeline to academia from who served as special assistant to President
her new role. MIT’s economic department, one of the Barack Obama in the Office of Social
Harvard economist Jason Furman, who nation’s top economics programs, Aron- Innovation and Civic Participation before
chaired the Council of Economic Advisors Dine jumped directly into government. becoming CEO of the Anti-Defamation
during the Obama administration and has “Generally, people who do extremely League, Aron-Dine opposed capping the
worked previously with Aron-Dine, told well in graduate school don’t want to go dollar amount on charitable deductions, a
Jewish Insider, “It’s no surprise” that she had straight into government,” said Furman. policy they claimed would reduce giving by
been tapped for the role. “She cared about the world and wanted to billions of dollars each year.
Aron-Dine, who received a bachelor’s make the world a better place and thought “She was far more focused on getting to
in philosophy from Swarthmore College that was the best way for her to do it.” the right outcome rather than making the
in 2005, touts a long resume of positions Policy was the area where Aron-Dine felt easy call,” Greenblatt told JI.
in think tanks and economic policy. After she could exert the greatest influence. After working strenuously on healthcare
receiving a doctorate in economics from “I think she thought that adding new reform for years, Aron-Dine watched
MIT in 2012, she went to work in the Obama details to economic research was less as the Trump administration arrived in
administration, first at OMB, where she important than taking what we already Washington intent on reversing the Obama
began as associate director for economic know and implementing it and using it,” administration’s healthcare policy and
policy and became the agency’s acting Furman explained. repealing the ACA.
deputy director and executive assistant Ditching the harsh Boston winters for With the change of administration,
director, while serving as the special humid D.C. summers, Aron-Dine arrived Aron-Dine returned to the CBPP, leading its
assistant to the president for economic in Washington at a heady time for health healthcare policy team.
policy at the NEC. She then served in the policy. The Obama administration’s “She came in at a really turbulent time
Department of Health and Human Services, signature Affordable Care Act had passed in when the Trump administration came
as senior counselor to the secretary. 2010, yet its implementation would require in and was threatening health coverage,”
Since then, Aron-Dine has served as the painstaking effort. said Tara Straw, who worked alongside
3Aron-Dine at the CBPP and is now a senior Her subtle leadership in the early days to process, bring people together, aggregate
advisor at Manatt Health. “She was really of the Biden administration fits Aron-Dine’s what others are doing,” said Furman.
instrumental in our response to those understated leadership style, which Furman Aron-Dine assumes her new role under
threats.” called “unflashy” and “behind the scenes.” NEC Director Brian Deese, who also once
During her time at the CBPP, Aron-Dine Both Furman and Straw are optimistic served at OMB. Furman anticipates the two
co-authored dozens of reports, many of about Aron-Dine’s future at the NEC, where will complement each other well.
which argued against repealing the ACA. she will contend with rising inflation levels “[Deese] doesn’t know all the latest
When Biden assumed office in 2017, not seen in decades. economic studies, and she does,” explained
Aron-Dine resumed her old post at OMB. “She is very, very much forward-looking Furman. “I think he does a great job of
As the Senate stalled Neera Tanden’s and anticipates problems and questions and getting a lot out of very substantive, analytic
nomination to lead the agency, owing to her how to overcome them in a great way,” said people like her, but he’s also going to need
controversial Twitter account, Aron-Dine Straw. someone to help run the policy processes
quietly filled the vacancy without public Furman highlighted her leadership and the deputy processes and the like, so
credit, leading OMB, until Biden’s second prowess. they definitely will work well together.”♦
nominee, Shalanda Young, was confirmed “Detailed knowledge is almost secondary
several months later. to [the] ability to function in an organization,
JUNE 16, 2022
The mad rush to replace Bobby Rush
Seventeen Democrats will be on the ballot in the June 28 primary to replace the
Chicago congressman, who is retiring after 30 years
By Gabby Deutch
W
hen voters on Chicago’s South a popularity contest, who you think will do for two decades.
Side head to the polls later a good job, but they all pretty much have the The race has not attracted the national
this month for the state’s same positions. There’s no real difference attention or spending that has dominated
first-ever June congressional primaries, between them on taxes and gay marriage other Chicagoland races. In the Democratic
they’ll face several changes: warm and different things.” primary in the 6th Congressional District
weather, newly drawn congressional Shaffer said the top issues in the race between incumbent Reps. Sean Casten and
boundaries and the first election in will almost certainly be “kitchen-table stuff” Marie Newman, outside groups have spent
30 years without retiring Rep. Bobby — the economic issues and challenges that more than $570,000. The nearby open seat
Rush’s (D-IL) name on the ballot. voters face every day. in the 3rd Congressional District, where
The veteran lawmaker and activist, who “The South Side and the West Side deal Latino candidates Gilbert Villegas and Delia
is 75, announced in January that he would with issues that are just normal issues: Ramirez are facing off, has attracted more
not seek another term in Congress, telling crime, inflation, jobs. There is a Whole Foods than $1.8 million from groups including
the Chicago Sun-Times that the decision was that’s a big grocer over in Englewood that VoteVets, the Working Families Party and
sparked by a conversation with his teenage is closing, so it’s going to be a food desert Democratic Majority for Israel.
grandson, who said he wanted to get to know again,” Shaffer explained. Instead, candidates in the 1st District
Rush better. “I don’t want my grandchildren When Rush announced his retirement, are campaigning the old-fashioned way: by
… to know me from a television news clip he also attempted to anoint a successor, going door-to-door and talking to voters,
or something they read in a newspaper,” he endorsing Karin Norington-Reaves, a lawyer a task made much easier by the warm
said. and the CEO of the Chicago Cook Workforce weather.
His decision set off in a Democratic free- Partnership. But the relatively limited “
We normally have our primaries in
for-all ahead of the June 28 primary, with polling in the race has shown Norington- March, so it’s a real difference. Normally in
17 Democrats set to appear on the ballot to Reaves, who is also endorsed by the Chicago the wintertime, if you’re knocking doors at
represent the heavily blue 1st Congressional Tribune, trailing three candidates: Jonathan that point, you get sympathy points because
District. Jackson, an activist who is the son of the you’re showing up to people’s houses in the
“They all have basically the same civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson; Pat winters, as opposed to this time around, it’s
beliefs,” Chris Shaffer, a political consultant Dowell, a Chicago alderperson and a former sunny outside,” said Shaffer. “It’s a totally
who works with Democrats in Illinois, told nonprofit administrator; and Jacqui Collins, different kind of campaign.”
Jewish Insider. “To be honest, I think it’s just who has served in the Illinois state Senate A poll released in May by Collins’
4campaign showed Jackson leading with Christian and met with the president, Hafez Born in segregated Mississippi, “I came
19%, followed by Collins and Dowell with Assad,” Jackson recalled. “That taught me a out of the ‘60s, that generation very much
14% each, and Norington-Reaves with 5%. lesson on taking the initiative: Sometimes influenced by Dr. King and Robert Kennedy,”
Forty-two percent of voters were undecided. you can get just because you’ve asked, and Collins, who is 73, said. “The Kennedys
In conversations with Jewish Insider, the the benefit of being a peacemaker, not just a basically, because of their definition of what
four candidates all touched on similar issues peacekeeper.” public service looks like, Dr. King because of
as their priorities, namely fighting gun With peace in mind, Jackson said he his witness from his faith. Faith informs my
violence, improving economic outcomes in supports a two-state solution to the Israeli- public policy. So I come out of that tradition
the district and championing voting rights. Palestinian conflict “to bring about long- of wanting to give voice to the marginalized.”
“It seems like this is the culmination of lasting peace,” and he pledged to support She called Rabbi Abraham Joshua
all my life and work experiences that have U.S. security assistance to Israel, including Heschel a role model, and said her
come together,” said Jackson, who has made funding for the Iron Dome missile-defense admiration for him inspired her to earn a
the work he has done alongside his father system. He also expressed support for master’s at the Spertus Institute for Jewish
a central component of his campaign. “My reentering the nuclear deal with Iran. Learning and Leadership in Chicago “to
experiences of having traveled far and wide Jackson, who traveled to Israel with his study the origins of social justice, which is in
and been in the room… with my father, when father in 2006 in an attempt to secure the the Torah.”
he was standing up for free South Africa … release of two Israeli pilots from Lebanon, Collins is Catholic, but her sister Kai
I’ve seen the third rail, the outside force, to told JI that he opposes the Boycott, Gardner Mishlove — who converted to
make the political process go forward.” Divestment and Sanctions movement. “I Judaism — is the director of Milwaukee’s
Jackson, who is 56, is the spokesperson respect the depth of history in other parts Jewish Community Relations Council.
for the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, a nonprofit of the world, from my travel and from the “She’s the one on the forefront of addressing
advocacy organization founded by his father architecture and the language and the the antisemitism that’s rearing its ugly head
— and a place that is a frequent campaign traditions and customs,” he explained. “We in Wisconsin,” said Collins, adding that she
stop for other candidates in Illinois races. have to educate some members of our own is also “well aware of the issues confronting
In the heavily Black 1st District, the Jackson Congress that there’s a history here.” Israel.”
name offers instant name recognition that Recent reports from human rights “I’ve also been to Israel, so I’m aware of
the other candidates will have to work organizations have accused Israel of the geopolitical reality, of how important
harder to achieve. (Collins and Dowell have committing “apartheid” in its treatment of Israel is as an ally for democracy in the
their own built-in constituencies, whom the Palestinians, but Jackson, who for years Middle East,” she explained. Collins noted
they have each represented for more than a worked with his father on the anti-apartheid that she would vote to support Iron Dome
decade.) movement, rejected the claim. funding, but that she did not yet have a
Most of the endorsements in the race “It is two separate things, two separate stance on how to approach Iran.
have come from local elected officials and times,” he said. “There’s a different set of “I will probably take a position on
activists in Illinois, but Jackson recently circumstances right now and they’ll have whether whatever it would mean to
won the backing of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I- to be dealt with. Totally independent. That guarantee the safety and the security and
VT). The two are set to appear together at a was a racial majority [in South Africa] with the existence of Israel. I mean, that would
campaign event tonight. minority control. I would say that was be my guiding principle,” said Collins, who
“Jonathan has been a fighter for working different, and what would have to happen added that she had recently discussed the
people for decades, and I know he will fight as it relates to Israel is multifactorial. The matter with AIPAC.
on their behalf in championing Medicare for Jewish community has to be involved.” Supporting Israel, for Collins, connects
All and a Green New Deal when he is in the Collins was elected to the Illinois state her to her faith, and her trip to Israel was a
Congress,” Sanders said in a press release. Senate in 2002 following a diverse career powerful religious experience.
Jackson also boasts extensive experience path that included a long stint as a TV news “I got baptized in the Jordan River,” she
in foreign policy. He has tagged along on reporter, as well as faith-based political recalled. “I wanted to be on the ground.
several of his father’s overseas peacebuilding advocacy and two mid-life master’s degrees I prayed at the Wailing Wall. I wanted to
missions since he was a teenager, to places at Harvard. go through those experiences because
including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Israel. “There’s only so much you can do on the the foundation of the Christian faith is in
His first trip with his father was to Syria state level in the issues that are important to Judaism, because Jesus was a Jew, basically.
in 1984, in what was ultimately a successful me. I think we’re facing an urgency of now. He was Jewish. So I wanted to understand
attempt to secure the release of Lt. Robert Rise of white supremacy and nationalism, my Christianity in the realm of the Jewish
Goodman, who was shot down over Syria the attack on our reproductive rights and foundation.”
while on a mission to drop bombs on Syrian also the suppression of voting rights,” said Collins has dabbled in foreign policy
tanks in Lebanon. “I was maybe 18 years of Collins, as well as countering gun violence. more than many state lawmakers. At the
age at the time, 17, 18. We went over there with She authored a bill to ban ghost guns, which height of the “Save Darfur” movement,
an ecumenical delegation, Arab, Jewish, was recently signed into law. she co-sponsored a 2005 bill banning
5Illinois from doing business with Sudanese as a member of Congress. “I’m somebody Norington-Reaves has not held public
businesses and requiring the state to divest who has traveled a great deal,” she said, “so office, but she is no outsider to public service,
its pension funds from companies with ties I have a view from the ground, so to speak.” having worked at nonprofits as a Teach for
to Sudan. She traveled to Israel about eight years America educator and as an attorney with
At a national level, Collins earned the ago, and was set to go on another trip to several government agencies.
endorsement of noted professor and author the region to connect with Israeli and “I’m a third-generation Chicagoan
Cornel West, while in Illinois, she noted that Palestinian women that was canceled due to and I’ve been a 20-year resident of the 1st
a handful of her colleagues in the Illinois the COVID-19 pandemic. Congressional District,” Norington-Reaves
Jewish Legislative Caucus endorsed her. “Israel is a country that is surrounded told JI. In recent years, she has seen changes
She tied the importance of Israel’s security by people, or surrounded by countries that in her neighborhood, as other families
to political trends in the U.S., namely the rise don’t want them there, and then every moved away because of growing gun
in white supremacy targeting Jews. day, people have to live out their lives, [to] violence. She decided to remain with her
“We’re moving to a fascist state and the self-actualize, be creative, have fun, build son and to head up a nonprofit job training
rise of white supremacy here, and white families, build institutions and businesses, center.
nationalism is becoming more and more — always concerned about the security of “This is not normal, and it’s not OK,”
well, it’s being emboldened,” she said. “So their country,” Dowell said. “That was she said of the area’s gun violence. “Several
we have to be critically aware. We have to something that came across to me when I years ago, Congressman Rush called upon
be serious about the threat. We have to be was at the border of Syria in Israel, and saw community leaders and others, state leaders
serious about the threat here in the United peacekeeping troops there.” and private sector leaders, to really make an
States, as well as protect the interests of While in the region, “the other thing that investment in the community. And I had to
Israel, and stress the point of Israel’s right to I saw was, that I had some concern about, make a decision, Do I stay or do I go? And so
exist on all levels.” frankly, was realizing that the Palestinians I decided to stay.”
Representing a population of 2.7 are dependent upon Israel for everything. So As a Teach for America teacher in Los
million people, Chicago’s city council exerts the lights, the electricity, water, and there’s Angeles’ Compton neighborhood during
significant influence over the country’s something wrong with that picture,” she the Rodney King riots, Norington-Reaves —
third-largest city. Dowell, who chairs the explained. “So I have been somebody who’s who was already set on going to law school
budget committee of the 50-person body, been supportive of a two-state solution.” — decided to go into public interest law. The
has served as an alderperson since 2007, Dowell, who said she opposes a boycott experience of working with young people
an experience that she said has been of Israel, added that she “understand[s] the and their parents who felt trapped due to
characterized by “working with the people importance of” the Iron Dome. “I think Israel generations of poverty “really just changed
in the community, trying to move the needle has the right to protect and secure itself.” the trajectory of my career,” she said.
on my community, making it better. And I She vowed to work with Israel to head Norington-Reaves, who is 52, has a
have done that, moving two grocery stores off the Iranian nuclear threat but did not longtime interest in foreign policy and other
into a community that was a food desert, say how she intends to do so. “I think the cultures, dating to her college years, when
bringing in a new classical school, creating United States should work closely with she majored in Spanish and studied Italian
and supporting dozens of new businesses Israel to, how should I say it, to sort of halt and Portuguese literature. She is also of
that bring in jobs and amenities to the Iranian aggression,” Dowell said, but added, Haitian descent, and adopted her daughter
community, to building new parks.” in response to a question about her views on from Haiti six years ago.
Dowell, who is 65, grew up in Queens, the 2015 nuclear deal, “I don’t know that I “I think a lot needs to change with
where her parents — a janitor and a nurse — can answer that question specifically.” respect to our immigration policies, and our
were active in the community. “Being an only If she is elected, Dowell pointed to her demonization of people who come to this
child and them not wanting to let me stay at time as chair of the budget committee as country seeking a better life,” she said. “I
home a lot by myself, they dragged me to a an experience that prepared her well for the also think that the U.S. has a role to play in
lot of meetings,” Dowell said, “so I watched ideological divisions both across the aisle keeping peace throughout the world.”
my parents spend a lot of their free time and within the Democratic Party. That role, she said, extends to “being a
working on concerns in our community.” As budget chairman, Dowell explained, check with respect to Iran, and ensuring
After reading about the city of Chicago she has to work “across the various that Iran does not have access to nuclear
and its glamor and excitement on the pages ideologies within the city council, from the weapons,” and playing a role “with respect
of Ebony magazine, Dowell moved to the regular Democrats and the progressives to a two-state solution in brokering peace,
city to study social work at the University of to the Democratic Socialists to the and helping to mediate and negotiate.”
Chicago. She stuck around in a career that Republicans to pass a budget that supports On those two issues, she supports a
included time as a social worker, a nonprofit every community in Chicago,” said Dowell. return to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive
professional and a university educator. “That’s not an easy feat to get the required Plan of Action and continued U.S. security
Dowell, who loves to travel, told JI that votes. But I’ve always tried to create a win- assistance to Israel. Norington-Reaves
she would be eager to work on foreign policy win situation.” added that she opposes the BDS movement.
6“Part of the problem is that it sort of flourish. And Israel is a real place in which slavery, and that Jews experienced in the
starts from a premise that Israel shouldn’t that can happen as an ancestral homeland Holocaust.”
exist,” she said, and referred to a recent for practitioners of the Jewish faith. And “When I think about what it takes to
conversation with a friend to explain her if BDS is rooted in the premise that Israel create a structure of oppression, it makes
thinking on the topic. should not exist as such, then that’s a me think about what it takes to disassemble
“He said, ‘Israel is to Jewish people problem.’” that,” said Norington-Reaves, “and what it
what Wakanda is to Black people,’” recalled She also called for building bridges takes is sitting knee-to-knee with somebody
Norington-Reaves, referring to the fictional between communities as a way to fight who is very different from you, and seeing
African nation home to the superhero Black antisemitism, and described a college their humanity and learning about their
Panther. “I said, ‘Yeah, only Israel is real.’ seminar she took “about the architecture humanity and learning that we have more in
Wakanda is this fictionalized, beautiful of oppression, and the otherizing of people common with one another than that which
society where you can defend yourself, who are different, as well as the great separates us.”♦
and you can be safe, and your culture can massacres that we experienced through
JUNE 13, 2022
The view from Washington on the one-year anni-
versary of Israel’s groundbreaking government
Experts agree that new leaders in each country have allowed tempers to cool and
disputes to remain private
By Gabby Deutch
T
he political ground beneath the cabinet members to form close working hangover from that,” said Michael Koplow,
leaders of both Israel and the relationships that have rarely drawn Israel Policy Forum’s chief policy officer.
U.S. looks shaky. headlines. Disagreements between Obama and
In Israel, the year-old coalition After meetings between American and Netanyahu — on issues ranging from Iran
government led by Prime Minister Naftali Israeli officials, both sides generally release to the Palestinians — were often public and
Bennett appears to be losing its grip on readouts describing the close security persistent. Early in Obama’s presidency, he
power amid several defections — including coordination between the nations and the visited Egypt and gave a speech in which
one from a member of his own party. ironclad U.S.-Israel bond. Leaks from either he vowed to support the Palestinians in
In Washington, President Joe Biden and side on disagreements have been kept at a their quest “for dignity, opportunity, and a
the Democrats face a potential walloping in minimum. state of their own,” which upset the Israelis.
the midterms amid sky-high inflation. “All the parties, both American and In December 2016, weeks before Obama
But despite political turbulence at home Israeli, deserve credit for managing the left office, the U.S. abstained from a United
in the U.S. and the Middle East, the state relationship without letting personality Nations Security Council resolution that
of the U.S.-Israel relationship is strong, interfere with policy,” said Mark Dubowitz, demanded Israel cease building settlements
experts agree. And they credit Bennett and CEO of the Foundation for Defense of in the West Bank. The U.S.’ refusal to veto the
Biden with working to calm the once-rocky Democracies. “You’re able to work through resolution allowed it to pass in the Security
waters of a relationship that had in the past the disagreements, and some of the Council.
been driven by strong personalities in both disagreements are profound, but you can do As Obama’s administration negotiated
countries. it quietly without a lot of fanfare.” the Iran nuclear deal, Netanyahu came
“The first year has brought about a That’s a departure from both the strained to Washington in 2015 to address a joint
complete makeover of U.S.-Israel bilateral relationship between former Israeli Prime session of Congress about why Israel
ties,” said Scott Lasensky, who served as a Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former strongly opposed the Joint Comprehensive
senior adviser to former U.S. Ambassador to President Barack Obama, and then the close Plan of Action. Netanyahu was invited
Israel Daniel Shapiro. personal friendship between Netanyahu by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH),
Biden and Bennett do not have a close and former President Donald Trump. who had not informed the White House.
personal relationship, although Biden has “Israelis still feel slighted by the Democrats in the U.S. viewed the speech as
traveled to Israel many times throughout [Barack] Obama administration and the a slight against Obama, and some did not
his career, with another visit to Israel hangover from that in the same way that attend for that reason.
reportedly planned for next month. Instead, I think Democrats feel anger from the Then, Donald Trump became president
both leaders have deputized their respective Bibi [Netanyahu] administration and the and strengthened an existing friendship
7with Netanyahu. He pursued many policies that the Biden administration is in “hourly the Biden administration has a clear
that were long seen as priorities of the contact” with the Israelis on the war in political interest in making it seem like
pro-Israel community in the U.S., such as Ukraine. Israel’s position on the Iran nuclear deal has
moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. Biden has been more critical of changed,” said Jonathan Schachter, who
But many Americans who opposed Trump Israel’s approach to the Palestinians than formerly served as an advisor to Netanyahu.
also opposed his strong-armed approach to Trump, and has worked to halt settlement “Israel’s government may have changed, but
Israel and his support for Netanyahu. construction and advance peace prospects its opposition to the JCPOA is clear and the
“It’s worth noting that we do have a for the Palestinians. Israel has not stopped all same as it was in 2015.”
Democratic president, and we do have a construction, but the Biden administration U.S. officials have praised the Bennett
Democratic Congress, and it’s no secret that approach of stern, targeted criticism coupled coalition publicly and privately. “I really
the Israeli government had some work to with collaboration has yielded some results. respect this government. It’s working,”
do with Democrats, given the legacy of the “We’re going to see Israeli construction Nides said at an Atlantic Council event in
Obama-era years and given the legacy of no matter what. I think the question is, May. “I was anxious and thrilled working
Trump’s policies on Israel,” added Koplow. To what extent does that construction with them in a difficult situation. I am a
Like Obama, Biden has policy happen and where does it happen?” asked big fan of this government, and we hope to
disagreements with Israel. Koplow. “I think there are clear signs that continue working with them.”
After Russia invaded Ukraine in the administration has communicated its The strong working relationship on
February, the U.S. disagreed with Israel’s reservations to the Israelis and the Israelis display the past year may not continue if
approach to the conflict and its slowness in have been receptive.” Israel’s political situation deteriorates and
showing support for Ukraine. Eventually, on On Iran, Bennett’s government opposes the country moves to new elections.
Washington’s urging, Israel signed onto a UN the Iran nuclear deal that Biden is intent on “It’s brought a sense of normalcy back
resolution targeting Russia. Bennett sought reentering, although negotiations have been to a normally crazy place,” said Dubowitz.
to be a mediator between the countries, at stalled for several months. “You’re not getting the same daily crises and
times corresponding directly with Russian “A lot of the perceived evolution nonsense that has gone on in the past. But
President Vladimir Putin. U.S. Ambassador in relations between the current and how long that lasts — I mean, they’re holding
to Israel Tom Nides has tried to quell reports former U.S. administrations and Israeli it together by the skin of their teeth.”♦
of a dispute on the matter, saying in March governments is spin and theatrics, because
JUNE 13, 2022
One year on, Bennett’s government hangs on
by a thread
It is the very makeup of the government that might end up being its downfall, as
long-standing issues that stand at the core of Israeli identity continue to over-
shadow its successes
By Ruth Marks Eglash
T
o mark the current Israeli by Bennett has some cause for celebration. tangible achievements in Israel’s foreign
government’s first anniversary, The broadest ruling coalition in Israel’s policy with Bennett and his political
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett history, made up of eight ideologically partner, Foreign Minister and Alternate
last week published a 27-page Hebrew- opposing parties — including, for the first Prime Minister Yair Lapid, in their efforts
language pamphlet highlighting its time, an Arab faction — this government to restore Israel’s bipartisan standing in the
achievements over the past year and is unprecedented in its scope. And, true U.S. and set a new tone with the Democratic
appealing to what he called the “silent to Bennett’s claims, it has succeeded in Party. The two have also managed to deepen
Zionist majority” to help him keep his reducing the national deficit to zero for the ties with countries in the region who are
fractious coalition in power. first time since 2008, stimulating economic party to the Abraham Accords, and hosted
From less rocket fire from Gaza to growth even as the country emerges foreign ministers from the U.S., United Arab
some significant accomplishments for from a two-year pandemic and enabling Emirates, Morocco, Egypt and Bahrain at
Israel’s economy, including the passage of a the economy to remain open despite the the first-ever Negev Summit.
national budget after more than three years omnipresence of COVID-19. However, observers told Jewish Insider,
of political stagnation, the government led Additionally, there have been some it is the very makeup of the government —
8and maybe even its effectiveness in running public opinion on the effectiveness of this love the country can sit together and act for
the country — that might end up being its government is divided, even among those the good.”
downfall, as long-standing and potentially who voted for the parties that are now part Ben Dror Yemini, a political columnist
explosive issues that stand at the core of of the coalition. Supporters of opposition for the Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot, said
Israeli identity continue to overshadow its parties overwhelmingly believe the situation the Bennett-Lapid government had been
existence. in the country is much worse than it was a functioning well, reducing crime, improving
“This government is excellent and has year ago, the survey found. the economy, and bringing achievements
shown stability,” Shalom Yerushalmi, a Yohanan Plesner, IDI’s president, told JI in foreign relations, particularly with the
veteran political commentator, told JI. that the government had been successful in Abraham Accords partners.
“It passed a budget and is doing some “extracting Israel from crisis mode” caused “In the big picture, the government is
important things with Israel’s infrastructure by four successive elections and putting really functioning harmoniously but on the
and development, but it probably won’t be it back into a state where it could properly other hand, the coalition is falling apart,” he
able to hold on to power for much longer.” function. said, also pointing to the Palestinian issue
The reason, he theorized, is because it “During its first eight months the as an ever-looming shadow and a weak spot
is impossible to have an Israeli government government brought back normality,” that has allowed claims by Netanyahu and
containing an Arab party that identifies Plesner said. “Israeli citizens were allowed opposition leaders – that a government with
with the Palestinian people in the absence to get on and mind their own business while Arab members allows terrorism to flourish
of policies that aim to bring peace between the government was minding state affairs.” unabated – to gain traction.
Israelis and Palestinians. However, he pointed out, two events have “I don’t follow polls, I look at facts
“The Jewish-Arab partnership, the first now undermined that sense of normality – and the same thing is happening in many
of its kind, important, historic and correct, the wave of terror attacks in March and April countries – incitement works,” Yemini said,
was supposed to do good and bring the two that left more than a dozen Israelis dead and describing how Netanyahu expertly uses an
communities [inside Israel] closer together, the resignation of coalition whip Idit Silman, army of followers to spread his message on
but in effect this political coalition has a member of the Knesset from Bennett’s social media. “What we are learning is that
been very bad for the relationship,” said own Yamina party. when you repeat a lie enough times, people
Yerushalmi, who writes for Zman Yisrael “By and large, I would give it [the will start believing it.”♦
(the Hebrew version of the Times of Israel) government] a positive grade. Not only did
and Makor Rishon. it pass the budget but for the first time, [but]
“It turns out that you can’t create an many economic reforms were put in place,
Israeli-Palestinian government when and comparatively to other countries, the
the Palestinians are still the enemy,” he Israeli economy is functioning very well,”
continued. “A clash is impossible to avoid.” Plesner noted. “Policy-wise, or because of
Disputes on such core ideological the terror attacks, the government is very
issues have only served to exacerbate the much weakened and the public is beginning
differences among coalition members to believe the claims of the opposition that
who hail from parties on both sides of an Islamic party in the government means
the political spectrum, and embolden the its hands are tied in fighting back against
position of opposition leader and former terrorism.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and In the opening lines of his pamphlet,
his far-right partners. Bennett pushed back against Netanyahu’s
An increasing number of embarrassing attacks on his multiparty coalition and
blows to Bennett and his partners — most called on the “silent Zionist majority” to
recently when routine legislation to extend speak out and help keep the government
Israeli civilian law to Jewish settlers living in going.
the West Bank failed to pass in the Knesset “About a year ago, the State of Israel
— suggest that the government’s days might reached one of the most difficult moments
be numbered. it has ever known,” Bennett wrote in his
Despite successes in economic and introduction. He goes on to describe the
foreign policy, opinion polls increasingly chaos of “endless” elections, a paralyzed
show growing public dissatisfaction over government, ongoing tensions with Hamas
the government’s makeup and suggest that in Gaza, unrest in mixed Arab-Jewish cities
support for Netanyahu and the right-wing in Israel and a country more or less held
bloc of parties he represents is growing. hostage by one man – Netanyahu.
Research published last week by the “Spread our message,” he wrote, “that
Israel Democracy Institute found that decent people with different opinions who
9JUNE 14, 2022
Blinken, Lapid highlight regional reconciliation,
Iran and Ukraine
The secretary of state and the Israeli foreign minister both delivered prerecorded
video addresses at AJC’s annual Global Forum
By Matan Kogen
S
ecretary of State Tony Blinken with Arab states. He added, “Across these Orbach, a member of Israeli Prime Minister
and Israeli Foreign Minister Yair efforts, we’re working to forge tangible Naftali Bennett’s Yamina party, quit the bloc
Lapid discussed Israel’s warming improvements in the lives of Palestinians.” on Monday, placing the ruling coalition into
ties with the Arab world, rising Lapid discussed the common experience the minority — Lapid said, “This is not just
antisemitism and the threat posed by of Israelis and Ukrainians in resisting the the government, but an exciting political
a nuclear Iran in remarks on Monday violence of international aggressors to experiment, which says we believe that even
at the American Jewish Committee’s maintain their respective democracies. people who do not agree can work together
annual Global Forum in Manhattan. Recently, Lapid has issued a strident for the common good.”
In prerecorded video messages at the condemnation of Russian actions, as the The plenary also included a panel of U.N.
conference, held at Congregation Emanu- Israeli government has aided Ukraine while ambassadors from Israel, the United Arab
El of the City of New York, Blinken focused attempting to avoid aggravating Russia. Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco, who spoke
on “the alarming rise of antisemitism “This past year has reminded us that about the 2020 Abraham Accords and ties
around the world” and on the United the biggest struggle in our world is not between their countries.
States’ commitment to maintaining Israel’s complicated,” he said. “It is simple: There is During the panel, Israeli Ambassador
security, while Lapid discussed the Abraham a struggle between good and evil, between to the U.N. Gilad Erdan criticized the
Accords, Iran and the democratic values that terror and violence on one side, and freedom International Atomic Energy Agency, the
link Israel with a wartorn Ukraine. and democracy on the other.” U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, for condemning
Blinken pointed to the historical Lapid praised what he described as Iran’s nuclear activities but stopping short
connection between antisemitism and Israeli “liberal values,” which he said persist of taking the country to the U.N. Security
hatred of other groups. “Where antisemitism despite perpetual conflict in the region. Council to trigger snapback sanctions.
and Holocaust-denial spread, repression “They never caused us to give up on Erdan also voiced hope about the
and democratic backsliding are, often, not freedom of expression, the rule of law, our possibility of Israel and Saudi Arabia
far behind,” he said. democracy or on liberal values of freedom normalizing relations, as President Joe
The secretary of state reiterated the of religion and defending minority rights,” Biden prepares to visit the region, saying he
Biden administration’s commitment to Lapid said. is “praying and wishing that [Biden’s] stop in
combating hatred worldwide, preventing Referencing the one-year anniversary of Saudi Arabia would help to expand the new
Iran from acquiring or developing a nuclear Israel’s governing coalition — whose future circle of peace.”♦
weapon and expanding normalization remains tenuous after Knesset member Nir
JUNE 13, 2022
Alessandra Biaggi distances herself from AOC
on Israel
‘I support Israel,’ the New York state senator now running for Congress insisted, ‘not
despite being a progressive but because I am progressive’
By Matthew Kassel
I
t was an early warning shot in a recently drawn progressive wrath. bid to dethrone Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney
bitter primary battle that will test Last week, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio- (D-NY), setting up a potentially bruising
the strength of the activist left Cortez (D-NY) endorsed New York state Sen. Democratic proxy battle of the sort that has
against a powerful incumbent who has Alessandra Biaggi in her newly launched figured prominently in recent intra-party
10matchups across the country, including in JI. protect fervently,” she boasted. “When it
New York City and its surrounding suburbs. It remains to be seen whether such comes to positions specifically on Israel, my
For Biaggi, a political scion who arguments will resonate with the sizable positions are my positions, and so they’re
represents portions of the Bronx and number of Jewish voters in New York’s going to be different than some of the other
Westchester County, the high-profile nod redrawn 17th Congressional District, which House members.”
was a progressive stamp of approval that spans several counties in the Hudson Valley. Ultimately, her views stem from
has given her access to a robust grassroots Biaggi, who lives just outside the district but a sensitivity to the history of Jewish
fundraising network as she competes with plans to relocate before the August primary, persecution that, Biaggi explained,
a well-resourced opponent who chairs said she was in the process of conducting undergirds what she described as a deeply
the Democratic Congressional Campaign outreach to Jewish leaders in Rockland held appreciation for Israel’s foundation as
Committee. County and elsewhere when she spoke with a Jewish state.
But it also comes with some baggage, JI late last week. “It matters that Israel exists and that we
not least among Jewish voters who view Meanwhile, in her current state Senate support that existence and allow for Israel to
Ocasio-Cortez as hostile to Israel and are district, “a lot of people are alarmed,” said be able to defend itself,” Biaggi told JI. “It’s
wondering where Biaggi stands in relation a Jewish community activist in the Bronx very clear that there has not been a moment
to the congresswoman. neighborhood of Riverdale who has long in time, from the beginning of time, where
During her time in office, Ocasio-Cortez supported Biaggi but requested anonymity Jewish people were not either attempted
has accused Israel of “apartheid,” threatened to discuss a sensitive issue. “Right now, to be persecuted or killed or erased from
to condition U.S. aid to the Jewish state there’s confusion because she is aligned the planet, and to me, that is why Israel’s
and opposed resolutions affirming support with AOC on other things,” he told JI, using importance and existence is there. That is
for a two-state solution and condemning a popular shorthand for Ocasio-Cortez. “I real for me.”
the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions understand where they’re coming from.” For similar reasons, Biaggi rejected
movement. Following the conflict with But he cautioned against “drawing the BDS movement as misguided, though
Hamas in Gaza last year, she voted “present” conclusions” too soon, at the risk of she refrained from endorsing legislation
on legislation providing supplemental dismissing a potential ally before she has that criminalizes efforts to participate in
funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile- had the chance to clarify her views. “I think boycotts of Israel. “If people are going to
defense system. they’ll be happy to see that she’s progressive support BDS, they have the right to do that,”
More recently, the Bronx lawmaker and she’s pro-Israel,” he said, revealing that she said. “However, I am not in support of it,
joined with her fellow Squad members Biaggi had already committed to making and I never have been.”
in backing a controversial resolution that her first trip to Israel this summer with a Instead, she advocated for expanding
referred to Palestinians as the “indigenous group of local Jewish leaders. “If you write ties between Israel and the range of
inhabitants” of Israel but gave no recognition off the progressive community in totality,” Arab countries that, until recently, had
of Jewish history in the region. he warned, “it could be very dangerous.” maintained their own boycotts of the
All the while, she has largely distanced Binyamin Krauss, the principal of SAR Jewish state. “I support the Abraham
herself from mainstream Jewish leaders in Academy, a Modern Orthodox day school in Accords because I’ve learned the history,”
New York City who have sought engagement. Riverdale, described Biaggi as a “pragmatic Biaggi said. “Normalizing relationships with
In her first interview to address progressive” who has been “open to Sunni-Arab nations is a really historic step
Middle East foreign policy questions since learning” from Jewish community members in Arab-Israeli relations that, I think, will
launching her campaign last month, Biaggi, on a range of issues. “She has expressed to help to keep Israel safe.”
36, was eager to clarify that she disagrees me that she’s very supportive of Israel,” he Those sentiments put her at odds with
with Ocasio-Cortez when it comes to Israel, told JI, “believing not only in Israel’s right to another progressive ally in the Bronx, Rep.
even if the two progressives are aligned on exist but to thrive.” Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), who has expressed
such domestic policy proposals as Medicare Still, he suggested, Biaggi will need to support for her campaign. In February,
for All and the Green New Deal. “Just to be strike a delicate balance as she seeks to allay the congressman announced he would
really succinct, there are issues that we differ concerns over her affiliation with the far left withdraw his support for and vote against
on,” she said, “and our position on Israel is while appeasing her progressive backers. the Israel Relations Normalization Act,
that.” “How she positions herself and how she writing in a letter to constituents that the
“I have consistently said, and I will allies herself in a very polarizing climate,” bipartisan legislation, aimed at bolstering
consistently say here, too, that I support Krauss said, “is going to be challenging.” the Abraham Accords, had “unhelpfully”
Israel,” Biaggi said in a phone conversation Speaking with JI, however, Biaggi alienated the Palestinians.
with Jewish Insider last Thursday. “I support claimed she is well-equipped to navigate Biaggi took an opposing position. “It’s
it, not despite being a progressive, but such tensions. “I’m someone who is, number important that we are really just encouraging
because I am progressive.” one, fiercely independent in my thinking communications between regions that
A spokesperson for Ocasio-Cortez did and my positions, and that is something historically have been against one another,”
not respond to a request for comment from that I find to be precious and something I she said. The legislation, she argued, would
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