2013 Briefing Book - Print Version - Aipac

ISRAEL AT RISK
The Terrorist Threat
Israel faces a serious and growing challenge from terrorist groups and their
state sponsors. With the cooperation of such allies as the United States, Israel’s
security forces are working day and night to prevent suicide bombings, rocket
attacks and other violence against Israeli civilians and property.
KEY POINTS
• Radical Islamist terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hizballah and al-Qaeda affiliates, espouse
the destruction of Israel and carry out terrorist attacks on the Jewish state.
• Though the number of attacks on Israelis has fallen since Israel built a security barrier
and undertook military operations in Lebanon and Gaza, terrorist groups are dramatically
enhancing their capabilities.
• Iran, the leading state sponsor of terrorism, provides military and financial support to groups
attacking Israel and Israeli citizens abroad.
• U.S.-Israel cooperation helps impede terrorist financing and smuggling of illicit weapons.
• U.S. support for Israel’s right to self-defense bolsters Israel and helps thwart international
efforts to undermine the legitimacy of Israel’s response to attacks.
The Important Role That Congress Can Play
As the voice of the American people, Congress has a vital role to play in condemning terrorism
and strongly supporting Israel’s right to self-defense. Congressional support for U.S.-Israel
cooperation to combat weapons smuggling and target terrorist financing is fundamental to
preserving U.S. interests in the region. It is also vital that Congress continues to support funding
for joint U.S.-Israel research and development and for Israel’s acquisition of security technology
that the Jewish state can use to protect its population from a wide range of terrorist threats.
69