Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Hezbollah: We pledge to remain in position of honor, dignity, and righteousness, to defend our land, our people, and the aspirations of future generations.
Hezbollah: We highly value patience of our steadfast and proud people, who endure oppression and aggression alongside us in the hope of preserving national sovereignty and dignity.
Hezbollah: From this perspective, we address current developments, reaffirming to all that this is the time to unify efforts to halt the Zionist violations, aggression, and escalation against our country
Hezbollah: Legitimate defense does not fall under framework of “decisions of war or peace”; rather, it is exercise of our right to resist an enemy that imposes war upon our land, refuses to cease its assaults, seeking to subdue our state.
Hezbollah: As a founding component of Lebanon, the nation we are committed to as a final homeland for all its children, we reaffirm our legitimate right to resist occupation and aggression.
Hezbollah: Negotiations [with "Israel"] carry no national interest and pose existential risks to Lebanon’s sovereignty and entity.
Hezbollah: Lebanon must not, under any circumstances, yield to aggressive blackmail or be lured into political negotiations with the Zionist enemy.
Hezbollah: With this savage enemy, backed by the American tyrant, there can be no room for maneuver or deceit.
Hezbollah: Any involvement in or drift toward proposed negotiation traps would only grant further gains to the Israeli enemy, which never honors its obligations.
Hezbollah: Let it be known to all Lebanese that Israeli enemy does not target Hezbollah alone, it targets Lebanon in its entirety.

'Israel' fabricates PR plot to sway US officials over ongoing genocide

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Intercept
  • 30 Nov 2023 14:44
5 Min Read

Senior Israeli military officials are providing exclusive briefings for US Congress members on the Gaza war in what is dubbed a "PR blitz".

  • x
  • Anti-war activists rally during a pro-Palestinian demonstration demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, at Freedom Plaza in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2023 (AP/Jose Luis Magana)

Senior Israeli military officials are providing exclusive briefings for US Congress members on the Gaza war, a report by The Intercept revealed. These briefings have intensified amid growing inquiries within the Capitol Hill regarding "Israel's" actions in the war, coinciding with increased calls for a ceasefire.

According to a source knowledgeable about the meetings in the Senate, there is an ongoing public relations effort by "Israel" facilitated by a select group of senators. The majority of recent briefings on the matter have been restricted to members only, excluding congressional staff and the general public, in what was dubbed as a "PR blitz".

On Monday, a briefing was set to take place with Senator Duckworth and three IOF senior officers. The memo read:

“Sen. Duckworth would like to invite your boss to a last-minute meeting" with Israeli officials to discuss several points, including "Israel’s strategy, how they are waging the war, and what to expect in the day after the scenarios." 

The briefings began as calls for a ceasefire and global backlash reached the Israeli occupation's actions in Gaza. Demands for a ceasefire on Capitol Hill initially progressed gradually but have gained momentum in the past few weeks. As of Tuesday morning, a collective total of 43 members from both houses of Congress have advocated for a ceasefire. Senator Bernie Sanders, a progressive who had previously expressed support for "Israel" following the October 7 attack, mentioned on Tuesday that he is considering introducing a bill that would condition aid to "Israel", according to The Intercept.

The IOF, in an effort to control the narrative, has fabricated a "PR blitz to keep all senators at bay."

What appears to be unusual is not the act of holding a meeting itself, but the frequency, the secrecy, and the subjects being discussed. Senator Cory Booker refused to comment on the substance of the briefing, alluding to its secrecy. However, The Intercept indicated that the material was not supposed to be classified, opposing Booker's statement. 

Senior Israeli military officials, including Maj. Gen. Tal Kelman, former head of the strategic directorate and Iran Division; Col. Itai Shapira, a former senior Israeli Intelligence officer; and Lt. Col. Yotam Shefer of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, were scheduled to conduct private briefings for members of the US Congress. The Israeli Embassy referred questions to the IOF, which have not responded to inquiries.

Related News

Kentucky UPS cargo plane crash death toll rises to 12, 15 injuries

US government shutdown forces 10% flight cut at 40 major airports

Briefings included an in-person session on Capitol Hill and another with retired Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin, the former chief of Israeli military intelligence, who is expected to brief Sen. Martin Heinrich. Additionally, a closed screening of footage showing excerpts of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7 was organized by Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Marco Rubio.

“It’s important to bear witness in real-time,” Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., who contributed to the arrangement of the viewing, told reporters. “Sometime in the future, we’ll go — there’ll be a museum, there’ll be a memorial, there’ll be another Yad Vashem or Holocaust museum.” 

A source said to The Intercept, "It isn’t a coincidence that these briefings are now happening as public opinion is shifting and the pressure to corral lawmakers and the recipients of their campaign contributions."

Read more: Netanyahu less likely to listen to ceasefire even if by US

PR plot unnecessary: The US proves its unconditional support to 'Israel'

Despite "Israel's" insecurity in its American backers, the reality is that the US has immense leverage over "Israel" to force it to stop its genocide in Gaza. 

US officials have advised "Israel" against a major strike that would result in an overwhelming humanitarian crisis that the world could not handle but that it must conduct more precise military operations. 

This comes as the White House also demanded all limits on weapons and ammunition permissible to "Israel" from US stockpiles be lifted, a report by The Intercept revealed.

The lifting of limits was part of the White House's supplemental budget proposal, which was given to the Senate on October 20. "This request would allow for the transfer of all categories of defense articles," according to the suggested budget.

The billions of dollars the US has been providing the Israeli occupation with are clearly not enough for its genocidal actions, since the request is for unknown weapons depots in "Israel" that the Pentagon developed for use in regional crises.

Read more: US says Israelis must fight more 'surgically' in Gaza: NYT

  • United States
  • Gaza Strip
  • Occupied Palestine
  • Capitol Hill
  • Operation Al-Aqsa Flood
  • Palestine
  • IOF
  • Israel
  • Gaza
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

People take part in the combat training course at the recruiting center of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Kharkiv on April 14, 2022 (Sergey Bobok/AFP via Getty Images)

Ukrainian conscription crisis sees 100,000 youth flee in 2 months

  • Politics
  • 30 Oct 2025
People walk past a domestically-built missile "Khaibar-buster," and banners showing portraits of Iranian Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, center, and the late armed forces commanders at Baharestan Square in Tehran, Thursday, September 25, 2025

IRGC reveals new details on Haniyeh assassination and Iran’s response

  • Politics
  • 3 Nov 2025
Jimmy Wales speaking in Montreal, April 11, 2016. (AP / PA Images)

Wikipedia founder comments on Gaza genocide article sparks backlash

  • Politics
  • 3 Nov 2025
Gaza and the death of morality (Photo by Mahdi Rtail)

Gaza and the death of morality

  • Politics
  • 31 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Israeli police officers scuffle with ultra-Orthodox Jewish men during a protest against a potential new draft law which could end their exemptions from military service in Jerusalem, Thursday, October 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Politics

Netanyahu pushes military draft exemption law to save coalition

The trace of a projectile is seen before hitting Tel Aviv, early Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Iran missile capabilities stronger than pre-June aggression: Araghchi

An Al-Qassam fighter filmed during the deception operation while Israeli drones survey the site, Gaza, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

Al-Qassam publish footage of deception op. during 'captive' retrieval

President Donald Trump speaks to the America Business Forum Miami, at the Kaseya Center, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, in Miami. (AP)
Politics

'We'll take care of it': Trump says after Mamdani wins NYC

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS