NEAR EAST REPORT AIPAC'S BIWEEKLY ON AMERICAN MIDDLE EAST POLICY


News Alert

As this edition of NER was being finalized, President Obama was hosting Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and PA President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House. Go to www.aipac.org for more on the resumption of direct talks or follow us on Twitter.
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Iranian and Russian atomic agency chiefs speak about the opening of the Bushehr nuclear power plant. View a slideshow about Bushehr and Iran’s other nuclear sites. Slideshow
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Last month, the LAF fired on the IDF without any provocation, killing a senior officer.

Lawmakers Block Funding to Lebanese Army

After the LAF fired on Israeli soldiers without any provocation and killed a senior officer, many key members of Congress from both parties began questioning the wisdom of U.S. arms sales to the LAF. Several lawmakers have put a hold on aid to the LAF until they receive reassurances.
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Student government presidents gave Oren a letter welcoming him to their campuses.

Students Learn Political Activism in Washington

More than 400 student activists from schools across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., in July for the Saban Leadership Seminar. The conference is the only Israel-advocacy program in the country that prepares students to strengthen the U.S.-Israel bond through political activism. READ MORE
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America’s military leaders have emphasized Israel’s importance to U.S. security.

Military Leaders Praise U.S.-Israel Strategic Alliance

Current and former secretaries of defense and military leaders have praised Israel as a vital partner of the United States armed forces. See which officials have lauded the Israel Defense Forces for its battlefield experience, technological innovations and intelligence sharing with the United States. READ MORE
E-ISSN 1947-4458
Published biweekly except when Congress is out of session by The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Funded in part by the American Israel Education Foundation, the charitable organization affiliated with AIPAC.
Editors:
Dr. Raphael Danziger
Editor-in-Chief Emeritus
Renee Rothstein
Executive Editor
Daniel Rubenstein
Managing Editor
Tzvi Kahn
Associate Editor
Analysts:
Steven Beckerman
Senior Research Analyst
Michelle Dorin
Ann Weisberg
Research Analysts
I.L. Kenen
Founder, 1905-1988

Editorial: Direct Talks

Abbas’ decision to resume direct negotiations with Israel, after 18 months of saying no, is a welcome development, however belated. But Abbas must do more than come to the table and assume that Israel will give in to his demands—or that the United States will pressure Israel for him. READ MORE