To view this email as a web page, go to the link below, or copy and paste it into your browser's address window.
[link removed]



Dear A.,


Today, the U.S. State Department announced that Hamas had rejected the latest ceasefire-hostage deal.


Secretary of State Antony Blinken "noted that Hamas has once again refused to release even a limited number of hostages to secure a ceasefire and relief for the people of Gaza," according to a U.S.
[link removed]
readout of his call with Egypt’s foreign minister.


According to
[link removed]
reports , the Egyptian proposal would have "begun with an initial 48-hour ceasefire during which Hamas would have prepared for the release of four Israeli hostages over the next 10 days" in exchange for the release of around 100 Palestinian security prisoners.


101 hostages, including seven Americans, remain captive in Gaza. America must increase the pressure on Qatar and Turkey to use their leverage over Hamas to free the hostages.

Iran and Russia expand partnership


Russia
[link removed]
launched two Iranian satellites into orbit — the latest example of the American and Israeli adversaries strengthening their technological and military ties.


The U.S. intelligence community’s
[link removed]
2024 Worldwide Threat Assessment pointed out that Iran’s development of satellite launch vehicles "would shorten the timeline" for Iran to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile that could strike America "because the systems use similar technologies."


[link removed]


Today’s launch also comes as Moscow and Tehran plan to sign a "comprehensive strategic partnership" during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s planned visit to Russia, which is expected to take place soon, although no date has been publicized.


Last night, the nation’s top law enforcement and election security agencies released a
[link removed]
joint statement warning of increased Iranian and Russian attempts to sow disinformation ahead of the election. Iran "remains a significant foreign influence threat to U.S. elections," the statement notes.


Israel is on the frontlines against a global threat to America’s interests and values. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to read and share
[link removed]
this AIPAC memo we sent to congressional offices last week.

Netanyahu appoints new defense minister


Today, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Foreign Minister Israel Katz to be the new defense minister, after dismissing Yoav Gallant from the position.


"We will work together to advance the defense establishment to victory against our enemies and to achieve the goals of the war: the return of all the hostages as the most important mission, the destruction of Hamas in Gaza, the defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the curbing of Iranian aggression and the safe return of the residents of the north and south to their homes," Katz said following the announcement.


The U.S. Defense Department Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder said in a statement, "America’s commitment to Israel’s security remains ironclad, and the U.S. Department of Defense will continue to work closely with Israel’s next Minister of Defense."


Gideon Sa’ar will replace Katz as foreign minister.

Israel on high alert for Iranian attack


The IDF
[link removed]
heightened its state of alert and readiness yesterday in anticipation of a potential Iranian attack.


Iranian officials are
[link removed]
telling diplomats from other countries in the region that it plans to launch a "strong and complex" response "involving even more powerful warheads and other weapons" than its unprecedented October 1 ballistic missile attack.


But the latest intelligence suggests that Iran might delay its attack for a few days until after the U.S. elections are finalized.


Assessments still point to potential attacks from Iranian proxies in Iraq, Syria or Yemen, rather than from Iran directly. Security officials say Iran is also considering attempts to target senior Israeli figures both domestically and abroad.



Tell Congress: Oppose Efforts to Block Arms to Israel
In August, the Biden administration approved five major arms sales to Israel. These weapons are essential for Israel to deter, defend against, and confront Iran and its proxies.


Yet some members have introduced resolutions to block some of these sales.

Their efforts must be defeated.

[link removed]



New evidence of Iranian training for Hamas terrorists


A Bloomberg
[link removed]
report today highlights new evidence of Iranian military and weapons training for Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorists ahead of the October 7 massacre.


The report cites classroom notes written in Arabic by a terrorist from Gaza who received the training in Iran. The courses — each of which lasted three to five months and included a few dozen operatives from Hamas and PIJ — were run by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps since at least 2016.


The course notes "include tips for crafting molds to make the 'Talash' drone and operational instructions for the larger 'Kian' drone, both designed in Iran. They also cover where to position explosives in short-range rockets, the best resins to use to make the projectiles and how to conceal landmines in fake rocks."


In a 2021 speech following a round of fighting, now-dead Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar thanked Iran because it "did not hold back on us with money, weapons, and expertise."

Video of the Day: C-Dome intercepts drone


In recent days, Israel’s naval air defense system, C-Dome,
[link removed]
intercepted an enemy drone near Israel’s coastline over the Mediterranean Sea.


This successful interception joins countless others against missiles and drones, both by C-Dome and its land-based counterpart, Iron Dome.


AIPAC has lobbied Congress to pass more than $3 billion to help Israel produce and acquire the Iron Dome since 2011.


[link removed]

Other notable headlines
-
[link removed]
Israel informs U.N. that 1967 agreement recognizing UNRWA is void

-
[link removed]
How Missile Defense Works (and Why It Fails)

-
[link removed]
Nova survivor who lost wife on Oct. 7 goes home after almost 400 days in hospital

-
[link removed]
Technology, drones and complexity: The IDF’s battle for Jabalya

-
[link removed]
IAF strikes Hezbollah facility in Al Qusayr, Syria


Continue to
[link removed]
follow AIPAC on social media for the latest, including updates on tonight's elections.


There are 362 AIPAC-backed candidates on the ballot tonight, and every indication is that this incoming Congress will be the most pro-Israel ever elected.


Sincerely,

Jake Braunstein

Director of Policy Communications


[link removed]
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.


[link removed]










<!--

-->


<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" align="center">

<br>
<!-- FOOTER CONTENT -->
<tr>
<td style="color:#8a8a8a;"align="center" valign="top" width="100%">
<table class="container" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600">
<tr>
<td align="center" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: #959595; padding:0px 0px 25px 0px;">

<span>AIPAC<br>
</span>251 H St. NW • Washington D.C. 20001 • TEL 202-639-5200
<br>
<br>
<span style="color:#8a8a8a;"> To Manage Your Email Preferences... <a style="color:#8a8a8a;" href=[link removed] alias="Link">Click Here</a></span>

</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</table>