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Dear ,
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, leading the U.S. negotiating team for a hostage deal in Gaza,
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announced today:
"We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.
"While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith."
Hamas
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rejected the latest hostage deal proposal, already accepted by Israel, and instead added new demands, including increasing the number of terrorists it wants released from Israeli prisons, among other changes.
Meanwhile, Israeli opposition MK Benny Gantz
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responded to the growing international pressure on Israel despite Hamas' continued obstinance: "International pressure on Israel, particularly by distorted claims of purposeful starvation or 'genocide,' is perceived, intentionally orchestrated, and peddled by Hamas as negotiation leverage. It significantly hampers the prospects of a ceasefire deal that would bring the hostages home & restore stability to Gaza. The world must stand united in demanding maximum pressure on the terrorists that initiated this war on Oct. 7."
As has occurred repeatedly over the past 21 months, misplaced international pressure on Israel, instead of Hamas, emboldens the terror group and makes it more difficult to secure the release of additional hostages and bring about a ceasefire.
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Last night, Hamas further escalated its campaign against Israel's humanitarian efforts, attempting to launch a rocket at an aid distribution site in Rafah in southern Gaza.
Despite Hamas' attack, aid distribution continued uninterrupted.
Hamas is solely responsible for the situation in Gaza.
The United States must continue to support efforts to deliver aid to Gazans in a manner that does not benefit Hamas, and increase the pressure on Hamas and its sponsors in Qatar, Turkey and Iran to release all 50 hostages, including 2 Americans, still held in captivity in Gaza.
France to Recognize a Palestinian State
Today, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will recognize a Palestinian state in September.
AIPAC
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released a statement in response:
President Macron is acting as Hamas’ handmaiden with the announcement that France will unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state. By taking this action, President Macron is rewarding Hamas’ barbaric attack on the Jewish state on October 7. Moreover, this unilateral recognition makes peace and reconciliation even more elusive.
The path to a permanent peace is through direct, bilateral talks between Israel and Palestinians who reject Hamas’ eliminationist ideology. The primary impediment to peace and an end to the humanitarian tragedy is the continued rule and existence of Hamas in Gaza. All nations who seek an end to the conflict should support Israel’s just and moral battle against the Iranian terrorist proxies and demand that Hamas release the hostages.
Israel has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to make bold, painful concessions to achieve peace. Israel normalized relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco, joining Egypt and Jordan in paving the path to peace through recognition and engagement rather than prolonging the conflict by imposed solutions.
AIPAC urges the Administration and Congress to express their opposition to the French government concerning this irresponsible action.
Anti-Israel politicians "Rake In Cash"
The Wall Street Journal
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reported today about how anti-Israel candidates are raising millions of dollars as they prepare for the 2026 midterm elections.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has raised $15.4 million, making her the biggest House fundraiser this year.
Another top fundraiser is anti-Israel Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), who has raised $1.25 million.
Meanwhile, anti-Israel Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has
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raised more than $1.7 million for his re-election, his campaign announced earlier this month.
The pro-Israel community must redouble our efforts to defend pro-Israel champions in Congress and defeat anti-Israel candidates wherever they emerge.
U.S. stands with Israel at U.N.
Speaking at a U.N. Security Council debate on the Middle East, U.S. representative to the U.N. Ambassador Dorothy Shea
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said :
"This Council must meet the moment by pressuring Hamas to accept the ceasefire proposal already accepted by Israel, release the 50 remaining hostages held for more than 650 days, and disarm and leave Gaza forever.
"Shielding Hamas from accountability undermines Israel’s security, rewards terrorism, and does nothing to improve the lives of Palestinians.
"We remind this Council and the world that there are still two American citizens – Itay Chen and Omer Neutra – held by Hamas. We also underscore that Hamas has held Hadar Goldin since 2014. It is past time for Hamas to return all those it has taken hostage.
"Hamas bears sole responsibility for the massacre it perpetrated on October 7th. It is likewise responsible for the resumption of hostilities in March following Hamas’ rejection of multiple ceasefire proposals."
Addressing false accusations of genocide levelled against Israel, she added: "These accusations are politically motivated and categorically false. They are part of a deliberate, cynical propaganda campaign as Hamas attempts to win symbolic victories to compensate for total defeat in war. The United States refutes these allegations entirely."
You can read the full transcript
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here .
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Major appropriations bill with pro-Israel provisions advances in House
The House Appropriations Committee yesterday passed the Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act.
Among other important provisions, the bill includes:
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$3.3 billion for vital security assistance to Israel.
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$50 million for the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) to help promote peace and stability in the Middle East.
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$10 million for the Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program to facilitate research collaboration between Israel and its neighbors, including its Abraham Accords partners.
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$55 million for the Near East Regional Democracy (NERD) Program to promote freedom of information and human rights in Iran.
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$4 million for U.S.-Israel Development Cooperation to help both countries and the world better prepare for 21st century challenges related to water scarcity, agriculture and sustainability.
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$6.5 million to help our ally Israel integrate refugees from around the world, including from Ukraine, into Israeli society.
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Full prohibition on funding to UNRWA, the U.N. organization whose employees participated in Hamas' October 7 massacre.AIPAC thanks the pro-Israel leaders in Congress for including important pro-Israel provisions in this bill.
MUST WATCH
Watch a sneak peek of Fauda Season 5
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Continue to
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follow AIPAC on social media for the latest updates.
Jake Braunstein
Director of Policy Communications
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Support our work to keep Israel safe.
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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