On Monday, AIPAC President Michael Tuchin announced the launch of the AIPAC Policy Blitz to press Congress to adopt key pieces of bipartisan legislation this summer.
We are focused on four key arenas: confronting the threat from Iran, ensuring vital security assistance to Israel, building on the Abraham Accords, and further strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship — including through Israel’s acceptance into the Visa Waiver Program.
Israel is currently being considered for admission into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which would allow Israelis to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without needing to apply for a visa (learn more).
Israel, as one of America's closest allies, is an ideal candidate for admission and it has already taken many important steps to meet the program requirements.
But Rep. Rashida Tlaib and others in Congress are trying to block Israel’s entry into the Program. We need to push back.
Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) are leading a bipartisan Senate letter in support of Israel's admission to the Visa Waiver Program. More than a dozen senators have already agreed to sign on, but we want to push that number even higher.
As always, thank you for your support to ensure that the U.S.-Israel relationship continues to grow stronger.
Below are more headlines from this week.
Israeli Soldier Laid to Rest After Terror Attack
On Saturday, three Israeli soldiers were killed by an Egyptian soldier in a terror attack at the Israel-Egypt border. One of the soldiers, 19-year-old Sgt. Lia Ben Nun, was laid to rest on Sunday with 1,000 people in attendance. May their memories be for a blessing.
The funeral of Sgt. Lia Ben Nun. (Photo: Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
New Iranian Missiles Threaten Israel
Iranian state media reported that the regime has developed a hypersonic missile which "can bypass the most advanced anti-ballistic missile systems of the United States and the Zionist regime, including Israel's Iron Dome."
Meanwhile, the U.S. rolled out additional sanctions on Iranian and Chinese entities which are enabling Iran's ballistic missile program.
This week, the Department of Defense hosted a meeting of the Negev Forum, including over 30 officials from the U.S., Israel, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, and the UAE, to discuss opportunities to build peace and security in the Middle East. The multilateral Negev Forum, built on the foundation of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, is an important step forward in expanding the circle of peace between Israel and its neighbors.
Secretary Blinken Speaks to AIPAC
On Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed AIPAC, laying out the administration's policy priorities.
Secretary Blinken said:
"We continue to reject the global boycott, divestment and sanctions movement for unfairly singling out Israel."
"Iran cannot, and will not, be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon... as President Biden has repeatedly made clear, all options are on the table to ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon."
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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