To view this email as a web page, go to the link below, or copy and paste it into your browser's address window.
[link removed]




Dear A.,


Israeli and American officials are raising alarms about the potential for violence in Israel as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan began this week.


As Israel works to lower tensions, Palestinian leaders continue their policies that incite violence and promote terror.

-
[link removed]
Read a new AIPAC memo on this threat that was sent to Hill offices this week.


Palestinian leaders have repeatedly used the month-long Ramadan holiday to falsely accuse Israel of “defiling” and “violating” the Temple Mount compound, triggering significant increases in bloodshed.


Palestinian Authority President Abbas has praised rioters on the Temple Mount before, telling them that:


"Every drop of blood spilled in Jerusalem is pure, every shahid [martyr] will reach paradise, and every injured person will be rewarded by God.”


And in a
[link removed]
leaked video released last week, Hamas’ leader in Gaza once again made clear the terrorist group’s mission: the destruction of Israel. (More on this below.)

Together, we must continue to ensure our elected officials — Democrats and Republicans — both understand the many threats Israel faces and ensure our ally always has the means and support needed to defend its citizens.


See below for more stories we are following from the week.


[link removed]

Iranian Drone Kills U.S. Contractor in Syria


Last night in Syria, a
[link removed]
suspected Iranian-made drone launched by Iranian-affiliated militants killed a U.S. contractor and injured five U.S. service members.

-
On Wednesday, Iranian-made drones were again used by Russia to attack Ukrainian civilians, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens, including three children.
U.S. response: Following the attack in Syria, U.S. forces, "conduct[ed] precision airstrikes... against facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps," said Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

-
On Tuesday, the U.S. put in place additional sanctions on Iran’s drone and weapons programs.


-
The following day, the U.S. Justice Department indicted multiple defendants for trying to export U.S. technology to Iran.
Video: Hamas Leader Calls for Israel's Destruction


In a
[link removed]
leaked video , the leader of Hamas in Gaza called for the destruction of Israel, declaring:


“The resistance will continue in the West Bank, Gaza, and the land of Palestine until we defeat the Zionist occupier. From all the land of Palestine, from the sea to the river…


Palestine and every inch of its land is an Islamic endowment…


When we say that we will not recognize Israel, it is not just a political slogan.”


[link removed]




[link removed]



Administration Officials Testify on Capitol Hill


Senior administration officials were on Capitol Hill this week to testify about the President’s budget proposal, and used the occasion to reiterate support for our ally Israel and highlight the threat posed by Iran.


Key Quotes:

- On Iran's nuclear advancement: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Milley said, "Iran is taking actions to improve its capabilities to produce a nuclear weapon. [...] The United States military [has] developed multiple options for our national leadership to consider if or when Iran ever decides to develop an actual nuclear weapon."


- On Iran's military escalation: CENTCOM head Gen. Kurilla said, “Iran remains the primary destabilizing element in the region. We've seen rapid advances in Iranian military capability."


- On judicial reform in Israel: Secretary of State Blinken said, "We see the extraordinary vibrancy of Israel's democracy every single day, as they have this debate about the future of their judiciary. [...] It’s not for [America] to tell [Israel] what to do or how they should do it. They have a strong democratic system.”
Rabbis Urge Bipartisan Support for Israel


Last week, two rabbis published op-eds explaining their support for AIPAC and our work to ensure bipartisan support for Israel in Congress:


In “
[link removed]
AIPAC is the Unifier, ” Rabbi Jacob Herber of Herzl-Ner Tamid Synagogue in Mercer Island, Washington, writes:


“[Israel’s] survival can never be taken for granted…


AIPAC’s embrace of bipartisan leaders on this narrow and specific issue is a model for unity and community. And of course, it is the only practical path to advance policy in Washington.


Without bipartisan support, we wouldn’t see Iron Dome funding, we wouldn’t see bills promoting normalization between Israel and her Arab neighbors, and we wouldn’t see opposition to anti-Israel discrimination at the U.N.”


In "
[link removed]
AIPAC Does the Difficult Work For Us, " Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner of Temple Emanu-El in Closter, New Jersey, writes:


"As a lifelong Zionist and a proud advocate for Israel, I have long admired AIPAC’s disciplined and pragmatic approach: Keep the pro-Israel tent wide, build strong relationships on both sides of the aisle, and ensure the doors are always open to the decision-makers in government who have the power to determine policy.


AIPAC doesn’t ask me to be bipartisan, but I need them to be, and I am deeply appreciative that they are – even when it may be unpopular."

AIPAC is proud to lead the fight to strengthen bipartisan support for the U.S.-Israel alliance.


We are the only organization in Washington that works with pro-Israel Democrats and Republicans in support of policies that help keep Israel safe and America strong.

Photo of the Week:

[link removed]




Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin toast during their dinner in Moscow on Tuesday, March 21.


Emboldened and strengthened by their growing alliances, a stronger Iran-Russia-China axis poses a direct threat to America and our allies, including Israel.
[link removed]
Read this AIPAC Memo on the dangerous Iran-Russia-China axis.

Source: (Pavel Byrkin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)



<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " class="stylingblock-content-wrapper"><tr><td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner"><style> @media print{ #_two50 { background-image:url('[link removed] Update_3.24.23&MID=7289666'); } } blockquote #_two50, #mailContainerBody #_two50, div.OutlookMessageHeader, table.moz-email-headers-table { background-image:url('[link removed] Update_3.24.23&MID=7289666'); } </style> <div id="_two50"></div>
<img id="_two50_img" src="[link removed] Update_3.24.23&MID=7289666" width="1" height="1" style="margin:0 !important; padding:0 !important; border:0 !important; height:1px !important; width:1px !important;"></td></tr></table>



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.



[link removed]

[link removed]

[link removed]

[link removed]

[link removed]










----------------------------------------

This email was sent by:
AIPAC
251 H St. NW
Washington, D.C., 20001,

We respect your right to privacy - visit the following URL to view our policy.
( [link removed] )

----------------------------------------

Visit the following URL to manage your subscriptions.
( [link removed] )

Visit the following URL to update your profile.
( [link removed] )

Visit the following URL to unsubscribe.
( [link removed] )