AIPAC TODAY
Bush Warns of Nuclear-Armed Iran
President Bush said the U.S. would defend its ally Israel.
Denouncing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his remarks calling for the destruction of Israel, President Bush on Wednesday warned of the dangers of a nuclear-armed Islamic Republic and affirmed that the United States would defend the Jewish state, the Associated Press reported. “In Iran, we’re dealing with a country where the leader has said that he wants to destroy Israel,” Bush said. “My belief is that the United States will defend our ally Israel. This is a leader who has made very provocative statements.” Bush also said that he would not be willing to meet Ahmadinejad unless Tehran verifiably suspends its efforts to enrich uranium - a key step toward producing nuclear weapons. Click here to learn more about the threat of Iran’s nuclear program.
Senators Urge Arab Nations to Support Peace
In advance of a high-level Middle East meeting this fall, 79 senators have signed a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urging her to press Arab states to actively promote Israeli-Palestinian peace. The letter, which was authored by Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), outlines a series of helpful steps that Arab states can take, including agreeing to participate in the November meeting, recognizing Israel's right to exist, rejecting Hamas' sponsorship of terrorism and supporting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' government. Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert are expected to meet next month at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. View the letter to Secretary Rice and learn more about constructive steps that Arab states can take.
France Wants EU to Widen Sanctions Against Iran
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has urged the EU to widen existing sanctions on Iran’s banking sector, Reuters reported. “These new measures, coming from its most important commercial partner, should have the aim of increasing the pressure on Iran, in particular in the financial and economic area,” Kouchner said. “France is ready to make concrete proposals in this respect.” Russia and China last week delayed a Security Council vote on tougher sanctions on Iran until late November at the earliest. The United States and France are at the forefront of an international effort to isolate Iran for its refusal to end its efforts to enrich uranium – a key step toward producing nuclear weapons.
Israel Releases Palestinian Prisoners as Goodwill Gesture
Looking to strengthen relations with the Palestinian Authority government of President Mahmoud Abbas, Israel on Monday released dozens of Palestinian prisoners from Ketziot Prison in the Negev, the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz reported. The prisoners, most of whom are affiliated with Fatah, were released in the West Bank. None were members of Hamas. Israel has taken several steps in recent months to bolster Abbas, including releasing funds to the Palestinian Authority, easing travel restrictions in the West Bank and meeting regularly with Palestinian leaders. Israel has also pardoned numerous wanted Fatah men who agreed to forswear terrorism and hand over their weapons. Click here to learn more about steps Israel is taking to support moderate Palestinians.
U.S.-Israel Basketball Game to Benefit Israeli Children
The NBA’s New York Knicks will tip off against the Maccabi Tel Aviv Elite squad in an exhibition game to benefit Migdal Ohr, a youth village for disadvantaged children in northern Israel, the website Israel21c.org reported. The game will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City next Thursday, October 11. Maccabi Tel Aviv has won two Euro league championships in the past several years and is one of the best teams in the league. “We can win this game,” said Maccabi player Will Bynum. “We are ready to show that we are equal to an NBA team,” he said. Migdal Ohr, which means “Light Tower,” provides a home and education to 6,500 orphaned, impoverished, underprivileged and new immigrant children.
House Approves Harsher Terror Penalties
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad supports terror.
The House approved by voice vote harsher penalties for violators of United States sanctions against Iran, Hamas, Hizballah, and other terrorist groups and state sponsors of terrorism. The legislation, passed on Tuesday, increases the criminal penalty from $50,000 to up to $1 million for targets of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which authorizes the president to identify any “unusual and extraordinary threat” against the U.S. and to freeze the assets and confiscate the property belonging to the threat. The Senate version of the bill was sponsored by Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and was approved by the Senate in June.
Senators Call on Rice to Urge Arab Support for Peace
Seventy-nine senators signed a letter calling on Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to urge Arab states to take active roles in promoting Israeli-Palestinian peace. The letter, sent on Tuesday, says the Arab states should participate in the upcoming meeting on Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, recognize Israel’s right to exist, reject Hamas’ sponsorship of terrorism and encourage the government of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to govern effectively and fight terror. The letter was authored by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
White House: Diplomatic Solution to Iran Crisis Sought
The White House stated that President Bush is determined to find a diplomatic solution to the West’s ongoing dispute with Iran over its illicit nuclear program, Agence France Presse reported. “The president has said that he believes there is a diplomatic solution that we can use to solve the Iranian problem. And that’s why we’re working with our allies to get there,” said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino on Monday.