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(Jewish Group) Inside Congress' little-known, makeshift Jewish caucus
When tensions flare up in the Middle East or a visiting Israeli dignitary wants to meet with American lawmakers, Congress' informal Jewish caucus springs into action.
Why it matters: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push to overhaul Israel's judiciary has made Congress' loose-knit Jewish members’ working group unusually cohesive of late as it tries to influence policy on both sides of the Atlantic.
- “There are obviously differences on the settlements, on a two-state solution,” said one Jewish member. But on the judicial review, "everybody can agree. … It’s a very democratic position: defend the separation of powers.”
- “There is increasingly a need for Jewish members to convene,” said Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), citing a rise in antisemitic hate crimes.
- Rep. Kathy Manning (D-N.C.) pointed to the overturning of Roe v. Wade as another common touchstone: "I think for the vast majority [of us] ... women's reproductive rights is an issue where we have strong agreement. And that's a Jewish value."
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