Today’s AIPAC This Week includes an interview with IDF Spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus who reminds us that amid the pandemic, Israel’s enemies didn’t take a day off.
The threats facing Israel persist and our role is as essential as ever.
As such, last week AIPAC hosted its first-ever virtual National Council meeting which concluded with more than 350 lobbying appointments on video and teleconference. We asked members of Congress to:
Support the U.S.-Israel relationship and security assistance to Israel.
Support the extension of the Iran arms embargo.
Support U.S.-Israel Cooperation on coronavirus. Less than one week after our meetings, more than 50 members of Congress have already cosponsored this legislation.
Below are more news stories we are following this week.
Sincerely,
Brian Shankman
Director of Regional Affairs and Development
Exclusive Interview: Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus
Featuring: IDF Spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus (9 minutes)
IDF Spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus sits down with AIPAC to discuss Israel's security situation, regional threats and the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Iranian Cyberattacks Threaten America and Our Allies
AIPAC Memo
Iran has dramatically escalated its cyberwarfare efforts with a major attack on Israel’s civilian water facilities last April. This sophisticated attack reportedly aimed to increase chlorine levels in Israel’s water system, poisoning many Israelis and limiting access to clean water.
Both America and Israel have been targets of Iranian cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. The two allies must work together to protect against this vulnerability and confront Iran’s malicious actions.
Defense Digest: June 2020
The security relationship between the United States and Israel is critically important to our national security. This week, we distributed Defense Digest to Congressional offices chronicling several recent examples of U.S.-Israel cooperation, including preparations the Army is making to deploy Iron Dome in the coming 15 months.
Strengthening the U.S.-Israel partnership in the areas of security and defense is a central tenet of our work. Last week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee adopted the United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2020 (S. 3176). This important bipartisan legislation seeks to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself, by itself, against continuing regional security threats.
BDS Co-Founder Says Goal is to End Israel
Jewish News Syndicate
If there was any doubt about the goal of the BDS campaign, its leader just doubled down.
In a newly recorded interview on May 21 with the Gazan Voice Podcast, co-founder of the BDS movement Omar Barghouti explains that should the movement’s goals be achieved, Israel would cease to exist.
Israel Ups 2030 Renewable Energy Target From 17% to 30%
Sue Surkes and The Times Of Israel Staff
Israel's Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz announced last week that the target for renewable energy by 2030 was officially being raised from 17 percent to 30 percent.
Over the coming decade, in the $22 billion plan, solar installations will be built to produce the equivalent of all the electricity produced today. More than 80% of Israel’s electricity will be generated by solar energy at peak hours.
We have lobbied for the creation of the BIRD-Energy program and the U.S.-Israel Energy Center—promoting renewable energy cooperation between the United States and Israel. These efforts have helped fund U.S.-Israel energy cooperation projects of up to $55.2 million.
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