On Wednesday night, Israeli leaders Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett agreed to form a broad-based unity government.
The new coalition, which still must be confirmed by a Knesset vote, would be the most diverse coalition government in Israel's history—bringing together left, right, centrist and Islamist parties.
A statement from Lapid said: "The government will do everything it can to unite every part of Israeli society."
Read this memo that we sent to Capitol Hill offices for more information on the new coalition.
AIPAC congratulates Lapid and Bennett for assembling a broad and diverse coalition—spanning the political spectrum of Zionist and Arab parties—to form an Israeli government pending Knesset approval.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz traveled to Washington this week to meet with senior American officials.
Gantz met with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
Another purpose of Gantz's trip was tosubmit a $1 billion request to the Pentagon to replenish Iron Dome and other items following the 11-day conflict with Hamas.
In a show of support, a bipartisan group of 55 House members wrote to Secretary Austin urging the Pentagon to quickly work with Congress to fulfill any request to restock Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system.
The effort, led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), reaffirms broad bipartisan support for our ally.
Why it matters: Over 11 days last month, Iron Dome intercepted more than 1,000 rockets fired by Hamas terrorists.
This lifesaving innovation is a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship and a byproduct of consistent bipartisan support in Congress for Israel's safety.
From the letter: “Congress stands with the Administration in its commitment to ensuring Israel’s security and capability to defend itself from any attack.”
Through AIPAC: Year over year, you help lobby Congress to support critical U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation that ensures our ally has the resources needed to defend itself, by itself.
Iran is once again stonewalling international inspectors.
The regime continues to avoid questions about undeclared nuclear activities at three sites, according to a new International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report.
On Monday,the IAEA reported that Iran has not clarified questions over undeclared nuclear activity after uranium was detected.
A recent inspection established "a clear indication" that nuclear material has been present at three undeclared locations.
Why it matters: Iran has openly exceeded and violated several of the limitations laid out in the 2015 nuclear deal, and continues to deny inspectors access full access to monitor its nuclear program.
The way forward: America needs a comprehensive policy—closely coordinated with our regional allies—to permanently prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Iranian-backed Hamas has experienced a surge in cryptocurrency donations since firing over 4,300 rockets at Israel last month.
The Palestinian terror group has exploited a trend in online fundraising that has enabled the group to circumvent international sanctions to fund its military operations.
Go deeper: The group openly seeks the destruction of Israel and works to prevent Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation.
According to a Hamas official, the recent conflict drew new attention to websites run by Hamas terrorists and translated into donations for the group's military operations.
Why it matters: Since 2005, Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza have launched over 20,000 rockets and mortars at Israel, carried out more than one hundred suicide bombings, and dug dozens of terror tunnels into Israeli communities—all at the expense of the people of Gaza.
Our view: Defeating terrorism is necessary for peace.
