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Dear A.,
This week, Israeli President Isaac Herzog began mediating between Israel’s various political factions to seek a compromise on judicial reform, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a pause in the legislative process.
Over the past few months, Israel’s robust democracy has been on full display, as its citizens have passionately engaged in determining the policies that will guide their country.
As Israelis vigorously exercise their rights to free speech and peaceful protest, it reminds us of the shared values and common bonds that unite Americans and Israelis.
As
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Bret Stephens wrote in The New York Times this week, “If Israel’s democracy is to be judged, let it at least be judged against other democracies. By that standard, it may be in better health than is sometimes believed.”
And as Israelis engage in this vigorous debate, the enemies of the Jewish state continue to pursue Israel’s destruction.
Iran continued to strengthen its military partnership with Russia and China this week, as it is closer than ever to achieving a nuclear weapon. Hamas in Gaza is calling for more terrorism during Ramadan, while Hezbollah in Lebanon amasses an ever-increasing arsenal of highly advanced rockets and missiles.
Amid these growing threats, our work to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship is as important as ever. Together, we must continue to ensure America is strong and Israel is safe and secure.
See below for more stories we are following from over the week. There will be no AIPAC Update next week in observance of Passover.
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New Bill Would Strengthen U.S.-Israel Defense Cooperation
Last Friday,
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new bipartisan legislation was introduced by Reps. Joe Wilson (R-SC), Jared Golden (D-ME), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Jason Crow (D-CO), Mike Turner (R-OH) and Pat Ryan (D-NY) to:
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Strengthen U.S.-Israel defense cooperation.
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Authorize $50 million in annual funding for a new U.S.-Israel Future of Warfare Research and Development Fund to facilitate this greater collaboration.
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Ensure both nations work together in critical 21st century fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, directed energy and automation.
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Urge your representative to cosponsor the U.S.-Israel Future of Warfare Act to help America and Israel better prepare for emerging threats.
Key quotes:
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“The United States and Israel face a number of common, evolving threats. It is critical that we work together strategically to develop joint defense technologies to ensure we are on the cutting edge of research and development, and a step ahead of our adversaries,” said Rep. Wilson.
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“The US-Israel Future of Warfare Fund will help both our nations to benefit from one another’s knowledge and experience to counter current and future threats in a rapidly changing strategic environment,” said Rep. Golden.
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TAKE ACTION:
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Urge your representatives to support the U.S.-Israel Future of Warfare Act.
Iran Attacks Americans, Deepens Alliance with Russia
This week, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Congress that there have been 83 Iranian attacks on Americans in Iraq and Syria since 2021.
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Last Thursday, an American contractor was killed in an Iranian drone attack in Syria, which also injured five other U.S. servicemembers.
Meanwhile: Iran and Russia continue to strengthen ties to evade sanctions and threaten Americans and our allies.
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Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Iran has provided Putin with hundreds of suicide drones to bomb Ukrainian cities and kill Ukrainians.
The latest: Iran is receiving
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advanced cyber weapons capabilities from Russia and recently announced it will buy advanced Russian fighter jets.
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On Wednesday, the Russian foreign minister met with his Iranian counterpart in Tehran to discuss a long-term strategic agreement, Iran's nuclear program and the war in Ukraine.
The big picture: Iran's escalating aggression and its deepening ties with U.S. adversaries are a direct threat to America and our allies.
Azerbaijan Opens Embassy in Israel
On Wednesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen met with his Azerbaijani counterpart in Jerusalem, as
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Azerbaijan opened its first-ever embassy in Israel.
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Azerbaijan will become the first Shiite-majority country to have an embassy in Israel.
Go deeper: Israel and Azerbaijan have become close allies as they deepen cooperation to counter the threat of Iran.
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“Israel and Azerbaijan share the same perception of the Iranian threats. The Iranian ayatollah regime threatens both our regions, finances terrorism and destabilizes the entire Middle East,” said Cohen.
Our view: The deepening partnerships between Israel and its neighbors are bringing peace, security, and prosperity to millions.
New Anti-Israel Letter Pushed by J Street-backed Members of Congress
This week, J Street-endorsed Rep. Jamaal Bowman and Sen. Bernie Sanders are circulating a letter on Capitol Hill that:
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Undermines American support for Israel.
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Ignores Palestinian terrorist groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and the Palestinian Authority’s heinous pay-for-slay program.
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Falsely insinuates that Israel is engaged in gross violations of human rights.
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Undermines the Biden administration's work to reduce tensions between Israel and the Palestinians.
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Click here to read this one-sided, anti-Israel letter that undermines American support for Israel. AIPAC has urged members of Congress not to sign this letter.
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Rabbis Urge Bipartisan Support for Israel
Earlier this month, two rabbis published op-eds explaining their support for AIPAC and our work to ensure bipartisan support for Israel in Congress:
In “
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AIPAC is the Unifier, ” Rabbi Jacob Herber of Herzl-Ner Tamid Synagogue in Mercer Island, Washington, writes:
“AIPAC’s embrace of bipartisan leaders on this narrow and specific issue is a model for unity and community. And of course, it is the only practical path to advance policy in Washington. ”
In "
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AIPAC Does the Difficult Work For Us, " Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner of Temple Emanu-El in Closter, New Jersey, writes:
"As a lifelong Zionist and a proud advocate for Israel, I have long admired AIPAC’s disciplined and pragmatic approach: Keep the pro-Israel tent wide, build strong relationships on both sides of the aisle, and ensure the doors are always open to the decision-makers in government who have the power to determine policy."
AIPAC is proud to lead the fight to strengthen bipartisan support for the U.S.-Israel alliance to help keep Israel safe and America strong.
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The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
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