Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip continued to attack Israel over the weekend,launching rockets into southern Israel, forcing Israelis into bomb shelters, and using balloons to float explosive devices over the border, igniting dozens of fires.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo began a five-day trip to the Middle East on Monday, starting with meetings in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz. He will travel to the UAE on Tuesday.
Scroll down for an action item to contact Congress to oppose H.R. 8050, anti-Israel legislation introduced last week by Rep. Betty McCollum, and more news we are tracking this week.
Sincerely,
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.
Iron Dome Saves Lives
Over the weekend Israelis continued to face incoming rockets from the Gaza Strip. Iron Dome—funded with the help of the United States—has saved countless Israeli lives by intercepting rockets headed toward populated areas.
Watch this video to hear the story of one soldier serving in Israel's Iron Dome unit.
U.S. Will Ensure Israel's Military Advantage
Dan Williams, Reuters
The United States will ensure Israel maintains its military advantage in the Middle East, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday.
"The United States has a legal requirement with respect to qualitative military edge. We will continue to honor that," Pompeo told reporters after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu said he had been reassured on the issue by Pompeo, who began a Middle East visit in Jerusalem that will showcase U.S. support for Israeli-Arab peace efforts and building a front against Iran. It will also include Sudan, the UAE and Bahrain. In Israel, Pompeo also met with Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz.
Israeli Elections Avoided Day Before Deadline
Gil Hoffman, The Jerusalem Post
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he had accepted a proposal to extend budget negotiations, preventing the government from collapsing and plunging the country into a new election.
If the budget deadline extension bill had not passed in the Knesset Finance Committee, new elections in November would have been initiated automatically on Monday night.
The bill extends the deadline for passing the budget from Monday, which is 100 days since the government's formation, by an extra 120 days to December 23.
Innovation Update: July/August 2020
Israel is a strategic ally working with the United States to solve critical 21st century challenges. Throughout the last couple months, we have seen close cooperation between the United States and Israel, making both countries safer and better prepared to overcome shared challenges.
On Monday, Innovation Update, AIPAC's publication which includes key articles highlighting American and Israeli innovations, was sent to Capitol Hill offices.
AIPAC 251 H St. NW • Washington D.C. • TEL 202-639-5200
