Smart Brevity™ count: 4 mins...1003 words



Friend of Israel,

For four straight days this week, Iran and its proxies attacked American troops abroad.

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In Iraq, Iranian-backed militias
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targeted the U.S. embassy and the Al-Asad air base, both of which house American troops.


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In Syria, the regime
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targeted the al-Omar oil field—a site used by American and U.S.-backed Kurdish forces.Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that Iran has begun
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producing enriched uranium metal.
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Under the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran is banned from developing any uranium metal, which has no use for civilian energy. During a press briefing, State Department Spokesman Ned Price
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criticized the move as an "unfortunate step backwards" and said that Iran's nuclear steps "will potentially cause us to reconsider" a return to the nuclear deal.

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD)
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acknowledged the "changed circumstances" since the 2015 nuclear deal was negotiated.
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"There is a strong, almost universal desire by Congress... to go beyond the sunset dates that were included in the JCPOA," and to address "issues beyond just nuclear," Sen. Cardin said.The big picture: America needs a
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comprehensive policy —closely coordinated with our regional allies—to permanently prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and address the regime's ballistic missile program, terrorism and regional aggression.


Below my signature are more key news items we are following this week.


Brian Shankman

Chairman Meeks and Prime Minister Bennett Vow to Uphold Bipartisan Support for Israel
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During an Independence Day celebration at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem this week, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett vowed to uphold bipartisan support for Israel.

In a statement, Chairman Meeks said: "This Congressional delegation demonstrates the bipartisan support for the state of Israel and its security. The values we share have forged an unbreakable bond between our two nations and I look forward to strengthening these ties."

- Prime Minister Bennett emphasized his commitment "to making the bond between us even stronger, by expanding our already strong strategic cooperation in the face of any threats to our people's security."
This was Chairman Meeks' first international trip since the start of his tenure as committee chair.

- Rep. Meeks was joined by Reps. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Andy Barr (R-KY), Brad Schneider (D-IL), French Hill (R-AR), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), David Cicilline (D-RI), Kathy Manning (D-NC) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA).

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"Summer Camps" in Gaza Teach Children to Hate Israel and Become Terrorists
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Palestinian terror groups in Gaza run "summer camps" to indoctrinate Palestinian youth, teach teenagers to hate Israel, and train children to become terrorists.

- The Iranian-backed terrorist groups in Gaza have published numerous videos and photos of these summer camps—showing footage of children dressed in military gear, armed with rifles, and simulating attacks against Israelis.This week, International Legal Forum (ILF), an Israeli NGO, called on UNICEF, a U.N. body dedicated to helping children, to investigate allegations of Palestinian children being trained as child soldiers in Gaza.

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After Palestinians Reject Deal, Israel Sends 700,000 COVID-19 Vaccines to South Korea
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Israel sent 700,000 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines to South Korea that were originally rejected by the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Context: The agreement between Israel and South Korea comes after the PA rejected a shipment of vaccines from Israel last month.

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Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called the deal with South Korea a "win-win" situation for both countries.
In June, the PA falsely claimed that the vaccines' expiration date made them impossible to use and implied that Israel was reneging on its offer to help Palestinians.

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But the PA Health Ministry previously said it could vaccinate 60,000-80,000 people per day, providing more than enough time to distribute Israel's shipment that was set to expire on June 30.


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The vaccines the PA rejected are the same vaccines that Israel was continuing to provide for its own citizens.
The bottom line: Palestinian leaders would rather reject COVID-19 vaccines than work with Israel.

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Prime Minister Bennett Meets with Jordanian King, Israel-Jordan Cooperation Expands
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Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett reportedly met with Jordanian King Abdullah II last week.

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This marks the first meeting between an Israeli prime minister and the King of Jordan in five years.Following the meeting, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi met to finalize a deal between Israel and Jordan to expand cooperation, signaling improved relations between the two countries.
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The agreements will increase water and trade cooperation.What else: Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called Jordan an "important neighbor and partner," and said Israel would strengthen ties and expand economic cooperation.
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The U.S welcomed the agreements. "It is these kinds of tangible steps that increase prosperity for all and advance regional stability," said State Department Spokesperson Ned Price. In Congress: The Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2021 seeks to expand the recent peace and normalization agreements between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.
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The bipartisan bill recognizes that these agreements have the potential to transform the region and enhance the prospects for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.TAKE ACTION:
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Urge members of Congress to cosponsor this important bipartisan legislation.

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Read an AIPAC memo.


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Who's Who in the New Israeli GovernmentDemocracy. Diversity. This is Israel.


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Shirly Pinto | Member of Knesset
Shirly Pinto, Israel's first deaf Knesset member, is a long-time activist for disability-related issues.


This week, Pinto sang Israel's national anthem in sign language for the first time ever in the Knesset.

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The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.



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