Members of Congress Speak Out for Strong U.S.-Israel Relationship

See a list of congressional statements calling for the U.S. to defuse tensions with Israel. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chair of the Appropriations State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, said that she, "stands firm in [her] commitment to maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge and a strong U.S.-Israel relationship." A letter to the president, led by Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), urged Obama to, "publicly express the United States' unwavering support for Israel, acknowledge its status as a willing partner in the peace process, and reiterate its sovereign right to defend itself against attacks from those who seek its destruction." Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) said that a, "strong U.S.-Israeli relations are essential to the national security of both countries, as well as the security of the region." Urge your member of Congress to speak out for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.

Members of Congress Reaffirm U.S.-Israel Relationship

Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle have called on the Obama Administration to defuse tension between Washington and Jerusalem. See a list of Congressional statements. Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI) said, "I hope that the Administration will end its unnecessary denunciations of Israel and will instead turn its focus to working with Congress to finally enact strong sanctions on Iran." Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) engaged in a colloquy with Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) saying, "the American relationship with Israel is one of the strongest, most important, most steadfast bilateral alliances we have in the world because ... it is based on shared values, shared strategic interests in the world, and, unfortunately, now on the fact that we in the United States and the Israelis are also targets of the Islamist extremists." House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said, "The Administration's decision to escalate its rhetoric following Vice President Biden's visit to Israel is not merely irresponsible, it is an affront to the values and foundation of our long-term relationship with a close friend and ally."

Editorial Boards Call for U.S. to Defuse Tensions with Israel

Major newspaper editorial boards and Middle East experts have called for the U.S. to defuse publicly escalating tensions with Israel, a critical U.S. ally in the region. "[I]t has been startling -- and a little puzzling -- to see Mr. Obama deliberately plunge into another public brawl with the Jewish state," The Washington Post wrote on Tuesday. A day earlier, The Wall Street Journal questioned the administration's strategy in Israeli-Palestinian talks. "If the Obama Administration opts to transform itself, as the Europeans have, into another set of lawyers for the Palestinians, it will find Israeli concessions increasingly hard to come by," said the paper's lead editorial.  

Robert Satloff, the executive director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, wrote about the events surrounding Vice President Joe Biden's recent trip to Israel and stressed the importance of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. Read his analysis. Satloff will be part of the opening roundtable at AIPAC Policy Conference 2010.  

Read AIPAC's statement calling for the Obama Administration to defuse tensions between the United States and Israel.

AIPAC Calls Recent Statements By The U.S. Government 'A Matter Of Serious Concern'

The Obama Administration's recent statements regarding the U.S. relationship with Israel are a matter of serious concern.  AIPAC calls on the Administration to take immediate steps to defuse the tension with the Jewish State.   Israel is America's closest ally in the Middle East.  The foundation of the U.S-Israel relationship is rooted in America's fundamental strategic interest, shared democratic values, and a long-time commitment to peace in the region.  Those strategic interests, which we share with Israel, extend to every facet of American life and our relationship with the Jewish State, which enjoys vast bipartisan support in Congress and among the American people.    The Administration should make a conscious effort to move away from public demands and unilateral deadlines directed at Israel, with whom the United States shares basic, fundamental, and strategic interests.   The escalated rhetoric of recent days only serves as a distraction from the substantive work that needs to be done with regard to the urgent issue of Iran's rapid pursuit of nuclear weapons, and the pursuit of peace between Israel and all her Arab neighbors.   We strongly urge the Administration to work closely and privately with our partner Israel, in a manner befitting strategic allies, to address any issues between the two governments.   As Vice President Biden said last week in Israel, "The cornerstone of the relationship is our absolute, total, unvarnished commitment to Israel's security.  Bibi, you heard me say before, progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the United States and Israel.  There is no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel's security."