This week we saw another important milestone for Israeli-Arab peace.
For the first time, an Emirati commercial plane flew over Israel's skies. This moment not only showcased the budding relationship between Israel and the UAE, but it is also the result of an agreement reached last week between Israel and Jordan to allow flights over both countries.
The new policy significantly cuts flight times, further helping forge a new era for prosperity between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
The fly-over came on the same day in which Israel’s Knesset overwhelmingly approved the peace accord between Israel and the UAE.
Members of Congress are advancing bipartisan resolutions in the Senate and House supporting the agreement and urging other countries to follow suit.
Together we ensure the Jewish state has the resources it needs to defend itself against growing threats, and that bipartisan congressional support for the U.S.-Israel relationship remains strong.
I encourage you to watch the 75-second video below about who we are and the principles that guide our work. The video also introduces our new AIPAC logo.
News to Note
U.S. and Israeli Air Forces Train Together in Latest Joint F-35 Drill
This week, American and Israeli F-35 pilots trained together over Israeli skies.
The U.S.-made F-35 is the most advanced fighter jet in the world and is developed with technology from Israel and funded through annual U.S. security assistance.
This was the third F-35 training this year between the two allies.
The U.S.-Israel partnership makes both countries safer and better prepared to overcome shared threats.
Photo credit: Senior Airman Duncan Bevan, U.S. Air Forces Central
On September 19, the U.N. Security Council refused to extend the arms embargo on Iran that was set to expire this Sunday, October 18.
The lifting of the embargo would have strengthened the regime’s ability to buy and sell advanced weapons, further enflaming the Middle East and putting Americans and our allies at risk.
To ensure the embargo was extended, the Trump administration used a U.N. procedure to "snapback" sanctions on Iran, thereby indefinitely extending the embargo.
The U.S. must continue its efforts—including strict sanctions enforcement—to prevent Iran from engaging in illicit arms deals.
IDF Carries Out Covert Operation, Destroying Two Syrian Outposts
Israeli special forces entered the demilitarized zone on the Syrian border last week and destroyed two enemy outposts belonging to the Syrian army, the IDF said Tuesday.
The covert operation was carried out following repeated Syrian violations of the 1974 disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria.
"We know about the collaboration between the Syrian military and Hezbollah,” Nahal Brigade Lt.-Col. Tal Goritzki said. "Every Syrian military establishment has the potential to become a dual military establishment. We won’t allow southern Syria to become southern Lebanon."
Hezbollah is an Iranian-backed terrorist organization that has turned southern Lebanon into a complex web of military sites aimed at attacking Israel. Hezbollah has killed more Americans than any terrorist group other than al-Qaida and is committed to Israel's destruction.
U.S. and Israel Partner on New Missile Defense Technology
The U.S.-Israel relationship is a mutually beneficial partnership that helps protect both countries from emerging and shared threats.
AIPAC works to bring Americans and Israelis together to address these threats and keep both countries safe.
This week, the Director of Israel’s Missile Defense Organization announced that the United States and Israel are looking to collaborate on a new missile defense technology that uses directed energy, or lasers, to defend against incoming rockets and missiles.
This technology would dramatically reduce the cost of intercepting incoming rockets and missiles.
The mission of AIPAC is to strengthen and expand the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of the United States and Israel.
AIPAC 251 H St. NW • Washington D.C. • TEL 202-639-5200
