News: A group of high-powered tech, finance and defense industry CEOs — many of whom are GOP megadonors — are scheduled to meet with top senators in the Capitol on Tuesday to advocate for continuing U.S. arms sales to Israel.
The private meeting, titled “Fostering a Private-Public Partnership in Support of Israeli Security and Regional Peace and Stability,” is a show of private sector support for Israel. It comes as an increasing number of Democrats are souring on American military assistance for Israel’s deadly war against Hamas in Gaza.
Among the business leaders set to attend, per the agenda we obtained: Palantir CEO Alex Karp, Citadel CEO Ken Griffin, Oracle CEO Safra Catz, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, Booz Allen Hamilton CEO Horacio Rozanski and Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman.
A number of the invitees are major Republican donors who are cutting huge checks to Senate GOP super PACs.
Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) are hosting the event, according to the agenda. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is listed as a “likely” attendee, but we’re told he won’t be showing up.
Interestingly, Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) is listed on the agenda and will attend, according to her office. Rosen is running for reelection this year and is considered one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents.
It’s notable that Rosen will be in the same room as many of the people who are funding — to the tune of tens of millions — efforts to defeat Senate Democrats, as well as President Joe Biden. Rosen is more hawkish on Israel than much of her party, so Republicans have a hard time grouping her with progressives who’ve called for cutting off U.S. funding for Israel.
Monday night, the Washington Post reported that the top Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees approved a massive weapons package for Israel under intense pressure from the Biden administration. The package included F-15 jets that won’t be delivered for several years, as well as air-to-air missiles.
— Max Cohen and Andrew Desiderio
