New York, August 2, 2018 – The World Jewish Congress United States today applauded the adoption by the United States Senate of the US-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018 (S. 2497). This bipartisan legislation seeks to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself against increasing threats including Iran’s growing presence close to Israel’s northern border. This bipartisan legislation authorizes increases in security assistance to Israel and well as new cooperation between the United States and Israel in advanced technological areas, including cyber security and anti-drone and space technology.
S. 2497 would also authorize continuing US security assistance to Israel for 10 years, as called for in the 2016 US-Israel Memorandum of Understanding, underscoring that it is US policy to ensure Israel’s qualitative military edge in the Middle East.
Rabbi Joel Meyers, Chair, WJC US, said, “The reality today in the State of Israel indicates growing security threats, including the growing presence of Iran and its proxies on the Israel’s northern border with Syria, increased terrorist attacks on the border with Gaza, and a necessity for Israel to defend itself against terrorist groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and others. We welcome the bipartisan support demonstrated by the United States Senate for the strong and vital US-Israel relationship and its dedication to ensuring that Israel will have the necessary means to defend itself against these threats. We are deeply appreciative of the fact that this legislation signifies the continued commitment of the United States to Israel’s security, recognizing that Israel is our most reliable, democratic ally in the Middle East.
“We thank Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member, and Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Chris Coons (D-DE), who authored the legislation. We also thank the House Foreign Affairs Committee for adopting H.R. 5141, a similar initiative, and urge the House to follow the Senate’s example and pass this important legislation soon.”