Support for democracy, the rule of law, and equal rights are not Republican or Democratic values. They are core Western principles, and they are among the values that underpin the US-Israel relationship. That is why this special alliance has enjoyed widespread bipartisan support for decades. We at the CUFI Action Fund are committed to maintaining this support for Israel and ensuring that no matter which way the American political pendulum swings, the United States stands with Israel.
Support for Security Assistance
US security assistance to the Jewish state is a perfect example of this bipartisan support for the US-Israel alliance. In its present iteration, the House has passed and the Senate will likely soon take up legislation that codifies the Memorandum of Understanding signed by then President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2016. In the last Congress, this legislation was held up by just one Senator. This time around, we have every confidence that it will advance through the Senate – whether by unanimous consent or through a vote – and will be signed by President Trump. Assuming we are correct, a deal struck by a Democratic President, advanced by a Democratic controlled House, will then be engrossed by a Republican controlled Senate, and
finally signed a Republican President. It doesn’t get much more bipartisan than that. None-the-less, we can’t take anything for granted. And thus the importance of this aid bears mentioning.
Importance of Security Assistance
The Israelis have never and will never ask American troops to fight on their behalf. They contend with the terrorists at their doorstep, themselves. Moreover, Israel’s ability to keep terrorist armies like Hezbollah at bay, is in the national security interests of the United States. But the Israelis cannot do this without our support. American security assistance to Israel is vital to Israel maintaining its qualitative military edge in the region. Without American support, Israel would not so consistently defeat its enemies – enemies who vastly outnumber the Jewish state. From the Iron Dome missile defense system to Israel’s participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, US security assistance is pivotal to the Jewish state’s ability to defend
itself by itself.
Yes… There are Naysayers
Despite the fact that Israel shares our values, and that our investment in the Jewish state’s security shows us among the best returns imaginable (and despite the fact that the vast majority of aid to Israel is spent here in the US), there are still naysayers. Some argue that enabling Israel to protect itself is somehow anti-Palestinian. They should ask the Palestinian Authority with whom that entity coordinates its security efforts (spoiler alert: it’s Israel). Others argue we shouldn’t engage in any type of foreign assistance, even to Israel. But isolationists weren’t able to wish away fascism or communism; we doubt they’ll be able to wish away Islamo-fascism (and, radical as some officials may find the concept, we believe morality should play a
role in foreign policy decisions).
The American people come to their support for Israel in different ways. Some see a Biblical mandate to stand with God’s Chosen People. Others an historical bond with a stalwart ally that is worth protecting. Still others, a wise investment in protecting Western values in the Middle East. And at the CUFI Action Fund we say all of the above.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be reminding our friends in the Senate of the foundations of the US-Israel relationship, of the importance of security assistance to the Jewish state, and of the importance of this issue to the millions of Christian Zionists across the country for whom we speak.
Sincerely,
