I am writing with news about an important action that you helped make possible to counter the International Criminal Court's (ICC) attacks on Israel and America.
Context
The ICC is pursuing illegitimate and politically motivated charges against the United States and Israel.
AIPAC’s Efforts
For years, we have worked to educate elected officials about anti-Israel discrimination at international fora. At Policy Conference in March we began lobbying Congress to condemn the ICC’s actions through bipartisan letters led by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Rob Portman (R-OH) and Representatives Elaine Luria (D-VA) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI).
Congressional Leadership
Sixty-nine senators and 262 House members signed onto the bipartisan letters to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo standing with Israel against discrimination from the court.
Action by the Administration
Yesterday, Secretary Pompeo announced that President Trump has signed an executive order imposing sanctions on court officials pursuing investigations against the United States and Israel. The president determined the ICC’s investigations into U.S. officials and allies, such as Israel, constitute "an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States."
AIPAC applauds this step by the administration, and thanks the members of Congress who signed the bipartisan letters condemning the ICC’s actions.
I want to thank you for your work to help educate our elected leaders and engage them on this important issue.
Below my signature is more news from the week.
Sincerely,
Brian Shankman
Director of Regional Affairs and Development
Support U.S.-Israel Health Cooperation to Combat COVID-19
Israel is a key American partner in the fight against COVID-19.
A new bipartisan bill strengthens U.S.-Israel health cooperation to combat the coronavirus and improve American healthcare.
Iran Now Possesses the Largest Fleet of Combat Drones in the Middle East
Iran is the world's leading sponsor of terrorism. The regime already has the largest missile arsenal in the Middle East.
Now, Iran has undergone a drone revolution and has built the largest fleet of combat drones in the region.
A report from Iran's media, published on Sunday, takes a deep look into Iran’s drone history and provides insight into Iran’s emerging use of drones as a strategic weapon, one that it would like to use more against the United States and Israel.
IAEA Voices "Serious Concern" About Iran's Nuclear Violations, Stonewalling
The Iranian regime continues to violate its nuclear obligations, including denying international inspectors access to possible nuclear sites.
Last Friday, the International Atomic Energy Agency expressed serious concern that Iran has continued for months to deny inspectors access to nuclear-related sites, describing previous suspected activities there that could have been part of a nuclear weapons program.
Palestinians Refuse Second Planeload of Coronavirus Aid From UAE
On Wednesday, the Palestinian Authority (PA) again refused a planeload of medical supplies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to help fight coronavirus because it was routed through Israel.
This was the second airborne delivery of supplies by the UAE to help Palestinians suffering from COVID-19 that the PA rejected because of Israel's involvement.
Palestinian leaders would rather boycott Israel than ensure ordinary Palestinians receive medical aid.
American and Israeli Researchers Awarded $7.3 Million for Joint Agriculture Projects
The U.S.-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD) has approved grants of $7.3 million for 22 joint U.S.-Israel research projects.
The projects approved are in a wide range of fields including agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, animal production, animal health, crop health and production, water and renewable resources, and food production.
"This year we are facing many challenges as the coronavirus pandemic poses a threat to food security all over the world," Yoram Kapulnik, BARD’s executive director, said. "The wide array of research proposals approved is a testament to the excellent and innovative agriculture research communities both in the U.S. and in Israel."
United States Designates Key Iranian Shipping Entities
On Monday, sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and its Shanghai-based subsidiary, E-Sail Shipping Company Ltd (E-Sail), came into effect.
IRISL has repeatedly transported items related to Iran’s ballistic missile and military programs and is also a longstanding carrier of other proliferation-sensitive items.
"Despite Iran’s claims that it will never develop nuclear weapons and associated delivery systems, the Iranian regime has continued to pursue and procure proliferation-sensitive items in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231. The international community should take notice of Iran’s continued deception," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.
