Democrats and Republicans again came together this week to strengthen and expand the U.S.-Israel relationship.
What happened? The House Armed Services Committee authorized vital pro-Israel provisions in its annual National Defense Authorization Act that will help keep Israel safe and deepen U.S.-Israel cooperation.
These provisions include:
$500 million for U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation, including on lifesaving missile defense programs like Iron Dome, David's Sling and Arrow.
Expanding U.S.-Israel cooperation to help prevent and treat PTSD among troops, veterans and civilians.
Several amendments that counter Iran's regional aggression, including by preventing funds from being transferred to Iran or its proxies, and requiring new reports on Iran's military ties with China and its support for terrorist groups.
Why this matters: While some are trying to demonize and delegitimize the Jewish state, Congress is once again sending a clear bipartisan message: America stands with Israel.
Through AIPAC: Year over year, you help lobby Congress to support important pro-Israel provisions and ensure that America always stands with our ally.
We applaud the work of House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, Ranking Member Mike Rogers, Rep. Michael Waltz, and Rep. Elaine Luria in securing support for these provisions.
What's next? This bill now goes to the House floor for consideration. I will keep you posted as the process continues.
Below are more key news items from the week. Happy Labor Day to all and L'Shanah Tovah to those celebrating!
As anti-Israel activists attempt to dominate the conversation on social media, it's now easier than ever to fight back.
Our new website, ProIsraelTweets.com, enables you to opt-in for us to tweet pro-Israel content on your behalf. The site also has recommended tweets to share and accounts to follow.
And check out this new one-pager on social media best practices to amplify pro-Israel messaging on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Hamas Riots Continue in Gaza Despite Increased Israeli Aid
The U.S.-Israel relationship deepened this week, expanding into new areas of cooperation.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the Israeli Navy conducted a combined maritime security patrol in the Red Sea for the first time.
On Thursday, the U.S. Central Command officially assumed combatant command responsibility for U.S. forces in Israel—an important and overdue recognition that Israel is truly a part of the Middle East.
The Biden administration recently announced a commitment to advance Israel’s membership in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, enabling Israelis to travel to America for tourism or business for up to 90 days without first obtaining a visa.
The big picture: America's partnership with Israel helps keep both countries stronger and safer.
On September 1, 1967, Arab leaders gathered in Sudan declaring the infamous “Three No’s”: No peace with Israel, no negotiations with Israel, and no recognition of Israel.
Today, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco have all said YES to peace.
The latest: Bahrain's first ambassador to Israel, Khaled Yousif al-Jalahma, arrived in Israel this week and Eitan Na’eh was nominated to be Israel's first ambassador to Bahrain.
The way forward: Palestinian leaders should follow their lead, return to direct talks and forge #ANewEra for their people.
TAKE ACTION: Urge Congress to support legislation to expand the recent peace and normalization agreements between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.
The EU Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee questioned the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) this week on the continued teaching of hate, violence and antisemitism in Palestinian Authority (PA) textbooks and UNRWA materials.
Context: Recent studies have found that textbooks and teachers' guides used by the PA and UNRWA regularly demonize Israel and encourage violence.
What happened? The UNRWA chief acknowledged that Palestinian textbooks contain problematic material, including antisemitism, intolerance and the glorification of terrorism. He then insisted that the agency is taking steps to prevent the material from being taught.
Yes but, he failed to show these steps and how this could actually be accomplished.
The EU Parliament condemned UNRWA for teaching hate in a groundbreaking Spring vote of the full plenary.
In Congress: Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) recently introduced the bipartisan Peace and Tolerance in Palestinian Education Act to require the Secretary of State to submit a report to Congress reviewing textbooks produced by the PA.
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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