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Dear A.,
It’s been 791 days, and Hamas is still holding the body of an Israeli it murdered on October 7.
An
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Israeli delegation was in Cairo this week demanding action by Egypt and Qatar to increase pressure on Hamas and force the terror group to release the body of Ran Gvili.
Israel has told the mediators that Hamas and Islamic Jihad know how to reach his body.
Their refusal to return Gvili’s remains is a blatant violation of the ceasefire deal.
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Ran Givili, the final slain hostage whose body Hamas is holding in Gaza. Phase Two of President Trump's Peace Plan cannot begin until Ran is returned to Israel.
The IDF continues to respond to Hamas' violations of the deal and its attacks on Israeli troops. The IDF announced yesterday that it has killed roughly
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40 of the terrorists who have been operating in tunnels under Israeli-controlled territory in Rafah.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials have said that President Trump is planning to announce the move to
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phase two of his 20-point peace plan by Christmas.
Below are more key stories and links to share AIPAC social media content from the week. We'll continue to provide the latest updates on
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our social media channels .
Shabbat Shalom,
Jake Braunstein
Senior Director, Policy Communications
Senator Chris Van Hollen launches personal attack on Jewish community leader
In an outrageous personal attack insinuating “dual loyalty,” Senator
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Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), accused Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington CEO Ron Halber of being an "apologist for the Netanyahu government" after Halber criticized the Senator for failing to listen to the concerns of the Jewish community and moderate his anti-Israel rhetoric.
In the same shameful statement, the Senator claimed to be “committed to a values-based foreign policy that holds our friends and our adversaries to the same standards,” drawing a moral equivalence between Israel and terrorist organizations.
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AIPAC, along with national Jewish organizations and rabbinic leaders across denominations, have spoken out to condemn the Senator's statement.
William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations,
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said , "I am stunned, offended, and frankly angry at Senator Van Hollen’s personal attack on Ron."
"Labeling American Jews as apologists when they challenge you is not discourse. It is a smear. It cheapens the conversation at a time when Jewish anxiety is real and rising, and when we need leaders who hear us rather than dismiss us." Daroff added.
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Read more here.
MUST WATCH
Alon Ohel on surviving torture: "I chose life."
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Hostage survivor Alon Ohel talks about being kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and how they starved him throughout 738 days in captivity.
AIPAC Activist Beth Kuhel: "What I Learned From AIPAC: Why Supporting Israel Pays Off for America"
AIPAC activist Beth Kuhel published and op-ed today on how
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AIPAC's work strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship greatly benefits America:
"This past October, I had the extraordinary opportunity to join an AIPAC mission to South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan... Being a strong ally to Israel is not a matter of charity or sentiment. It is a strategic investment — in American security, innovation, and economic prosperity. If we do not elect leaders who are pro-Israel, pro-democracy, and committed to fighting antisemitism, we empower those who oppose us. There is no neutral ground."
"The economic partnership between the US and Israel is equally compelling. In 2024, trade between the two countries totaled $55.7 billion, supporting over 255,000 American jobs. More than 2,500 US firms operate in Israel, accessing the country’s innovation ecosystem and contributing to American economic growth. Israeli security assistance is largely spent on American-made products, sustaining tens of thousands of manufacturing and defense jobs. Beyond defense, Israeli-designed water and infrastructure technologies improve American lives — for example, desalination projects provide water to hundreds of thousands of Americans, contributing approximately $50 million annually to the economy."
"Israel also punches far above its weight in critical technology sectors. Its deep-tech companies — around 1,500 in total — specialize in cybersecurity, semiconductors, AI, medical devices, energy, and agritech, raising $28 billion between 2019 and 2025 and achieving a cumulative valuation of $177 billion. Collaboration with Israeli firms provides American companies access to cutting-edge technology that strengthens competitiveness globally."
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I encourage you to read and share the full blog here.
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Report links Hezbollah to global ransomware group; Iran, Lebanon deepen ties
A new report from two intelligence and cybersecurity firms shows that the BQT.Lock ransomware group is not just a criminal organization, but the
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offensive cyber arm of Hezbollah .
The group is operated by a Lebanese computer engineering student who leads a "double life," while running cyber operations for the Iranian-backed terrorist group.
Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi
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invited Lebanon's Foreign Minister Youssef Raji to Tehran to discuss their bilateral ties. The invitation comes as the Lebanese government is failing to fully disarm Iran's terror proxy in the country, Hezbollah.
Earlier today, Iran launched a
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series of ballistic missiles during naval exercises near the Strait of Hormuz, showing that Tehran is continuing to rebuild its military arsenal.
This is the second set of drills completed by the Iranian military since America and Israel set back the regime's nuclear and ballistic missile programs in June.
The United States must increase the pressure on Iran, including by continuing to impose maximum economic pressure on the regime.
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Other notable headlines
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‘We chose life’: Eli Sharabi, Alon Ohel recall helping each other survive Gaza captivity
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Thailand to acquire Israel’s IAI Barak MX Air Defense System
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Iran, Qatar, other foreign actors backing anti-Israel demonstrations, LA Israeli consulate says
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In Israel, America has a strategic ally on the cutting-edge of innovation.
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Hamas is still holding the body of Ran Gvili hostage, in violation of the ceasefire deal.
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AIPAC members are U.S. citizens from every state. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Diverse backgrounds. Different religions and cultures.
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New IMPACT-se findings reveal how Palestinian schoolbooks glorify violence, promote antisemitism, lionize martyrdom and reject peace with Israel.
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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