This week, Congress enacted important pro-Israel policies that will strengthen and expand the U.S.-Israel security relationship.
What happened? Congress passed vital pro-Israel provisions in its annual defense authorization bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
These provisions include:
$500 million for U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation.
Collaboration on lifesaving missile defense programs like Iron Dome, David's Sling and Arrow keeps Americans and Israelis safe, supports our economy, and creates American jobs.
$30 million for U.S.-Israel cybersecurity cooperation.
The U.S.-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation Enhancement Act will strengthen U.S. and Israeli cybersecurity.
Several amendments to help counter Iran's regional aggression.
These amendments would prevent funds from being transferred to Iran or its proxies and require new reports on Iran's military, including its support for terrorist groups.
Through AIPAC: We lobby Congress each year to support important pro-Israel policies in this broad defense bill, and ensure that America always stands with our ally.
What's next: This bill goes to President Biden's desk to be signed into law.
Below are more key news items from the week.
Brian Shankman
Chief Strategy Director for National Affairs
America's Pro-Israel PAC
This week, AIPAC launched two bipartisan political action committees—a federal PAC and a Super PAC—to make us more effective in fulfilling our mission in the current political environment.
The AIPAC PAC will highlight and support current pro-Israel Democratic and Republican members of Congress, as well as candidates for Congress.
Democratic Foreign Policy Leaders Issue Important Statement on Iran Policy READ MORE
A prominent group of seven senior foreign policy leaders released an important statement on the future of U.S. policy on Iran.
Go deeper: The authors warn that "the Vienna negotiations are in danger of becoming a cover for Iran to move toward achieving a nuclear weapons capability" but support diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Why it matters: "Iran’s behavior continues to indicate that it not only wants to preserve a nuclear weapons option but is actively moving toward developing that capability."
The way forward: "Without convincing Iran it will suffer severe consequences if it stays on its current path, there is little reason to hope for the success of diplomacy."
"Therefore, for the sake of our diplomatic effort to resolve this crisis, we believe it is vital to restore Iran’s fear that its current nuclear path will trigger the use of force against it by the United States."
The 7 signers: Former House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy, former House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Jane Harman, former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, former CIA Director Gen. David Petraeus, former Special Assistant to President Obama Amb. Dennis Ross, and Washington Institute for Near East Policy Executive Director Dr. Robert Satloff.
U.S. Intercepts Drone Headed Toward Outpost READ MORE
What happened? A United Kingdom Typhoon fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone targeting U.S. and coalition forces at the Al Tanf base in Syria on Tuesday.
200 U.S. troops are stationed at the base.
According to the U.S. Central Command, the drone demonstrated "hostile intent."
Context: In October, an Iranian drone attack targeted Al Tanf, with The New York Times reporting that most of the American troops at the base had been evacuated hours earlier after Israeli intelligence tipped them off.
Why it matters: Iran and its terrorist proxies are trying to kill our soldiers, attack our bases, and threaten our allies and interests.
America must continue to make clear: Iran cannot achieve sanctions relief by threats to kill Americans.
U.S. and Israel Expand Economic and Clean Energy Cooperation READ MORE
The United States and Israel reconvened their Joint Economic Development Group (JDEG) virtually on Wednesday, continuing an annual tradition started in 1985.
The U.S. and Israeli officials discussed "current bilateral economic relations and underscored respective commitments to expanding coordination and cooperation across a variety of important sectors."
"The JEDG is another important pillar in strengthening even more the strategic cooperation between Israel and the United States and is important to the Israeli economy. The discussions were successful and fruitful, and I believe they will promote further firming up of economic ties between the countries," Israeli Finance Ministry director Ram Belinkov said in a statement.
Also this week, the U.S. Department of Energy and Israel’s Ministry of Energy along with the Israel Innovation Authority announced
six clean energy projects selected to receive $5.48 million in government funding through the U.S.-Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development Energy program.
The projects, conducted jointly by a U.S. and an Israeli partner, will accelerate technology innovation on advanced vehicle technologies, batteries, energy efficiency measures, energy storage and the water-energy nexus.
The big picture: Americans benefit from a close partnership with Israel to enhance clean energy technologies, help achieve global climate objectives, and protect our critical energy infrastructure.
Hamas cares more about killing Israelis than helping Palestinians.
The latest: A joint IDF and Shin Bet operation uncovered a Hamas terrorist cell at the largest Palestinian Authority university this week.
The students arrested were suspected of transferring funds to Hamas, organizing pro-Hamas rallies and spreading propaganda for the terror group "under the supervision and guidance of senior Hamas officials."
What else: This week, the terrorist group applauded a Palestinian terror attack in which one Israeli was shot and killed and two others were wounded.
Last Friday,a huge explosion from a Hamas weapons depot resulted in casualties at a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon.
The bottom line: Whether in Gaza or Lebanon, Hamas and its Iranian-backers deliberately use civilians as human shields and put them in danger.
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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