How Debra Band revives a dying Jewish artform 

Unity, schmunity at the Knesset

This edition covers Knesset coalition tensions, Senate Democrats' push to limit U.S.-Israel defense cooperation, the opening of a Washington Lehrhaus, and various regional updates and diplomatic news.

Unity talk, scorched earth: Netanyahu’s Knesset speech blows up first Likud-Yashar meeting

One of the most popular songs in Israel in recent years claims that “he who believes does not fear.” Yet time and again, Israeli politicians walk a path where they both believe and fear. Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony for the 26th Knesset was a case in point. On one side stood Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In... <a href="https://jewishinsider.com/2026/11/van-hollen-leads-push-to-remove-u-s-israel-cooperation-provisions-from-defense-funding-bill/">Read More</a>

Top Senate Dem says ‘looking at all options’ to end Iran war ahead of December funding deadline

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, told reporters on Tuesday that Democrats are “looking at all the options” for ending the war in Iran, when asked if Democrats might try to use the upcoming December government funding deadline to force an end to the war. Some of her fellow... <a href="https://jewishinsider.com/2026/11/patty-murray-iran-war-funding-deadline-senate-democrats/senators-speak-to-the-press-following-weekly-policy-luncheons-on-capitol-hill/">Read More</a>

Cruz ties support for Somalia ambassador nominee to U.S. recognition of Somaliland

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said on Tuesday that he will condition his support for President Donald Trump’s nomination of Devin Kennington to be U.S. ambassador to Somalia on the State Department “following the president’s guidance” and formally recognizing Somaliland’s independence. The Texas senator, who has been pushing for U.S. recognition of Somaliland since last year,... <a href="">Read More</a>

House Republicans elect Jim Jordan as minority leader

House Republicans on Tuesday elected pro-Israel stalwart Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) as minority leader in the next Congress. Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is known primarily as one of President Donald Trump’s most vocal advocates in Congress. The co-founder of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, he has remained staunchly pro-Israel even as... <a href="">Read More</a>