Israel

Chief Judge John McConnell granted summary judgment for Providence City Councilman Miguel Sanchez, ruling that Gov. Dan McKee's top aides, Chief of Staff Antonio Afonso and Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Almond, violated Sanchez's First Amendment rights by firing him from a constituent-services role in 2023 over social media posts criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza and calling for a ceasefire. McConnell found Sanchez spoke as a private citizen, his firing drew far more public and media attention than the posts themselves, and other staffers who posted dissenting views were not disciplined. McKee's office disagrees with the ruling and is reviewing its options; a trial on damages remains ahead. Sanchez, soon to be City Council president, called it a free speech victory.

Providence voters will decide Question 7, a ballot ordinance requiring the city to divest investments tied to "genocide, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and prolonged military occupation." Backed by Providence for Palestine, the measure doesn't name Israel but organizers say it targets investments connected to the war in Gaza. Retired federal judge William Smith, in an analysis requested by the city solicitor, called the ordinance "poorly drafted," likely beyond the City Charter's limits on voter-initiated petitions, and warned it would trigger a "litigation frenzy" and harm the city's pension fund. Mayor Brett Smiley has called the measure unlawful; organizer Zack Kligler dismissed such warnings as "fearmongering," saying the ordinance is legally and financially sound.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said defending Israel internationally would be "a lot easier" if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu loses Israel's election, arguing his handling of the Gaza war has hurt the country's standing and blocked any path to Palestinian statehood. A longtime Israel ally who visited shortly after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, Hochul has faced criticism from some Jewish New Yorkers over her ties to NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, an Israel critic. She also suggested Netanyahu's continued rule could complicate a Jewish Democrat's 2028 presidential prospects. Netanyahu faces a tough reelection fight against Gadi Eisenkot amid record turnout, though rivals also oppose Palestinian statehood.

Providence officials have asked retired federal judge William Smith to provide independent legal analysis of Question 7, a citizen ballot initiative that would require the city to divest from countries and companies linked to genocide, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and prolonged military occupation. The measure, backed by Providence for Palestine, is widely understood to target investments tied to Israel over the war in Gaza, though the ordinance does not name any country. City Solicitor Jeff Dana sought outside review after the Law Department's initial guidance drew criticism. Mayor Brett Smiley calls the ordinance unlawful and unmanageable, while city officials warn it could jeopardize the underfunded pension system. Mayoral candidates David Morales and Dave Talan are split on the measure.

A debate between Michigan U.S. Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed (D) and Mike Rogers (R) turned contentious as the two clashed over Iran policy and national security. El-Sayed blamed Rogers and President Trump for abandoning the JCPOA and pursuing military action he said drove up gas and grocery prices, while accusing Rogers of being backed by AIPAC-linked donors. Rogers countered that Iran remains a major threat tied to Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, and alleged El-Sayed has links to the Muslim Brotherhood and failed to condemn the IRGC. El-Sayed called the accusations beneath the discourse; Rogers accused him of playing victim. Trump is set to campaign for Rogers in Michigan this weekend.

The Easthampton, Massachusetts City Council unanimously passed a resolution to divest from four companies — BlackRock, Palantir, RTX (formerly Raytheon), and GE Aerospace — over their ties to Israel's military operations in Gaza. The vote followed a contentious two-hour public hearing where 28 speakers backed divestment and 12 opposed it, some calling the measure antisemitic. Councilor and resolution co-sponsor Felicia Jadczak said the city holds roughly $500,000 invested in the named firms. Organizers had gathered more than 500 signatures supporting divestment over the past year. The council previously passed a ceasefire resolution in April 2024. The vote adds Easthampton to a growing list of municipalities weighing in on the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed has repeated his assertion that Israel is "not actually our friend," making the case in interviews with ABC News and MS NOW ahead of his final debate against Republican Mike Rogers. El-Sayed argues Israel has lobbied the U.S. into conflicts, including pushing for action against Iran, and accused the Israeli military of war crimes. He has also faced criticism for deflecting questions about alleged family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and past appearances with controversial streamer Hasan Piker. At the debate in Detroit, El-Sayed also opposed the SAVE America Act's voter ID and citizenship-proof requirements, calling them voter suppression, while Rogers defended the measure as reasonable. The race remains competitive ahead of the Nov. 3 election.