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Dear A.,
Today, the Senate moved one step closer to passing the lifesaving emergency aid package for Israel. This assistance is vital as the war continues and Israel works to achieve its three objectives in Gaza: drive Hamas from power, prevent it from fulfilling its genocidal promise of repeating October 7, and free the hostages.
The procedural vote was an important benchmark that allows the Senate to immediately begin consideration of a broader bill that includes funding for Israel, Taiwan, Ukraine, and humanitarian needs. Included in the bill is a key provision that blocks any of the humanitarian aid from being sent to UNRWA.
Together, we’ve been the tip of the spear lobbying Congress to approve the $14.3 billion in emergency assistance requested by President Biden, and our community has sent more than 4 million calls and emails to Capitol Hill since October.
While today’s vote was a good step forward, this will continue to be a long and winding process and we’ll need your help every step of the way.
The Senate may consider a series of amendments to the bill that will require our community to quickly contact our elected officials to support or oppose key changes that could affect Israel. Please be on the lookout for AIPAC Action Alerts.
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Take two minutes tonight to email your senators and urge them to support final passage of the emergency funding for Israel, without added conditions.
Reports: Sinwar "out of contact" with other Hamas leadership
Israeli officials believe Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has been
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out of contact for the last ten days, as the IDF closes in on him and other Hamas leadership who are believed to be hiding in Khan Yunis and Rafah.
Reports suggest he is on the run and unable to make contact with Hamas leaders abroad or with Qatari and Egyptian officials who are engaged in negotiations over a potential hostage deal.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said this week that Sinwar "turned from the head of Hamas into a fugitive terrorist, and IDF forces continue to pursue him."
Hezbollah launches 30 rockets into northern Israel, IDF eliminates Hezbollah commander
At least 30 rockets were fired by Hezbollah into Israeli communities in the Galilee this afternoon. The Iran-backed terrorist group also struck an IDF base earlier in the day, seriously wounding an officer and injuring two Israeli soldier stationed there.
The IDF responded with air strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure and the site of the launches.
Two Hezbollah operatives were also targeted today in a reported Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon. Video showed a burning car that had been carrying the two Hezbollah officials – one of whom reportedly
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a top Hezbollah commander .
As Hezbollah escalates its attacks on Israel, and Iranian-backed terrorists continue to attack from Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Gaza, America must ensure Israel has the resources it needs to protect its families.
Lawmakers seek pressure on Qatar for hostage release
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz said this week that Congress might seek to pressure Qatar through the government funding process to seek the release of hostages in Gaza.
"We have very specific things that can specifically — country by country — begin to ratchet up the pressure," Wasserman Schultz said. "These are countries that all have an interest in remaining a friend of the United States."
Senator Joni Ernst, who led a congressional delegation to Qatar and Israel last month to put pressure on the Qatari government, said that Qatar "need[s] to step up" and suggested that Hamas leaders should be expelled from the country if the Qatari government is no longer in communication with Hamas in Gaza.
"She deserves to have her story told."
Today, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand once again
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spoke on the Senate floor to urge the release of the 136 hostages still held captive in Gaza.
"We must not abandon them. We must not abandon hope. We must tell their stories and do everything we can to bring them home," Gillibrand said. She then shared the story of Romi Gonen, who was taken away to Gaza by Hamas terrorists after surviving an ambush near the Nova music festival. I encourage you to click the graphic below to share her story on social media.
Sincerely,
Cory Meyer
Digital Engagement Director
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Share Romi Gonen's story on
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X ,
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Instagram and
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Facebook .
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Support our work to keep Israel safe.
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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