Dear A.,

Turkish and Israeli officials held talks in Azerbaijan yesterday intended to help prevent conflict in Syria, where both the Israeli and Turkish militaries operate.

Israel "made it unequivocally clear that any change in the deployment of foreign forces in Syria, in particular the establishment of Turkish bases in the Palmyra (Tadmor) area, is a red line," an Israeli official said.

Since the fall of the Assad regime to al-Qaeda-linked groups backed by Turkey, Israel has carried out a series of airstrikes in Syria to destroy chemical weapons and other strategic military assets.

Israeli troops have also established outposts within Syria near the Israeli border to help prevent terror threats to Israeli communities.

It was reported last week that Turkish military teams had inspected at least three air bases in Syria where they could deploy forces, leading Israel to hit the sites with airstrikes, sending a clear message to Turkey.

Less than two weeks ago, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the destruction of Israel during a prayer service to mark the end of Ramadan: "May Allah, for the sake of his name… destroy and devastate Zionist Israel."

He also prayed for "mercy upon the martyrs" of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad and a "speedy recovery" for their wounded terrorists.

Long before the October 7 attack, Turkey was a sponsor of Hamas, and since Hamas' massacre, Erdogan has been an outspoken supporter of the genocidal terrorist group, including hosting now-deceased Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was  wanted by the U.S. Department of Justice.
    

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, left, and Turkish President Erdogan in Istanbul, April 20, 2024.

Today, Israeli police and the Shin Bet intelligence agency announced that they disrupted a network funneling Hamas funds from Turkey to support terrorist activities in the West Bank.

The United States must make clear that it is unacceptable for any U.S. ally, including Turkey, to support Hamas and other terrorist organizations responsible for murdering Americans and attacking our allies.

The United States must continue to stand with Israel and ensure our ally maintains its Qualitative Military Edge (QME) by providing it with the resources and support needed to keep its people safe.
    

Netanyahu meets with CIA Director

Prime Minister Netanyahu met with CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Israel yesterday, along with Mossad Director David Barnea.

Israel continues to carry out strikes in Gaza, eliminate terrorists

The IDF has struck over 35 targets in Gaza over the past day, targeting terror operatives and infrastructure, as ground troops continue to operate across the enclave.

Israel today confirmed the elimination of senior Hamas terrorist Haytham Sheikh Khalil in an airstrike on a command center in Gaza City.

Khalil was a key figure involved in the October 7 attack and was responsible for directing assaults on Israeli forces and overseeing explosives and tunnel operations.

VP Vance meets with freed hostages, families

Vice President J.D. Vance met yesterday with a group of freed hostages and family members of hostages still held captive in Gaza.

"President Trump is committed to reuniting the remaining hostages with their families, something that should have happened long before his return to office," Vance said.

Iran threatens to expel nuclear inspectors ahead of talks

Iran may expel International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear inspectors and move its supply of enriched uranium to secret locations, a senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader said.

This comes as the U.S. is expected to engage in direct talks with Iran over the regime's nuclear program in Oman on Saturday. 

President Trump said yesterday that he would "absolutely" consider taking military action to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, adding that Israel would "very much be involved, the leader of that."

Meanwhile, pro-Israel lawmakers on Capitol Hill continue to reaffirm that Iran must not be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon ahead of the talks Saturday.

"I’m unsure of the value in negotiating. I would rather have them [Israel] just destroy" Iran’s nuclear facilities, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) said.

"Any diplomatic solution regarding Iran’s nuclear program must recognize Iran’s decades of cheating, the regime’s barbaric nature and its open commitment to destroying the state of Israel... it must include the total dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure," Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said.

AIPAC supports time-bound talks to achieve the Trump administration’s stated goal of verifiably and permanently dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. To be effective, these talks must continue to be coupled with the implementation of maximum pressure and a credible threat of military force. 

Continue to follow AIPAC on social media for the latest updates.

Jake Braunstein
Director of Policy Communications