Dear A.,

I’m writing from Jerusalem, where 80 AIPAC leaders from across the country are participating in AIPAC’s President's Cabinet Mission to Israel.

It has been an intense day. Palestinian terrorists in Gaza have fired over 190 rockets in the aftermath of the IDF's precision strike in Gaza last night targeting a senior member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (learn more about this terrorist commander here and about the Iranian-backed terror group here).

Our group is safe. But we are witnessing firsthand the reality Israelis are forced to confront while living under terror – and the life-saving impact of your work with AIPAC.

Earlier this morning, during a briefing on a rooftop just outside of Jerusalem, our group witnessed plumes of white smoke in the distance as Iron Dome intercepted an incoming rocket over Israel’s skies.

This life-saving defense system, which we lobby for together, has intercepted dozens of rockets today that would have struck Israeli cities and towns.

As the rockets continue to rain down, tens of thousands of Israelis are spending the day and night in bomb shelters. Schools and businesses were closed across central and southern Israel.

Israel’s ability to defend its citizens from the barrage of rockets is a direct result of American security assistance and missile defense funding – which you work with AIPAC to secure in Congress.

We are posting footage and updates on AIPAC's social media channels. I encourage you to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. And we will send more updates as the situation continues to unfold.

Sincerely,

Brian Shankman
AIPAC Director of Regional Affairs and Development