ZOA Praises House for Passing it
NEW YORK, May 11, 2012 — The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA)
strongly praised the House of Representatives for passing the
U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act (H.R. 4133) by an almost
unanimous vote. The bi-partisan bill was introduced by Majority Leader
Eric Cantor (R-VA) and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and passed by a
vote of 411-2. Voting against were Rep. John Dingell, (D-MI) and Rep,
Ron Paul (R-TX).
Nine members did not vote for the bill, but simply voted ‘PRESENT,”
including Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), André Carson (D-IN), Donna Edwards
(D-MD), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Walter Jones (R-NC), Barbara Lee (D-CA),
Betty McCollum (D-MN), Pete Stark (D-CA) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA). The
U.S. Senate is considering similar legislation that is sponsored by Sen.
Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), along with 32
co-sponsors so far. AIPAC and ZOA’s Government Relations Department have
been engaged in both houses in educating members about issues relating
to Israel’s Defense, and the common threats the US and Israel face in
the region.
All but one of the eleven representatives who made a point of not voting
for the bill are aligned with the extremist, far-left, pro-Arab
‘J-Street.’ ZOA is distressed and disappointed that according to Adam
Kredo of the Washington Free Beacon, J-Street itself remained “neutral”
on the bill, and declined an opportunity to comment further on this
matter.
This bipartisan legislation reaffirms and strengthens the deep
military and security relationship between the United States and Israel,
and reflects the bi-partisan consensus of the US Congress that this
relationship must continue to thrive. It also reaffirms Israel’s right
to defend itself against threats and reiterates America’s unshakable
commitment to Israel’s security, recognizing that a secure Israel will
always be in America’s national interest. Additionally, this House
legislation strengthens strategic cooperation between the US and Israel
in missile defense, homeland security, intelligence, energy security and
cyber-warfare. The aim is to maintain and protect Israel’s Qualitative
Military Edge and ensure that Israel remains the preeminent military
power in the region, where it is threatened by Iran and others. The
Administration is required by this bill to report to Congress within 180
days on the status of Israel’s qualitative superiority “in light of
current trends and instability in the region.”
Specifically, the legislation encourages the President to provide
additional assistance to support US-Israel joint missile defense
efforts; allocates additional weaponry and munitions to the
forward-deployed US stockpile located in Israel; strengthens
multilateral efforts to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza and to
protect against terrorist attacks from the Sinai peninsula; expands
already close intelligence cooperation between the US and Israel. The
bill also establishes as policy that the US will veto any one-sided
anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations.
The bill is beneficial to both Israel and the US. The intelligence
the U.S. receives from Israel exceeds that which the U.S. receives from
all NATO countries combined. The U.S. has also benefitted greatly from
Israeli innovation and technology in the military realm. In fact, Israel
often makes sacrifices of its own for the security relationship between
the two countries.
Majority Leader Cantor stated: “This bill re-affirms Israel’s right
to defend itself against threats and puts Congress on the record about
America’s long-standing commitment to the US-Israel strategic
relationship, a unique and special relationship founded on shared
interests and shared democratic values.” On the floor of the House,
Rep. Hoyer added: “Democrats and Republicans stand together when it
comes to supporting our friend and ally Israel…. There needs to be a
clear understanding by all those who would threaten Israel that the
United States stands with her, because it is in our – the United States’
– security interest to do so, and because it is morally and ethically
the right thing to do as well.”
ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said “It is gratifying to see
the efforts of ZOA, AIPAC, and supporters of Israel in the Congress
result in such an important piece of legislation. America is safer and
the Middle East Region is safer when all of our potential enemies
realize that there is close military and political cooperation between
Israel and the US. Once again the House of Representatives has led the
way, and ZOA expects the Senate will also do everything necessary to
maintain Israel’s qualitative edge in the region. ”
ZOA Government Relations Co-Directors Daniel Pollak and Joshua London
stated, “The passage of this bill is a milestone in demonstrating the
importance that the US Congress places on the security relationship with
Israel. If direct action should become necessary to prevent Iran from
achieving a military nuclear capability, the detailed improvements in
Israel’s refueling capability, missile defense, and specialized
munitions could well prove decisive in the resolution of the crisis.
Every joint exercise between US and Israeli forces demonstrates to our
common adversaries that there is no hope of prevailing in a conflict
with either democracy. We expect the Senate to take up and pass this
important legislation as soon as possible, and ZOA will work to educate
Senators about the vital nature of each of the provisions in this law.
Thanks Ted Belman
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