2013 Briefing Book - Print Version - Aipac

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WHY ISRAEL MATTERS A Vibrant Democracy Israel is a unique sanctuary of democracy, freedom and pluralism in the Middle East, protecting its citizens’ rights while upholding the progressive values it shares with America. The Jewish state accomplishes this despite constant military threats and the fact that it is surrounded by authoritarian regimes. KEY POINTS • Israel’s Declaration of Independence guarantees “complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex.” • Israel guarantees freedom of religion to Jews, Muslims, Christians and members of any other faith, including access to holy sites. • Israel guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press. • Israel is a country grounded in the rule of law, sustained by a robust judicial system, free and fair elections and full voting rights for all its citizens. • Unlike any other country in the region, Israel provides full rights to women, who participate in all aspects of social and political life. The Important Role That Congress Can Play Congress can continue its vital support for Israel as a democratic ally under attack. Congress should speak out when Israel is demonized and when Israel’s right to self-defense is challenged. Similarly, Congress should speak out against any attempt to boycott, divest from or sanction Israel. Congress should point out the double standard of authoritarian governments and religious-based regimes that falsely attack Israel for allegedly violating rights they deny to their own citizens. Congress should also note that Israel, like the United States, follows the rule of law, protects the rights of minorities and is committed to the values of democracy and freedom. As part of this effort, Congress should support Israeli efforts to enhance its position in the international arena by demanding equal opportunities and treatment in key international and multilateral organizations. 19
WHY ISRAEL MATTERS Israel Shares America’s Commitment to Democracy Since President Truman made the historic decision to recognize the State of Israel on May 14, 1948, the U.S.-Israel relationship has been grounded in common values and interests. The people of the United States have seen in Israel a kindred spirit that shares America’s fundamental commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and freedoms of speech, press, and religion. Israel’s Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem is a powerful symbol of Israel’s democracy. This similarity and commitment to democracy have been regularly reflected in polls showing overwhelming support among Americans for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. To the American people, Israel’s devotion to liberty is all the more remarkable in light of the dictatorial regimes of Israel’s neighbors, who deny the most basic rights of their own people and, in some cases, support extremist groups trying to violently impose Islamic law on the region. Israel’s Declaration of Independence proclaims many of the same democratic principles that the United States adheres to, including “complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex...(and) freedom Israel guarantees the right to vote to all its diverse citizens, unlike most other countries in the region. 20
Page 1 and 2: 1 1 3 T H C O N G R E S S • 1 S T
Page 3 and 4: TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREIGN AID 102 F
Page 5 and 6: INTRODUCTION What AIPAC Supports Th
Page 7 and 8: WHY ISRAEL MATTERS Why Israel Matte
Page 9 and 10: WHY ISRAEL MATTERS The Jewish Conne
Page 11 and 12: THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL’S BORDERS L
Page 13 and 14: WHY ISRAEL MATTERS massacres, prese
Page 15 and 16: WHY ISRAEL MATTERS An Ancient Capit
Page 17 and 18: WHY ISRAEL MATTERS Israel. However,
Page 19: WHY ISRAEL MATTERS What Congress Di
Page 23 and 24: WHY ISRAEL MATTERS Israel Respects
Page 25 and 26: WHY ISRAEL MATTERS prime minister.
Page 27 and 28: WHY ISRAEL MATTERS What Congress Ha
Page 29 and 30: WHY ISRAEL MATTERS Israel Provides
Page 31 and 32: WHY ISRAEL MATTERS Israeli agricult
Page 33 and 34: WHY ISRAEL MATTERS Israeli High-Tec
Page 37 and 38: RELATIONSHIP Relationship—Key Pri
Page 39 and 40: RELATIONSHIP The United States Has
Page 41 and 42: RELATIONSHIP that providing militar
Page 43 and 44: RELATIONSHIP What Congress Has Done
Page 45 and 46: RELATIONSHIP Israel Is America’s
Page 47 and 48: RELATIONSHIP boosting Israel’s ro
Page 49 and 50: RELATIONSHIP cooperation between th
Page 51 and 52: RELATIONSHIP State, Local Officials
Page 55 and 56: RELATIONSHIP America’s Oil Depend
Page 57 and 58: RELATIONSHIP The United States and
Page 59 and 60: RELATIONSHIP oil through the deploy
Page 61 and 62: RELATIONSHIP The U.S.-Israel Econom
Page 63 and 64: RELATIONSHIP Apple, Google, Intel a
Page 65 and 66: RELATIONSHIP Israeli companies have
Page 67 and 68: RELATIONSHIP What Congress Has Done
Page 69 and 70: ISRAEL AT RISK Why Israel Is at Ris
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ISRAEL AT RISK Iran: The Leading St
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TERRORIST BUILDUP IN GAZA Ashkelon
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ISRAEL AT RISK U.N. Security Counci
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ISRAEL AT RISK The Missile Threat I
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THE IRANIAN MISSILE THREAT BEL LARU
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ISRAEL AT RISK Syrian Weapons Arsen
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ISRAEL AT RISK What Congress Has Do
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ISRAEL AT RISK Iran Pursues Nukes,
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ISRAEL AT RISK A Region in Flux The
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ISRAEL AT RISK The Egyptian militar
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WHY ISRAEL MATTERS What Congress Ha
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ISRAEL AT RISK From Double Standard
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ISRAEL AT RISK repeatedly held “E
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ISRAEL AT RISK 2002 alone, Palestin
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Page 103 and 104:
FOREIGN AID Foreign Aid—Key Princ
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FOREIGN AID U.S.-Israel Agreement A
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FOREIGN AID The most recent U.S.-pr
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INCREASED THREATS, INCREASED COSTS:
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FOREIGN AID Keeping America Safe, S
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FOREIGN AID Securing America, Stren
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FOREIGN AID Foreign aid plays a cri
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FOREIGN AID What Congress Has Done
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IRAN Iran—Key Principles PREVENT
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IRAN How a Nuclear Iran Would Under
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IRAN UNDERMINE AMERICA’S CREDIBIL
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IRAN purpose but to produce and tes
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IRAN In 2012, the Obama administrat
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IRAN A Terrorist Regime Iran is the
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IRAN The Islamic Revolutionary Guar
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IRAN What Congress Has Done to Coun
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IRAN The Regime Has a Long History
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IRAN What Congress Has Done to Oppo
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PEACE PROCESS The Peace Process—K
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PEACE PROCESS United States, Israel
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PEACE PROCESS a state in other U.N.
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PEACE PROCESS THE UNITED STATES SHO
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ISRAEL’S QUEST FOR PEACE Even bef
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PEACE PROCESS What Congress Has Don
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PEACE PROCESS Hamas: 25 Years of Te
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PEACE PROCESS right and real way to
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PEACE PROCESS What Congress Has Don
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SYRIA-LEBANON Syria and Lebanon—K
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SYRIA-LEBANON The Syrian Regime Has
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SYRIA-LEBANON can consolidate the m
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SYRIA-LEBANON ASSAD REJECTED U.S. O
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SYRIA-LEBANON What Congress Has Don
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SYRIA-LEBANON Hizballah Serves as I
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SYRIA-LEBANON What Congress Has Don
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2013 Briefing Book - Print Version - Aipac

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