Three Significant Developments Benefitting America and Israel's Security

[alfred dilamani]

Three significant events happened in the past week affecting America and Israel’s security, and they could not have happened without your involvement with AIPAC.

Here is what happened:

1. The Obama administration requested additional funding for the Iron Dome rocket defense system that protects millions of Israeli citizens.
    
2. The Senate unanimously passed new, tougher sanctions against Iran.
    
3. An overwhelming majority of the House (401-11) passed a resolution declaring it is American policy to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability and opposing any U.S. policy that relies on merely containing a nuclear Iran.

The actions that occurred this past week will help protect us and our allies like Israel, as we work to prevent a nuclear-capable Iran. Here’s how:

1. The Iron Dome funding will help Israel protect its citizens from rocket attacks by Hamas from Gaza and Hizballah from Lebanon, thus preventing a wider conflict from breaking out. Both terrorist groups are funded and equipped by Iran, and have the capability of striking civilians throughout the Jewish state.
    
2. The sanctions will increase the pressure on the Iranian regime to negotiate and give up its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
    
3. The policy statement from the House is a forceful message to the Iranians, and indeed the world, about America’s national security interests.

There were many leaders in Washington that played a key role in these achievements. Please join me in thanking them for their leadership.

1. AIPAC applauds President Obama and his administration for requesting an unprecedented level of missile defense funding to help protect Israel from the countless, simultaneous threats it faces on a daily basis.
    
2. Click here to thank your Senators.
   
   The Senate legislation was led by Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Richard Shelby (R-AL). Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Robert Casey (D-PA), and Charles Schumer (D-NY) also played critical roles.
    
3. Click here to thank your Representatives.
   
   The House members who spearheaded this legislation were Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Howard Berman (D-CA). Also essential were Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Reps. Steve Chabot (R-OH), Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Ed Royce (R-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Tim Scott (R-SC), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Robert Turner (R-NY) and Ted Deutch (D-FL).

Our work, however, is not yet done. The Iran sanctions legislation must be reconciled between the two chambers. AIPAC will be monitoring this closely to ensure that increased sanctions are implemented as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your ongoing support of AIPAC. Your investment in our organization and the security of America and Israel has a real impact that is felt across the world.

Alfred Dilamani