Jewish and pro-Israel organizations mourned the passing of former US Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), who died due to breast cancer at the age of 87 in her home on Saturday.

A statement from Lowey’s family noted that “she was guided by the Jewish core value of ‘Tikkun Olam,’ repairing the world.”

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) called Lowey “an irreplaceable champion of the Jewish people” and “a trusted friend, colleague, advisor, and standard-bearer for the Jewish community and the US-Israel relationship.”

Ted Deutch, the CEO of AJC and a former Democratic congressman, wrote in a statement that during “my time in Congress and after, [Lowey] was an incredible mentor, and I am so fortunate to have witnessed her at work on the House floor, at home, and around the world. She made history as the first woman to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee, and I was proud to work with her to found and co-chair the House Bipartisan Task Force to Combat Antisemitism.”

Deutch added, “Her legacy will live on not only through all the colleagues she mentored and legislation like the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act, but also in all the people her work has helped and will continue to help here at home and around the world. Nita loved AJC and the Jewish people, and I hope through our collective efforts, we, too, can help honor her memory.”

Democrat Majority For Israel (DMFI) also sent its condolences. “All of us at DMFI are mourning the passing of Congresswoman Nita Lowey, a trailblazer, a devoted public servant and a champion of the US-Israel relationship,” said Mark Mellman, president & CEO of DMFI.

“She broke barriers as the first woman to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee and used her leadership to advance causes she was passionate about including women’s rights, social welfare, and strengthening America’s allies, like Israel,” Mellman continued. “During her distinguished career, she sponsored more than 500 pieces of legislation with more than 400 becoming law, uplifting American families.”

DMFI also noted important legislation regarding Israel that Lowey, who was Jewish, spearheaded. “Near the end of her time in Congress, she shaped and led the passage of the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA). Named in her honor, the legislation provides unprecedented levels of funding for peacebuilding between Israelis and Palestinians by fostering economic cooperation. DMFI was a proud supporter of this critical legislation.”

Mellamn concluded with a personal note, writing that he “was proud to know Congresswoman Lowey as a client, a friend, a fierce advocate for Israel and for peace.”

In a statement to Jewish Insider, Stephanie Hausner, who was a former intern for Lower and a campaign staffer who is now the chief operating officer of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, said, “[Lowey] is one of the strongest champions we’ve ever seen in Congress in terms of support for Israel, in terms of foreign aid and support for Israel.”

“She felt strongly in convictions in support of Israel and would hold firm and encourage others to also see Israel as a place of diversity,” Hausner added. “When she decided not to run again in 2020, I think we as a Jewish community lost a giant, and her shoes — I don’t know that they’ll ever fully be filled.”

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) also mourned Lowey, who the group called “a dear friend and stalwart ally of the pro-Israel community.”

“As Chair of the Appropriations Committee, she was an indefatigable advocate for the necessary resources for the Jewish state to defend itself,” AIPAC emphasized. The pro-Israel organization also pointed out that she “left a legacy for regional reconciliation” with her work on passing the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act.

AIPAC concluded, “We extend our condolences to Rep. Lowey’s family, former colleagues, and many friends throughout the world.”

The post Jewish, Pro-Israel Organizations Mourn Long-Time US Congresswoman Nita Lowey first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner has proposed that the city terminate its lease of an independent, non-profit movie theater and stop funding to the venue because it is showing sold-out screenings of the anti-Israel Oscar-winning film “No Other Land.”

Earlier this month, O Cinema became the first theater in Miami to screen “No Other Land,” a film produced by Israelis and Palestinians that criticizes Israel and the country’s military actions while focusing on the demolition of a small community in the West Bank.

“No Other Land” won best documentary feature film at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2. It has been picked up for distribution in 24 countries but has no distributor in the US, so its filmmakers have been making individuals deals with cinemas, such as O Cinema. It premiered at the Miami Beach theater on March 14 and its screenings this week are sold out. The city of Miami Beach is listed as a supporter of O Cinema on its website.

Meiner is proposing that Miami Beach terminate its lease agreement with O Cinema – which is located on city property on the first floor of Old City Hall – suspend and terminate grant money to the theater, and discontinue any further funding. The Miami Beach City Commission will vote on the resolution on Wednesday.

The mayor’s proposal comes after he sent a letter to O Cinema on March 5, asking its CEO Vivian Marthell to cancel the theater’s screenings of “No Other Land.” He pointed out that Miami Beach has “has one of the largest concentrations of Jewish residents in the United States” and described the documentary as “hateful propaganda.” Meiner also wrote in the letter, obtained by the Miami Herald, that “No Other Land” is “antisemitic” and “a one-sided propaganda attack on the Jewish people that is not consistent with the values of our city and residents.” He asked Marthell “on behalf of the residents of Miami Beach” to reconsider the venue’s decision to screen the film.

“Unfortunately, Jews for thousands of years have heard this antisemitic rhetoric; I am just surprised that O Cinema, utilizing Miami Beach taxpayer funding, would willingly disseminate such hateful propaganda,” Meiner said. “Here in Miami Beach, our city has adopted a strong policy of support for the State of Israel in its struggle to defend itself and its residents against attacks by the terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah. Airing performances of the one-sided, inaccurate film ‘No Other Land’ at a movie theater facility owned by the city and operated by O Cinema is disappointing.”

The theater ignored Meiner’s letter and proceeded with its screenings of the controversial film.

During their acceptance speech at the Oscars earlier this month, the Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers of “No Other Land” accused Israel of “ethnic supremacy,” occupation, “injustice,” and “the ethnic cleaning of Palestinian people.” They also criticized the US for supporting Israel, claiming it blocks peace between Israel and Palestinians.

Israel’s Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar said the film “amplifies narratives that distort Israel’s image.” He added that “turning the defamation of Israel into a tool for international promotion is not art — it is sabotage against the State of Israel, especially in the wake of the Oct. 7 massacre and the ongoing war.”

The filmmakers of “No Other Land” also made anti-Israel comments on stage when accepting the award for best documentary at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2024. They additionally called on Germany to cease arms exports to Israel. Their comments were criticized by Claudia Roth, Germany’s federal government commissioner for culture and the media, who described the remarks as “shockingly one-sided and characterized by deep hatred of Israel.”

O Cinema’s co-founder and board of directors chair Kareem Tabsch told NPR about Meiner’s threats, saying it “sounds like censorship to me.”

“We’ve always shown films that have sparked real strong sentiments and real strong opinions,” Tabsch added. “Throughout the years, we’ve certainly had vocal audience members or community members who’ve questioned some programming choices … But what we have never encountered is elected officials trying to dictate what we should and should not be showing. That’s certainly a first.”

Marthell shared with the Miami Herald a short speech explaining the theater’s position on the film that will be read at every screening at the venue.

“We understand the power of cinema and its ability to tell stories that matter. Yet, we also understand that some stories, especially those rooted in real-world conflicts, can evoke strong feelings and passionate reactions,” Marthell said. “But let me be clear: our decision to screen “No Other Land” is not a declaration of political alignment. It is, however, a bold reaffirmation of our fundamental belief that every voice deserves to be heard, even, and perhaps especially, when it challenges us.”

The post Miami Beach Mayor Threatens to Terminate Lease, Cut Funding to Theater Screening Anti-Israel Film first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

Israel and Azerbaijan strengthened their strategic alliance on Monday as Azerbaijan’s state oil company, SOCAR, signed a gas exploration license agreement in Jerusalem.

The agreement, expected to strengthen Israel’s energy security, marked the latest development of the Jewish state and the predominantly Shi’ite Muslim country continuing to expand their cooperation and strengthen bilateral ties amid increasing regional tensions.

During a visit to Israel, Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov, who also serves as chairman of SOCAR, signed the gas exploration deal with Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen, the Israeli Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure announced on Monday.

During our working visit to Israel, alongside Rovshan Najaf (@RovshanNajaf), the President of SOCAR (@SOCARofficial), we attended the presentation ceremony of exploration licenses for Block “I” in Israel’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). These licenses offer strategic advantages… pic.twitter.com/ZVoclkmyTP

— Mikayil Jabbarov (@MikayilJabbarov) March 17, 2025

As part of our working visit to Israel, a #MemorandumofUnderstanding was signed between #SOCAR (@SOCARofficial) and Union Energy on joint exploration activities in Israel’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The implementation of this agreement will drive the expansion of the… pic.twitter.com/VpmgiHBuqU

— Mikayil Jabbarov (@MikayilJabbarov) March 17, 2025

Part of a consortium that included British multinational oil and gas firm BP and Israel’s NewMed Energy, SOCAR will now have the right to explore one offshore block in the Mediterranean, with three years to conduct seismic surveys to assess the potential presence of gas reserves.

“The entry of SOCAR and BP is excellent news for the State of Israel,” Cohen said in a statement. “Natural gas is a strategic asset that strengthens our economic and political standing in the world in general and in the Middle East in particular. Therefore, especially these days, we are working to expand natural gas production, for the benefit of the local economy and for exports.”

Meanwhile, Jabbarov referred to the “strategic alliance” between Israel and Azerbaijan while documenting his trip on social media.

In 2023, SOCAR secured the exploration rights via a tender from Israel’s Energy Ministry to drill in Mediterranean fields near the Leviathan field, one of the largest offshore gas discoveries in the world. However, the signing was postponed due to the Israel-Hamas war.

The new exploration licenses will allow access to Cluster I — an area covering approximately 1,700 square kilometers in the northern part of Israel’s economic waters. In a statement, the Israeli Energy Ministry said this area “has hardly been explored in the past in terms of natural resources.”

During his visit, Jabbarov also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and senior business leaders. He is the first Azerbaijani minister to visit Israel since the Hamas-led invasion of and massacre across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which triggered the Gaza war.

Last month, Hikmet Hajiyev, the assistant to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments on his second such trip in the last three months.

Azerbaijan’s ties with Israel have long been significant, with the country serving as the Jewish state’s most vital ally in the Caucasus and Central Asia for more than three decades, fostering a partnership that spans energy security, defense, and intelligence.

As of 2019, Azerbaijan supplied over a third of the Jewish state’s oil. Last year, Israel was the sixth-biggest buyer of oil from Azerbaijan, with sales totaling $713 million.

Meanwhile, Baku has acquired advanced Israeli defense systems, including the “Barak MX” missile system and surveillance satellites, and remains a leading buyer of Israeli military hardware, which was crucial in its 2020 war with Armenia.

Last month, Israel and SOCAR struck a major energy deal in which the Azerbaijani state oil company invested heavily in in Israel’s offshore gas fields. The deal made SOCAR a significant stakeholder in the Tamar gas field, which is a major natural gas source for Israel and has turned the country into a gas exporter in the region.

The agreement also marked one of the latest examples of Azerbaijan’s growing influence in the Middle East.

Azerbaijan’s strategic importance stems not only from its economic influence in the region but also from its role at the crossroads of a growing pro-Western bloc countering the regional ambitions of Iran, with which Azerbaijan shares a long border.

The Abraham Accords reshaped regional alliances during US President Donald Trump’s first term, and experts have argued that his current administration could further this shift, with Azerbaijan – a country that shares hundreds of miles of border with Iran while maintaining strong ties with Israel and Turkey – playing a key role in balancing regional power blocs and advancing Trump’s goals for the Middle East.

The post Israel, Azerbaijan Strengthen Strategic Alliance With Gas Exploration Deal Signing in Jerusalem first appeared on Algemeiner.com.