Congress adopts budget including funds for Israel’s defense
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has commended the U.S. Congress for including important pro-Israel provisions in the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. These critical provisions will help protect Israel against mounting security threats. The bipartisan measure authorizes $500 million for U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation and up to $50 million for U.S.-Israel counter-tunnel cooperation.
The measure authorizes full funding for cooperative missile defense programs in accordance with the 2016 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding on security assistance. It authorizes funding for both R&D and procurement for the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 missile defense systems. These programs enable Israel to defend its citizens while advancing America’s own missile defense capabilities.
Counter-tunnel funding will enable America and Israel to continue their joint efforts to defeat the threat posed by terrorist organizations like Hamas and similar threats America faces in the Middle East and beyond.
The legislation also includes other important pro-Israel provisions. It extends authorization for the U.S. War Reserve Stockpile in Israel by five years and authorizes an additional $1 billion in U.S. weapons stockpiles in Israel. It calls for a joint assessment of the quantity and type of precision-guided munitions necessary for Israel to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas and other terrorist groups. For the first time, this measure authorizes the establishment of a cooperative R&D program with Israel to develop capabilities for countering unmanned aerial systems.
In adopting this critical legislation, AIPAC appreciates the leadership of Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI), and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA). — From AIPAC
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Hillel International elects Yossi Beilin as its board chairman
WASHINGTON DC—August 1, 2018 – Hillel International announced on Wednesday that former Israeli Justice Minister and Member of Knesset Dr. Yossi Beilin has been elected to serve as chair of the board of Hillel Israel, a volunteer position. His appointment was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Hillel Israel.
In addition to his extensive public service career, Beilin is the visionary of the Birthright Israel program, which has brought more than 650,000 young Diaspora Jews to Israel for 10-day educational trips. The Hillel movement recruits more college-age students for Taglit-Birthright Israel trips than any other organization.
“Yossi Beilin has spent his entire career devoted to strengthening the future of the Jewish community,” said Hillel International President and CEO Eric D. Fingerhut, who also serves on the Hillel Israel Board of Directors. “His insights into Hillel’s role in shaping tomorrow’s Jewish leaders are invaluable and we are excited to build and grow with his leadership.”
Beilin was chosen to lead Hillel Israel in a two-step process that included his nomination to the board by Hillel Israel’s shareholder assembly and his election to serve as chair by Hillel Israel’s board. Both decisions were unanimous.
“After a long career serving the people of Israel, I am thrilled to expand my role to serve the global Jewish people,” said Beilin. “I will work hard to create and strengthen the bonds of Jewish students around the world to one another and to Israel.”
Beilin replaces Avraham Infeld, the former president of Hillel International, who stepped down as chair of the Hillel Israel board after six years of service. Infeld remains an active board member. — From Hillel International
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Ukraine, with help of United Hatzalah, readies for pilgrimages to Rabbi Nachman’s gravesite.
In preparation for the tens of thousands of Jewish visitors who will be heading to Uman, Ukraine this year for Rosh Hashanah, an Israeli delegation of representatives from emergency services met with representatives of the Ukrainian government. High ranking Ukrainian officials from the police and emergency medical services, as well as regional and local government officials, took part in the meeting that was aimed at creating a plan of action that will enable a smoother, safer, holiday for the visitors. E
Representatives from the Israeli police, Israel’s National Security Council, United Hatzalah, the Foreign Ministry, Askan Levy Edri, and the Interior Ministry participated in the meeting and spoke about the challenges that the local authorities will face and how each organization could assist in meeting those challenges.
United Hatzalah was represented by Vice President of Operations Dov Maisel and Rabbi Hillel Cohen, head of the Ukraine Region of United Hatzalah.
“United Hatzalah will be taking over the operation of the local medical clinic in Uman and will be in charge of providing all of the staff and funding for its operation over the entire holiday,” Maisel said. “We will be upgrading the facilities from previous years and will be investing heavily in creating a higher level of medical service staffed by EMTs, paramedics, nurses and doctors both local and international in order to provide the best coverage possible.”
The clinic will be set up this year in the Klaus facility adjacent to the gravesite of Rebbe Nachman z”l. Maisel added that in addition to running the clinic, local as well as international EMS volunteers from United Hatzalah will be providing first response medical treatments throughout the area over the course of the holiday. — From United Hatzalah
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Obama endorses Newsom for California governor
Former U.S. President Barack Obama endorsed Gavin Newsom, the state’s current lieutenant governor, to be California’s next governor. Obama wrote: “Gavin Newsom is someone who’s had the courage to deliver real change … I’m proud to endorse Gavin to be California’s next governor.” Reporting this in an email blast, Newsom responded: “Can’t explain to yo how much this means to me. President Obama exemplified the kind of leadership we need, and I admire him so much — he always led with courage and conviction, fighting for the people who needed a champion. And now he’s endorsed our vision. Couldn’t be prouder of our team today.” –From Gavin Newsom for Governor campaign
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Adam Schiff says Trump tweets ‘an effort to obstruct justice’
Congressman Adam Schiff (D-California) said on Wednesday President Trump’s call for the removal of Robert Mueller is an “effort to obstruct justice.” He wrote: “President Trump launched a new barrage of tweets this morning, prompted by Michael Cohen’s possible cooperation with authorities. His ‘executive time’ tirade included bizarre claims about his former Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort (who is standing trial this week), the FBI, Robert Mueller, and even Al Capone.
“He also did something incredibly dangerous, renewing his attacks on his own Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, and saying he should end the “witch hunt” by removing Robert Mueller. This is an effort to obstruct justice, hiding in plain sight. The Special Counsel’s investigation has already resulted in 35 indictments and 5 guilty pleas, including some of Trump’s senior campaign advisers.
“It is also a clear sign that Trump is still trying to interfere with and even end the Special Counsel’s investigation. Alarm bells should be ringing in the offices of every Member of the House and Senate. We need to pass legislation that takes Mueller’s fate out of the President’s increasingly unsteady hands.” — From Congressman Adam Schiff
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