By Lisa Kashinsky and Kelly Garrity

NEW: DEAR SENATOR WARREN — More than 260 staffers from Elizabeth Warren’s 2020 presidential campaign have signed an open letter to the senator demanding that she call for an “immediate ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas.

The former staffers also want Warren to “advocate for de-escalation in the region” and for Hamas to return Israeli hostages. They’re urging her to “condemn Israeli violations of international law and call for independent investigations of human rights violations in Gaza.” And they want Warren to “support Palestinians’ right to self-determination” among other longer-term requests.

“We spent months, some of us years, fighting for you because we believed you shared our dream for the world to be a place in which every human being can live in dignity. Your lack of moral clarity in the face of the genocide of Palestinians is a direct contradiction of the values your campaign stood for,” the former staffers wrote. A spokesperson for Warren did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The former staffers include field organizers and political directors and members of Warren’s data and analytics and social media teams, we report here. They worked at her national campaign headquarters and in 23 states, including Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

"We felt a responsibility as people who worked really hard on her campaign, and who really believe in her and trust her, to say something publicly, and to urge her to take a different approach,” Juliana Amin, Warren’s former Iowa organizing director, who helped draft the letter, told Playbook in an interview.

Notably absent from the letter are some of Warren’s top aides from her 2020 bid, including campaign manager Roger Lau and communications director Kristen Orthman, as well as many of her early state directors.

Warren has drawn sustained criticism from the left for not joining other progressive lawmakers — including Reps. Jim McGovern and Ayanna Pressley — in calling for a ceasefire. Members of progressive Jewish groups including IfNotNow have demonstrated at Warren’s offices in Boston and Springfield in hopes of convincing her to call for a “ceasefire to prevent genocide in Gaza.” Progressive activists have also taken to social media to pressure Warren to call for de-escalation in the region and slammed her statement on the recent deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital.

“I appreciate the people who came to my office to share their perspectives and experiences — that’s what democracy is about,” Warren said in a statement to the Boston Globe about the demonstrations. “Israel has both a right to defend itself from terrorist attacks and an obligation to protect innocent civilians under the international laws of war. Palestinian civilians have a right to humanitarian aid including food, water, shelter, and medicine.”

Warren initially offered full-throated support for Israel in the days after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. In an emotional speech at the same pro-Israel rally where Sen. Ed Markey was booed for calling for de-escalation, Warren said there is “no justification for terrorism ever” and pledged that America would be a “steadfast ally” to Israel.

As Israel moved to cut off all supplies of food, water and electricity to the Gaza Strip and urged the evacuation of 1 million people from the northern part of the enclave ahead of an expected military ground invasion, Warren’s language shifted. She called on Israel to “minimize civilian harm.” And she backed President Joe Biden’s move to send $100 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Amin insists that’s not enough. "You can't say we're going to give $100 million of humanitarian aid … and also not disavow military support for the sophisticated army that has been bombarding what is essentially an open-air prison,” she said.

“Elizabeth Warren is the kind of person who has historically always been willing to stand up and fight and do the right thing,” she added. “I'm hopeful that she'll do the same with this.”

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Tips? Scoops? Email us: [email protected] and [email protected].

TODAY — Warren, Markey, Rep. Bill Keating and White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu hold an infrastructure roundtable at 10:45 a.m. in Bourne. Warren, Markey, Landrieu and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll participate in a mayor's roundtable at 2:30 p.m. in Lowell. Gov. Maura Healey testifies at a Senate field hearing on federal investments alongside Warren and Markey at 3 p.m. in Lowell.

THIS WEEKEND  — Healey is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Rooney is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. deWit Impact Group's Jesse Mermell and former MassGOP Chair Jennifer Nassour are on NBC10’s “At Issue” at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Rep. Jake Auchincloss speaks at Temple Beth Shalom in Needham at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here.

— “Healey releases interest from rainy day fund in effort to attract federal money,” by Kinga Borondy, Telegram & Gazette: “With billions of dollars in federal funding at stake, Gov. Maura Healey on Thursday freed up $800 million from interest accrued on the state’s $8 billion rainy day fund to use as the state aggressively pursues federal money. Healey said $12 million would be be allocated to help municipalities identify federal funding opportunities and prepare the best applications possible to compete for that money. Another $50 million will serve to ensure the state and municipalities have cash on hand when federal funding is contingent on local or state matches.”

— “Both Branches Now On Board With Salary Disclosure Bill,” by Sam Doran, State House News Service (paywall).

— “In the Allston-Brighton city council race, a tale of two progressives,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “In Boston’s northwest corner, a unique political narrative is unfolding this election season. Here, in Allston-Brighton, a two-term progressive incumbent who became the first openly gay female councilor to be elected in the city’s history, is facing a challenger who claims to be even more reform-minded.”

— “‘I wish I had known earlier’: T chief says Green Line extension is so defective that key part will need to be fixed,” by Taylor Dolven, Laura Crimaldi, Sean P. Murphy and Hanna Krueger, Boston Globe: “The Green Line extension is riddled with so many defects — far more than previously disclosed — workers will now have to reposition the rails along much of the 4.7-mile stretch, T general manager Phillip Eng announced Thursday, marking the most stunning setback yet for the multi-billion dollar project that fully opened less than one year ago.”

DESANTIS IN MASS. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will swing through the Bay State on Monday for a pair of high-dollar fundraisers and a meet-and-greet to benefit the MassGOP, according to three people with knowledge of the events and invitations obtained by Playbook.

MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale, Vice Chair Jay Fleitman and Massachusetts’ Republican National Committee members Janet Fogarty and Ron Kaufman will host DeSantis for an afternoon event in Boston that the party is billing as “our first in the series of presidential candidate meet and greets benefiting the Massachusetts Republican Party.”

It’s part of Carnevale’s plan to ask the Republican presidential hopefuls to pay up to $20,000 for the party to submit their name for next year’s primary ballot. Candidates, like DeSantis, who hold an event with the party are only being asked to pay $10,000.

Ahead of the MassGOP event, DeSantis is expected to attend a lunchtime fundraiser hosted by Brian Shortsleeve, a Gov. Charlie Baker alum who held a reception for DeSantis in Cotuit over the summer.

Later, DeSantis is slated to headline a reception organized by former congressional candidate and businessman Rick Green and his wife, Maggie Green. GOP state Sen. Ryan Fattman and Jim Rappaport are among the hosts. Tickets start at $1,000 and chairs are asked to raise $11,600, according to an invitation reviewed by Playbook.

— “Dean Phillips has told lawmakers he’s running against Joe Biden,” by Nicholas Wu, Elena Schneider and Holly Otterbein, POLITICO: “Phillips has frequently called for Biden to face a primary challenger, citing the president’s age and arguing that he has a ‘sense that the country is begging for alternatives.’ And he has taken several steps in recent weeks toward launching a presidential run, including calling New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley last week and reaching out to several potential staffers about working in New Hampshire.”

PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW.

— “Biden: America at ‘inflection point’ in Israel and Ukraine,” by Myah Ward and Jonathan Lemire, POLITICO: "President Joe Biden used a rare Oval Office address Thursday night to forcefully advocate for aiding both Israel and Ukraine. And he laid out a dark vision of what would happen should that aid, along with America’s larger commitment to defending democracy, not be delivered."

— “Tim Scott proposal targets Harvard’s federal funding as students rally against Israel again,” by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: “A Republican presidential candidate is threatening to block Harvard from receiving federal funding as the school is seen as a ‘hotbed of antisemitism,' while pro-Palestinian student groups continue to rally on campus.”

— “Harvard Yard remains closed to visitors as students protest Israel-Hamas war,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe.

— “Display of 10,000 US and Israeli flags in Park Plaza shows solidarity amid war,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe.

— “1,928 confirmed cases and 20 deaths in a week. See the latest COVID-19 data from Mass.,” by Boston Globe staff.

— “Following Boston, Somerville residents no longer have to specify gender on marriage certificates,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe.

— “Mass. might face a 'Snowmageddon' this winter. Thanks, El Niño,” by Barbara Moran, WBUR.

— “New task force aimed at strengthening security of New Hampshire's border with Canada,” by Ray Brewer and Imani Fleming, WMUR: “In an aim to make New Hampshire’s border with Canada more secure, a new task force funded by the state will soon be operating at the northern border, but the American Civil Liberties Union is pushing back."

— “Top Ramaswamy adviser jumps from PAC to campaign,” by Adam Wren and Lisa Kashinsky, POLITICO: “[Michael Biundo, a] top New Hampshire-based aide to Vivek Ramaswamy’s allied super PAC is leaving the group to work directly on his campaign.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Steve Gaertner and Michael Clark, former senior adviser to state Sen. Eric Lesser and current PAC manager for AIPAC.

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Benchmark Strategies’ Jessica Morris, Daniel Sheehan, Erik Bruun, Sam Hiersteiner, Brian Rosman, Megan Murray, Edith Gregson and Shaye J.D. Cohen, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers state Rep. John Rogers, Jonathan Carvalho, Jenna Lamond, Atlantic Council’s Trey Herr, Lindsay Kalter and Connor Meoli. 

NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: BOND, HOUSING BOND — GBH’s Katie Lannan joins hosts Steve Koczela and Lisa Kashinsky to discuss the building blocks of Gov. Maura Healey’s housing bond bill. Koczela and Kashinsky dive into the latest on the state’s migrant crisis. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and SoundCloud.

Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: [email protected].

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