Bookstore Glossary Library Links News Publications Timeline Virtual Israel Experience
Anti-Semitism Biography History Holocaust Israel Israel Education Myths & Facts Politics Religion Travel US & Israel Vital Stats Women
donate subscribe Contact About Home

Congress & the Middle East: Senate Letter Recommending the U.S. Honor its Committment to Israel

(April 1, 2011)

Eleven Republican freshman senators sent a letter to Republican Leader Mitch McConnell [R-KY] recommending the United States fully honor its commitment to Israel as agreed upon in the 2007 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding.

Dear Senator McConnell,

As freshmen Senators, we campaigned on the need to restore fiscal responsibility to our government. The current path is fiscally unsustainable and will have negative consequences for economic growth and prosperity. As we work to reduce wasteful government spending, we recognize that providing for the national defense is a constitutional responsibility of the federal government. Therefore, we must continue to prioritize the safety of our nation and the security of our allies, including Israel.

In recent weeks, we have witnessed a succession of mass protests and turmoil in the Middle East. While we hope these events will open the region to freedom and democracy, the final outcome of this upheaval is far from clear. Given the uncertainty of these events, and in light of the ongoing threats from Hezbollah, Hamas and a nuclear Iran, we believe that U.S. security assistance to Israel will continue to be a key national security interest.

Therefore, as the Senate considers our foreign affairs priorities, we recommend fully honoring America’s commitment to Israel under the U.S.-Israeli Memorandum of Understanding.

Sincerely,

Senator Marco Rubio
Senator Kelly Ayotte
Senator Roy Blunt
Senator John Boozman
Senator Dan Coats
Senator John Hoeven
Senator Mark Kirk
Senator Mike Lee
Senator Jerry Moran
Senator Rob Portman
Senator Pat Toomey

Sources: Marco Rubio