The second round of nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran is set to take place in Rome tomorrow.
You can click here to read the AIPAC memo sent to Hill offices yesterday outlining key principles for successful negotiations to end the Iranian nuclear threat.
Ahead of the talks tomorrow, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad Director David Barnea met today with the chief U.S. negotiator, White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reaffirmed Israel's commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon yesterday:
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are committed, together with all parties, to leading a clear line that will prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. We will not allow threats of annihilation against the State of Israel... This is our responsibility and historic task, and we will do whatever it takes to realize them."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio made clear today that any deal "has to be something that actually not just prevents Iran from having a nuclear weapon now, but in the future as well, not just for 10 years with some sort of sunset provision or the like."
Meanwhile, Iran hosted a major military parade through Tehran today, including thousands of troops and advanced Russian-made weapons, while Iran's foreign minister was in Russia for meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "Our Russian friends gave us the necessary information," Iran's foreign minister said after meeting with Putin.
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.
Wishing all who celebrate a happy Easter.
Shabbat Shalom,
Jake Braunstein
Director of Policy Communications
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Israel intercepts Houthi missile targeting airport
This morning, Israeli air defenses successfully intercepted a ballistic missile launched by the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists.
A Houthi spokesperson claimed the terror group targeted Ben-Gurion Airport in central Israel.
Shrapnel from the interception sparked a large fire in the Jerusalem hills near the city of Beit Shemesh.
This latest Houthi attack follows a major U.S. strike on a Houthi-controlled fuel port in western Yemen yesterday.
Meanwhile, the IDF's Home Front Command announced yesterday that it was rolling out a new alert system to give civilians a significantly earlier warning when ballistic missiles are launched at Israel.
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"Why Israel’s War Against Hamas Is Necessary"
In a new article, John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, and Arsen Ostrovsky, CEO of The International Legal Forum, explain why Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza is both just and necessary.
"Following Hamas's barbaric October 7th massacre—which killed over 1,200 people in Israel, most of them civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, with over 250 taken hostage—Israel launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza. The scope and intensity of the response were unprecedented, but so too was the attack that prompted it.
"Since then, there has been no shortage of uninformed actors, like comedian Dave Smith, or malign parties weaponizing international law to question whether Israel’s military actions in Gaza have been proportionate, lawful, and ultimately—whether even necessary.
"At the heart of that last question lies a critical misunderstanding. 'Necessity' in war has two distinct meanings and conflating them—morally and legally—leads to flawed assessments and misleading narratives."
One year ago this week, Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, launching more than 200 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles towards our ally.
On October 7, Rachel Dancyg's former husband and her brother were abducted to Gaza and killed in captivity. Rachel's dog Billy was also kidnapped on that day. This week, Billy and Rachel were reunited.
An incredible bond formed between Emily Damari and Romi Gonen as they were held hostage by Hamas in Gaza for 471 days. Israeli photographer Ziv Koren tells their story in photographs.
Hamas is holding 59 hostages, including 5 Americans, in horrific conditions in Gaza. Hamas is prolonging the war in Gaza. It can end it by surrendering and freeing all the hostages.
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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