Last week, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) rejected a U.S.-initiated resolution to extend the arms embargo on Iran. Left with no other option to extend the embargo, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo invoked the "snapback" provision outlined in UNSC Resolution 2231 to reimpose all U.N. sanctions on Iran that had been waived in the context of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
We support this action, which comes in the wake of repeated Iranian violations of its commitments under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty as well as under the JCPOA, including Iran’s denying IAEA inspectors’ access to suspicious sites.
Our objectives must remain to ensure that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon, to prevent the regime from further destabilizing the Middle East, and to support regional allies confronting Iranian aggression.
Below, find more news we are following this week, as well as an action item to contact Congress to oppose new anti-Israel legislation.
Brian Shankman
Director of Regional Affairs and Development
Urge your representative to stand with Israel and oppose a new anti-Israel bill.
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) recently introduced anti-Israel legislation seeking to restrict aid to Israel (H.R. 8050). The McCollum bill will weaken Israel’s security, undermine the U.S.-Israel relationship, and reinforce Palestinian resistance to direct talks.
The bill, introduced one day after the historic Israel-UAE reconciliation, undermines the very principles that have led to Arab-Israeli agreements. Threatening Israel’s security has never and will never lead to peace.
On Aug. 4, a massive explosion destroyed much of the Beirut port, killing nearly 200 people, injuring thousands and displacing as many as 300,000.
It is clear that this disaster was caused in part by a corrupt government operating under the sway of a terrorist organization. Therefore, any future aid should be provided transparently and through vetted NGOs, not through the Lebanese government.
The United States and international community must not provide economic assistance that benefits Hezbollah—a designated terrorist organization dedicated to Israel’s destruction—or perpetuates a corrupt, dysfunctional government.
U.S. Intelligence: Iran Paid the Taliban to Target American Troops in Afghanistan
U.S. intelligence agencies assessed that Iran offered bounties to Taliban fighters for targeting American and coalition troops in Afghanistan, identifying payments linked to at least six attacks carried out by the militant group just last year alone, according to a CNN report.
The Iranian regime funds militias and terrorist groups responsible for killing more than 1,000 Americans.
Iran must not be allowed to acquire advanced weapons that will endanger our citizens and our allies.
Palestinian Terrorists in Gaza Continue Attacks Against Israel
Palestinian terrorists in Gaza fired several rockets at Israel throughout the past week.
Israel’s Iron Dome defense system—funded with annual bipartisan support in Congress—intercepted rockets headed toward populated areas.
When the "code red" sirens sounds, warning of incoming rockets from Gaza, Israelis have seconds to reach the closest bomb shelter.
Palestinian terrorists in Gaza have also been launching balloon-borne arson devices and explosives into Israel over the past couple weeks, destroying hundreds of acres of Israeli farms, fields and nature preserves.
This is the reality Israelis are forced to confront.
From Israel: Celebrating Peace With the UAE and Looking to the Future
In an opinion piece, Arsen Ostrovsky, an Israel-based international human rights lawyer, expresses the hope and excitement felt around Israel about the Israel-UAE announcement of diplomatic relations.
"Young Israelis from all walks of life have been recording videos, warmly inviting people from the UAE to visit our country and, likewise, expressing a strong desire to visit the Emirates. Even Zoom meetings have sprung up [between] Israelis and Emiratis," he writes.
"Such is the palpable level of excitement, hope and optimism across Israel at the news of this truly historic agreement with UAE, our first such accord with a Gulf state and the first peace agreement between Israel and an Arab country (Jordan) in 26 years," he continues.
Israeli and German Jets Fly Together over Concentration Camp
On Wednesday, Israeli and German jets flew together for the first time over the Dachau concentration camp.
The strength and resilience of the State of Israel ensure the promise of Never Again.
The Israeli and German jets also flew over the Fuerstenfeldbruck airfield to pay tribute to the 11 Israeli athletes killed during the Munich massacre during the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Treasury Department Imposes Sanctions on Entities Supporting Iran
On Wednesday, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on several entities for their material support of Iranian airline Mahan Air, which is designated under counterterrorism authorities for support to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF), as well as under a counter proliferation authority that targets weapons of mass destruction proliferators and their supporters.
"The Iranian regime uses Mahan Air as a tool to spread its destabilizing agenda around the world, including to the corrupt regimes in Syria and Venezuela, as well as terrorist groups throughout the Middle East," said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. "The United States will continue to take action against those supporting this airline."
New Bipartisan Resolution in Support of Israel-UAE Agreement
On Thursday, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Todd Young (R-IN) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) announced a new bipartisan resolution in support of the historic Israel-UAE agreement.
We join the senators in encouraging other Arab nations to establish full relations with Israel.
We share their vision of realizing full peace between Israel and all of its Arab neighbors, including a negotiated two-state agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
The historic Israel-UAE reconciliation is a byproduct of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship cemented by decades of Congressional support for Israel's security.
