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Dear A.,
Yesterday’s House vote to advance more than $700 million in U.S.-Israel defense programs is a major step forward in our work to ensure Israel has the resources to protect its citizens and confront emerging threats.
It’s the result of what you help make possible through your support of AIPAC: A strategy to advance policies in Washington that help keep America and Israel safer, and a political operation to help elect pro-Israel members of Congress.
We expect the Senate to take up multiple funding bills next week – together, they are set to include more than $4 billion in vital funding for U.S.-Israel security programs.
I will keep you updated as this important legislation moves forward.
Below are more key stories and links to share AIPAC social media content from the week. We'll continue to provide the latest updates on
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our social media channels .
Shabbat Shalom,
Jake Braunstein
Senior Director, Policy Communications
U.S. imposes new sanctions on Iran's illicit oil trade
The Treasury Department today announced new sanctions on Iran's shadow fleet, which illicitly sells Iranian oil and funds the regime with hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
"The Iranian regime is engaged in a ritual of economic self-immolation—a process that has been accelerated by President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign. Tehran’s decision to support terrorists over its own people has caused Iran's currency and living conditions to be in free fall," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
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said .
"Today’s sanctions target a critical component of how Iran generates the funds used to repress its own people. As previously outlined, Treasury will continue to track the tens of millions of dollars that the regime has stolen and is desperately attempting to wire to banks outside of Iran," he added.
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Read the full Treasury press release here.
Last night, President Trump confirmed the U.S. has an "armada" of ships heading toward the Middle East.
"We have a lot of ships going that direction, just in case …I'd rather not see anything happen, but we're watching them very closely," the president
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said .
Meanwhile, the regime continues to kill Iranians protesting in the streets under the cover of an internet blackout that has
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entered its third week . NetBlocks, an internet watchdog, shows that there is still minimal internet activity coming out of Iran, despite the regime’s claims that it has begun restoring access.
"Iran remains in the midst of a national internet blackout in its third week at hour 348 with only a slight rise in overall connectivity and tunneled users. There are indications of an attempt to generate false traffic and manufacture narratives of a wider restoration," the service
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said .
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Hamas continues to violate ceasefire, IDF chief of staff meets with Ran Gvili's parents
Hamas continues to violate the Gaza peace plan by refusing to disarm and return the body of Ran Gvili, the last murdered hostage held in captivity.
Earlier today, IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir
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met with Ran's parents , Itzik and Talik, and emphasized the military's commitment to bring Ran home.
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IDF chief of staff Eyal Zamir speaking with Ran Gvili's parents, Itzik and Talik.
Ran's body has been held hostage for nearly 840 days.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Hamas still holds roughly
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60,000 AK-47 assault rifles , along with other weapons, highlighting the extent of the challenge in disarming the genocidal terror group.
This comes after the IDF found a cache of Hamas weapons, including AK-47s, near the Yellow Line earlier this week.
The IDF continues its work to counter Hamas and destroy its terror infrastructure,
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demolishing a kilometer-long tunnel on the Israeli side of the Yellow Line. The attack tunnel contained numerous weapons and multiple underground rooms.
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Footage of the IDF blowing up Hamas' kilometer-long tunnel.
For Phase 2 of the Gaza peace plan to succeed, and for a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike, Hamas must disarm.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Israel's first-ever Olympic Bobsled team
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Israel is sending a bobsled team to the Olympics for the first time.
After receiving the invitation from the International Olympic Committee, team pilot, AJ Edelman
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said , "Dreams do come true. For this dream, that day is today. The Israeli Bobsled Team is now 'The Israeli Olympic Bobsled Team.' We are headed to Milan."
IDF Assessment on West Bank Terror
A new report from the IDF showed a
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78% decrease in Palestinian terrorist attacks in the West Bank in 2025, as a result of Operation Iron Wall launched in January 2025.
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Israeli forces confiscated more than 17 million shekels in funds designated for terrorist activity, seized over eight tons of dual-use materials, shut down 17 weapons-manufacturing sites, and confiscated 1,370 weapons components.
Despite the success in reducing terror attacks, the West Bank remains a source of serious threats, as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) work to strengthen their presence with help from Iran.
The United States must continue to stand with Israel and ensure our ally has the resources and support needed to defend its people against terrorism.
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A strong U.S.-Israel relationship makes America more prosperous and fuels our economy.
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Every day that goes by without returning Ran’s body is another Hamas ceasefire violation.
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In Hamas captivity, Emily kept her sexuality a secret, saying being gay would have been “worse than them knowing I was Jewish or Israeli.”
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The Iranian regime deliberately shot civilians who were protesting for freedom, justice, and human rights.
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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