Last updated on Sat February 05, 2022 at 12:47 PM Washington DC time.
Israel - Palestine
Crist (D-FL-13) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “Amnesty International recently called Israel an “apartheid state” — a characterization we cannot condone or support. In the wake of anti-Semitic attacks in Florida, and across our county, I reject this latest attack and stand firmly with our Jewish community.”
Cruz (R-TX) 02/05/2022: Twitter thread – “At a time when Iran is targeting the United States and our allies across the Middle East, the Biden administration is dismantling sanctions to allow them to build up their nuclear program. 1/x Along with unfreezing billions of dollars and looking the other way at Iranian sanctions-busting, restoring civil nuclear waivers for Iran is just one more step the Biden administration is taking toward reviving a weaker version of the catastrophic Obama-Iran nuclear deal. 2/x President Biden and his officials are also declaring for themselves the ability to ignore requirements written into law mandating that Congress has the opportunity to review and reject their reckless concessions to Iran. 3/x This attempt to usurp power from Congress will be met with a sustained and aggressive response. 4/x The Ayatollah exploits these civil nuclear waivers to build up Iran's nuclear program with the express intention of eventually developing nuclear weapons to inflict destruction on America and our allies. When he chants ‘Death to Israel' and ‘Death to America,' he means it. 5/x President Trump rightly ended these waivers, and now the Biden administration is resurrecting them. It's unconscionable, and we need to end these waivers once and for all. 6/x”
Deutch (D-FL-22) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “Pleased to see the #MEPPA board announced today. There is so much work to be done & I am eager to support @USAID ‘s work to build people-to-people ties between Israelis & Palestinians. Link to quoted tweetNEW: George Salem is the first Partnership for Peace Fund Advisory Board Chair. This board, established by funding from Nita M. Lowey's #MEPPA, will advise @USAID to strengthen peace-building, people-to-people programming with Palestinians & Israelis. (USAID Appoints Partnership for Peace Fund Board Chair, Announces... | usaid.gov)”
Norcross (D-NJ-1) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “My statement on the recent report on Israel by Amnesty International: Link to image”
Pocan (D-WI-2) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “We need answers to why a US citizen died at an Israeli military checkpoint. Link to quoted tweetSTATEMENT: J Street is calling on the US government to open an investigation into the death of Omar Assad, a 78-year-old Palestinian-American who died after being stopped at an Israeli military checkpoint last month. (J Street Calls for US Investigation Into the Death of Palestinian American Omar Assad... | jstreet.org)”
Pocan (D-WI-2) 02/04/2022: In reply to Tweet@repmarkpocan I'm sorry Mark, but government has bigger issues to worry about right now. That's a Israeli/Palestinian issue. – “@sagemoser @repmarkpocan US citizen from Milwaukee…. Link to reply@MarkPocan @repmarkpocan Yes. It is sad and probably wrong. But let's do something about the Milwaukee kids being shot in school parking lots first. @sagemoser @repmarkpocan Or both”
Rodgers (R-WA-5) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “America must never shy away from supporting the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel. The Abraham Accords Caucus is an important step towards promoting and achieving peace in the Mideast. Why the New Congressional Abraham Accords Caucus Matters... | newsmax.com”
Rubio (R-FL) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “Encouraging to see #Israel deepen its relationship with #Bahrain by agreeing to further security cooperation. The #AbrahamAccords continue to advance security and stability in the Middle East. More nations must stand with Israel and lend their support to this democratic ally. Link to quoted tweetIsrael signs security deal with Bahrain, its 2nd with an Arab nation (Israel signs security deal with Bahrain, its 2nd with an Arab nation... | timesofisrael.com)”
Sherrill (D-NJ-11) 02/04/2022: Twitter thread – “This week's Senate floor debate further illustrates the need for US efforts to ensure Iran does not have a path to developing nuclear weapons. Iran is one of the largest state sponsors of terrorism, has created insecurity throughout the Middle East, and presents an existential threat to Israel. I remain committed to ensuring the US takes appropriate diplomatic action to prevent a nuclear Iran.”
Syria
Costa (D-CA-16) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “This week our brave service members took out the leader of ISIS in northwestern Syria. We owe a debt of gratitude to our special forces who keep us safe. We remain committed to working with our allies to end terrorism and the threats to our citizens. ISIS leader dies during U.S. special forces raid in Syria, Biden says... | nbcnews.com”
Iran
Cornyn (R-TX) 02/05/2022: Retweet of @Norman_Roule – “Iran remains the only simultaneously strategic, lethal, & urgent threat to U.S. & partner interests. Threats to global shipping lanes & energy supplies; support for terrorists & militias; & role in missile & drone attacks warrant this statement. Link to quoted tweet”
Cruz (R-TX) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “President Biden and Biden-Harris officials are lying to journalists and the American people. They informed Congress that they are dismantling sanctions on Iran's nuclear program, and allowing Russia and China to help the Ayatollah build up his nuclear weapons program. Link to quoted tweetWe did NOT provide sanctions relief for Iran and WILL NOT until/unless Tehran returns to its commitments under the JCPOA. We did precisely what the last Administration did: permit our international partners to address growing nuclear nonproliferation and safety risks in Iran.”
Murphy (D-CT) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “The only upside of Trump's disastrous “maximum pressure” Iran policy was that it definitively proved that unilateral sanctions make things worse, not better. Iran got stronger and their behavior got more dangerous after we left the deal.”
Murphy (D-CT) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “When the Iran deal was in place, Iranian proxies in Iraq weren't shooting at U.S. troops. In fact, for a while they were fighting side by side against ISIS. As soon as we left the deal, the rockets started. Our soldiers were targets. One narrowly missed killing 100 of our guys.”
Murphy (D-CT) 02/05/2022: Tweet – “There is nothing about the last four years that tells us America or the world is safer with no nuclear deal between the U.S. and Iran. Once Trump ended the deal, Iran began shooting at our troops, sped up nuclear research, and increased support for dangerous regional proxies.”
Nehls (R-TX-22) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “Democrats are pro-Iran. Republicans are pro-America.”
Tenney (R-NY-22) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “It's concerning enough that one of the Iranian regime's biggest American apologists is leading our negotiating team. It's even worse that he hasn't testified publicly in front of Congress. Today I led a letter calling on @USEnvoyIran to testify! Link to quoted tweetBREAKING: Lawmakers Demand Biden Iran Envoy Testify Before Congress -- Robert Malley has not briefed Congress a single time since starting talks, and "the US negotiating team under Malley's leadership is in complete disarray," @RepTenney & colleagues say (GOP Demands Biden Iran Envoy Testify Before Congress... | freebeacon.com)”
Wilson (R-SC-2) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “Iran's ballistic missile program is proceeding ahead at an alarming rate, yet the Biden administration wants to re-enter a failed deal and reduce the pressure on Iran. Read more about my letter today on this issue in @NRO. Lawmakers Ask Biden to Take Iran Ballistic Threat Seriously: ‘Homeland in Range' | National Review”
Wilson (R-SC-2) 02/04/2022: Retweet of @james_t_quinn – “New: A group of House lawmakers asked President Biden to focus on Iran's ballistic-missile capabilities, warning that he's failed to respond to a number of worrying new developments in the country's missile program. @NRO Lawmakers Ask Biden to Take Iran Ballistic Threat Seriously: ‘Homeland in Range' | National Review”
Wilson (R-SC-2) 02/04/2022: Twitter thread – “It is unthinkable that the Biden administration restored sanctions waivers relating to the Iranian regime's civilian nuclear activities. This opens the door for Putin and the CCP to do business with Iran with impunity, further advancing Tehran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon (1/3) capable of striking the US and our allies. Additionally, a deal that does not address the regime's advancing ballistic missile program and support of terrorist proxies is no deal at all. The (2/3) Iranian regime is not capable of negotiating in good faith. Endless concessions will have devastating outcomes. (3/3)”
Saudi Arabia
DeFazio (D-OR-4) 02/04/2022: Twitter thread – “Today marks one year since Pres Biden pledged to end US support for so-called “offensive” operations in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. But a year later, the US continues to directly support this war. Link to quoted tweetIn a significant escalation of US involvement in the broader Yemen conflict, @SecDef Austin announces he is sending additional fighter planes as well as a Destroyer to the UAE to help protect against Houthi missiles & drones 1/ (Link to twitter.com) The conflict has only escalated & the humanitarian crisis continues. It's time to end unauthorized US involvement now.”
Khanna (D-CA-17) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “💯 @KateKizer: Until leadership in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi—and their benefactors in DC & London—stop pursuing a military solution, the Houthis will continue doing the one thing they are skilled at: waging war with millions paying the price. The U.S. Is Wrong on Yemen. Again.... | foreignpolicy.com”
Malinowski (D-NJ-7) 02/04/2022: Twitter thread – “On the one-year anniversary of the admin unveiling its Yemen policy, Tom & @RepMcGovern introduced a bill that would, for two years, suspend maintenance contracts approved by the US on the Saudi jets responsible for the offensive airstrikes in Yemen. ⬇️⬇️ Representatives Malinowski and McGovern Introduce Bill to Suspend U.S. Maintenance Contracts Responsible for Saudi Airstrikes... | malinowski.house.gov "Stopping the provision of precision-guided munitions while continuing to service the planes that deliver those munitions is not an effective strategy,” Malinowski said. House Democrats seek to halt remaining U.S. support to Saudi air war in Yemen... | washingtonpost.com”
Malinowski (D-NJ-7) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “Tom spoke with @mehdirhasan on the need to end US maintenance contracts on Saudi jets. “If we're going to stop offensive support. We've got to stop what happens to be maybe the least sexy, but most important, offensive support that we're providing.” Link to video”
Tuberville (R-AL) 02/05/2022: Tweet – “Former Auburn golfer @jovanrebula is making a run at the Saudi International and is paired up with Mickelson tomorrow!#WarEagle Link to image”
Welch (D-VT-0) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “One year ago today, we pledged to end the war in Yemen. We cannot forget our commitment to ending this humanitarian crisis and relieving the suffering of the Yemeni people. We need to act. Biden ending US support for Saudi-led offensive in Yemen... | apnews.com”
Iraq
Pocan (D-WI-2) 02/05/2022: Tweet – “Great piece in @thenation about how our Pentagon spending is still rampant and unchecked. Imagine if we used a small percent to vaccinate the world, address climate change or provide real defense against global hacking. Needed: audits, cuts, redirection of “defense” definition. Link to quoted tweet“The Congressional Budget Office has determined that, if current trends continue, the Pentagon could receive a monumental $7.3 trillion-plus over next decade, more than was spent during peak decade of Afghan and Iraq wars.”(Another Banner Year for the Military-Industrial Complex... | thenation.com)”
Turkey
Pallone (D-NJ-6) 02/04/2022: Twitter thread – “Today, I led a bipartisan letter with @RepGusBilirakis & over 50 leaders from the Armenian & Hellenic Caucuses to @StateDept & @DeptofDefense that urges them to reject Turkey's dangerous proposal to purchase next-generation F-16 fighter jets & modernization kits from the U.S. Link to image @RepGusBilirakis @StateDept @DeptofDefense Fulfilling this request will only embolden Erdoğan to continue threatening instability in several strategic regions, committing human rights abuses at home and abroad, and ignoring his NATO obligations. This cannot happen. Pallone Leads Bipartisan Call to Biden Administration Urging Rejection of F-16 Fighter Jet Sale to Turkey... | pallone.house.gov”
Pallone (D-NJ-6) 02/04/2022: Twitter thread – “Our special forces, on the order of @POTUS, removed the leader of ISIS as the terrorist group was ramping up deadly actions in the region. I commend the President for taking decisive action to neutralize this growing terrorist threat. Link to quoted tweetThe attack took two hours, the planning took months: Inside Biden's decision to target an elusive terrorist leader. (Inside Biden's decision to target ISIS's elusive leader... | wapo.st) This is the second ISIS leader found hiding in areas that Turkish-backed extremists control with at least one Turkish military base nearby. Turkey continues to support violent extremist groups that use terrorists to destabilize the region.”
Wilson (R-SC-2) 02/04/2022: Twitter thread – “As a co-chair of the Caucus on US-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans, I commend President Recep Erdogan on the signing of a free-trade agreement and expanded manufacturing of Bayraktar TB2 drones with Ukraine, as well as his statements affirming Ukraine's sovereignty (1/2) during his visit. Turkey is a valued member of NATO, and NATO supports Ukrainian independence. This was an important signal to Putin that there is no appetite for his continued aggression as NATO has been unified in its rebuke of Putin's actions. (2/2)”
Tunisia
Murphy (D-CT) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “Good piece by @joshrogin on Tunisia. In it, I express my belief that it's time for America to take a firmer line on the dangerous disappearance of democracy there. I was in Tunis last fall and had a long meeting with President Saied. Link to quoted tweet“Tunisia was the place where the Arab Spring started and stood as proof that democracy could succeed, even in a country with a significant Islamist constituency,” Sen. @ChrisMurphyCT tells @JoshRogin: (Opinion | Tunisia's democracy is disappearing before our eyes - The Washington Post)”
Schweikert (R-AZ-6) 02/04/2022: Twitter thread – “This morning I spoke with the Tunisian ambassador about the current situation in #Tunisia. Respect for democratic institutions, transparency and the voice of civil society remains important during the upcoming actions this year. The U.S. continues to stand with the Tunisian people and their aspirations for a strong, democratic Tunisia.”
Jewish, Anti-semitism
Cárdenas (D-CA-29) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “No one should feel unsafe in their place of worship. Proud to join this letter to make it absolutely clear that we are dedicated to protecting all synagogues, temples, mosques and churches from any danger ⬇️ Link to quoted tweetToday @RepJohnKatko and I are leading 174 Dem and GOP members demanding increased funding to protect synagogues and other houses of worship from growing threats. (Link to twitter.com)”
Manning (D-NC-6) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “I was proud to join my colleagues on the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations and major Black and Jewish groups this week to discuss ways we can work together to combat antisemitism, racism, and all forms of hate. Link to image”
Soto (D-FL-9) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “We are grateful to @OrangeCoSheriff Mina for the arrest of 3 Neo-Nazis for hate crimes after their recent attack of a Jewish man in #FL9. Diversity is our strength in Central Florida and we will have zero tolerance for hate in our community! Neo-Nazi group's leader among 3 arrested in attack at Orlando demonstration... | orlandosentinel.com”
Afghanistan
Booker (D-NJ) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “I'm disturbed to hear reports of the Taliban's disappearances of women. I join UNAMA and Afghan women in demanding information of their whereabouts and their immediate release. The Taliban must be true to their claim that they would respect women's rights to work and education. Link to quoted tweetUrgent information sought from @moiafghanistan today by UNAMA on latest reported detentions over last 24hrs by the Taliban of a further two women activists in Kabul. UN repeats its call for all 'disappeared' women activists & relatives to be released. (Link to twitter.com)”
DesJarlais (R-TN-4) 02/04/2022: Twitter thread – “Our US military Special Forces teams are heroes. I want to congratulate them on a successfully executed operation to eliminate ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi. The success of this mission shows how vital our on the ground counterintelligence operations are. (1/2) The deadly Afghanistan withdrawal has now made the region a breeding ground for terrorism. Without a ground presence our adversaries will only continue to grow stronger. We must remain committed to protecting the safety of Americans by eradicating radical terrorists. (2/2)”
García (D-IL-4) 02/05/2022: Retweet of @KeaneBhatt – “This piece by @SaraLSirota reports on @RepJayapal and @RepChuyGarcia's initiative to shed light on the 1 million refugees who have fled Afghanistan due to the collapse of the country's economy while 1 million Afghan children face starvation this winter: Rep. Pramila Jayapal to Force Vote on Biden's Strangling of Afghan Economy... | theintercept.com”
Greene (R-GA-14) 02/04/2022: GETTR Post – “Add to this list: We had to wear paper napkins strapped to our face with rubber bands around our ears and it never stopped covid. Dems wanted to take away ID to vote to make elections safer. High inflation, skyrocketing crime, and our out of control border was Building Back Better. The only thing Biden made better was the Taliban with a massive gift of American weapons. Telling men to get out of the women's bathroom was offensive and a hate crime. If you shared factual information against the approved information then you are guilty of spreading misinformation. The highest paid government employee funded the creation of covid then lied to everyone by saying it came out of a wet market and they made him the expert who dictated everything. And on and on..”
Hartzler (R-MO-4) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “Last August, President Biden abandoned Americans in Afghanistan, surrendered to the Taliban, and made our nation a laughingstock to our adversaries. Never forget: Biden showed incompetence on the world stage when America needed him to lead. Leaked document reveals Biden's Afghan failures... | axios.com”
Hawley (R-MO) 02/04/2022: Tweet – ““And now as this administration blunders into war in Ukraine, guess what they're going to do tomorrow? Brief us on Ukraine. How? Behind closed doors…” Senator Hawley exposes the lack of accountability from the Biden admin. from Afghanistan to Ukraine. Hawley slams closed-door Afghanistan withdrawal hearing as 'a joke'... | foxnews.com”
Miller-Meeks (R-IA-2) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “We are in deep trouble if Biden administration cannot learn from their incompetence. It was absolutely avoidable. We could have left 2500 troops to facilitate counterterrorism efforts & maintenance of Bagram Air Base. Link to quoted tweetDOD officials say the August 26 attack at Kabul airport that killed 13 American service members was “not preventable.””
Wilson (R-SC-2) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “It was a pleasure to convene the @RepublicanStudy National Security Task Force today to meet former Ambassadors Kelley Currie & Nathan Sales to discuss Afghanistan. @KelleyCurrie @AmbNathanSales @VandenbergCo Link to image”
Other - Middle East
Casten (D-IL-6) 02/05/2022: Twitter thread – “A quick thread on how we talk about violence and radicalization, triggered by a story I heard on NPR this morning: 1/ There is a global rise in authoritarianism, from the US to Hungary to Russia and many places in between. The common theme is a reaction to widening inequality, and demagogues at the top convincing those losing out at the bottom that their poverty of options is based on Others. 2/ It's an old trick that has ALWAYS been played in autocratic regimes. Telling people that the system is fine but an enemy must be repelled to preserve it is pretty good if the system unduly benefits you. And too often, it works. 3/ It's the essence of every reactionary movement, from Trump to Putin to Orban. And historic figures of much iller repute. 4/ But when we see it in another country, we treat it as a weird foreign thing. Which brings me to the NPR story this morning. 5/ I missed the intro, but when I got in my car they were talking about a group with radicalized leadership, disorganized, non-coordinated violent groups on their periphery and a populist majority who are not themselves violent but require absolution as a path to peace. 6/ They could have been talking about the @GOP at the national level. G.O.P. Declares Jan. 6 Attack ‘Legitimate Political Discourse'... | nytimes.com 7/ They could have been talking about how national @GOP rhetoric has infected our entire country and radicalized those peripheral groups they've lost control of. CapitolFax.com... | capitolfax.com 8/ They were, instead talking about ISIS. And it would be shocking to hear a news outlet talk about the @GOP that way. But the drivers are the same. 9/ We are at a moment where massive wealth has been created in the US but has left behind too many. You could look out for the good of the whole. You could acknowledge our imperfections. You could strive for a better future for all. 10/ Or you could tell the downtrodden that their troubles are caused by people who don't look like them, don't pray like them, don't live near them and we must attack them for seeking equality of opportunity. That rhetoric is at odds with democracy 11/ And it is, at core why it is so easy for their senior leadership to equate attacks on the Capitol with "legitimate political discourse". Autocrats who benefit from a lop-sided system do not want a democracy, nor a meritocracy. They want to preserve their status. 12/ This wasn't always the case. Voting rights was overwhelmingly bipartisan in 2006. Comprehensive immigration reform was championed by John McCain. But today's @GOP ain't that. 13/ So let's find a way to say that. And to recognize that the marginalized who follow are not the sinners. They are being victimized for evil ends. We are, in the words of Elijah Cummings, better than this. /fin”
Crist (D-FL-13) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “US dealt a serious blow to ISIS by taking al-Qurayshi off the battlefield. Thank you to our military personnel and intelligence community for your bravery and patriotism to fight terrorists and keep Florida families safe. Grateful to @POTUS for leadership ordering the strike. 🇺🇸”
Murphy (D-CT) 02/04/2022: Tweet – “Who are these “American proponents of abandoning the Persian Gulf” I keep hearing about? Link to quoted tweetWashington's retreat from the Middle East may achieve the exact opposite of U.S. objectives, argues Saeed Ghasseminejad. (Is the Future of the Persian Gulf Chinese?... | ow.ly)”