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At the New York Times, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell shared these thoughts about the anniversary of D-Day:

On this day in 1944, the liberation of Western Europe began with immense sacrifice. In a tribute delivered 40 years later from a Normandy cliff, President Ronald Reagan reminded us that "the boys of Pointe du Hoc" were "heroes who helped end a war." That last detail is worth some reflection because we are in danger of forgetting why it matters.

...Today, America and our allies face some of the gravest threats to our security since Axis forces marched across Europe and the Pacific. And as these threats grow, some of the same forces that hampered our response in the 1930s have re-emerged.

...Some vocal corners of the American right are trying to resurrect the discredited brand of prewar isolationism and deny the basic value of the alliance system that has kept the postwar peace. This dangerous proposition rivals the American left’s longstanding allergy to military spending in its potential to make America less safe.

It should not take another catastrophic attack like Pearl Harbor to wake today’s isolationists from the delusion that regional conflicts have no consequences for the world’s most powerful and prosperous nation. With global power comes global interests and global responsibilities.

...Rebuilding the arsenal of democracy would demonstrate to America’s allies and adversaries alike that our commitment to the stable order of international peace and prosperity is rock-solid.

Nothing else will suffice. Not a desperate pursuit of nuclear diplomacy with Iran, the world’s most active state sponsor of terrorism. Not cabinet junkets to Beijing in pursuit of common ground on climate policy. The way to prove that America means what it says is to show what we’re willing to fight for.

...Today, the better part of valor is to build credible defenses before they are necessary and demonstrate American leadership before it is doubted any further.

The RJC continues to make news with our activity to endorse and support great Republican candidates for Congress.

The JNS reports on the RJC endorsement of Craig Goldman (TX-12):

The Republican Jewish Coalition wants to see a third Jewish Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives.

On Tuesday, Norm Coleman and Matt Brooks, national chairman and CEO of the RJC, respectively, laid out the group's choice to succeed the retiring Rep. Kay Granger in Texas's 12th congressional district, saying, "We are proud to endorse Craig Goldman, a 5th generation Texan and a proud Jewish Republican who is known as a conservative problem solver."

…The RJC expressed enthusiasm for "working with Craig Goldman in the next Congress, where he will be the third Jewish Republican member of the House, along with Reps. David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) and Max Miller (R-Ohio)."

Read the RJC endorsement statement here.
Support Craig Goldman here.

This week, the RJC endorsed Julie Fedorchak for North Dakota's At-Large congressional seats, as JNS reports:

In an unusual decision to endorse a candidate in a primary election, the Republican Jewish Coalition on Monday announced its backing for Julie Fedorchak's bid for a seat in the House of Representatives.

"Although there are other candidates in the race, there are only two that have a chance to win," wrote RJC national chairman Norm Coleman and CEO Matt Brooks. "In contrast to her principal opponent, Julie Fedorchak stands firmly against Democrats' efforts to short-change national defense."

Fedorchak, a North Dakota Public Service commissioner, has "an outstanding record of delivering results," they explained.

Furthermore, they added, "Fedorchak has been a steadfast and consistent backer of Israel in its fight against Hamas. Her opponent recently said 'there's no place' for American assistance to Israel in his ideology—before an apparent reversal that leaves his commitment in serious doubt."

Read the RJC endorsement statement here.
Support Julie Fedorchak here.

The Des Moines Register notes RJC's support for Randy Feenstra (IA-04):

Feenstra said one of the biggest differences between him and Virgil are their stances on Israel, and he touted his endorsement from the Republican Jewish Coalition.

"I stand with Israel. That is so important," Feenstra said. "My opponent has admitted that he would not stand with Israel during these great times of concern. And, you know, those are some big issues."

Read the RJC endorsement statement here.

Support Randy Feenstra here.

The Jewish Insider reports on RJC's endorsement of John McGuire (VA-05):

The Republican Jewish Coalition endorsed McGuire and hosted him at a recent leadership meeting in Washington, D.C. It has also been working to defeat a series of Good-backed candidates across the country. The RJC rarely challenges sitting Republican lawmakers.

The RJC has highlighted Good's vote against Israel aid, which the group said "showed who Israel's true friends are, and exposed those like Congressman Bob Good who are not." It described the vote as part of a concerning pattern from the incumbent. RJC said in a statement earlier this week that it's increasingly confident in McGuire's chances of victory.

Support John McGuire here.

JNS reports:

Jewish groups on both sides of the aisle responded to a New York jury's conviction of former President Donald Trump on all 34 felony charges.

"Without question, this is a political prosecution of a political opponent.

It's a weaponization of the legal system," stated Matt Brooks, CEO of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

"The case is deeply flawed and will likely be overturned on appeal," Brooks added. "The Democrats think this will hurt Trump, the reality is that it will likely propel Trump to victory in November."

Jonathan Tobin examines the implications for Trump's prosecution and conviction for the American Jewish community. He writes:

The last eight months have shaken the faith of many American Jews in the future of their community. The surge in antisemitism, especially on college campuses, has shattered any illusions we might have had about ensuring that Jew-hatred would be confined to the fever swamps of the far right and left in US society. But as grievous as that threat to their safety may be—and the gravity of that peril cannot be overestimated—the Jewish community should also be pondering just how secure they can be in an America whose democratic norms and the rule of law can no longer be relied upon.

The prosecution and now the conviction of former President Donald Trump in a New York City courtroom on dubious charges and via a judicial process that is, at best, questionable, forces us to ask that question.

…Like all Americans, Jews have a stake in the preservation of their country's democratic form of government.

…On the surface, the Trump drama and the backlash it is causing may not seem to have anything to do with the Jews. But if the United States is, as it might be, on the verge of no longer being a place where we can count on the rule of law as well as one with a political culture in which the major parties will seek to jail each other's leaders, then even a cursory knowledge of Jewish history, would teach us that Jews will no longer be safe from persecution.

The Republican Jewish Coalition announced its endorsement of Julie Fedorchak in the open seat race for North Dakota’s At-Large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

RJC National Chairman Senator Norm Coleman and CEO Matt Brooks said:

There is important work ahead for Congress and we need accomplished conservative leaders like Julie Fedorchak to overcome the challenges our nation faces. Fedorchak earned former President Donald Trump’s endorsement and has such strong support from Governor Doug Burgum and so many other leading North Dakota Republicans because they know she has an outstanding record of delivering results as a member of the state’s Public Service Commission.

Although there are other candidates in the race, there are only two that have a chance to win. In contrast to her principal opponent, Julie Fedorchak stands firmly against Democrats’ efforts to short-change national defense. And Fedorchak has been a steadfast and consistent backer of Israel in its fight against Hamas. Her opponent recently said "there’s no place" for American assistance to Israel in his ideology - before an apparent reversal that leaves his commitment in serious doubt.

RJC traditionally avoids endorsements in GOP primary contests, but in light of the urgent challenges our country faces and the existential stakes of Israel’s current war, we need more Republicans in Congress whose demonstrated strength is advancing conservative policies that bolster America and our allies - not fighting other Republicans.

You can support Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL) for Congress here.

In an article for Commentary Magazine, Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president for research at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, makes the argument that as President Joe Biden has repeatedly moved the goalposts on Israel regarding Rafah, he bears some responsibility for the deaths of Israeli soldiers there.

Schanzer outlines the American policies that have halted Israel's advance in Rafah, slowing the war and giving Hamas the time and space to lay out the booby traps and IEDs that are killing Israeli soldiers. The effects of American policy have hurt Israel's effort to eliminate the threat of Hamas and increased the death toll for Israeli forces.

It's a telling indictment of the feckless policies of the Biden administration. Read it here.

The Hill reports:

The House on Tuesday approved legislation aimed at penalizing the International Criminal Court (ICC) as it weighs whether to bring war crimes charges against Israeli leaders for their conduct in the war with Hamas.

The tally was 247-155, with every Republican voting in favor of the proposal. They were joined by 42 pro-Israel Democrats with a history of backing Tel Aviv even when doing so bucks their own leadership.

… The push to sanction the ICC comes after the court's top prosecutor, Karim Khan, a British human rights attorney, recommended charges against several Hamas leaders for their role in the Oct. 7 massacre, and against [Benjamin] Netanyahu and his defense minister for their response to those attacks.

The RJC thanks House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and the staunch GOP friends of Israel in the US House for their efforts to move this bill forward.

And THANK YOU to the hundreds of RJC members who sent emails to their representatives through our online advocacy tool, to let them know that we will defend US officials and our ally Israel from the abuses of these international organizations.

Remembering 20 years since Reagan

Donald Devine reflects on President Ronald Reagan and his legacy, 20 years after his passing (on June 5). Devine writes of the bedrock principles underlying Reagan's thinking and policies and writes sadly, "It is difficult after 20 years of reversal to believe we will be the first to come back to Ronald Reagan's hope for a renewal of freedom and rule of law." But, like Reagan, he doesn't give up hope.

Why Mexico's center-right Jewish community didn't vote for its first Jewish president

Ariela Lopez writes at The Times of Israel about the news-making election of a Jewish woman to be president of Mexico. Lopez reports that the Jewish community of Mexico has not rallied around Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, who is not connected with the community and who shares the leftist views of her predecessor.

Contact information for our offices can be found on our website. Please visit us online for the latest RJC news, to see details of upcoming events, and to donate to the RJC. Read past editions of this newsletter here.