Dear A.,

This week marked 40 days since the brutal killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, accused by the Iranian regime’s "morality police" of improperly wearing her headscarf, sparking widespread protests across the country.

As the Iranian regime cracks down and continues to kill and arrest countless civilians heroically risking their lives to fight for their freedom, the regime is also tightening its relationship with Putin.

The White House warned this week that Russia is advising Iran on the best ways to suppress protestors.

At the same time, Iran is arming Putin with kamikaze drones and missiles to kill Ukrainians and sending the Islamic Revolutionary Guards to Crimea to train Russian forces.

We are urging Congress to increase the pressure on Iran and pass the Stop Iranian Drones Act.

Click the graphic below to take action, and scroll down for more news we are following this week.

On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly praised Israel's efforts to help Ukraine in the face of mounting Russian aggression. 

• Zelenskyy indicated Israeli intelligence services were helping Ukraine address the new challenge of Russia using Iranian drones to target Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians.

Context: Since the start of the war, Israel has provided critical humanitarian and diplomatic aid to Ukraine.

• Go deeper: Read this AIPAC memo for more information about Israel’s support for Ukraine.

On Thursday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with President Joe Biden at the White House on his first trip to Washington since taking office. 

• President Biden reiterated "the iron-clad commitment the United States has to Israel based on our principles, our ideas, our values. They’re the same values."
   
• President Herzog said, "The alliance between Israel and the United States is stronger than ever. [...] That's the case now, and so shall it remain."

On Wednesday, President Herzog met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. 

• Looking ahead: House Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have invited President Herzog to address a joint session of Congress in the spring to celebrate Israel's 75th anniversary. 

Our view: We deeply appreciate the leadership of both the Biden administration and Israel's leaders, including President Herzog, for their unwavering commitment to a strong and enduring U.S.-Israel relationship

This week, senior U.S. and Israeli civilian and military officials convened the first in-person, bilateral Joint Political-Military Group (JPMG) since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why it matters: For nearly four decades, the JPMG has served as the State Department’s primary security and political-military dialogue with Israel, providing critical opportunities to discuss strengthening security cooperation and regional stability.

This year’s JPMG focused on expanding opportunities for bilateral and multilateral cooperation, shared regional concerns, impacts of strategic competition, defense exports, among other foreign policy areas.

The bottom line: U.S.-Israel coordination in areas like defense and intelligence helps keep both countries safer and stronger. 

On Tuesday, Israelis will return to the polls to elect a new Knesset for the fifth time in less than four years.

Context: These elections were called after the Bennett-Lapid government dissolved itself last June, due to multiple party defections and deep disagreements over several critical pieces of legislation.

• Read this AIPAC memo on the latest Israeli election. 

The big picture: The U.S.-Israel relationship transcends politics and is based on a long-standing friendship and strategic partnership between Americans and Israelis, who face common threats and share a common bond.

Check your AIPAC app next week for election updates.