We must maintain our sanctions on Iran, and utilize our leverage to pressure this repressive and dangerous regime to negotiate a broad agreement that addresses its nuclear program—including the JCPOA's sunset clauses and inspection flaws—ballistic missiles, and regional aggression.
Scroll down for more news affecting our work this week.
Best,
Brian Shankman
Director of Regional Affairs and Development
New U.S. Sanctions Against Iranian Weapons of Mass Destruction Program, As Iran Promises More Enrichment
On Thursday, the Treasury Department designated the Shahid Meisami Group and its director for assisting with Iran’s chemical weapons research.
"Iran’s development of weapons of mass destruction is a threat to the security of its neighbors and the world," said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. "The United States will continue to counter any efforts by the Iranian regime to develop chemical weapons that may be used by the regime or its proxy groups to advance their malign agenda."
Also this week, Iran's Guardian Council ratified legislation on Wednesday that would bar international nuclear inspectors if U.S. sanctions are not lifted by February and would require the immediate increase of uranium enrichment levels. The order to enrich uranium to a 20 percent purity level would further decrease Iran's breakout time to a nuclear weapon.
The United States must maintain sanctions on Iran and pressure the repressive and dangerous regime to negotiate a broad agreement that addresses Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and regional aggression.
An Israeli relief and rescue team sent by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in Honduras on aid mission, following the devastation left behind by Hurricanes Eta and Iota which left thousands of people homeless and entire cities in rubble throughout Central America.
The IDF also sent a group of 15 Israeli Home Front Command retired officers, along with the commander of the Search and Rescue National Unit, which will travel to the areas most affected by the hurricanes in Honduras.
UNRWA Paid November Salaries; Funding Crisis Persists
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said that it managed to "pay the salaries of 30,000 Palestinian staff across the Middle East last month, but a funding shortfall" may affect December payments.
UNRWA's inefficiencies, resistance to reform, and misguided definition of refugees help protract the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Congress should require changes and reforms that can effectively and appropriately deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approved five anti-Israeli resolutions on Wednesday as part of its package of almost 20 texts that the UNGA passes annually every December.
"Countries that supported Israel today have understood that this package of resolutions does nothing to forward peace, but serves instead to entrench the Palestinian’s rejectionist position and deepen the conflict," Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan said.
The U.N. General Assembly has passed more resolutions condemning the Jewish state than those against all other countries in the world combined.
Hundreds of Ethiopian Immigrants Land in Israel Beginning Operation Rock of Israel
Waving Israeli flags as they came down the steps of the aircraft, over 300 members of Ethiopia’s Jewish community arrived in Israel on Thursday. The celebratory arrival marked the opening phase of a plan to bring some 2,000 members of the community to Israel from Ethiopia in Operation Tzur Israel, or Operation Rock of Israel.
Click on the social media icons below to share this story.
Peace, Prosperity and Progress
The latest in the burgeoning relations between Israel and the Arab world.
Israel's Economy Minister and Foreign Minister met with Bahrain's Commerce and Tourism Minister this week in Israel. The Bahraini minister led a delegation of 40 officials on a three-day trip to the Jewish state in an effort to expand bilateral ties. The two countries signed several agreements to promote small business and increased collaboration on joint innovation projects, as well as to bolster tourism, sports, culture, science and technology between both nations.
The Jerusalem Post and the Khaleej Times, the two-largest English-language media organizations in Israel and the United Arab Emirates, are partnering to present the first in-person joint conference in February 2021 in Dubai.
The first Israeli commercial flight directly from Tel Aviv to Dubai took place after receiving approval to fly over Saudi airspace.
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
