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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 21 aid to the PA until it begins to fulfill its many interim peace-accord obligations, such as ending the promotion of hatred and violence against Jews and Israel in its schools, media, speeches, and children’s camps. A related matter is the misuse of U.S. aid to UNRWA, the UN organization established to provide humanitarian aid only to Palestinian Arab “refugees.” Right now, as actual refugees from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq tax the resources of countries in the region, there may be an opportunity to redirect some of the wasted funds to true humanitarian needs under the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, which cares for all refugees in the world except Palestinian Arabs. IRAN The disastrous 2015 Iran deal, aka the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), looms large as President Trump decides how best to mitigate and reverse the damage caused by this catastrophic blunder. So far, the Trump administration has moved cautiously. In the administration’s first six months, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has twice certified that Iran is observing the letter of the agreement while violating its spirit. In fact, the ZOA has pointed out that there have been numerous violations of the agreement’s actual terms, and we look forward to the administration making the case to our allies that the agreement is not aiding the cause of keeping Iran constrained. Unless something changes, Iran is cruising under the deal to a full military nuclear capability, even without cheating, in just a few years. Since the agreement’s implementation, Iran has embarked on a series of actions that show utter contempt for the international community, and the U.S. in particular. This agreement must be officially terminated. U.S. EMBASSY IN JERUSALEM AND OTHER PRIORITIES ZOA also remains committed to moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. The Trump administration has continued the abysmal bipartisan presidential tradition of ignoring the intent of the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act and using a national security exception intended to be temporary to neuter the bill completely. President Trump’s staff, including Dr. Sebastian Gorka, have told the ZOA and other Jewish groups that the president intends to keep his campaign promise to move the embassy before his term is over. ZOA continues to believe this act will have more than symbolic significance, thereby enhancing the chances of real peace in the region. The ZOA’s Government Relations Department also continues to focus on our other regular legislative priorities, including fighting BDS, with some activity at the federal level, but notable successes having been achieved in state legislatures. We continue to be vigilant in educating Congress about the ongoing Arab war against Israel, and communicating ZOA’s insights and reactions to the news of the day. The almost daily Arab stabbing attacks, car attacks against pedestrians, and shootings in Israel are directly attributable to PA incitement. The U.S. has done little to hold Mahmoud Abbas, now enjoying the 12th year of his four-year term, accountable for his barbaric statements encouraging violence and murder. In addition to dealing with our elected officials, Government Relations interacts with Jewish and Christian pro-Israel organizations in Washington, as well as other American Jewish groups. For example, in conjunction with ZOA’s Center for Law and Justice, we continue to pursue opportunities to team with other Jewish groups to combat BDS, to make certain that Title VI Department of Education grants to Middle Eastern Studies departments are appropriately used, and to ensure that the Department of Education enforces its policy protecting Jewish students from discrimination at universities. We work closely with our regional directors and with Jeff Daube, ZOA Israel’s director. We also participate in meetings, public forums, and policy discussions with foreign policy and political professionals, and we continue to engage in print and broadcast media opportunities to spread the word on ZOA’s issues. Government Relations co-directors have also visited ZOA chapters to give talks and educate our members on the situation in Washington. Since the agreement’s implementation, Iran has embarked on a series of actions that show utter contempt for the international community, and the U.S. in particular. This agreement must be officially terminated.


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