Why It Matters
The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) is pushing for action amid a national antisemitism crisis. The U.S. experienced record antisemitic incidents in 2024, with college campuses seeing a tenfold surge compared to two years prior. For the first time, the majority of incidents now involve Israel-related elements at anti-Israel protests and BDS campaigns.
The RJC’s legislative agenda—anchored by the Antisemitism Awareness Act, anti-Israel boycott bills, and Palestinian Authority accountability measures—seeks to provide federal enforcement tools and diplomatic consequences.
By the Numbers
The Republican Jewish Coalition spent $100,000 on in-house lobbying in final quarter 2025. The organization has filed 82 total disclosures since 2003, reporting cumulative expenditures of $3,138,750.
The RJC’s lobbying team combines institutional experience with fresh congressional insight. Noah L. Silverman has represented the RJC since August 2007 across 71 disclosures totaling $2.7 million. Arie Dana, former Chief of Staff to Rep. Michelle Steel, joined in April 2025 and has accumulated four disclosures totaling $400,000.
Foreign Relations dominates the RJC’s record, appearing in 76 of 82 disclosures, followed by Education (36 instances) and Trade (23 instances).
The Agenda
The Republican Jewish Coalition is lobbying on a multi-faceted agenda. The organization’s primary focus is the Antisemitism Awareness Act (HR 1007/S. 558), seeking statutory antisemitism definitions for federal enforcement.
On foreign policy, the RJC pushes the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act to sanction the International Criminal Court; the IGO Anti-Boycott Act targeting Israel boycotts; and Iran sanctions bills including the Maximum Pressure Act. The RJC also backs the PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act.
In education, the organization supports the DETERRENT Act, addressing foreign influence in higher education, plus measures on Jewish veterans’ graves and Holocaust art recovery.
Broader Context
The International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Israeli leadership in November 2024 prompted urgent action on the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, while ongoing Palestinian Authority payments to terrorists sustain pressure for accountability legislation.
Congressional Republicans have rallied around Iran sanctions and university foreign funding transparency, creating receptive conditions. However, the Antisemitism Awareness Act already faced Republican and conservative Christian resistance over language regarding historical Jewish topics, requiring the RJC to navigate internal GOP disagreements while capitalizing on congressional focus on Middle East policy.
Between The Lines
Congress is actively engaging with RJC priorities. The Senate HELP Committee advanced the Antisemitism Awareness Act on April 30, 2025. Multiple committees examined campus antisemitism through Senate Judiciary and House Education hearings.
The PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act is advancing, while resolutions condemning antisemitic violence gain support. Rep. Claudia Tenney is investigating Ireland’s proposed Israel boycott, and Senators Lankford and Rosen highlighted record anti-Jewish hate crimes.
Competitive Landscape
The RJC operates within a diverse pro-Israel advocacy ecosystem. J Street, a progressive organization, lobbies on overlapping antisemitism issues but takes divergent positions on military aid, having engaged on joint resolutions to disapprove certain military sales to Israel.
This positions the RJC as the primary conservative voice on Israel policy, distinguished by its focus on robust Iran sanctions, Palestinian Authority accountability, and anti-BDS measures.
The Bottom Line
The RJC’s $100,000 final quarter 2025 expenditure reflects sustained engagement on conservative Israel priorities during heightened congressional focus on antisemitism. While facing internal GOP disagreements on certain provisions, the organization’s experienced team positions it as a key advocacy voice amid record antisemitic incidents and evolving Middle East dynamics.
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