U.S – Israeli Partnership

The United States and Israel share a unique bond based upon shared values and a commitment to democracy and freedom, particularly in the Middle East. As America’s only true ally in the region, our alliance must continue to grow in both strength and resilience as it is vital to the prosperity and national security of both nations.
Since its founding in 1948, Israel has sought nothing more than a peaceful existence and a sense of security for her people. With Israel’s sworn terrorist enemies consolidating power along the Jewish state’s borders and across the Middle East, it is urgent that the United States stands firmly, and consistently, side by side with Israel in her endeavor to exist as a sovereign and safe nation.

The United States and Israel must continue in its partnership. We must always remember “Never Again is Now.” The basic foundation of the United States’ alliance with Israel is our determination to protect Israel’s right to exist. With the ever-increasing focus on the tumultuous region, a strong alliance between the United States and Israel is now more important than ever.

This alliance is vital for US national security interests – providing stability to the most volatile region on Earth and proving a democracy can, indeed, work in the Middle East. Israel’s cooperation with the United States has provided valuable information in counterterrorism efforts, fostered improved weapons development, and continues to enhance intelligence gathering techniques. Our ally stands on the front line against the same radical forces attempting to eliminate America’s presence in the Middle East, a move that would remove the United States as a world superpower. Israel’s continued ability to fight terrorism and survive as a democracy sends a powerful signal to radical Islamist forces that terrorism will not work against the west. Anything short of fully supporting Israel would send a message of weakness to groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. It would not make us one bit safer – rather it will embolden enemies to pursue terrorist endeavors against both Israel and the United States.


Iran

Spearheading the radical forces of instability in the region is Iran, which represent the existential threat to Israel. Iran aids and abets Hamas, Hezbollah, and even the Taliban. President Ahmadinejad’s vow to “wipe Israel off the map” is a strong signal of the threat Iran poses to Israel and the rest of the world.

Iran’s nuclear enrichment – the most time-consuming and difficult part of developing nuclear weapons – is moving at a feverish pace. Congress must bring a sorely needed sense of urgency for robust sanctions against Iran’s vulnerable economy. I will specifically support the strongest sanctions possible against all imports of refined petroleum to Iran.

As we lean on our allies to continue forming a united front in our struggles with Iran and hostile groups, we will be urged to increase pressure on Israel to make difficult and potentially life-threatening concessions to the Palestinians. Now more than ever, the United States must show its unyielding support for the state of Israel. A nation that is smaller than Rhode Island, which has been attacked by her neighboring countries, yet still remains on the forefront of new technology and military superiority is truly remarkable. Israel cannot be forced to make painful concessions that will hinder her ability to defend her citizenry.

The Peace Process

The Palestinians responded to Israel’s August 2005 pullout from Gaza, a painful sacrifice meant to foster good will, by using the vacated territory to launch several hundred rockets into Southern Israel. Now is the time for Israel’s neighboring Arab nations to begin to show good faith in the peace process.

Even in the context of negotiating for peace and security, the United States should never shy away from confirming that Israel is our ally. The United States cannot threaten Israel’s security by putting public pressure on Israel as a means to try to appear “even-handed” in the eyes of some Arab nations. The recent actions by the Administration, including previous attempts to appease other Middle Eastern nations, do nothing more than show signs of weakness to Israel’s enemies and places undue pressure on Israel. We must not condone these actions and learn from past mistakes. The Fatah government in the West Bank should show the world that it can enforce order over its own before Israel can safely take further steps in the peace process.

The most effective method to provide long-lasting peace is for the Palestinian government to renounce terrorism, recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, and to enforce past agreements and treaties. Further, Jerusalem must remain an undivided city, the Capitol City of Israel. These conditions should be met before Israel can be asked to return to the negotiation table.

It is my hope that both Israelis and Palestinians will work together to advance peace, to live side by side respecting each others right to exist so that a real, true and lasting peace is established with an immediate end to violence. Israel must be guaranteed that she has a true and real partner in the U.S. as negotiations for peace become a reality.

Moral Duty

As a Christian, I fundamentally believe it is our moral duty as a nation to maintain a positive and strong relationship with Israel. I believe that the Nation of Israel is God’s chosen people as cited by the Books of Deuteronomy and of Exodus. It is not only intelligent foreign policy, but it is vital to the future of our country.

Christianity teaches us that YAHWEH, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is with Israel. This is not to discount other nations in God's eyes, but God made a covenant to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that is evident in Deuteronomy chapter 7:

6) “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God; the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

7)The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people.

8) But because the Lord loved you, and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn unto your fathers...”