The Senate this afternoon voted overwhelmingly to reject Senator Bernie Sanders' (I-VT) two anti-Israel resolutions to block vital arms sales to the Jewish state.
Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tina Smith (D-MN), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Peter Welch (D-VT) — all endorsed by J Street — voted with Sanders in favor of the anti-Israel resolutions. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), also endorsed by J Street, voted "present."
Speaking on the Senate floor before the vote, Sanders falsely accused Israel of "war crimes" and "barbarism" while ignoring Hamas' abhorrent use of human shields and refusal to release the hostages. He parroted Hamas propaganda while specifically condemning AIPAC and our pro-Israel members across the country for exercising our rights as Americans to engage in the political process.
Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Sanders in making a speech before the vote to demonize our ally and urge other senators to block vital arms to Israel.
On the other side, Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Risch (R-ID) spoke out to urge their colleagues to vote against these dangerous resolutions. As Senator Rosen said:
"The resolutions we're debating today will hurt Israel's ability to defend itself... These resolutions would block weapons that are critical to restocking Israel's defenses and deterring Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and others... If passed, these resolutions would embolden more attacks like these from Iran — and again its terrorist proxies. It would send a disastrous statement to the world emboldening terrorism and potentially prolonging wars in the region... So I urge my colleagues to stand with and stand for our historic and mutually beneficial relationship with Israel and the Israeli people."
AIPAC applauds the Senate for standing with Israel and again resoundingly rejecting Sanders' proposed bans on critical weapons sales to the Jewish state as it fights to protect its families from Iran and its terrorist proxies.
Thank you for your ongoing support for AIPAC as we work with Congress to defeat these anti-Israel efforts in the Senate and House and ensure America continues to stand with the Jewish state.
U.S. sanctions network aiding Iran-backed Houthis
The United States yesterday sanctioned a network that was helping deliver weapons to the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen.
"The network has procured tens of millions of dollars’ worth of commodities from Russia, including weapons and sensitive goods, as well as stolen Ukrainian grain, for onward shipment to Houthi-controlled Yemen," the Treasury Department said in a statement.
"Today’s action underscores our commitment to degrading the Houthis’ ability to threaten the region through their destabilizing activities," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
"The United States is committed to eliminating the Iran-backed Houthis’ capabilities and resources to conduct attacks on our servicemembers and naval assets, while ending their ability to threaten the security of the United States and our partners," State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce added.
U.S. opposes anti-Israel U.N. official's reappointment
The U.S. mission to the United Nations sent a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today opposing the renewal of Francesca Albanese's role as U.N. Special Rapporteur due to her "virulent antisemitism, which demonizes Israel and supports Hamas."
This follows a separate letter led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast opposing Albanese's renewal, saying in part, "She has consistently aligned herself with Hamas terrorists, accused Israel of genocide, likened the Government of Israel to the 'Third Reich,' and compared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler."
Israel strikes military assets in Syria
The IDF last night conducted airstrikes in Syria, targeting "remaining military capabilities" including runways, fuel depots and radars at airbases belonging to the former Syrian regime.
Israeli aircraft also struck "military infrastructure" in the Damascus area, the IDF said.
Today, Israel also conducted strikes targeting the town of Kiswah south of Damascus.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the airstrikes last night were "a clear message and a warning for the future - we will not allow the security of the State of Israel to be harmed."
CENTCOM commander visits Israel
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Gen. Michael Kurilla travelled to Israel this week for an official visit and held an assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.
The IDF said the meeting focused on "strategic security issues across the region," and it comes as the United States continues to conduct airstrikes against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen and builds up military forces in the region.
Yesterday, Zamir visited IDF troops in Rafah and vowed that "the only thing that can stop us from advancing is the release of our hostages."
Enhancing U.S.-Israel energy cooperation
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright met today with Israeli Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Eli Cohen in Washington, D.C.
"The United States and Israel share a long history of partnership on key energy initiatives, and I was pleased to meet with Minister Cohen today to discuss the role the United States can continue to play in advancing innovation and investment in Israel’s energy sector... This enduring collaboration not only benefits both countries, but also the broader region, and the world. I look forward to continuing to work together to grow this important relationship," Wright said.
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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