Daily Kickoff
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
Good Tuesday morning.
In today’s Daily Kickoff, we interview Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) about what he describes as an ostracizing environment for pro-Israel lawmakers in the Democratic caucus, and report on the antisemitism that has roiled the Democratic mayoral primary race in Providence, R.I. We also look at the competitive Democratic primaries today in New Hampshire, where Israel has played a central role. Also in today’s Daily Kickoff: Uri Fraenkel, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff.
Curated by Israel Editor Tamara Zieve and U.S. Editor Danielle Cohen-Kanik.
Today's Agenda
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to announce sanctions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank today, including a trade ban on goods produced in the area, in what would be a significant escalation of hostilities from the recently elected U.K. government towards Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said that “Israel will act” against any sanctions, but did not offer any details about what the Israeli response would be. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the expulsion of Britain’s ambassador from Israel, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said Israel should recognize Argentina’s sovereignty over the disputed Falkland Islands, which are held by Britain.
The announcement will be delivered by new U.K. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, as part of what The Guardian reports as the new Labour government’s “broad reset of the UK’s relations with Israel.”
Meanwhile, Britain published legislation on Tuesday to toughen sanctions on Iran.
In Germany, embattled German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged to fight on as his country’s leader despite his center-right Christian Democratic Union party suffering an embarrassing defeat to the far-right Alternative for Germany in a regional election over the weekend. It is still unclear whether the AfD party — whose leaders have minimized the Holocaust and used Nazi slogans — will be able to form a governing coalition in Saxony-Anhalt, a small state of 2.1 million in eastern Germany.
The American Jewish Committee said on X that the win “marks a grim milestone,” and noted that AJC Berlin has been “sounding the alarm on the AfD’s rampant, intrinsic, and foundational antisemitism that is deeply embedded in its authoritarian-nationalist politics.”
Voters in New Hampshire are heading to the polls today for the state’s primary elections. The most competitive contest is the Democratic primary for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, where military veteran Maura Sullivan is looking to fend off a challenge from Stefany Shaheen, the daughter of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), who has run as an outspoken critic of Israel and pro-Israel donors. Read more from JI’s Marc Rod below.
The 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly opens today in New York, though the high-level meetings of world leaders do not begin for several more weeks.
Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY) will appear this evening at Vanderbilt University to speak with Chancellor Daniel Diermeier.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is hosting a “Freedom 250” celebration in partnership with the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem this week in honor of the U.S.’ semiquincentennial.
The National AI Directorate at the Israeli Prime Minister's Office is convening AI industry leaders, entrepreneurs and leading deep-tech companies in Tel Aviv today for what is being billed as the “First National Physical AI Conference” to discuss turning Israel into a leader of physical AI.
The third annual Hili Forum is continuing in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where policymakers and experts are convening to discuss the growing role of the Gulf states in Middle East geopolitics. The forum is organized by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA).
Tonight, Dara Horn will speak in conversation with author Coleman Hughes about her new book, The Final Solution to the Jewish Question: A Love Story for the Living, at 92NY in New York City in collaboration with UJA-Federation of New York.
One Thing to Know
By Marc Rod
For Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), the Democratic caucus has become an increasingly lonely place for those who remain staunchly pro-Israel, with what he described as bullying, harassment and threats from the anti-Israel camp contributing to the shift away from Israel among Democratic lawmakers.
“What is it like to be in the caucus? It's become lonely,” Moskowitz said during a wide-ranging interview with Jewish Insider in his Capitol Hill office last week. “None of my colleagues are mean to me, but it is an ostracizing feeling. There's no doubt that the Democrats that are super pro-Israel, in general, feel somewhat ostracized, and how could you not?”
He said that the “mushy middle” of the party is being pushed left, explaining that he has had colleagues tell him that consultants have told them that, in order to win reelection, they’ll need to reject AIPAC or vote against pro-Israel legislation or express opposition to Israeli missile-defense systems.
The Big Reads
GRANITE STATE GAMBIT
Stefany Shaheen’s anti-AIPAC attacks haven’t boosted her fortunes in New Hampshire
Stefany Shaheen, the daughter of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), has been attacking AIPAC as a central message of her campaign in the closing days of her congressional primary. But unlike some other Democrats who have used attacks against Israel to boost fortunes with the progressive base, Shaheen has fallen behind her primary opponent, military veteran Maura Sullivan, who holds a narrow lead in the latest public polling, Jewish Insider’s Marc Rod reports. Sullivan, who entered the race as a supporter of Israel, has also taken a more critical turn, supporting blocking at least some offensive weapons sales to the Jewish state.
PAPPAS UNDER PRESSURE
Pappas leads, but faces an unexpectedly competitive race in New Hampshire Senate primary
Moderate Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) remains favored to win the New Hampshire Democratic Senate primary, but the race is shaping up to be more competitive than expected, both in the Democratic primary and in the general election, Jewish Insider’s Marc Rod reports. In the primary, Pappas’ progressive challenger, Karishma Manzur, has been gaining ground against him, and leveling attacks related to Pappas’ past support from AIPAC and backing of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Pappas has subtly recalibrated his foreign policy views during the primary.
OCEAN STATE OF PLAY
Antisemitism roils Providence mayoral race
In the upcoming Democratic mayoral primary in Providence, R.I., on Wednesday, Israel and antisemitism have claimed prominence as unusually divisive sources of debate for a municipal race, raising concerns among Jewish leaders who worry the focus on Middle East policy in particular will only contribute to further polarization on a sensitive issue, Jewish Insider’s Matthew Kassel reports. The election pits Mayor Brett Smiley, 47, a first-term incumbent who converted to Judaism while in office in 2024, against state Rep. David Morales, a 27-year-old democratic socialist backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and leading progressive groups including the Working Families Party.
The Rundown
The rest of today’s original stories from Jewish Insider — full stories, all published on the site.
On Our Radar
● The Live Briefing. Word on the street, clips, podcasts and quick updates — the items we’re tracking all day in our Live Briefing on our app (on Apple and Android) and website.
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed reportedly warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a week and a half before the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attacks that Hamas was planning a major operation against Israel, according to journalists Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval, who cited three sources familiar with the reported 45-minute-long conversation, in a Haaretz report based on their forthcoming book...
Netanyahu’s office called the investigation an “absolute lie,” saying “Prime Minister Netanyahu didn’t speak to the president of the UAE during the period in question and received no warning from him”...
Netanyahu will speak at the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Sept. 24, Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon announced, with a warning to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to “stay tuned” after the mayor admitted he could not arrest Netanyahu when he visits the city…
Netanyahu has instructed that unauthorized settler outposts in the West Bank be dismantled, two sources told Reuters on Sunday, amid pressure from the U.S. for Israel to crack down on attacks by settlers against Palestinians...
Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee held a rare town hall with Palestinian Americans in the West Bank town of Turmus Aya on Saturday where he denounced Israeli settlers who have carried out attacks against Palestinians as “terrorists” and said he would exert “pressure” to “get some resolution” to such issues raised by the attendees…
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman warned Huckabee in a post on X on Sunday that using the term “terrorists” to define Israelis — whom Friedman said are only “fight[ing] back” against the “ruthless thugs” who commit violence against Jews in the West Bank — is a “win for the anti-Israel PR machine”...
Iran's state media said Monday that an improved ballistic missile, the Qassem Basir, marks a "turning point" in Tehran's defense strategy under a new doctrine of taking preemptive action against threats…
Attacks by Yemen’s Houthis on Tuesday disrupted some energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and wounded more than 70 people, Saudi authorities said…
The Israeli National Security Council released its assessment of threats to Israelis and Jews traveling abroad ahead of the High Holy Days, naming as continued threats Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, as well as ISIS and al-Qaida. The NSC advised Israelis to avoid countries including Jordan, Qatar, Somaliland and Egypt, and to avoid displaying Jewish symbols or speaking Hebrew in public...
Corey Lewandowski, while working as a top Department of Homeland Security advisor, reportedly approached Qatari and UAE officials, offering them side deals with department-related issues, according to The Wall Street Journal, which added that both countries turned him down. A representative for Lewandowski denied he had sought contracts with foreign governments…
NBC News reports that Jewish voters who have typically voted for Democrats are considering voting Republican for the first timein key Senate races over concerns over rising antisemitism and Democratic candidates’ hostility to the U.S.-Israel relationship. The story focuses on the Michigan and Texas races, where Jewish voters could make the difference in the highly competitive contests…
Progressive House members and incoming candidates are pushing House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to move left, frustrated by his public rejection of "Medicare for All" and by the elevation of pro-Israel Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) to a Foreign Affairs subcommittee post…
Nate Hochman, a former campaign speechwriter for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was fired after he promoted a pro-DeSantis video featuring a Nazi symbol embraced by white supremacists, is now working as a senior aide and speechwriter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio,The New York Times reports…
Delta and United Airlines are restarting direct flights between the U.S. and Israel, with Delta resuming a once daily direct flight from New York’s JFK International Airport to Ben Gurion on Sunday, and United beginning two daily direct flights from New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport on Tuesday. Israir is also expected to launch a direct flight from New York next month…
Volkswagen sealed a preliminary deal to convert its Osnabrück factory to produce military equipment with Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, with Tel Aviv-based Aurelius Capital and the state of Lower Saxony taking over the plant, Bloomberg reports. Structuring the deal without a direct VW-Rafael partnership may have helped overcome resistance from the Qatar Investment Authority, a major VW shareholder that had reportedly held up the collaboration previously...
Anthropic has decided not to acquire Israeli startup Decart AI, after engaging in talks to buy the company in a deal reportedly valued at $6 billion…
Haifa-based startup HydroSight, an AI-powered marine technology company, emerged from stealth with $5 million in seed funding led by StageOne Ventures, CTech reported on Monday. The company, founded last year by Tomer Adler, Haitham Ezzy and Chen Megera, serves ports, energy companies and telecom cable operators…
The New York Times interviews “Fauda” writers Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff ahead of the Netflix premiere of the series’ new season, which depicts the Oct.7, 2023, Hamas attacks and their aftermath…
Ambassador David Satterfield and former Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) have joined the advisory board of the Council for a Secure America…
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A Losing Horse: Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Gaza native and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, calls in The New York Times for Western left-wing activists to abandon their romanticization of Hamas as “resistance” in favor of a Gaza rebuilt on peace and self-governance now that the group has agreed in principle to disarm. “Hamas is now facing a humiliating defeat. Despite Israeli rejection of the initial phased disarmament framework, Hamas acquiesced to the Board of Peace’s demands. All the devastation was for nothing. Large segments of the pro-Palestine community and Western left bet on a losing horse and embraced a rotten resistance narrative now invalidated by Hamas itself. The last thing Palestinians need is more denial from the left. The Palestinian national project has a rare chance to evolve toward nation-building, peace and coexistence alongside a Jewish Israel that is not about to be exterminated. Chants of ‘from the river to sea’ and the like are destructive conceits.” [NYTimes]
The Pen Handoff: The Wall Street Journal’s “Free Expression” editor Matthew Hennessey argues that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani insulted the memory of 9/11 victims last Friday when, after signing executive orders marking the attacks' 25th anniversary, he handed the ceremonial pen to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and directed her to pass it to his chief counsel, Ramzi Kassem — a former lawyer for a Guantanamo Bay detainee. “He might as well have turned to the cameras and winked. How has it come to this? … The radical leftists taking over the Democratic Party don’t look at the victims of 9/11 as countrymen. They don’t think of that day and feel the enormity of the loss or the magnitude of the injustice. They think we had it coming. They think we’re the bad guys.” [Wall Street Journal]
Picture of the Day
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, held a press conference on Monday at the conclusion of a launch event held at the University of Notre Dame, Jerusalem, for the “Within Your Gates” forum, which seeks to encourage and advance dialogue between the church, Israelis and Palestinians. Lahav Harkov
Birthdays
Jeffrey Lurie, owner of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, winners of the Super Bowl in 2017 and 2024, turns 75
John Nacion/Getty Images
Leslie H. "Les" Wexner, chair emeritus of Bath & Body Works, turns 89
Bernie Sanders, U.S. senator from Vermont, he was a 2016 and 2020 presidential candidate, turns 85
Samuel D. Waksal, pharma executive, turns 79
Howard Mark Lorber, former chairman of Douglas Elliman and its former parent company, Vector Group, he is also executive chairman of Nathan's Famous, turns78
Eli Aflalo, former co-chair of the Jewish National Fund, he was previously a member of Knesset, turns 74
Mindy Grossman, CEO of Weight Watchers until early 2022, turns 69
Jay W. Abarbanel, owner of Sam's Fine Wines & Spirits in Walpole, Mass., for 41 years until 2022
Daniel Wolpert, British physician and professor of neuroscience at Columbia University, turns 63
Scott Levy, professional wrestler, known by his ring name, Raven, turns 62
James Ginsburg, founder and president of Cedille Records, a classical music label, he is the son of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, turns 61
Zarakh Iliev, real estate developer in Russia owning 14 million square feet of retail as well as many luxury hotels and shopping centers, turns 60
James Packer, Australian businessman, turns 59
Rabbi Andrea Merow, senior rabbi of the Jewish Center of Princeton
Adam Goldsmith, Aspen, Colo., resident
Brooke Burke, actor, model and television personality, she is the host of "Penn & Teller: Fool Us," turns 55
Robyn Faintich, founder and executive education consultant at Atlanta-based JewishGPS
Jonathan Leshnoff, classical music composer and professor of music at Towson University, whose works include “Zohar,” “Nekudim” and “Heichalos,” turns 53
Jonathan Rosen, CEO of Orchestra
Alecia Beth Moore, one of the world's best-selling music artists, known professionally as Pink, turns 47
Asaf Ganot, head coach for the University of Hawaii men's basketball team
Spencer Gerrol, founder and CEO at SPARK Neuro
Andrei Berman, executive vice president at Biederman LLC.
Jay Weinberg, drummer for the funk metal band Infectious Grooves, he is the son of Bruce Springsteen drummer Max Weinberg, turns 36
Serena Deutch, an MBA candidate at Tulane&
Gabby Deutch, former senior national correspondent for Jewish Insider, now a staff writer at The Atlantic
Gilad Peled, director of education at Itrek
Philip Ehrensaft
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