AIPAC - Daily Briefings
"It has been the Zionist objective to impose a view of the Arabs on the world which suits Israel's national interests; as a result the Arabs are the victims of the best (adverse) image-making in history." Edwin M Wright.
"Our position is so simple and natural that we are amazed it should even be questioned. It is exactly the same position you in America take in regard to the unhappy European Jews. You are sorry for them, but you do not want them in your country." King Abdullah, 1947
Jun 18, 2009 (22 hours ago)
Iran: ian Envoy: We are Seeking Nuclear Weapons
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Iran: 's envoy to the U.N.'s atomic watchdog said Wednesday that his country has the right to build nuclear weapons, Agence France Presse reported. "The whole Iran: ian nation are united… on [the] inalienable right of [having a] nuclear weapon," Ali Asghar Soltanieh said, in an apparent departure from the country's usual refrain that it is only pursuing nuclear energy for civilian purposes. The International Atomic Energy Agency noted in a recent report that it could no longer "provide credible assurance[s]" that Tehran was not diverting nuclear material for use in a nuclear weapons program.
Jun 18, 2009 (22 hours ago)
Hamas: Spurns Calls to Recognize Israel
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Dismissing pleas from former President Jimmy Carter, Hamas: leaders on Wednesday refused to comply with international demands that the terrorist group recognize Israel’s right to exist, the Associated Press reported. "The visit has not led to a significant change. Hamas: finds the conditions unacceptable," said Ahmed Youssef, Hamas: ' deputy foreign minister. "Recognizing Israel is completely unacceptable." Youssef also said the other two international conditions—renouncing violence and accepting previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements—are irrelevant.
Jun 17, 2009 (2 days ago)
Obama: Little Difference Between Iran: ian Candidates
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
President Obama on Tuesday downplayed differences between Iran: ian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his election opponent Mir Hossein Mousavi, saying both were hostile towards the United States,?AFP reported. "I think it's important to understand that... the difference between Ahmadinejad and Mousavi in terms of their actual policies may not be as great as has been advertised," Obama said. "Either way we were going to be dealing with an Iran: ian that has historically been hostile to the United States, that has caused some problems in the neighborhood and has been pursuing nuclear weapons."
Jun 17, 2009 (2 days ago)
ElBaradei: Iran: Wants Nuclear Weapons Technology
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Contradicting Iran: ian claims that it is pursuing "peaceful nuclear energy," the head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said this week that Iran: wants the ability to build nuclear weapons, Reuters reported. "My gut feeling is that Iran: definitely would like to have the technology ... that would enable it to have nuclear weapons if they decided to do so," said Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency. "It wants to send a message to its neighbors, it wants to send a message to the rest of the world: yes, don't mess with us, we can have nuclear weapons if we want it."
Jun 16, 2009 (3 days ago)
Hundreds of Thousands Protest Iran: Vote Result
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Hundreds of thousands of Iran: ian protesters defied authorities Monday and marched to Tehran's Freedom Square, as the Islamic Republic's supreme leader ordered an investigation into allegations of vote fraud, The Los Angeles Times reported. Mass arrests and violent crackdowns, including the apparent shooting of protesters by Iran: ian authorities, were also reported. In one such instance, Tehran University activists said that the government's Basiji militia had killed five students as they stormed the campus to quell a demonstration. President Obama said he was "deeply troubled by the violence."
Jun 15, 2009 (4 days ago)
Netanyahu Lays Out Two-State Vision for Peace
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he supports the creation of a non-militarized Palestinian state living alongside the Jewish state of Israel, The Washington Post reported. "With a Palestinian leadership committed to peace, with the active participation of the Arab world, and the support of the United States and the international community, there is no reason why we cannot achieve a breakthrough to peace," Netanyahu said. "In my vision of peace in this small land of ours, two peoples live freely, side-by-side, in amity and mutual respect."
Jun 15, 2009 (4 days ago)
Ahmadinejad Wins in Landslide, Riots Erupt Across Iran:
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Iran: ian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday dismissed allegations of fraud in his landslide election victory, saying that the win had given him a bigger mandate than ever, The New York Times reported. Violence and protests over the disputed election results intensified, with word spreading that more than 100 prominent opposition members had been detained and riots erupting in Tehran and other cities. In an interview Sunday, Vice President Biden cast doubt on the legitimacy of Ahmadinejad's victory.
Jun 12, 2009 8:06 AM
Mitchell Calls for 'Meaningful' Arab Acts Toward Israel
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
United States envoy George Mitchell called on Thursday for Arab states to take "meaningful steps and important actions" to make peace with Israel, Agence France Presse reported. "The Arab states have an important role to play," Mitchell said. "Proposing the [Arab] initiative was just the beginning. It brings with it responsibilities to join in taking meaningful steps and important actions that will help us move towards our objective." In his June 4 address to the Muslim world, President Obama called on Arab states to take?bold steps to facilitate peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Jun 12, 2009 8:06 AM
Pentagon: Iran: and North Korea Joined on Missile Work
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
The head of the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency said Thursday that Iran: and North Korea are working together to develop ballistic missiles and have made significant progress, Reuters reported. "It really is an international effort going on out there to develop ballistic missile capability between these countries," Army Lieutenant General Patrick O'Reilly told a forum on Capitol Hill. "We've seen it for years and it continues." Several years ago, North Korea reportedly sold Iran: its No Dong ballistic missile, which Iran: has adapted into the Shihab-3, a missile capable of striking Israel.
Jun 10, 2009 7:45 AM
Gates Warns of Iran: ian Nuclear and Missile Gains
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Tuesday that the United States is increasingly worried about recent advances in Iran: 's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, Agence France Presse reported. "Our concern about the nature of the Iran: problem has continued to rise as they continue to make further progress in enriching uranium, and also as they have enjoyed some success in their missile field," Gates told a Senate panel. "Our concern with Iran: ... has continued to grow given the unwillingness of the Iran: ians to slow, stop or even indicate a willingness to talk about their programs."
Jun 9, 2009 9:12 AM
Obama, Netanyahu Hold 'Constructive' Talks by Phone
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held "constructive" talks by phone on Monday, ahead of the Israeli premier's speech next week on the Middle East peace process, Agence France Presse reported. "The president reiterated the principal elements of his Cairo speech, including his commitment to Israel's security," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement. Netanyahu's office called the discussions "positive," and said "the two leaders agreed to maintain close and continual contact."
Jun 9, 2009 9:12 AM
IAEA: Iran: Has Centrifuge Capacity for Nuclear Bombs
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
According to the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, Iran: has sped up its production of nuclear fuel and has increased its number of installed centrifuges to 7,200-more than enough to make fuel for two nuclear bombs per year, The New York Times reported. "The facts on the ground continue to change," said Gary Milhollin, director of the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, "and not in our favor." According to a new International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report, Iran: ian authorities are also blocking inspectors from a heavy-water reactor capable of being modified to produce plutonium for weapons.
Jun 8, 2009 11:27 AM
U.S.-Backed Alliance Wins Election in Lebanon
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
An American-backed alliance has retained control of the Lebanese Parliament after a hotly contested election billed as a showdown between Tehran and Washington for influence in the Middle East,?The New York Times reported. The alliance, known as the March 14 coalition, won the majority in the 128-member parliament with 71 seats, compared to 57 for the Hizballah: -led coalition. The March 14 coalition is a predominantly Sunni, Christian and Druze alliance.
Jun 5, 2009 12:48 PM
Obama: Buchenwald a 'Rebuke' to Holocaust Deniers
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Speaking?at the site of the Buchenwald concentration camp, President Barack Obama on Friday called the site "the ultimate rebuke" to Holocaust deniers, JTA reported. "To this day, there are those who insist that the Holocaust never happened," Obama said. Such statements are "ignorant, baseless and hateful." In a separate interview, the president expressed frustration with Iran: ian President Ahmadinejad, who questions the veracity of the Holocaust. "He should make his own visit... I have no patience for people who would deny history. And the history of the Holocaust is not something speculative."
Jun 5, 2009 12:48 PM
Report: Indian Oil Giant Halts Gas Sales to Iran:
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
India's Reliance Industries Ltd. has stopped gasoline exports to Iran: to avoid potential U.S. sanctions, Reuters reported. According to an anonymous Reliance official, sales were halted last month over fears that the company, one of Iran: 's largest gas suppliers, could be shut out of U.S. markets due to provisions in the Iran: Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act. The bill, intended to reinforce American diplomatic efforts with Iran: with the threat of tougher sanctions, seeks to limit Iran: 's ability to import and produce refined petroleum products.
Jun 5, 2009 12:48 PM
Ahmadinejad Calls Holocaust a 'Big Deception'
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Iran: ian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday referred to the Holocaust as "a big deception," Agence France Presse reported. "The identity of the liberal democracy has been exposed to the world by its protection of the most criminal regime in the history of humanity, the Zionist regime, by using the big deception of the Holocaust," Ahmadinejad said at gathering to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Jun 4, 2009 10:00 AM
In Cairo, Obama Says U.S.-Israel Bond 'Unbreakable'
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
In a speech to the Muslim world Thursday, President Obama called the U.S.-Israel bond "unbreakable" and pledged to pursue peace between Israel and the Palestinians "with all the patience that the task requires," The New York Times reported. "We cannot impose peace," he said, demanding the Palestinians "abandon violence," urging Hamas: to "put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, recognize Israel's right to exist," and pressing Arab states to live up to their responsibilities in pursuing peace. Obama said the world had reached a "decisive point" in aiming to curb Iran: 's nuclear pursuit.
Jun 4, 2009 10:00 AM
Khamenei: U.S. 'Deeply' Hated in the Middle East
from AIPAC - Today's Briefing
Hours before President Obama urged Iran: to "move forward" in its relations with the United States, Iran: 's supreme leader said the nations of the Middle East shared a "deep hatred" of America, Agence France Presse reported. "The nations in the region hate the United States from the bottom of their hearts because they have seen violence, military intervention and discrimination," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said. "The new U.S. government seeks to transform this image. I say firmly, that this will not be achieved by talking, speech and slogans."
Jun 3, 2009 12:41 PM
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.
Jun 3, 2009 8:17 AM
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 9:14 AM
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 5:12 PM
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 9:12 AM
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 1:44 PM
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 8:28 AM
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 11:01 AM
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 26, 2009 8:42 AM
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 22, 2009 10:34 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 10:34 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