Aipac update

www.aipac.org November 19, 2008
Iran Tests New Long-Range Missiles
IAEA Chief: Uranium Found at Syrian Site
Livni Thanks Bush for Commitment to Israel, Peace
Israel Allows Aid to Gaza Despite New Rocket Attacks
Lawmakers Call on President-Elect to Support Robust Foreign Aid Budget
Michigan, Israel Sign Water Renewable Energy Agreement

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Iran Tests New Long-Range Missiles
The Iranian government said Wednesday that it successfully test-fired a new generation of sophisticated long-range missiles capable of striking Israel and American interests in the Gulf region, The New York Times reported. The news of the launch came one day after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps test-fired another new missile. In recent months, Tehran has unveiled plans for a number of long-range missiles based on Russian and North Korean designs, all with the capability of delivering a nuclear warhead. The United States recently imposed sanctions on a number of international firms for the sale of technology to Iran that could help it develop advanced missile systems or nuclear weapons.
IAEA Chief: Uranium Found at Syrian Site
The head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said Monday his agency needs more transparency from Syria and others to determine whether traces of uranium found at a suspected nuclear site destroyed last year indicate Damascus was covertly building a reactor there, the Associated Press reported. International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei said he was hopeful that Syria would allow inspectors back into the country to carry out further tests, though Damascus has denied any secret nuclear activity, and has said it would not allow further visits to the site by U.N. inspectors under any circumstances. The U.S. administration has called Syria's nuclear program "a threat to regional peace and security" and has warned that "we cannot allow the world's most dangerous regimes to acquire the world's most dangerous weapons."
Livni Thanks Bush for Commitment to Israel, Peace
During an unscheduled encounter with President Bush at the United Nations on Thursday, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni thanked the outgoing president for his steadfast commitment to the Jewish state and his strong support for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, The Jerusalem Post reported. "In the aftermath of the elections here, it is important that the world knows that you have left behind you a [peace] process that continues to move forward and that you have moved the talks with the Palestinians in the right direction after years of terror," Livni told Bush. "You stood up against terror and extremism and helped return moderate Palestinians to the correct path with Israel... For all this and much more, Israel should thank you."
Israel Allows Aid to Gaza Despite New Rocket Attacks
Israel announced plans on Monday to allow 30 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies for the United Nations and Red Cross into the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, despite renewed rocket fire by Palestinian terrorists in the coastal territory, the Associated Press reported. The rockets slammed into the Jewish state just hours before Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas were set to hold another round of peace talks. Monday's barrage of between eight and 12 rockets was the latest in nearly two weeks of renewed attacks against Israeli civilians, in direct violation of an Egyptian-mediated period of calm along the Gaza-Israel border. Palestinian terrorists have launched nearly 140 rockets and mortars at Israel in the last two weeks.
Lawmakers Call on President-Elect to Support Robust Foreign Aid Budget
Leading House and Senate members have drafted letters to President-elect Barack Obama that calls on him to support a robust international affairs budget for fiscal year 2010—a budget that includes critical security assistance for Israel. The letters, spearheaded by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) in the Senate and by Reps. Howard Berman (D-CA) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) in the House, are meant to send a strong message to elected officials that during this period of economic uncertainty and political change, the United States must not turn its back on the rest of the world. The international affairs budget, which funds the foreign aid programs and diplomatic operations of the U.S. government, plays a crucial role in ensuring that Israel has the resources to maintain its qualitative military edge and to defend itself against increasing threats. Click here to urge your elected officials to sign the letters.
Michigan, Israel Sign Water Renewable Energy Agreement
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai on Monday signed a joint water technologies partnership agreement, making Michigan the first state in the United States to sign such a deal with the Jewish state, the Associated Press reported. "This partnership with Israel will strengthen our ability to collaborate with a country on the cutting-edge of water and renewable energy technologies," Granholm said. The agreement establishes a working group between the two governments to focus on energy efficiency and technology that will improve water quality and increase water reuse. During her week-long visit, Granholm also met with Israeli business leaders and entrepreneurs working to develop a nation-wide infrastructure for electric cars.