Tomorrow marks 400 days since Hamas’ barbaric October 7 massacre.
The horrors of that day are still fresh, especially with 101 hostages – including 7 Americans – still being held captive by Hamas.
For 400 days, the people of Israel have stood up with tremendous strength and resiliency, confronting Iran and its proxies on seven fronts to protect its families and ensure October 7 can never happen again. Our ally is on the front lines against terrorists that threaten not only Israel, but America and the West too.
Through AIPAC, pro-Israel Americans have also stood strong over the past 400 days. Together, we’ve ensured America supports our ally, we’ve lobbied our elected officials to provide vital resources that Israel needs to protect its families, and we’ve helped elect hundreds of pro-Israel Democrats and Republicans and defeated 11 anti-Israel candidates for Congress.
As we head into Shabbat and reflect on yet another somber milestone, I want to thank you for your enduring support and commitment to our work together.
Challenging days still lie ahead, but our work together undoubtedly ensures that America and Israel are safer, stronger and better prepared to confront the threats they face.
Below my signature are a compilation of key stories from this week and social posts you can share.
101 people are still held hostage by Hamas, including 7 Americans.
Every day, every hour, every minute is a nightmare.
10 women have been held hostage by Hamas for 400 days. We know what Hamas is doing to them.
Hamas started this war 400 days ago by breaking a ceasefire and slaughtering 1,200 Israelis.
New AIPAC Memo: Preserving Israel’s QME Promotes America’s Interests
Over the past year, Israel has effectively defended itself against simultaneous and sustained attacks from Iran and its proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis — all of which are enemies of both Israel and the United States.
This has been possible due to Israel’s qualitative military edge (QME) — its ability to counter and defeat any combination of conventional threats. America’s commitment to Israel’s QME is enshrined in law and serves as the basis of Congress’ historic support for our democratic ally.
Especially as Israel faces a seven-front war, Congress must continue to ensure Israel has the weapons needed to maintain its QME and confront the shared threats posed by Iran and its terrorist proxies.
Efforts to block arms sales to Israel undermine our ally’s QME, increase the risk of attacks against our ally, and undermine American interests.
Iran is selling $100 million worth of oil every day, primarily to China, in violation of U.S. sanctions.
The bipartisan Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act went into effect on October 21 and gives the president expanded powers to crack down on Iran’s illicit oil sales.
Since the SHIP Act went into effect, Iran has made an estimated more than $1.8 billion in oil sales. The United States must take immediate action to crack down on Iran's illicit oil sales.
Hezbollah Attacks on Israel Continue
Hezbollah is continuing to bombard Israeli cities, launching dozens of rockets and drones into Israel this week alone.
An Israeli teenager was killed by a Hezbollah rocket attack on Wednesday.
On Saturday, 11 civilians were injured in a direct rocket strike on a home in central Israel.
A Hezbollah rocket struck an open area of Ben Gurion Airport outside of Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The rocket was part of a volley of 10 missiles that sent Tel Aviv residents into bomb shelters.
Meanwhile, Israel is continuing to eliminate key Hezbollah infrastructure and terrorists in Lebanon — roughly a month after beginning its ground offensive there.
In southern Lebanon, IDF troops found weapons stored in both the kitchen and children's room of a residential building, including RPGs, rocket launchers, rockets, grenades, and AK-47 rifles.
An IDF chief reported that his company had discovered “a very, very deep underground infrastructure… an ammunition storage facility that was concealed in the thicketed terrain.”
Israel also eliminated two Hezbollah commanders who were responsible for multiple rocket attacks, including the attack in Majdal Shams that killed 12 children and the rocket attack last Thursday that killed 5 civilians in Metula.
The United States must continue to stand with Israel and ensure our ally has the resources and support needed to degrade Hezbollah and enable the 80,000 displaced Israelis to return safely to their homes in the north.
Israel is currently facilitating the second round of polio vaccines in the enclave. On Tuesday, over 10,000 children under 10 years old received polio vaccines. Over 105,000 children have been vaccinated in northern Gaza, and additional vaccinations will be available in the coming days.
Aid trucks are also continuing deliveries into Gaza through multiple entry points. On just Tuesday, 101 trucks carrying humanitarian food were delivered, while some 575 are awaiting collection.
12 bakeries are operating throughout Gaza and producing nearly 3 million loaves of pita a day.
Since October 7, Israel has facilitated the entry of more than one million tons of aid into Gaza.
Israel is going to unprecedented lengths to provide humanitarian aid to Gazans even as Hamas continues to divert that aid, launch attacks on Israeli forces and hold 101 hostages. The United States must increase the pressure on Hamas to surrender and release all the hostages.
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.
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
