Brett McGurk’s fact check of former Harris advisor Phil Gordon on hostage negotiations

Barack to 1948

Today's Daily Kickoff covers Mark Levine's Israel bonds policy, Brett McGurk’s defense of Biden’s Israel strategy, Mike Huckabee’s meeting with Gadi Eisenkot, and Barack Obama’s comments on Israel's founding.

The Lander policy at the heart of Levine’s Israel bonds reversal

A day after New York City Comptroller Mark Levine sparked criticism by backing off a campaign promise to reinvest the city’s pension dollars in State of Israel bonds, mainstream Jewish groups rallied around the historically pro-Israel Democrat — though sources said they expect a change in his investment policy in the months ahead. Levine, who... <a href="https://jewishinsider.com/2026/10/el-sayed-sister-muslim-brotherhood-ties-hearsay/">Read More</a>

Maine Senate candidate Troy Jackson says Congress should cut off funding for Iran war

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson said at a Thursday debate with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) that Congress should shut down funding for the Iran war in order to force the war to an end. Several Senate Democrats have endorsed a similar approach, while others have floated other potential ways that a Democratic congressional majority... <a href="">Read More</a>

Brett McGurk pushes back on former Biden WH colleagues who called for greater pressure on Israel

Brett McGurk, a veteran national security official who has served in Republican and Democratic administrations, pushed back on Thursday against arguments from his Biden administration colleagues that former President Joe Biden should have applied more pressure on Israel to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of the hostages sooner.&nbsp; Debate in Democratic... <a href="">Read More</a>

Obama faults Israel’s founding in Belfast

This briefing covers key political developments, including U.S. diplomatic meetings in Israel, Senate race controversies, and shifting legislative stances on international nuclear deals and regional conflicts.