Trump taps Will Scharf as White House counsel

Bibi balks on Gaza

This Daily Kickoff explores the growing rift between Washington and Jerusalem over Hamas disarmament, alongside key political primary battles, organizational developments, and regional defense pacts.

Netanyahu-Trump daylight over Hamas disarmament reflects diverging interests, election pressures

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said Jerusalem “does not accept the 15-point document” agreed to last month by the U.S.-led Board of Peace and Hamas that would see the eventual disarmament of the terror group and withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip — a rare public break with the White House,... <a href="">Read More</a>

Longtime Connecticut congressman faces primary challenger making generational case for change

Longtime Rep. John Larson (D-CT) is facing a serious challenge to his political survival from former Hartford, Conn., Mayor Luke Bronin, the latest in a wave of challengers to make the argument for generational change in the House of Representatives. Larson, 78, has held his House seat since 1999. Despite their age gap — Bronin... <a href="">Read More</a>

Democratic primary for Craig’s House seat in Minnesota showcases Israel divide within party

The three major Democratic candidates vying to replace Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) are charting distinct lanes on Israel policy but only one of them, at a recent debate, offered support for Israel. The front-runner, former state Sen. Matt Little, is the Democrat positioning himself as most hostile to Israel in the race.&nbsp; Little’s views are... <a href="https://jewishinsider.com/2025/11/mark-mellman-democratic-majority-for-israel-pollster/">Read More</a>

The latest Senate showdown between the center and the left set in Minnesota 

The outcome of Michigan’s bruising Democratic Senate primary last week, where Abdul El-Sayed claimed a narrow victory over Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) in an upset championed by the anti-Israel left, is looming over the next intraparty showdown being held in Minnesota on Tuesday — the latest in a series of proxy battles between the party’s... <a href="">Read More</a>