American and Israeli leaders are working closely to strengthen ties and address strategic challenges.
On Tuesday, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with his Israeli counterpart, Dr. Eyal Hulata, at the White House to discuss shared challenges in the region.
Sullivan told Hulata that he “looks forward to working together to strengthen all aspects of the U.S.-Israel partnership.”
On Thursday, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, concluded a visit to Israel following a series of meetings with top Israeli defense officials.
Cooper said: "Our commitment to Israel is unwavering and this visit highlighted the importance of our decades-long strategic relationship. The recent alignment of Israel to U.S. Central Command opens new opportunities to deepen our naval ties and enhance regional maritime security and stability."
Next week, Israeli Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapidwill travel to Washington to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
This meeting comes just weeks after Lapid’s landmark trip to Bahrain to inaugurate the new Israeli embassy there. In Bahrain, Lapid also met with Vice Admiral Cooper at the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet in the Arab kingdom.
Why it matters: America's partnership with Israel helps keep both countries stronger and safer.
Below are more key news items from the week.
Brian Shankman
Chief Strategy Director for National Affairs
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Iran is a comprehensive threat that requires a comprehensive solution.
The latest: This week, Iran’s state TV reported that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps speedboats intercepted a United States vessel in the Persian Gulf.
Israel warned its diplomatic missions around the world of a possible Iranian terror threat, following the arrest of an Azeri national over an alleged plot to assassinate one or more Israeli businesspeople in Cyprus.
A third tanker containing a shipment of Iranian oil destined for Lebanon docked in Syria. The delivery was organized by Hezbollah.
The U.S. must continue to make clear: Iran cannot receive sanctions relief through threats and escalations.
Israel Opens Pavilion at 2020 Expo Dubai, Israel-UAE Begin Visa-Free Travel READ MORE
It was another historic week for peace, prosperity and progress in the Middle East.
The latest: Israel opened its first pavilion at the world's fair in Dubai this week.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid: "This is the first time that Israel has a national pavilion at an event of this magnitude in an Arab state. The pavilion established by [Israel's Foreign Ministry] highlights advanced technologies in various fields and is an example of the opportunities created by cooperation between countries."
Also this week, Israeli Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked announced
that Israelis and Emiratis will be able to travel to each other’s countries without a visa as of Sunday.
The bottom line: Engaging with Israel, rather than boycotting Israel, creates remarkable opportunities for a brighter future.
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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