AIPAC - Daily Briefings for the month of May, 2009
Obama Holds Surprise Meeting with Ehud Barak
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Just hours before departing for the Middle East, President Barack Obama on Tuesday held brief talks with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Bark at the White House, the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported. The meeting came during Barak's two-hour private discussion with National Security Advisor General Jim Jones over Iran: 's nuclear program, Israeli settlements and other bilateral issues. Next week, the United States and Israel are set to hold the first meeting of a high-level joint working group on the Iran: ian nuclear issue.
7:30 AM (11 hours ago)
IDF Razes Settler Outpost, Lifts West Bank Roadblocks
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
In an effort to facilitate unfettered movement of Palestinians in the West Bank, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday removed two roadblocks in the Ramallah area and evacuated an illegal settler outpost, the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported. The Israeli army also said it would man an additional West Bank checkpoint around the clock so as to permit Palestinian passage 24 hours a day. According to the IDF, the removal of the roadblocks "joins the opening of some 140 barriers that were removed over the past year."
Jun 2, 2009 (yesterday)
U.S.: We Will Continue to Support Israel at U.N.
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
The Obama administration pledged Monday to continue its steadfast support for Israel at the United Nations, contradicting a New York Times report that the U.S. was considering punitive measures against Israel over potential disagreements on Israeli settlements, The Jerusalem Post reported. "We've long worked to ensure that Israel is treated fairly at the United Nations," State Department Deputy Spokesman Robert Wood said. "That will continue. And as you know, Israel is a close friend and ally, and we remain committed to its security."
Jun 1, 2009 (2 days ago)
Thousands March, Celebrate Israel at NYC Parade
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Tens of thousands of Israel supporters crowded New York's Fifth Avenue on Sunday as part of the annual parade celebrating the birth of the Jewish state in 1948, The New York Post reported. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor David Paterson led the parade, which also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the city of Tel Aviv. For decades, the U.S.-Israel relationship has enjoyed the support of the overwhelming majority of the American people. Learn more about the importance of American support for Israel.
Jun 1, 2009 (2 days ago)
Nasrallah: Iran: Arming Hizballah 'Unconditionally'
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Hizballah chief Hassan Nasrallah said Friday that his Lebanon-based terrorist army receives weapons from Iran: "unconditionally," the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported. Speaking just days ahead of Lebanese elections, Nasrallah also rebuffed international calls for Hizballah’s disarmament and blasted Arab governments for their unwillingness to supply Lebanon with arms. With the help of Iran: , Hizballah has expanded its rocket arsenal and is now able to strike most Israeli population centers with ease. Learn more about Hizballah.
May 29, 2009 (5 days ago)
Ahmadinejad Boasts of Iran: ian Nuclear Advances
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Iran: ian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Thursday that his country was now operating more than 7,000 centrifuges at its nuclear facility in Natanz, a significant boost in the country's ability to enrich uranium, the Associated Press reported. "Now we have more than 7,000 centrifuges and the West dare not threaten us," Ahmadinejad said. Iran: 's ongoing nuclear work violates several United Nations Security Council resolutions demanding an immediate suspension of Tehran's efforts to enrich uranium, a key component of a nuclear weapons capability. Learn more about the Iran: ian threat.
May 28, 2009 (6 days ago)
U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Hizballah Supporters
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on two financial supporters of the Iran: ian-backed terrorist army Hizballah, Agence France Presse reported. The Treasury Department said it had frozen the assets of and prohibited financial transactions with two Africa-based Hizballah supporters for contributing tens of millions of dollars to the terrorist group. "We will continue to take steps to protect the financial system from the threat posed by Hizballah and those who support it," said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey.
May 26, 2009 12:51 PM
Iran: Rejects Western Proposal for Nuclear Talks
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Iran: 's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday rejected a Western proposal for Tehran to freeze its nuclear work in return for no new sanctions and ruled out any talks with major powers over his country's illicit nuclear program, Reuters reported. "The nuclear issue is a finished issue for us," Ahmadinejad said. "Our talks [with major powers] will only be in the framework of cooperation for managing global issues and nothing else." Despite the Obama administration's stated willingness to engage Iran: over its nuclear work, Iran: ian leaders have repeatedly rebuffed American overtures for dialogue.
May 26, 2009 12:51 PM
Biden Links U.S. Aid to Outcome of Lebanon Election
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Vice President Joe Biden said Friday that future U.S. aid to Lebanon depends on the outcome of upcoming elections - a warning aimed at Hizballah as it tries to oust the pro-Western faction that controls the Lebanese government, the Associated Press reported. "The election of leaders committed to the rule of law and economic reform opens the door to lasting growth and prosperity as it will here in Lebanon," Biden said. The United States "will evaluate the shape of our assistance programs based on the composition of the new government and the policies it advocates."
May 22, 2009 8:43 AM
Military Chief: Iran: ian Bomb Would Be 'Calamitous'
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff on May 21 said that Iran: 's attainment of a nuclear weapons capability would be "calamitous," Reuters reported. "I'm one who believes that Iran: getting a nuclear weapon is calamitous for the region and for the world," said Adm. Michael Mullen in testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "It then, in my view, generates neighbors who feel exposed, deficient and then develop or buy the capability themselves. The downside, potentially, is absolutely disastrous."
May 22, 2009 8:43 AM
76 Senators Urge Obama to Adhere to Peace Principles
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Seventy-six members of the Senate on May 19 sent a letter to President Obama supporting U.S. efforts to help Israel achieve peace with all its neighbors and urging the president to adhere to the principles that have successfully led to peace treaties between Israel and both Egypt and Jordan. These key principles include supporting direct, bilateral negotiations between the parties, remaining both a trusted mediator between the parties and a devoted friend to Israel, and insisting on an absolute Palestinian commitment to end incitement and violence against Israel.
May 21, 2009 4:19 PM
Ahmadinejad Links Missile Test with Nuke Program
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Iran: on Wednesday successfully test-fired a solid-fuel missile with a range of about 1,200 miles, far enough to strike Israel, parts of Europe and U.S. bases in the Middle East, The Washington Post reported. In a triumphant speech, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad linked the missile launch with Tehran's nuclear program. "In the nuclear case, we send them a message: Today the Islamic Republic of Iran: is running the show," Ahmadinejad said. "We say to the superpowers, 'Who of you dare to threaten the Iran: ian nation? Raise your hand!' But they all stand there with their hands behind their backs."
May 20, 2009 9:13 AM
Iran: Says It Test-Fired New Long Range Missile
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday that Iran: had test-fired an upgraded surface-to-surface missile with a range of about 1,200 miles, far enough to strike Israel, parts of Europe and U.S. bases in the Middle East, The New York Times reported. “The Sejil-2 missile, which has an advanced technology, was launched today,” Ahmadinejad said. “It landed exactly on target.” Last November, Iran: said it test-fired a missile called the Sejil, a forerunner to the Sejil-2, also with a range of 1,200 miles – almost as far as another Iran: ian missile called Shahab-3.
May 19, 2009 8:25 AM
Obama: Talks Cannot Be Excuse for Iran: ian Inaction
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
President Barack Obama welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on Monday, telling the Israeli leader that he expected to know by the end of the year whether Iran: was making “a good-faith effort to resolve differences” in talks aimed at ending its nuclear program, The New York Times reported. “We’re not going to have talks forever,” Obama said. “We’re not going to create a situation in which the talks become an excuse for inaction while Iran: proceeds with developing a nuclear – and deploying a nuclear weapon.”
May 18, 2009 8:15 AM
President Says He Understands Israeli Fear of Iran:
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
In advance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, President Barack Obama said that he understands the Israeli fear of a nuclear-armed Iran: . "I understand very clearly that Israel considers Iran: an existential threat, and given some of the statements that have been made by President Ahmadinejad, you can understand why," Obama said in an interview with Newsweek. "So their calculation of costs and benefits are going to be more acute. They're right there in range and I don't think it's my place to determine for the Israelis what their security needs are."
May 15, 2009 11:11 AM
U.S. Official Says Iran: Dominant Issue in Region
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
The acting assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs on Thursday said that Iran: , not the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, is now the predominant issue of concern in the Middle East, The Washington Times reported. “When you travel around the [Middle East] five, six, seven years ago, almost everywhere you went, the first thing that came up was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” Jeffrey Feltman said in testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “When you travel around today, what you are going to hear about is Iran: .”
May 15, 2009 11:11 AM
House Approves $555 Million in Security Aid for Israel
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
The House on Thursday approved $555 million in security aid to Israel as part of an emergency supplemental spending bill to fund military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and other key national security efforts. The aid will fund a portion of President Obama's request of $2.775 billion in security assistance for Israel in fiscal year 2010 as called for by a 2007 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding. The remaining $2.22 billion of the request is expected to be funded in the fiscal year 2010 foreign aid bill.
May 14, 2009 11:03 AM
Report: U.S. Sets October as Target for Iran: Progress
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
The Obama administration and its European allies are setting a target of early October to determine whether engagement with Iran: is making progress or should lead to stronger sanctions, The Wall Street Journal reported. Senior officials familiar with the policy said the U.S. and its allies are developing specific benchmarks to gauge Iran: ian behavior. Those include whether Iran: is willing to let U.N. monitors make snap inspections of nuclear facilities that are now off-limits, and whether Tehran will agree to suspend its efforts to enrich uranium.
May 13, 2009 9:15 AM
Hizballah: We Give 'Every Type of Support' to Hamas
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
A top Hizballah leader told the Financial Times Tuesday that his Iran: ian-backed terrorist army has been providing "every type of support" possible to Hamas terrorists. "It is one of the secrets of the resistance that we don't talk about the details of our support, but suffice to say that we are giving them every type of support that could help the Palestinian resistance," Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said. "We have done so for a while but we have not talked about it." Last month, Egypt detained 49 Hizballah-linked men for planning attacks in Egypt and smuggling arms to Hamas.
May 12, 2009 7:01 AM
In Egypt, Netanyahu Stresses Desire for Peace
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he would like to resume peace talks with the Palestinians in the coming weeks and hopes to boost cooperation between Israel and the Arab world, Agence France Presse reported. "We would like to extend peace first of all with our Palestinian neighbors," Netanyahu said at a press conference with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. "We would like Israel and the Palestinians to live with prospects of peace, security and prosperity." Those issues, and the threat of a nuclear Iran: , will top Netanyahu's agenda when he travels to Washington next week.
May 11, 2009 11:01 AM
Hamas: We Won't Accept Two-State Solution
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Hamas' Damascus-based leader Khaled Mashal said Saturday that his terrorist organization will not accept a two-state solution as a means to end the conflict with Israel, Germany's Deutsche Presse Agentur reported. Mashal recently criticized Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas for recognizing Israel and vowed to continue Hamas' "resistance" against the Jewish state. Hamas is working to form a unity government with Abbas' Fatah party, but must first overcome a number of political and ideological hurdles. Click here to learn more about Hamas.
May 11, 2009 11:01 AM
U.S. Extends Sanctions on Syria
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
President Obama on Friday issued a statement indicating that his administration would extend sanctions on Syria first imposed by President Bush in 2004. In extending the sanctions, Obama stated that Syria's actions "in supporting terrorism, pursuing weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, and undermining U.S. and international efforts with respect to the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States."
May 7, 2009 2:21 PM
Policy Conference Closes with Record Lobbying Day
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
AIPAC Policy Conference 2009 came to a momentous close Tuesday, with thousands of delegates trekking to Capitol Hill for some 515 lobbying meetings with their members of Congress. Following rousing speeches by Vice President Joe Biden and Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, delegates urged their elected officials to enhance President Obama's diplomatic outreach to Iran: with heightened sanctions, reaffirm crucial principles as the United States pursues Arab-Israeli peace and support $2.775 billion in security assistance to Israel. Click here to see highlights.
May 5, 2009 10:17 AM
Vice President Joe Biden Hails U.S.-Israel Relationship
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Vice President Joe Biden delivered the concluding address of AIPAC Policy Conference 2009, highlighting the endurance of the U.S.-Israel relationship and affirming the Obama administration's commitment to it. Biden's address followed a speech by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "The bond between Israel and the United States," said Biden, "was forged by a shared interest in peace and security; by shared values that respect all faiths and peoples; by deep ties among our citizens; and by a common commitment to democracy."
May 4, 2009 9:49 PM
Netanyahu, Top U.S. Leaders Address Gala Banquet
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
In a resounding show of support for the U.S.-Israel relationship, some 6,500 people gathered on Monday night for AIPAC's annual Gala Banquet, which featured an address by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu via satellite and talks by top leaders of the House and Senate. More than half of Congress and scores of ambassadors and diplomats from countries around the world were in attendance, demonstrating the depth, breadth, and bipartisan strength of the U.S.-Israel alliance.
May 4, 2009 9:49 PM
AIPAC Activists to Press for Tough Iran: Sanctions
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
In a resounding show of support for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, thousands of AIPAC activists from all 50 states will ascend Capitol Hill today to conduct more than 500 lobbying meetings with members of Congress and their staff. At the top of the agenda during each of these meetings will be stopping Iran: 's pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability. AIPAC activists will encourage their representatives to cosponsor the Iran: Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act (IRPSA), which was just introduced in the House and Senate.
May 4, 2009 11:02 AM
Shimon Peres Applauds the U.S.-Israel Relationship
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
In an inspiring address, Israeli President Shimon Peres on Monday morning praised the U.S.-Israel relationship and thanked more than 6,000 AIPAC activists for their dedicated involvement in strengthening it. "For 60 years," he said, "America has been and still is more than just an ally - it is an unusual partner and a brave friend. I have heard it said, and I have heard it sung - today, more than ever - God bless America."
May 3, 2009 9:02 PM
Young Leaders Unite to Support Israel
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
One of the largest groups of campus elected officials ever assembled is here in the nation's capital for AIPAC Policy Conference 2009. Student Government Association (SGA) presidents from 193 campuses, representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, are joining national and state leaders of the College Democrats of America and College Republican National Committee for the three-day conference.
May 3, 2009 8:02 PM
Top Congressional Leaders to Address Gala Banquet
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
While Washington, D.C., is increasingly consumed with bickering between Democrats and Republicans, the U.S.-Israel relationship remains the one issue that transcends the partisan divide. In a display of this bipartisan spirit, more than half of Congress will attend tonight’s Gala Banquet, which will fill a room large enough to fit the Washington Monument on its side. Four top Congressional leaders will address banquet attendees: Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA).
May 3, 2009 7:02 PM
Gingrich Discusses Shared Threats to U.S., Israel
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
AIPAC Policy Conference 2009 continued on Sunday night with a rousing address by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who discussed the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship and the threats that the two countries face from Iran: and other extremists. Gingrich noted that AIPAC's work to strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance is an American interest. "AIPAC is not just about Israel," he said. "AIPAC is about the American-Israel relationship, because the future of America and Israel are inextricably intertwined. A world which destroys Israel will certainly destroy the United States."
May 3, 2009 7:02 PM
American Leaders Share Their Israel Stories
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
AIPAC Policy Conference 2009 began Sunday morning with a plenary session highlighting the many faces of pro-Israel America. AIPAC activist Joe Englanoff was joined on stage by his close friend and member of Congress, Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA). The two of them shared how they became close friends and traveled to Israel together. Next, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa shared his personal connection to Israel, recalling how his childhood neighbors and teachers sparked a lifelong interest in Israel.
May 2, 2009 4:07 PM
Policy Conference 2009 Opens in Washington, D.C.
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
The stage is set, the lights are on and the doors are open. More than 6,000 pro-Israel activists will fill the halls of the Washington Convention Center for the start of AIPAC Policy Conference 2009. The theme of this year's conference is "Relationships Matter." Conference programming will highlight the importance of individual relationships in strengthening the U.S.-Israel alliance-friendships between presidents and prime ministers, between members of Congress and their constituents and between candidates and their supporters.
May 2, 2009 4:07 PM
Policy Conference Draws Diverse Crowd
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
The pro-Israel movement in the United States is growing more diverse each year. Jews and non-Jews, religious and secular, African Americans and Latinos-all of them are here to show their support for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.
May 2, 2009 4:07 PM
Student Activists Turn Out in Force
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
On many campuses around the country, May 3-5 is right in the middle of final exams. But more than 1,000 students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including 193 Student Government Association (SGA) presidents and 200 high-school students, are refusing to let a few tests get in the way of AIPAC Policy Conference 2009. Indeed, they have turned out in force. The 193 SGA presidents attending are a record high number, and they are the largest known gathering of student elected officials on any issue this year.
May 1, 2009 8:06 AM
U.S.: Iran: Is 'Most Active State Sponsor of Terrorism'
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
The United States called Iran: the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism in the State Department's annual Country Reports on Terrorism, Agence France Presse reported. " Iran: 's involvement in the planning and financial support of terrorist attacks throughout the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia had a direct impact on international efforts to promote peace, threatened economic stability in the Gulf, and undermined the growth of democracy," states the report, which was released on Thursday.