Friend of Israel,
Today I am writing with more important news from Washington.
After many months of education and advocacy—including thousands of virtual lobbying meetings held by AIPAC members nationwide—critical funding measures we’ve lobbied for were just passed by Congress as part of its major spending bill.
These measures will help keep Israel safe and strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship, and I’m incredibly proud to have worked alongside you to reach this milestone.
This budget bill includes funding for:
1. Security assistance: In accordance with the 2016 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding, $3.3 billion for security assistance ensures Israel has the means to defend itself, by itself.
2. U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation: $500 million allows collaboration on life-saving missile programs like Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow.
3. Cooperation on anti-tunneling technology: $47.5 million for anti-tunnel cooperation helps develop new capabilities to detect and destroy underground terror tunnels.
4. Cooperation to address evolving threats: Drone warfare is one of the most pressing security threats facing America and Israel. $25 million for cooperation in counter-drone technology helps secure Americans at home and prevents attacks against our citizens abroad.
5. New healthcare cooperation: $2 million for COVID-19 and health technology research will help keep both countries healthier.
6. New Israel-USAID cooperation: $2 million for Israel-USAID cooperation to address sustainability challenges relating to water resources, agriculture, and energy storage in the developing world.
7. The Middle East Partnership for Peace Act: This bipartisan legislation funds economic cooperation and people-to-people programs between the U.S., Israel and the Palestinians. It appropriates $50 million per year for this new program through 2023.
8. U.S.-Israel energy and water cooperation: $6 million for energy and water cooperation helps both countries combat evolving 21st century environmental challenges.
9. Homeland security cooperation: $2 million for U.S.-Israel cooperation on border security, maritime security, biometrics, cybersecurity, and video analytics will help keep both countries safer.
10. Increased dialogue between the U.S., Israel, Greece and Cyprus: $2 million for the Eastern Mediterranean Partnership dialogue to increase regional cooperation, support energy independence and security, and defend against adversaries in the Eastern Mediterranean and the broader Middle East.
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Please thank your members of Congress for the passage of these pro-Israel measures by clicking here.
Your investment in AIPAC helps ensure we have the resources to educate our leaders in Washington throughout the year about how America’s partnership with Israel benefits both countries.
Thank you for working with AIPAC to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship today and for the future.
Betsy Berns Korn
AIPAC President
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.
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