Once again, we end another week filled with so much news and fast changing events. Below my signature is an update on the major developments from the past 24 hours, but I first want to share one of the most significant events we made possible this week.
On Tuesday night, and because of our work and political strategy, we helped ensure that an anti-Israel Republican won’t be coming back to Congress.
John Hostettler was a former representative running for his old seat in Indiana. He was heavily favored and had broad name recognition in the district. During his previous stint in Congress, Hostettler was a consistent vote against aid to Israel and an outspoken critic of the Jewish state and our community. He was endorsed by Rand Paul and was well positioned to come back to Washington.
Until we stepped in.
Our community supported one of his opponents, Mark Messmer, a pro-Israel leader who was endorsed by the AIPAC PAC. United Democracy Project (UDP), the AIPAC-backed super PAC, spent more than $1.5 million in the race. Messmer climbed up the polls and won this race by 19 points. This was UDP’s first race in a Republican primary, and because of us, a seat that was nearly filled by an anti-Israel critic will be filled by a pro-Israel rising star.
This win was the 117th win of the cycle by AIPAC-endorsed candidates, and we have won in every district we’ve had a candidate in the race. Together, we are shaping the next Congress, ensuring our friends are back in Washington and working to defeat those who want to undermine the U.S.-Israel relationship.
The next several months will be crucial for our community with several key races, including next Tuesday in Maryland where pro-Israel candidate Sarah Elfreth is on the ballot.
Thank you for your help in defeating John Hostettler, and I look forward to updating you about these races.
Sincerely,
Cory Meyer Deputy Director of Communications
26 House Democrats send letter to Biden criticizing arms delay
"We are deeply concerned about the message the Administration is sending to Hamas and other Iranian-backed terrorist proxies by withholding weapons shipments to Israel," wrote 26 House Democrats in a letter to President Biden today.
"We have a duty to continue to equip Israel with the resources she needs to defend herself and crush the terrorists who also seek to do America harm, free the hostages including the Americans, continue delivering critical humanitarian aid to innocent civilians in Gaza, and to stand by our democratic allies around the world." Read the letter here.
The letter was led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Jared Golden (D-ME), co-signed by Reps. Brad Schneider (D-IL), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Susie Lee (D-NV), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Kathy Manning (D-NC), Greg Landsman (D-OH), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Norma Torres (D-CA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Pat Ryan (D-NY), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Don Davis (D-NC), Grace Meng (D-NY), Darren Soto (D-FL), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ).
U.N. General Assembly adopts Palestinian statehood resolution, U.S. votes no
The United Nations General Assembly overwhelming approved a resolution today that gives the “State of Palestine” many of the rights and privileges reserved for member states.
The vote passed 143-9 with 25 abstentions. The United States voted against the resolution and issued this statement, saying that unilateral measures by the Palestinians at the U.N. do not advance the goal of peace.
The other eight countries voting no were Argentina, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Micronesia, Nauru, Papa New Guinea, and Palau.
"The United States rightly voted against the latest Palestinian attempt to use the U.N. to circumvent direct talks with Israel.
Today's vote once again reaffirms the Palestinians are more interested in demonizing and isolating Israel than living in peace with Israel.
The United States must continue to demand the Palestinian Authority stop these counterproductive actions, take steps that will actually help bring peace - including ending its pay-to-slay program - and prioritize reforming and revitalizing its corrupt and broken government."
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz labelled the decision a “prize for Hamas.”
Hamas and Hezbollah launch barrages of rockets into Israel
Israelis in the north and south came under attack today by barrages of rockets launched by Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
Hezbollah fired 35 rockets at the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona. Fifteen Hezbollah rockets were shot down by Iron Dome, the latest demonstration of the remarkable and lifesaving system we lobby for together.
Meanwhile, Hamas continued to attack Israelis in the south today, launching rockets from Rafah at the city of Beersheva, a city of more than 250,000 people.
Several mortars and rockets were also launched from the Rafah area at the southern border communities of Sufa, Kerem Shalom and Nir Yitzhak and at troops in Gaza.
The IDF continued to operate against Hamas cells across central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip. Four soldiers were killed as battles raged near Gaza City.
America must stand with Israel and send the resources it needs to protect its families and confront Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah.
House and Senate introduce U.S.-Israel anti-tunnel legislation
The House and Senate are advancing bipartisan legislation to better equip both countries to counter tunnel threats.
The House version is led by Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Seth Moulton (D-MA).
The bill provides $80 million a year to scale up essential U.S.-Israel anti-tunnel cooperation to ensure the United States and Israel have the best technology and tools available to detect, destroy and maneuver through terror tunnels.
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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