Israel Briefing Book

U.S. - Israel Relationship: Congress & Israel

Table of Contents | U.S.-Israel Relationship

For decades, the State of Israel has been able to rely on strong support and encouragement from both houses of the Congress of the United States.

From Congressional votes on key issues such as recognition of a unilaterally declared Palestinian state or military aid to Israel to letters personally submitted by congressmen to the President or other government authorities to urge continued support for Israel and fighting terrorism, Congress has consistently lent a steadfast hand to Israel - both in times of peace and at times of war.

Listed below are the major votes and letters dealing with Israel and America's interests in the Middle East, separated by congressional house.

Senate

• Key Votes: 1949 - 2012
• Letter - Urging President Obama to Take Tougher Stance Against Syria (August 2011)
• Letter - Urging President Obama to Sanction Iran (August 2011)
• S. 185 - Opposing Unilateral Declaration of Palestinian Statehood (June 2011)
• S. 138 - Calling on UN to Rescind Goldstone Report on Operation Cast Lead (April 2011)
• Letter - Recommending the U.S. Fully Honor Committment to Israel (April 2011)
• Letter - Urging Administration to Press Palestinian Authority on Incitement (March 2011)
• Letter - Urging President Obama to Press President Abbas on Peace Process (September 2010)
• Letter - Affirming Israel's Right to Self-Defense Following Gaza Flotilla Incident (June 2010)
• Letter - Underscoring US-Israel Relationship (April 2010)
• Letter - Pressing President Obama on Arab Role in Peace Process (August 2009)
• Letter - Peace Principles Towards the Arab-Israeli Conflict (May 2009)
• S. 10 - Supporting Israel in its War Against Hamas (January 2009)
• Letter - Supporting Israel's Quest for Peace (June 2008)
• S. 522 - Recognizing Israel's 60th Birthday (April 2008)
• S. 534 - Condemning Hezbollah & Hamas, Supporting Israeli Self-Defense (July 2006)
• S. 2370 - Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act (June 2006)
• Letter - Urging President Bush to Oppose Hamas Participation in Palestinian Elections (December 2005)
• S. 2292 - Global Anti-Semitism Review Act (October 2004)
• S. 247 - Expressing Solidarity with Israel (May 2002)

House of Representatives

• Key Votes: 1949 - 2012
• H.R. 2105 - Iran, North Korea & Syria Nonproliferation Reform and Modernization Act (December 2011)
• Letter - Calling on President Obama to Tighten Sanctions on Syria (August 2011)
• H.R. 268 - Reaffirming US Committment to Negotiated Settlement of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (July 2011)
• Letter - Supporting Continued Aid to Israel and the Palestinian Authority (March 2011)
• Letter - Urging U.S. Government to Stress Importance of Egyptian Peace Treaty With Israel (March 2011)
• H.R. 1765 - Opposing Unilateral Declaration of Palestinian State (December 2010)
• Letter - Affirming Israel's Right to Self-Defense Following Gaza Flotilla Incident (June 2010)
• H.R. 867 - Condemning Goldstone Fact-Finding Report into Operation Cast Lead (November 2009)
• Letter - Peace Principles Towards the Arab-Israeli Conflict (May 2009)
• H.R. 34 - Supporting Israel's Right to Defense Itself Against Terrorism from Gaza (January 2009)
• H.R. 2761 - Terrorism Risk Insurance and Revision Act (September 2007)
• H.R. 4939 - Prohibiting Assistance to the Palestinian Authority (June 2006)
• Letter - Calling On UN Secretary-General Annan to Fight Anti-Semitism Worldwide and at the UN (August 2005)
• H.R. 1828 - Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act (2003)
• H.R. 1646 - Clearer Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital (September 2002)
• H.R. 392 - Expressing Solidarity with Israel (May 2002)
• H.R. 5272 - Peace Through Negotiations Act (September 2000)

Joint Resolutions

• Letter - Reaffirming the US-Israel Bond (March 2010)
• Letter - Urging President Bush to Stick to his Peace Principles (May 2003)
• J.R. 102 - Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Founding of Modern State of Israel (April 1998)
• J.R. 36 - Authorizing a Special Contribution by the United States for the Relief of Palestine Refugees (March 1949)
• P.R. 73 - Endorsing the Balfour Declaration (September 1922)

Reference & General Information

• Key Votes
• The Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act
• Jewish Members of Congress
• U.S. Legislation Regarding Iran
• Joint Statement of the U.S.-Israeli Interparliamentary Commission on National Security
• Findings of the U.S.-Israeli Interparliamentary Commission on National Security
• PLO Compliance Report