Israel, Greece, and Cyprus concluded their summit in Jerusalem yesterday by signing a joint declaration to "reinforce our ongoing trilateral cooperation on security, defense and military matters.”
The statement also underscored “the importance of maritime security and pledged to deepen collaboration in safeguarding sea lanes and critical infrastructure against emerging threats.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu, alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, sent a message of defiance to Turkish President Erdogan, who is increasingly working to expand Turkish influence (and that of the Muslim Brotherhood) across the region.
“To those who fantasize they can reestablish their empires and their dominion over our lands, I say: Forget it. It’s not going to happen. Don’t even think about it," Netanyahu said.
Erdogan has threatened military action against all three states, while Turkey has suspended trade with Israel, openly supported Hamas, and accused Israel of genocide. Read more here.
Amb. Huckabee gives wide-ranging interview on the U.S.-Israel relationship, regional security
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee gave an interview yesterday with the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), in which he underscored the importance of a strong U.S.-Israel alliance and warned about Iran's efforts to rebuild its military capabilities.
On the U.S.-Israel alliance: "This is not a one-way partnership. We get the money back immediately [under the MOU] and what we get in return is an R&D bonus that we couldn't probably ever even begin to pay for. We're talking about a return on investment that some have estimated to be as high as 1,200%."
On Iran: "I don't know that Iran ever took President Trump seriously until the night that the B-2 bombers went to Fordow," Huckabee said. "I hope they got the message, but apparently, they didn't get the full message because they appear to be trying to reconstitute and find a new way to dig the hole deeper and secure it more."
"Iran has threatened America for 46 consecutive years...They’ve always said, ‘Death to Israel, death to America,’ in the same sentence. Israel is only the appetizer because you’re closer, and you’re an easier target...But they’ve never hidden the fact that the real entrée, their ultimate goal, is to destroy the United States."
On Gaza: "Every day that Hamas sits there, they're getting stronger, not weaker. And that's why there is a sense of urgency. They have to lay down their arms, and they've got to go."
Watch the full interview below.
IDF: Strike kills 3 Hezbollah operatives, including one who served in Lebanese army
The IDF announced today that a drone strike killed three Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon yesterday, including one who also served in the Lebanese army.
The three terrorists were targeted over their efforts to carry out attacks against the IDF and rebuild Hezbollah infrastructure.
“The IDF emphasizes that it is acting against terrorists from the Hezbollah terror organization, who are working to restore terror infrastructure, in serious violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” the IDF said.
The United States must continue to increase the pressure on Lebanon to fulfill its stated commitment to fully disarm Hezbollah.
AIPAC Memo: Israel's Vibrant Christian Community
While Christians across the Middle East face persecution and a declining population, Israel is one of the only countries in the region with a growing population of Christian citizens.
Israel’s Declaration of Independence enshrined freedom of religion for all the country’s inhabitants. Christians in Israel enjoy freedom of worship, the ability to build churches and other religious institutions, and the right to gather freely and openly as a faith community.
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.
