Publication

Near East Report - June 28, 2012

June 28, 2012

www.aipac.org/ner

World-renowned actors, musical luminaries and fashion icons have all traveled to Israel over the past few months. Whether there to work, sightsee or learn more about the Jewish state, they all came away with strong impressions. View a slideshow to see who's visited.

In This Issue

Slideshow: Celebrities Descend on Israel

As Sanctions Strengthen, Iran's Oil Profits Suffer

Shimon Peres Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Campus Political Leaders Return From Israel Informed and Engaged

Editorial:
Egypt's New President


As Sanctions Strengthen, Iran's Oil Profits Suffer International sanctions on Iran have dramatically reduced the country's oil exports, jeopardizing a critical source of revenue for the regime. The loss of income, potentially creating a budget shortfall, is sure to increase the pressure on the leadership in Tehran, which is struggling to deal with an already ailing economy. READ MORE

Shimon Peres Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom Israeli President Shimon Peres was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom earlier this month by President Barak Obama. Noting Peres’s contribution to the U.S.-Israel relationship, President Obama said that “no individual has done so much over so many years to build our alliance and bring our two nations closer.” READ MORE

Campus Political Leaders Return From Israel Informed and Engaged Forty student activists and young political leaders from across the United States recently returned from the ten-day Milstein Foundation Campus Allies Mission to Israel. Participants described the trip as a life-changing experience and said it had helped them gain a deeper perspective on the U.S.-Israel relationship. 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

Jeremy Rider
Executive Editor

Dr. Avi Eilam
Managing Editor

Tzvi Kahn
Associate Editor

Analysts:

Steven Beckerman
Senior Research Analyst

Michelle Dorin
Samantha Levy
Research Analysts

I.L. Kenen
Founder, 1905–1988

Editorial:
Egypt's New President

Egypt marked another stage in its political transition this weekend, when Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood was declared the country's first freely elected president. President-elect Morsi pledged to preserve Egypt's international accords in his first televised address. In the end, however, the new president will be judged on his actions. Washington must be vigilant. READ MORE