🧵Signs US raising pressure on Israel govt about its concerns. Israel PM office read out Netanyahu call today w/Biden before US side does, & one senses, perhaps trying to spin it as reassuring him taking care to avoid civilian casualties, etc.
SecDef Austin called Israel DM
Concern also expressed by Senate Foreign Rel. comm. chair Menendez: “I am deeply troubled by reports of Israeli military actions that resulted in the death of innocent civilians in Gaza as well as Israeli targeting of buildings housing intl media outlets”
WH readout of Biden Netanyahu call: Biden “noted that this current period of conflict has tragically claimed the lives of Israeli & Palestinian civilians, including children. He raised concerns about the safety & security of journalists &reinforced” need to ensure thr protection.
WH readout of Biden Abbas call: updated on US diplomatic engagement..& stressed need for Hamas to cease firing rockets into Israel. They expressed their shared concern that innocent civilians, including children, have tragically lost their lives...
DoD readout of call earlier today between SecDef Lloyd Austin and Israel DM Benny Gantz:
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Blinken call with Qatar FM, State readout: “discussed efforts to restore calm in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza in light of the tragic loss of civilian life.”
Blinken call with French FM; State readout: “to discuss their shared concern about ongoing violence in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza and their engagement with partners in the region to bring about calm.”
Blinken call with Saudi FM @FaisalbinFarhan, State readout: “discussed the ongoing efforts to calm tensions in Israel & the West Bank & Gaza and bring the current violence to an end.”
“One of the participants in the operation against Mr. McMaster, Barbara Ledeen, said she was brought on by someone ‘with access to McMaster’s calendar.’”
Does she still work for @ChuckGrassley/Senate Judiciary comm GOP?
“When confronted with details about her involvement in the McMaster operation, Ledeen insisted that she was merely a messenger...she passed the message to a man she believed to be a Project Veritas operative.” The plan was to try to honeytrap the then US national security advisor
piece further down reports that Ledeen retired from the Senate this year.
Rep. Khanna asks Miller if he wants to apologize to the American public and Miller says he stands by all of his decisions.
Khanna: did you or anyone in office try to get ahold of the president on jan. 6
Miller, eventually: not that I am aware of
Khanna now excorciating Miller for asking which 36 minutes delay in timeline he is referring to. I don’t find this helpful.
Just tell him which 36 minutes you mean, and save the time to let him answer
“We hope that we make enough progress so there will be no need for extension of that understanding, but if needed, we would consider at its proper time,” Iran Deputy FM Araghchi told NHK. diplomatic.substack.com/p/us-iran-sugg…
“It is clear they will not finalize the roadmap by the 21st of May,” ICG Iran project director @AliVaez said. But if enough progress, extending IAEA deal would "put more time on the clock.” diplomatic.substack.com/p/us-iran-sugg…
State spox Ned Price: US condemns in strongest terms barrage of rocket attacks fired into Israel in recent hours.
Unacceptable escalation. Recognize Israel legitimate right to defend itself. Critical for all sides to promote calm. Deeply concerned about situation...
US will remain fully engaged to promote calm in Jerusalem.
(not verbatim/missing words) Welcome steps govt of Israel taken in recent days to try to avoid provocations re Jerusalem Day parade
Price: State issued a statement on Friday, White House issued statement yesterday in connection with Sullivan call with his counterpart, we have been clear about where we stand on Sheikh Jarrah (possible evictions), to treat Palestinian residents with compassion.
48% approve of Biden's handling of gun policy, 49% disapprove
43% approve his handling of immigration, 54% disapprove
immigration only issue where disapproval substantially higher than approval, by 9 points.
The poll surveyed 1,842 people from April 29 to May 3, MoE 3.2%
His huge challenge coming in was to get control of the pandemic and the economy, and seems from these numbers that a large majority of the public is very satisfied with his handling of both. 71% approval on pandemic, including 47% of GOP is pretty striking.