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Dear A.,
Tonight, Israelis across the country paused as sirens rang out to mark the beginning of Yom HaZikaron, Israel's Memorial Day, to honor the fallen soldiers and victims of terror.
More than 25,600 men, women, and children have been killed in war or terror attacks since the Jewish state was reestablished 78 years ago.
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"The nation remembers, the nation salutes, and the nation expresses deep gratitude to the sons and daughters thanks to whom our existence is secured," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
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said .
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, at a ceremony at the Western Wall
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said , "We do not live by our sword, but alongside it. We will grasp it in times of need, such as now, with one hand, and the sword will be sharp and resolute. But the spirit will always be, and must be, mighty and rooted in our other hand…the spirit that yearns for peace, for freedom, and for dignity..."
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Tomorrow evening, Israelis will transition from remembering the fallen to celebrating their freedom on Yom Haatzmaut, Israel's Independence Day.
Below are more key updates. Continue to follow our
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social media channels to stay informed in real-time.
Jake Braunstein
Senior Director, Policy Communications
Contact Senators Following their Votes on Arms Sales to Israel
Last week, the Senate defeated two resolutions to block arms sales to Israel. The votes were
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40-59 and
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36-63 .
It’s critical that senators hear from pro-Israel constituents, expressing appreciation for those who voted to stand with Israel and disappointment to those who voted to block arms to our ally fighting a multi-front war.
TAKE 45 SECONDS: Thank those who voted NO on Sanders' dangerous resolutions and express your disappointment in those who voted YES.
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U.S. military seizes Iranian ship attempting to break blockade
U.S. forces yesterday seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel after it attempted to break the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM
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said that it intercepted the ship after "American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade... U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit later boarded the non-compliant vessel, which remains in U.S. custody."
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U.S. forces boarded and seized the Iranian-flagged ship after it attempted to break the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. and Iranian negotiators are scheduled to meet in Islamabad tomorrow for a second round of talks, with Vice President JD Vance and White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner representing the American delegation.
However, a spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry said the regime will not be sending negotiators to Pakistan.
President Trump
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said , "We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran,"
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adding that "IRAN CAN NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON."
Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
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said that the IDF's campaign against Iran and its terror proxies is "not over yet" despite the "historic accomplishments" since Operation Roaring Lion began seven weeks ago.
"There is still enriched material in Iran, [and] it needs to be removed," Netanyahu said in a speech yesterday. "Either it will be removed by agreement, or it will come out in other ways. But we are working in cooperation between myself and President Trump, and between Israel and the U.S., that is unprecedented. These are achievements that change the entire balance of power."
If you missed it, I encourage you to
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watch last night's 60 Minutes segment on the Iranian nuclear threat (you can read the transcript
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here ).
Also last night, 60 Minutes aired an interview with Rachel Goldberg-Polin. Click below to play that segment.
MUST WATCH
Rachel Goldberg-Polin on 60 Minutes
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Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the mother of slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, was on 60 Minutes yesterday, discussing how the grief she deals with every day is a "badge of love."
IDF strikes loaded Hezbollah missile launcher, next round of talks with Lebanon set for Thursday
The IDF last night
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struck a loaded, ready-to-launch Hezbollah missile launcher in southern Lebanon (video below).
The IDF said the strike was carried out to "prevent a direct threat" to Israelis, adding that it will "continue to take the necessary measures for self-defense against threats."
Additionally, the Israeli Air Force eliminated several Hezbollah terrorists in the Bint Jbeil area of southern Lebanon.
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On Thursday, the U.S. will host the
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next round of talks between the Israeli and Lebanese governments at the State Department.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
IDF discovers terrorist explosives in West Bank
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The IDF
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discovered weapons belonging to terrorists in the West Bank, who had thrown explosives and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli community of Karmei Tzur.
In a separate operation in the West Bank, the IDF dismantled a cache of explosives beneath a school in Beit Ummar.
Israeli defense contractor Rafael to develop laser to intercept ballistic missiles
Chairman of Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Yuval Steinitz,
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announced last week that "Within 3 to 5 years, we will be able to develop a laser that can also intercept ballistic missiles from Iran."
The company's newest laser system, Iron Beam, has proven effective in early stages at intercepting smaller missiles and UAVs fired at the Jewish state.
According to the Israeli Finance Ministry, Operation Roaring Lion has cost more than $11.5 billion, with each missile interception costing roughly $3 million. Rafael's new laser system aims to bring the cost per interception down to just a few dollars, Israeli journalist Amit Segal
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says .
AIPAC members have continuously lobbied for missile defense cooperation, including $1.2 billion for Iron Beam in 2024. These technologies are vital to keeping Israelis and Americans in the region safe from Iran and its terror proxies.
Other notable headlines
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Israel exposes Iran-backed terror network in Azerbaijan
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Israeli embassies, diplomats targeted about 30 times since Oct. 7 attacks, says Israel’s FM
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Milei, Netanyahu launch ‘Isaac Accords’ to encourage Israel, Latin America engagement
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Iranian woman arrested at Los Angeles airport for allegedly trafficking weapons for Islamic Republic
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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