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Dear A.,
Seeing firsthand the threats and opportunities facing America and Israel in the Middle East is the best way to truly understand them.
Last week, 24 House Democrats, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and 19 new Democratic House members, traveled to Israel on a delegation organized by AIEF, the charitable organization affiliated with AIPAC.
I encourage you to watch
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the 2-minute recap video below to see some of the highlights from the trip.
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These Democratic House members — many of whom were in Israel for the first time — received high-level briefings from senior IDF officers and Israeli political leaders from across the spectrum, toured Israel’s borders with Gaza and Lebanon, met with Israeli civilians who live under the constant threat of Palestinian terrorist rocket fire, and heard about the intense debate and protests over judicial reform.
Seeing firsthand the ongoing and emerging threats Israelis face everyday was deeply moving for these members, and reinforced for them how critical U.S. security assistance to Israel truly is.
American support helps ensure Israel has the resources and technology needed to detect underground tunnels, intercept incoming rockets, and deter Iranian-backed terror groups.
As these members return to Washington, they will be equipped with the firsthand knowledge and experience they need to truly understand the threats facing America and Israel in the region as well as the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Please
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visit and share this website with more videos and pictures from the trip.
Below are more notable stories from the week.
Elliott Abrams: "Do Not Cut Off Aid to Israel"
In
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a new piece in Commentary, Elliott Abrams writes, "too many of the arguments for ending aid today virtually ignore the real and murderous threats the Jewish state is facing."
He adds, "For the United States to end military aid today would send a message to all of Israel’s enemies that Israel’s greatest friend was stepping away, so they should double down on their plans for more, and more deadly, assaults on the Jewish state."
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Read the full op-ed here .
China-Iran Oil Sales Reach Decade Highs
Chinese imports of sanctioned Iranian oil are at
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the highest level in at least a decade as Iran continues to increase its oil exports this year and deepen its military alliances with Russia and China.
J Street is Not Pro-Israel
J Street has sent multiple fundraising emails this month for anti-Israel Congresswoman Summer Lee's reelection campaign, calling her "a champion of J Street's core values."
The group helped Rep. Lee defeat a pro-Israel Democrat in 2022. Now she's joined the anti-Israel squad in Congress, backing legislation to add conditions on aid to Israel, boycotting Israeli President Herzog's address to Congress, and aligning herself with Israel's loudest critics.
In nearly every 2022 primary election featuring a pro-Israel Democrat running against an anti-Israel candidate, J Street supported the anti-Israel candidate.
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Read and share this factsheet to learn more .
U.S. Sanctions Hezbollah Terror Proxy
The United States on Wednesday
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sanctioned the Lebanon-based organization "Green Without Borders," designating it a terrorist group for helping the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah.
A State Department spokesman said, "[Green Without Borders] sites have been used to conduct Hezbollah’s weapons training, to provide support for Hezbollah’s activities along the Blue Line in southern Lebanon... We are taking this action as part of our efforts to prevent and disrupt financial and other support for terrorist attacks in Lebanon, Israel, and around the world. "
Palestinian Terrorists Plot Attacks Against Israelis
IDF troops
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destroyed a lab used by Palestinian terror groups in the West Bank to produce weapons, and destroyed a warehouse containing seven explosive devices intended to be used against Israelis.
This comes after Israeli security forces
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arrested a Hamas terror cell which had planned to kidnap an IDF soldier and carry out shooting and bombing attacks against the IDF.
The
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Palestinian Authority has lost security control in several major West Bank cities, leading to a significant increase in terrorism.
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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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