Dear A.,

Today, the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), sending this important bill with many of AIPAC's top legislative priorities to the president's desk to be signed into law.

The bill authorizes over $627 million for critical U.S.-Israel cooperative programs, including $500 million for Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow.

This is at the heart of the work we do to make sure Israel has the resources it needs to protect its families and defeat its enemies. With this key legislative step accomplished, we must work to ensure Congress appropriates the funding for these programs in the new year.

I encourage you to watch and share the short video below to learn more about the AIPAC-backed policies authorized in this important legislation.

Iran's nuclear program is rapidly escalating

Britain, France and Germany said yesterday that Iran has increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to "unprecedented levels" without "any credible civilian justification," adding that Iran must "reverse its nuclear escalation."

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said earlier this week that Iran's uranium enrichment levels are "practically at the same level as nuclear-armed states."

Iran must never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon. The United States must urgently increase the pressure on Iran by fully enforcing economic sanctions, urge our allies to snapback sanctions, and establish a credible threat of military action to deter the regime.

IDF dismantles Hezbollah command center in Lebanon

Israel continues to operate in Lebanon to enforce the ceasefire and eliminate threats from Hezbollah. Today, the IDF dismantled an underground tunnel that led to a Hezbollah command center in southern Lebanon.

Weapons, surveillance systems, and other military equipment were located in the command center, while several additional weapons depots were found nearby, housing hundreds of explosives, rifles, grenades, and more.

According to the IDF, Hezbollah used the underground facility to direct numerous rocket attacks on Israeli towns over the past year. Israeli troops also located a Hezbollah weapons facility embedded inside a mosque, where hundreds of explosives, rifles, grenades, and other military equipment were stored.

It's essential that the United States continue to support Israel's right to defend itself and enforce the terms of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. Click here to read more about the deal.

U.S. strikes Houthi command and control center

On Monday, U.S. forces carried out an airstrike against a command and control center in Yemen used by the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists.

"The targeted facility was a hub for coordinating Houthi operations, such as attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden," CENTCOM said in a statement.

The Houthis have carried out hundreds of attacks since October 7, 2023, including direct attacks on Israel and Americans.

The United States should increase the pressure on Iran and its Houthi proxy, including by fully enforcing economic sanctions and working to interdict the flow of Iranian weapons to Yemen.

"The ball is in Hamas's court"

An Israeli official with knowledge of the ongoing hostage-ceasefire deal negotiations told The Times of Israel that "the ball is in Hamas’s court" to accept an agreement – adding that Hamas "refused every deal that was offered to them in this stage.” 

Axios' Barak Ravid reported today that significant gaps still remain and “there is still a long way to go."

CIA Director Bill Burns visited Doha today to meet with the Qatari prime minister and discuss the negotiations. Israel is continuing talks with Egypt and Qatar to work toward an agreement.

America must increase the pressure on Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar to use their leverage over Hamas to pressure the terrorists to release the hostages.

Continue to follow AIPAC on social media for the latest updates.

Sincerely,

Cory Meyer
Director of Communications