The alliance between the United States and Israel represents an enduring partnership that must be reaffirmed. In a region marked by unrest, Israel remains our only authentic ally. There is no doubt it is a strategic bond, however it is also a natural bond—a friendship between two nations rooted in the common values of democracy, free markets, and the objective of peace through strength.
While our strategic alliance remains firm, President Obama’s recent political rhetoric is not edifying—especially in the wake of the Arab Spring and an Iran that moves ever-closer to nuclear capabilities. Careless rhetoric only serves to bolster international groups that find it politically expedient to place a disproportionate burden upon Israel for their inherent right to establish peace.
As your congressman, I will be an active voice to reaffirm the U.S.-Israeli relationship and a steadfast advocate of Israel’s right to self-defense. For this reason, I support much stricter sanctions on Iran as well as Israel’s absolute authority to protect its people from nations that actively seek to challenge their sovereignty. And, should Iran continue to develop its nuclear capabilities, I would support Israel’s absolute right to take decisive action to protect its citizens from the menace of the world’s most active state-sponsor of terrorism acquiring the world’s most dangerous weapons.
It is important to add that while the most solemn policy issues on the subject of the U.S.-Israeli relationship center upon security and defense, I strongly believe in strengthening the economic relationship with the 17th most competitive economy in the world. According to the IMD 2010 World Competitiveness Yearbook, Israel ranked as the most durable economy in the face of crises, as well as first for expenditures in research and development as a percentage of GDP. These are key indicators as to why the free market bond between our two nations is just as strategic.
Peace and economic prosperity are shared goals of Americans and Israelis, and as your congressman, I will firmly stand with the State of Israel.