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Dear Friends of EMET,
The Senate and the House of Representatives are in the final throes of drafting the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 (S.4049). The NDAA determines how the U.S. allocates its national defense funds – including appropriating money for many projects, as part of the close Israel-U.S. defense cooperation.
This past week Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) led an effort, along with 11 of his colleagues, Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tom Carper (D-DE), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and proposed a heinous amendment (S.Amdt.2435) against Israel, that would jeopardize Israel’s national security and deny her right to defend herself should they extend sovereignty in Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley.
This suggested amendment follows the Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s letter, backed by several members of “the squad,” calling to impose conditions on the $3.8bn annual military assistance to Israel. As anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric are becoming more mainstream in parts of Capitol Hill, it is important to let our legislatures know that we will stand up for our closest ally and the only democracy in the Middle East – Israel - and defend her by telling our Senators that we will not accept this anti-Israel motion.
As Americans, particularly during this period of foreign policy retrenchment, we have got to understand that the greatest national security asset to the United States in that very volatile region of the world, that is the Middle East, is a strong and secure Israel that could defend itself, by itself. While Israel’s neighbors, even those who have had signed peace treaties with Israel, particularly Jordan, face internal instability, the best defense Israel has still remains the topographical boundary of the Jordan Valley. This is not “annexation.” In international law, the term “annexation” only applies when territory is taken from a sovereign nation. This land remains “disputed,” and only in the case of Israel is there a refusal to acknowledge that Israel has won these territories in two defensive wars. In all other cases throughout history, that is how boundaries have been determined. Hence the expression, “To the victor, goes the spoils.”
Senator Van Hollen’s Amendment disregards the decades-long alliance between Israel and the United States, our commitment to protecting our allies, promoting democracy, and valuing friendship - Israel has always stood on our side. Israel is on the forefront of the fight against global terrorism, provides our security community with invaluable intelligence that has helped saved lives, and continues to develop cutting-edge technologies that would make the world a safer and better place. A threat to Israel’s security is a threat to the security of the United States.
While we thank Israel’s wonderful friends on Capitol Hill, such as Congressman Scott Perry (R-PA), and eleven other members of the U.S. Congress, Andy Harris (R-MD), Scott DesJarlais (R-TN), Ron Wright (R-TX), Jody Hice (R-GA), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Randy Weber (R-TX), Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Tedd Budd (R-NC), Denver Riggleman (R-VA) and Andy Biggs (R-AZ), for their recent letter in support of Israel and standing up to anti-Israel legislators and resolutions, we believe we should encourage other Congressmen and Congresswomen to do the same.
We strongly urge you to write to your Senators and ask them to oppose Senator Van Hollen’s amendment. You can find your Senators’ contact information here. For your convenience, we have provided a suggested letter below. If you are able, we would also encourage you to write a similar email to the co-sponsors of the amendments as well:
Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tom Carper (D-DE), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
Suggested Letter:
Dear Senator ______,
I strongly urge you to oppose the proposed amendment by Senator Chris Van Hollen (S.Amdt.2435) to the NDAA FY21 (S.4049). I believe this amendment would not only compromise Israel’s national defense, but it is also not how I would expect our country to treat our closest ally. Israel, like every other country around the world, has her right to exercises her lawful sovereign rights, including in Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley.
For years, Israel has played an integral part of our national security. She continues to provide our security establishment with invaluable intelligence, to cooperate with us on developing cutting edge technologies, and for decades has stood by us unconditionally. Any action that damages Israel’s national security ultimately translates to a weaker U.S. national security too. Please oppose this outrageous amendment of Senator Chris Van Hollen.
Sincerely,
_________
Thank you so much for your attention to this critically important matter.
Sincerely,
Sarah Stern
President and Founder of EMET
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