This week, Congress advanced numerous important pieces of pro-legislation as it prepares to adjourn for the August recess.
First, the Senate on Wednesday passed — by unanimous consent — S.Con.Res.14, affirming America’s unwavering partnership with the Jewish state and rejecting false accusations that Israel is a racist or apartheid state. This resolution mirrors the House resolution passed last week in a vote of 412-9.
Also on Wednesday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed two important bills to help address the threat posed by Iran.
And last night, the Senate passed numerous pro-Israel provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act, including $500 million for missile defense cooperation. This follows both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees passing bills that include full funding of security assistance to Israel.
Read this AIPAC statement for more details on these recent pro-Israel achievements.
This strong bipartisan support for Israel doesn't just happen. Each one of these important pro-Israel measures is the result of our work together to ensure America stands with Israel.
Thank you for your continued commitment to this important mission.
Below are more stories we are following from over the week.
Palestinian Terrorists Launch Rocket from Jenin
Palestinian terrorists near the West Bank city of Jenin attempted to launch a homemade rocket at a nearby Israeli town on Thursday morning.
Palestinian terrorist groups are looking to turn the West Bank into another Gaza Strip — heavily armed and much closer to Israel’s major population centers.
U.S. CENTCOM General Visits Israel
This week, CENTCOM chief Gen. Erik Kurilla met with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi to discuss the Iranian threat and how to increase cooperation between America and Israel.
This came the day after Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with his counterpart Yoav Gallant where he reaffirmed that the "U.S. commitment to Israel's security is ironclad."
J Street is Not Pro-Israel
This week, J Street champion Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced an anti-Israel amendment that would dangerously politicize and jeopardize all security assistance to Israel. J Street endorses him, fundraises for him, and hosts him at events. J Street is many things, but it's not pro-Israel.
The Importance of Security Assistance to Israel
This week, pro-Israel leaders from Washington to Jerusalem published four notable articles highlighting the importance of U.S. security assistance to Israel and the U.S.-Israel partnership:
"For the BDS movement, which would retain its raison d’etre regardless of what happens in Washington, D.C., ending U.S. aid to Israel is a distant second to ending Israel itself."
"More than anything, the aid symbolizes America’s commitment to Israel’s security, which dramatically affects Israel’s and America’s deterrence posture and avoids a military confrontation in the region."
"The details of U.S. military assistance to Israel are not always well understood, leading some supporters of Israel to mistakenly align with Israel’s detractors in advocating for an end to such aid."
"Cut off American assistance now, or say we will plan to do so, and the Iranians and Hezbollah will up the ante and make a conflict far more likely."
Letter from AIPAC President Michael Tuchin
Earlier this week, AIPAC President Michael Tuchin sent a letter regarding new legislation passed by Israel's Knesset. Read his letter here if you haven't already.
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.
AIPAC 251 H St. NW • Washington D.C. 20001 • TEL 202-639-5200
