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President-elect Donald Trump is expected to announce his selection of Florida Senator Marco Rubio as the next US secretary of state. A vocal advocate for Israel, Rubio has consistently supported maximum pressure on Iran and employs the term "Judea and Samaria" in his diplomatic discourse.

The senator made headlines when he forcefully opposed what he considered one of the Biden administration's most consequential actions regarding Israel, publicly challenging outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken over sanctions imposed on Israeli citizens. In a pointed letter dated August 30, 2024, Rubio published a strongly worded letter opposing the sanctions that paralyzed the economic lives of dozens of Israelis.

"Since October 7, 2023, our strongest ally in the Middle East, Israel, has withstood various terrorist attacks from Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and others. Instead of standing by Jerusalem, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken steps to hamper Israel, emboldening our enemies. One of these counterproductive actions is sanctions on Israelis."

Addressing the administration's assertions about inadequate law enforcement responses to violence in Judea and Samaria, the Senator countered, "Your accusations are remarkably vague. Israel maintains a functioning judicial system fully capable of prosecuting crimes within its borders. Israelis living rightfully in their historic homeland are not the obstacle to peace; the Palestinians are the obstacle."

He further emphasized: "That the Biden-Harris Administration would sanction Israeli entities as Israel fights a war against terror is not lost on our adversaries, such as Iran. Instead of sanctioning Israeli entities, I encourage you to show strength and clarity against all those who threaten Israel, our other allies and partners in the region, and the United States itself. Anything short of this will be remembered as a failure in the annals of history."

Upon the commencement of the Trump administration, Rubio would assume the role of secretary of state, with authority to rescind the sanctions.

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President-elect Donald Trump has offered Rep Elise Stefanik the position of next US ambassador to the UN, marking a significant shift in the diplomatic posting. The Republican congresswoman, who accepted the nomination, has established herself as one of Israel's most vocal supporters in Washington.

"I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as US Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter," Trump told the New York Post.

"I am truly honored to earn President Trump's nomination to serve in his Cabinet as US Ambassador to the United Nations," Stefanik responded.

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (Rep-NY) rips Harvard @Harvard President Claudine Gay for them allowing antisemitic harassment of Jewish students. Defund Harvard and make them return every penny of the $1.5 billion they receive from foreign entities pic.twitter.com/jBn68yW57x

— • ᗰISᑕᕼIᗴᖴ • (@4Mischief) December 6, 2023

 Stefanik's national profile rose sharply following her masterful interrogation of university presidents who faced criticism for their handling of antisemitism on campus. A steadfast ally of Trump, she has consistently advocated for stronger US-Israel relations.

.@EliseStefanik, you took care of the Ivy League officials coddling Hamas supporters on campus, now it's time to take care of the Hamas assets who have hijacked the UN. Like @FranceskAlbs. https://t.co/ZA878dOQga pic.twitter.com/CtFDZJsRzQ

— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) November 11, 2024

During a watershed Congressional hearing in December 2023, as campus antisemitism surged in the wake of the Iron Swords War, Stefanik delivered a striking rebuke to presidents of elite universities. The hearing, which became a pivotal moment in the national conversation about antisemitism, saw Stefanik challenge the academic leaders over their refusal to categorically declare calls for Jewish genocide as violations of university policies. Her forceful questioning led to widespread calls for the presidents' resignations.

During her May visit to Israel, which included tours of communities targeted in the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack and an address to the Knesset, Stefanik articulated her position in an interview with Israel Hayom: "Israel must have complete operational flexibility to eliminate Hamas," she declared. "This is a just war – it was Hamas that committed terrorist atrocities against the Israeli people. So this moral equivocation, this equivocation on policy from the Biden administration, there is no room for it."

"I'm here in Israel to send a message that the American people stand strongly with Israel to eradicate Hamas to protect Israel's right to exist to protect the national security of Israel."

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A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supervisor instructed disaster relief workers to bypass homes displaying support for President-elect Donald Trump in a hurricane-devastated Florida community, according to reports published in the Daily Wire.

The supervisor, Marn'i Washington, issued the directive both verbally and through a Microsoft Teams chat to workers surveying damage in Lake Placid following Hurricane Milton's destruction last month, the Daily Wire reported.

"Avoid homes advertising Trump," Washington wrote in a "best practices" memo to employees, listing the instruction alongside other guidelines such as not going "anywhere alone," practicing "de-escalation," staying hydrated, and "following the rules."

According to employees who spoke to the Daily Wire, approximately 20 residences with Trump signs or flags were deliberately skipped between late October and November, effectively denying those residents the opportunity to apply for federal disaster assistance in the wake of the Category 3 hurricane.

Workers documented these exclusions in FEMA's tracking system with notes stating "Trump sign no entry per leadership."

"FEMA helps all survivors regardless of their political preference or affiliation and we are deeply disturbed by this employee's actions," a FEMA spokesperson told The New York Post.

"While we believe this is an isolated incident, we have taken measures to remove the employee from their role and are investigating the matter to prevent this from happening ever again," they added.

The spokesperson emphasized the agency's response to the situation: "We are horrified that this took place and therefore have taken extreme actions to correct this situation and have ensured that the matter was addressed at all levels."

Gov Ron DeSantis of Florida condemned the incident on X, characterizing it as evidence of government "weaponization" under the Harris-Biden administration.

"The blatant weaponization of government by partisan activists in the federal bureaucracy is yet another reason why the Biden-Harris administration is in its final days," DeSantis wrote.

While FEMA employees told the Daily Wire that Washington was merely transferred to a different Florida county, a FEMA spokesperson clarified to The New York Post that Washington is "no longer working in the state of Florida or in any FEMA operations at this moment" pending investigation results.

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A federal lawsuit filed in Texas is challenging the Biden administration's sanctions against Israeli citizens, alleging the measures violate constitutional rights. Four Israeli-Americans claim the sanctions are discriminatory, with their attorney arguing that the president cannot punish those with whom he politically disagrees.

Last week, four Israelis with American citizenship filed a lawsuit against the US government in the Northern District of Texas federal court, challenging sanctions imposed on them. The plaintiffs argue that the sanctions violate the US Constitution and have given the government 90 days to respond.

Michael Isley, a Texans for Israel worker; Meir Deutsch, the CEO of pro-settler NGO Regavim; Ari Abramowitz, a victim of a stabbing attack by Palestinians; and Yosef Ben Chaim, the husband to the founder of Tzav 9, a movement to stop humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, brought the lawsuit. It details the case of Yosef Ben Chaim: "The plaintiff has suffered significant financial harm from the sanctions imposed on his wife, as he received his monthly salary from her business. Their bank accounts, including her business account in Israel, were frozen, preventing the couple from carrying out essential daily activities," the lawsuit states.

The complaint provides context for Tzav 9 activities, emphasizing the organization's opposition to violence and outlining the impact of the sanctions. "The order is discriminatory, and its enforcement violates the constitutional rights of American citizens," writes Jerome Marcus, one of the attorneys on the legal team. In an interview with Israel Hayom, Marcus added that the administration has supported other protests that employed tactics similar to those employed in Tzav 9.

לא מכניסים סחורה לחמאסנאצים !

נמשכת מניעת כניסת משאיות לרצועת עזה.
משאית ירדנית נעצרה והסחורה הושמדה.

גם המשאיות שבמעבר גורביץ פורקו מסחורה
11 משאיות של סחורה !!!

כל הכבוד
pic.twitter.com/ghkzmtsDg8

— דבורה ⁦ (@devorah555) May 13, 2024

What exactly is the problem with the sanctions?

Marcus explained, "The order is worded to apply to 'anyone who, in the US President's opinion, interferes with the peace process between Israel and its Arab neighbors.' However, in practice, sanctions were only imposed on Jews, while Palestinian Authority officials who committed violence against Jews faced no such measures." He argued that the conclusion about Israeli settler violence is based on biased statistics.

Marcus further contended, "The administration targeted individuals for engaging in legitimate protest activities. This is the kind of protest that the Biden administration has praised when it involved organizations they support. The administration's order gives the president the authority to punish people who act contrary to his opinion. This is unusual and, in our view, illegal."

Regarding the impact on US citizens, Marcus emphasized, "The fact that these sanctions target US citizens makes the executive order far more problematic legally. US citizens have constitutional rights that non-citizens do not. This is particularly relevant to the First Amendment, which protects every American citizen's right to free speech and to hear others speak freely."

Why is the proceeding taking place in Texas?

Marcus explained, "One of the plaintiffs, Texans for Israel – a group of Christian supporters of Israel who bring Israelis from Judea and Samaria to the US to speak and meet with American government officials – is based in Texas."

Deutsch filed the petition against the sanctions and commented: "Friendship and democracy are proven through actions, not words. The recent actions of the US raise serious questions about its commitment to both democracy and true friendship. At Israel's most challenging hour since its establishment, the American administration has withheld critical ammunition. For the first time in history, our ally has imposed sanctions on us – not to influence government policy but to sway public opinion in Israel. This is not how a democracy behaves, nor how a friend acts."

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Throughout Joe Biden's presidency, there have been persistent claims that he is being "managed" by a group of advisors and Democratic leaders who not only support him but potentially steer his policies. The frequent calls from former President Barack Obama to the White House have fueled this perception, suggesting that Biden's tenure is effectively Obama's third term – albeit a far more radical one.

Now, in light of the incumbent president's recent on-air stumble, it seems the proverbial smoking gun has been found. The president is functioning at a subpar level, while an extreme progressive group, led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, is driving US foreign policy. None of the issues concerning American citizens and those of other nations, such as Israel and Ukraine, are being adequately addressed or resolved.

In a world rife with aggressive forces, the unflattering image of an American president – the leader of the free world – appearing weak and incoherent encourages them to exploit opportunities. Biden's decline mirrors the collapse of his Middle East policy vis-à-vis Iran and its proxies, as well as the incomprehensible crisis at the southern border with Mexico. This porous region is drawing millions of migrants of all types into the United States, including criminal and terrorist elements.

Now, in light of the incumbent president's recent on-air stumble, it seems the proverbial smoking gun has been found. The president is functioning at a subpar level, while an extreme progressive group, led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, is driving US foreign policy. None of the issues concerning American citizens and those of other nations, such as Israel and Ukraine, are being adequately addressed or resolved.

Donald Trump didn't gain supporters following the televised confrontation early Friday morning. But Biden lost a great deal, according to the veteran Fox News commentator Bret Baier's simple summary. For many months, the question of whether Biden will actually be the Democratic presidential nominee has loomed large. Nikki Haley repeatedly stated that he won't be. Speculation abounds – if not him, then who? The situation has deteriorated to the point where New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman is pleading with Biden to step aside. A sad sight to use a word Trump is so fond of.

Serious reporters with extensive Biden coverage have repeatedly claimed that Biden is self-confident and doesn't entertain the thought of withdrawing from the race. Too arrogant, too stubborn. Even now, he justified his failure with the excuse that it's difficult to contend with a liar. Leaders are expected to deal with other leaders who are far worse than "liars" – mass murderers, for instance.

There was a point when it seemed that former President Obama and his allies in the foreign relations establishment and the party were comfortable having a president who was weak in many respects in the White House. This situation invites evasion of responsibility. Every mishap is filed away as an event that Biden can't be expected to handle. Conversely, those responsible for strategic blunders are not called to account.

The case of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stands out, where contact with him was lost until it was discovered he was hospitalized, and President Biden was completely unaware. The Defense Secretary! A person supposed to be responsible for world peace takes his hands off the wheel. Perhaps this is what Trump alluded to when he spoke about Biden not firing any generals.

The Democrats' problem now is that they have no candidate who can motivate their voters to turn out en masse at the polls or make an effort to fill out early voting ballots. Not even Biden himself. Kamala Harris intimidates people; California Governor Gavin Newsom hasn't logged enough miles on the national stage. And Michelle Obama? It seems too late for her to suddenly jump into the boiling political cauldron.

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The United States has provided $6.5 billion in security assistance to Israel since the outbreak of the war against the Hamas terror organization on Oct. 7, according to a senior Biden administration official. This previously undisclosed figure was revealed following talks with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and his delegation to Washington this week, The Washington Post reported Thursday. 

The substantial aid package, which includes nearly $3 billion approved in May, comes amid recent tensions between the two allies over the pace of arms transfers.

"This is a massive, massive undertaking," the senior official stated, speaking on condition of anonymity. The disclosure aims to highlight the depth and complexity of US support for Israel.

To address Israeli concerns about potential delays in aid delivery, US arms transfer experts conducted a thorough review of "hundreds of separate items" with their Israeli counterparts during Gallant's four-day visit. This effort sought to counter claims of "bottlenecks" in the arms flow, allegations recently made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and described as "perplexing" and "inaccurate" by the White House.

Gallant emphasized the importance of US support during a press briefing. "Our ties with the United States are the second-most important element for Israel's security," he said, highlighting the need for American diplomatic, political, and material assistance.

The defense minister reported "significant progress" in addressing obstacles and expediting various issues, particularly regarding force build-up and munition supply. "Obstacles were removed and bottlenecks were addressed in order to advance a variety of issues," Gallant stated.

The senior US official acknowledged the complexities of the arms transfer process while noting potential misunderstandings on the Israeli side regarding specific requests. "In terms of bottlenecks, it is a complicated, bureaucratic system that we have for good reason," the official explained, citing obligations to Congress, laws, and regulations.

Describing the visit as "highly constructive and productive," the official praised Gallant's "professional approach." 

Despite the ongoing flow of arms, the Biden administration continues to withhold a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs, citing concerns about their potential use in densely populated areas.

During his visit, Gallant met with key US national security officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Discussions covered various topics, including efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire, the return of Israeli hostages, and plans for Gaza's future governance. Some 120 Israeli hostages are still being held hostage by Hamas terrorists, 43 of whom have been declared dead. 

Other topics of discussion included Iran's escalating production of weapons-grade nuclear fuel and ongoing disputes over humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza. 

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An Israeli airstrike that may have killed dozens of Palestinians in a camp for displaced people near Rafah on Sunday was carried out with munitions made in the United States, according to an analysis of munition debris by weapons experts in The New York Times.

Video: IDF explains details of Rafah strike / X/@idf

The remnants found at the strike location were identified as parts of the GBU-39, a precision-guided bomb designed and built by American aerospace companies. Markings on the fragmented pieces matched the unique identifiers for Woodward, a Colorado-based firm that supplies components for the GBU-39 and other US munitions.

According to the Palestinians, at least 45 people were killed and over 240 injured in the bombing of the Kuwaiti Al-Salam Camp 1, which had been erected in early January to house Palestinians displaced by the ongoing conflict. Eyewitness footage showed raging fires engulfing the area after the strike. While Israeli military officials stated the strike targeted two Hamas leaders using "small warheads suited for this targeted strike," the use of the GBU-39 in the densely populated camp has raised concerns among international observers.

"When you use a weapon that's intended as precision and low collateral damage in an area where civilians are saturated, it really negates that intended use," Wes J. Bryant, a retired US Air Force master sergeant critical of Israel's weapons use in Gaza, told the times.

The GBU-39, with its 37-pound warhead, has been promoted by American officials as a preferred option for the Israeli military in Gaza due to its precision and reduced explosive yield compared to larger bombs. However, the civilian toll from Sunday's strike has reignited debates over the appropriateness of using such munitions in urban combat zones.

The targeted strike in Rafah, 1.7 km from the humanitarian area, used precise munitions carrying 34kg of explosives to eliminate 2 senior Hamas terrorists.

We are looking into the possibility of secondary explosions from a Hamas ammunition warehouse near the civilian compound… pic.twitter.com/DicBs9BVUd

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 28, 2024

"Secondary explosions can be hard to anticipate," Larry Lewis, a former Pentagon adviser on civilian harm, said. "But the decision to strike at that time raises questions about whether the Israeli military knew and accepted a possible civilian toll."

The IDF has yet to confirm the specific munition used in the attack but stated their investigation is ongoing. It suggested a secondary explosion may have ignited fires that caused additional casualties.

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, the incident has renewed scrutiny over the procurement and deployment of American-made precision weapons in the conflict zone.

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 The US is pressing European allies Britain and France to abandon plans for Iran to be censured at the upcoming International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting in June for its lack of cooperation and prohibited nuclear activities, according to the Wall Street Journal, apparently to avoid disruption with Iran before the US elections this November. 

These divisions come as a new IAEA report revealed Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium has reached unprecedented levels. The UN nuclear watchdog stated on Monday that Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium rose over 20 kg (45 pounds) in the last three months to 142 kg (313 pounds) – its highest level yet. US officials say that material could be converted into weapons-grade enriched uranium within days.

The rift exposes differences in approach that have emerged since the Trump administration withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in 2018. Europeans were strong supporters of the accord, which lifted sanctions in exchange for temporary nuclear constraints on Tehran. They sought to preserve the deal even after the US exit, while the Biden administration made reviving the agreement a top priority upon taking office in 2021.

But those diplomatic efforts collapsed in August 2022 when Iran hardened its demands as negotiations faltered. Since then, US officials have sought to contain escalating tensions with Tehran. European diplomats now accuse Washington of lacking a coherent strategy and appear unwilling to either seriously engage Iran in new diplomacy or take punitive steps over its growing nuclear program.  

The divisions have raised alarms in European capitals that the window is closing to rein in Iran's atomic work through non-military means. There are increasing Western fears that Iran, already considered a nuclear threshold state, may be positioning itself to acquire weapons capability. While Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, it has significantly reduced IAEA oversight and stonewalled investigations into previous undeclared nuclear materials and activities.

European diplomats argue that failure to censure Iran at the IAEA would undermine the agency's authority as the nuclear watchdog and erode Western credibility in confronting potential proliferation risks. They contend it is time to take a firm stand against Tehran's continued defiance of non-proliferation obligations.

But the US fears an IAEA censure could prompt Iranian retaliation and further limit inspectors' access, as occurred after a 2022 rebuke. With Russia and China likely to veto any push for new UN sanctions, a failed censure vote could deal a major diplomatic blow that emboldens Iran's nuclear intransigence.

#BREAKING Multiple EU countries including Germany are pushing to classify the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization on the basis of a German court ruling, diplomats tell dpa.

— dpa news agency (@dpa_intl) May 27, 2024

The Biden administration argues that European powers could do more to economically pressure Iran, like cutting off its banks still operating in Europe and designating the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization. The German dpa News Agency reported on Monday that Germany and other European nations are advocating for the EU to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, as per a recent German court ruling. However, diplomats noted that "such a terror listing would be primarily a symbolic step because there are already EU sanctions" against the IRGC. For now, US officials recently held rare indirect talks with Iranian counterparts in Oman in a bid to reduce regional tensions.

Ultimately, experts suggest any censure of Iran's nuclear activities should be part of a broader negotiating strategy of both disincentives and incentives to alter Tehran's behavior. "The board needs to send a message that there are consequences for stonewalling," said Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Control Association. "But it needs to be part of a broader strategy to pressure and incentivize Iran to cooperate with the IAEA."

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The former Israeli ambassador to Washington, Dr. Michael Oren, said the Biden administration's response to the arrest warrants requested by the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reflects the Biden administration's unwavering stance in support of Israel.

In an exclusive interview with Israel Hayom, Oren praised the US administration for standing firmly beside Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas terrorism in Gaza. He deemed the ICC prosecutor's request for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders "outrageous and unacceptable." Oren called on the US to invoke the American Servicemembers' Protection Act of 2001 to shield Israel, protecting Netanyahu, Gallant, and Israeli soldiers from prosecution by the ICC in The Hague.

Under this act, the US commits to protecting any ally against whom the ICC issues arrest warrants or indictments. Potential measures include providing legal assistance to Israeli officials, imposing economic sanctions on countries cooperating with the ICC orders, sanctioning ICC officials through asset freezes, and leveraging American companies and banks to enforce such sanctions.

Oren urged the Biden administration to seize this "rare opportunity" and engage Israel in a "genuine, intimate dialogue" about the "day after" the conflict, including the possibility of a path toward Palestinian statehood, without any immediate commitments. "Israel must capitalize on this window of tremendous US support," Oren stresses, "and not forfeit the chance to initiate such crucial negotiations."

In a press release, Secretary of State Antony Blinken relayed that "The United States fundamentally rejects the announcement today from the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that he is applying for arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, together with warrants for Hamas terrorists. We reject the Prosecutor's equivalence of Israel with Hamas. It is shameful. Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization that carried out the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and is still holding dozens of innocent people hostage, including Americans."

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