Beltway Insider: Biden/Israel Pause in Combat, Saudi/Yemen Famine, GOP Debate, Brit Gov Shakeup, Roslyn Carter, Thanksgiving

Details: Category: Beltway Insider; Published on Sunday, 19 November 2023 12:17; Written by Janet Walker

President Biden has begun the Thanksgiving week early hosting a "Friendsgiving" meal for military personal, while keeping watch on the unfolding events in the Middle east as efforts shift to secure the release of U.S. hostages.

The President's job approval rating, according to the website fivethirtyeight.com, for the period ending November 19, 2023 increased by 0.3% to 39.0% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness remained constant 55.5% of those polled who disapprove of his effectiveness. A slight 3% of the population polled have no opinion. Ratings are calculated weekly.

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U.S Brokers Potential Peace Deal

The Israel war campaign of retaliation against Hamas for its October 7, 2023, attack has revealed to the world the truth that Gaza had become a enclave for Hamas leadership and war plans to attack Israel and even further.

And while Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has carried out his war campaign, at least 100 nations, excluding the United States, have called for an immediate cease-fire. After the six weeks of ground and air bombardments, more than 11,000 Gazans have been killed.

The Hamas leaders, who initiated the terrorist attacks have continued to use the most vulnerable to as human shields expecting civility to rule verses the possibility of dead children and body parts to be broadcast around the world enflaming other hibernating cells to activate. The rules of engagement were permanently changed when Hamas stormed the border with murderous rage.

Hostage Release in Exchange for Bombardment Cessation

The possibility of a pause in combat operations has been announced. "Under the terms of the agreement, all parties to the conflict will freeze combat operations for at least five days while hostages are released in groups every 24 hours, according to people familiar with its provisions," reported The Washington Post reported.

To be used to confirm the parties are maintaining the terms of the agreement, drones and other air patrols would be monitoring the Gaza strip region. The deal, which is precarious, rests on the release of both American and Israeli hostages. No release no cessation in combat operations. While it is believed that the hostages are still alive and being held in Gaza, the possibility is that they were executed. Without the hostages, Hamas has no bargaining power.

Arab Nations Urge Peace

Iran and Saudi Arabia, who are responsible for the ongoing famine in landlocked Yemen, are now united in calling for an immediate ceasefire and cessation in troop activity and movement by Israel.

"Israel's bombardment of Gaza, however, appears to have hastened the warming of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, just as delicate diplomacy had been inching Saudi Arabia and Israel toward possible normalization of relations. Iran, which Israel considers its most dangerous foe, is a powerful patron of Hamas," The New York Times reported.

Saudi Stall Yemen Humanitarian Aid

Saudi Arabian officials have taken the lead in the calling for a humanitarian cease fire in the Israeli and Palestinian conflict yet remain dedicated to accelerating the famine in neighboring Yemen and should be held responsible for the more than 17.4million Yemenites who are suffering from hunger and malnutrition, or have starved to death, since 2016. The blockade of Yemen began in 2015.

The Saudi government had been engaged in talks as recently as September, when the Iran backed Houthi's walked away from the negotiations. Expediting an agreement would allow much needed humanitarian relief to enter Yemen.

"An agreement would allow the United Nations to restart a broader political peace process involving other parties to the Yemeni conflict, including the Yemeni government and southern separatist forces," AlJazeera.com reported.

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Former PM Returns to 10 Downing Street

David Cameron, the former British Prime Minister who resigned his position over the 2016 vote which initiated the UK split from the European Union, is back at the invitation of the current PM Rishi Sunak.

Ms. Braverman, a staunch ally, and supporter and many say highly instrumental in Sunak's election addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without the support or knowledge of the PM. According to the New York Times, "she wrote a highly contentious opinion article last week ahead of a huge, pro-Palestinian demonstration in London on Saturday. In that article, she referred to protesters as "hate marchers," criticized the police, and implicitly undermined Mr. Sunak."

Bringing in the support of Cameron helps the stabilize the house of Sunak and presents to the public at large a clearer vision from 10 Downing Street, which with the general election scheduled no later than January 2025, also increases his chances for reelection.

Last GOP Debate of 2023 Scheduled

NewsNation, the fact based, nation news network, will host the last Republican debate scheduled for 2023 from the campus of the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. The debate field, which has been narrowed to four, former United Nations Ambassador and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former New jersey Governor Chris Christie, and tech Billionaire, Vivek Ramaswamy.

"NewsNation's mission is to provide fair and unbiased news coverage, and that's the way we will approach this important debate. We take this responsibility very seriously and are proud to help inform and educate voters and to contribute to the democratic process," Michael Corn, president of news at NewsNation, said," reported NewsNation.

The debate will be hosted by NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargus, Sirus XM host, Megan Kelly, an attorney, and journalist, and Eliana Johnson, editor-in-chief of The Washington Free Beacon.

While former President Donald Trump remains the party's front runner, he will not appear at the debate. With no less than eight lawsuits pending against the former president, the continues revelation of allegations of wrongdoing and its implications have caused many of his strongest supporter to back away, slightly.

Nikki Haley is Emerging

Republican Presidential candidate Nikki Haley, Trump's former UN Ambassador, is emerging as a possibly presidential contender, after a backing from some of Wall Street GOP leaders, hosted by former Trump advisor Gary Cohen and USB banker Mike Santini.

The deep-pocketed donors are critical to a successful Haley campaign and necessary to carry her through Super Tuesday scheduled for March 5, 2024, with the campaign's big money needs for ad spend. For the remaining four candidates, and especially Haley, DeSantis, and Christie, who are without the tech billions of Ramaswammy, the high-net-worth fundraisers are necessary and crucial to remain in the race.

Events in Manhattan for Haley that are currently "being organized by Santini, litigator Eric Levine and others, some of whom have ties to Elliott Management, the $60 billion hedge fund founded by Republican donor Paul Singer. They include Campbell Brown, the Meta Platforms executive and wife of Elliott public affairs chief Dan Senor, and Terry Kassel, a longtime Haley supporter who is Elliott's human-resources head and Singer's girlfriend," reported The Wall Street Journal.

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New Jersey First Lady Seeks to Unseat Menendez

New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy has tossed her hat into the ever-widening ring of potential democratic candidates to challenge Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, who is currently facing his second criminal investigation, for his seat in the 2024 election.

Murphy, a former Goldman Sachs analyst, has never held political office, although as First Lady for the Garden State, she has championed causes for the people of the state.

Menendez has refused to resign and has rejected calls by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to resign. The call by Governor Murphy and Senator Cory Booker, (D-NJ) for Menendez to resign looks more like conflict of interest especially with the recent revelation of Tammy Murphy's intent to challenge Menendez, casting a shadow on the validity of the motivation.

"While Menendez has not ruled out running for reelection in 2024, he faces a number of challenges from his own party after he was charged in September with bribery and other crimes while serving as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee," The Washington Post reported.

GOP Representative George Santos

New York Republican Representative George Santos, who has been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, for nearly the extent of his two-year term, has announced he would not seek re-election.

"House investigators found "substantial evidence" that Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) knowingly violated ethics guidelines, House rules and criminal laws, according to a House Ethics Committee report released Thursday that prompted Santos to declare he would not seek reelection next year," reported The Washington Post.

Coronavirus Totals

The CDC has recommended every person from age six months, including senior citizens, should receive at least one shot of an updated covid vaccine.

Mandates have been altered or lifted in most urban areas with limited exceptions, and the population is encouraged to maintain personal protective practices. Masks are optional and tolerated. Vaccines and boosters are still considered the most effective agents against contracting the Coronavirus.

For the 7-day period ending November 19, 2023, the total of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide reached 771,820,937 confirmed cases, an increase over the past 7 days of 141,319 cases worldwide. The total worldwide death toll increased by 1,152 to 6,978,175 deaths. The United States has stopped providing Covid data to the World Health Organization. (Data updated November 8, 2023, from The World Health Organization).

COVID U.S. Totals

As hospitalizations and infection rates continue to rise in the United States, some jurisdictions are suggesting new mask mandates. For the 7-day period ending November 19, 2023, new Covid hospitalizations in the U.S. increased by 15,752 to 6,484,329. The coronavirus has claimed 1,153,910 total U.S. deaths, adding 2,161 deaths, over the past week. (Data updated November 11, 2023, posted November 17, 2023, from the CDC).

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Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade

The 97^th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade will be held on Thursday, November 23, 2023, live from New York City. The three-hour spectacle, which begins at 8:30am EST, marks the official start of the Holiday season. With live performances from many of Broadway's biggest shows, there will also be appearances by a host of top performers, including Bell Biv DeVoe, Brandy, Chicago, En Vogue, ENHYPEN, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, Jessie James Decker, Ashley Park with some Muppets from "Sesame Street," Pentatonix, Paul Russell, Amanda Shaw and Alex Smith, and Manuel Turizo.

Hosted by NBC favorites Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, the annual parade features 16 huge helium balloons, 700 clowns, 12 marching bands from around the country, and ending the parade with tradition, Santa Clause, himself.

Viewers on the west coast and other time zones can enjoy the annual event beginning at local times.

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First Lady Roslyn Carter Dies

Former First Lady Roslyn Carter, the wife of former President Jimmy Carter, has died today, at her home in Plains, Georgia. It was announced earlier this week Mrs. Carter would be entering hospice. She was 96.

Higher Than Normal Holiday Travel Expected

Traveling and Thanksgiving go together like, well, turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, as families from all over the country gather to celebrate the annual holiday. This year, AAA, the auto club association, reports 2023 will be the third highest since they began tracking holiday travel.

"AAA projects 55.4 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period*. This year's Thanksgiving forecast is an increase of 2.3% over last year and marks the third-highest Thanksgiving forecast since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2000. The top two years were 2005 and 2019, respectively," AAA.com reported.

Pause for Peace

As Thanksgiving, which is traditionally only celebrated in the United States and Canada, has grown into an internationally recognized day of peace. With conflicts raging the world over, let's take this opportunity to pause, as has been done in days, and wars of yesteryear, and reflect on the blessings we enjoy. Happy Thanksgiving.

For more information on President Joe Biden w ww.whitehouse.gov.