Aipac today - Monday, January 26, 2009
An American naval taskforce in the Gulf of Aden has been ordered to hunt for suspicious Iranian arms ships seeking to rearm Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, Britain's Times reported. The action follows a similar order by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who on Friday dispatched a frigate to the waters off Gaza to patrol for smuggled weapons. In addition, several top European Union officials have pressed Egypt to step up its own efforts to prevent arms smuggling to Hamas. The orders, key elements of a multilayered international effort to prevent Hamas' rearmament, come amid reports that Iran has already redoubled efforts to supply advanced weaponry to Hamas, just days after Israel concluded its defensive operation in Gaza. Click here to learn about efforts to halt Hamas' smuggling activity.
Obama's Treasury Pick Vows Action Against Iran
Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner vowed to step up U.S. financial pressure on Iran to halt its illicit nuclear program and curb the country's support for terrorism, Agence France Presse reported. "If confirmed as secretary of the Treasury, I would consider the full range of tools available to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, including unilateral measures, to prevent Iran from misusing the financial system to engage in proliferation and terrorism," Geithner wrote in response to senators' questions. "I agree wholeheartedly that the Department of the Treasury has done outstanding work in ratcheting up the pressure on Iran," he added. Click here to learn about Iran's quest for nuclear weapons.
Israel, Egypt to Boost Anti-Smuggling Forces in Sinai
Israeli officials approved on Thursday an Egyptian proposal meant to curb Hamas' ability to smuggle arms from Iran into Gaza, The Jerusalem Post reported. The new strategy, announced amid reports that several smuggling tunnels along the Egypt-Gaza border had reopened following Israel's recent military operation, is said to include heightened Israeli-Egyptian intelligence cooperation, the construction of obstacles in the Sinai Peninsula and the deployment of new tunnel-detection technology along the border. In addition, Egypt will reportedly increase its force of border guards from 750 to as many as 1,500. The agreement comes on the heels of a U.S.-Israeli deal to prevent Hamas from rearming. Click here to learn about international efforts to halt Hamas' smuggling activities.
Obama Determined to Halt Hamas Arms Smuggling
Obama pledged to work to stop Hamas' weapons smuggling.
President Barack Obama stressed on Wednesday his commitment to halting weapons smuggling from Iran to Hamas, Britain's Times reported. During a series of calls with Mideast leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Obama "emphasized his determination to work to help consolidate the cease-fire by establishing an effective anti-smuggling regime to prevent Hamas from rearming, and facilitating in partnership with the Palestinian Authority a major reconstruction effort for Palestinians in Gaza," according to a statement. Obama's pledge comes just days after the United States and Israel inked a landmark agreement to boost intelligence sharing and military partnerships in order to stem the flow of weapons from Iran to Hamas and other terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip. View a slideshow about Hamas' smuggling activity.
U.S., French Ships to Seek Iranian Arms Bound for Gaza
An American naval taskforce in the Gulf of Aden has been ordered to hunt for suspicious Iranian arms ships seeking to rearm Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, Britain's Times reported. The action follows a similar order by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who on Friday dispatched a frigate to the waters off Gaza to patrol for smuggled weapons. In addition, several top European Union officials have pressed Egypt to step up its own efforts to prevent arms smuggling to Hamas. The orders, key elements of a multilayered international effort to prevent Hamas' rearmament, come amid reports that Iran has already redoubled efforts to supply advanced weaponry to Hamas, just days after Israel concluded its defensive operation in Gaza. Click here to learn about efforts to halt Hamas' smuggling activity.
Top EU Official: Hamas Responsible for Gaza Conflict
Hamas bears full responsibility for the recent violence in Gaza, a top European Union official said Monday during a visit to the coastal strip, The Jerusalem Post reported. "At this time we have to also recall the overwhelming responsibility of Hamas," Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said at a press conference in Jabalya, a town in northern Gaza. "I intentionally say this here - Hamas is a terrorist movement and it has to be denounced as such." Michel was in the region to announce new EU-sponsored aid and development projects for the Palestinians. The United States has also pledged its commitment to reconstructing Gaza in partnership with the Palestinian Authority.
Top EU Official: Hamas Responsible for Gaza Conflict
Hamas bears full responsibility for the recent violence in Gaza, a top European Union official said Monday during a visit to the coastal strip, The Jerusalem Post reported. "At this time we have to also recall the overwhelming responsibility of Hamas," Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said at a press conference in Jabalya, a town in northern Gaza. "I intentionally say this here - Hamas is a terrorist movement and it has to be denounced as such." Michel was in the region to announce new EU-sponsored aid and development projects for the Palestinians. The United States has also pledged its commitment to reconstructing Gaza in partnership with the Palestinian Authority.