Earlier today, the United Nations Security Council voted to snapback international restrictions and sanctions targeting the Iranian regime’s nuclear and missile program. We commend the Trump administration and our allies around the world for leading this vital effort.
The vote came days after 50 senators wrote to the foreign ministers of France, Germany and the U.K., "thanking them for initiating snapback sanctions on Iran, and encouraging them to keep up the pressure until they achieve permanent dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program."
Now, the United States must ensure these sanctions are fully implemented and continue to lead the international community in increasing the pressure on the Iranian regime.
The Security Council acted ahead of the high-level week at the U.N. General Assembly, where world leaders will give keynote speeches and much attention will be centered on whether France follows through on its pledge to recognize a Palestinian state.
Hamas has responded to Paris' statements with great enthusiasm, saying, "The recognition of a Palestinian state is one of the fruits of October 7." Several Western nations, including the UK and Australia, may join France in this profoundly misguided effort.
Meanwhile, Sens. Jeff Merkley, Chris Van Hollen, Tim Kaine, Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch, Tina Smith, Tammy Baldwin and Mazie Hirono introduced a Senate resolution, backed by J Street, to unilaterally and unconditionally recognize a Palestinian state.
These efforts will only serve to embolden and incentivize Hamas, putting a hostage deal further out of reach and setting back prospects for a genuine peace. Senator John Fetterman responded with great moral clarity to these initiatives:
"France, Senate Democrats or anyone:
"Recognizing Palestine is the 'best way' to reward Hamas for killing and raping over 1200 Israelis, and keeping hostages underground for two years.
"When Hamas is cheering for your decision, you really should reconsider your core values."
Finally, the Senate voted today to confirm former Representative Michael Waltz to be the new U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
Below are more key stories and links to share AIPAC social media content. We'll continue to provide the latest updates on our social media channels.
Shabbat Shalom,
Jake Braunstein
Director of Policy Communications
IDF eliminates senior Hamas intelligence official
The IDF announced today that it eliminated Sim Mahmoud Yusuf Abu Alkhir, a Hamas intelligence operative, in an airstrike in northern Gaza. Alkhir had been directly involved in executing attacks on Israeli soldiers.
"Additionally, over ten terrorists were eliminated & 20+ military infrastructure sites dismantled," the IDF said. "In Gaza City, IDF troops continue to expand activity while troops in Khan Yunis and Rafah continue to operate against terror threats."
John Spencer: U.N. Genocide Report is an Assault on Critical Thinking
Urban warfare expert John Spencer wrote a new op-ed about how the U.N.’s recent report claiming Israel is committing genocide "is a case study in how international bodies can dress propaganda in the language of law."
Spencer notes how the report "never treats Hamas as a combatant force or acknowledges that Gaza contains legitimate military targets... Instead, it vaguely references the 'attacks in southern Israel on 7 October,' which it says 'did not pose an existential threat to the state of Israel.'"
The report "is an advocacy document that begins with a verdict and works backward, collecting fragments of information that support its claim while excluding anything that would complicate or contradict it."
Israeli ambassador condemns those trying to block aid to Israel
Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter condemned efforts to condition or block U.S. aid to Israel as our ally is fighting a multi-front war against Iran and its terrorist proxies, speaking at the Israeli Embassy yesterday.
Leiter said the accusations that Israel is attempting to starve Gazans are "a modern-day blood libel."
"Israel is standing alone in the world," Leiter said, except for "with our dearest friends in the Congress of the United States and the Senate of the United States and the administration of President Trump."
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.
