House Majority Whip Emmer released a PR today listing organizations who support the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, including the ZOA:
WTAS: Emmer Announces Stakeholder Support for the Israel Security Assistance Support Act
May 16, 2024
WASHINGTON – Majority Whip Tom Emmer announced key stakeholder support for H.R. 8369, the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, ahead of today’s vote in the House. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Ken Calvert (CA-41), will hold President Biden accountable for unilaterally halting military aid to our ally, Israel.
Here is what stakeholders are saying in response to H.R. 8369:
Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), Dan Pollak, Director of Government Relations: “Both Democrats and Republicans need to support this bill to force the resupply of Israel. Less than a month has passed since Congress mandated the resupply, and in a cynical move to achieve other priorities, President Biden signed the arms shipments to Israel into law. As critical as the supplies are for the Gaza war, Israel also needs to resupply the IDF to confront Iran and Hezbollah in the North of Israel. ZOA thanks Rep. Calvert and Speaker Johnson for their leadership on this issue. A vote in the house is expected this week, and we urge every Representative to support the bill.”
AIPAC, Howard Kohr, CEO, and David Gillette, Director, Policy and Government Affairs: “Delaying arms transfers only emboldens Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah, while undermining America’s commitments to all our allies. This vital assistance is especially important as our ally fights a seven-front war against Iran and its terrorist proxies. This is not simply about the war in Gaza. Hezbollah is attacking Israel daily. The Lebanese terror group has 150,000 rockets and missiles. The weapons being withheld from Israel are essential to the ability of our ally to confront Hezbollah. Congress recently passed emergency supplemental assistance for Israel. Now is the time to ensure U.S. aid to Israel is delivered. We urge you to stand with Israel and VOTE YES on the Israel Security Assistance Act.”
Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE): “The Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE) strongly supports the Israel Security Assistance Support Act and urges Congress to enact it expeditiously. President Biden’s ill-advised decision to withhold congressionally approved military aid to Israel is a breach of trust and it is counterproductive to the goal of ending the conflict with Hamas and bringing peace to the region. By publicly pressuring Israel to stop their military campaign against Hamas in Rafah, Biden is emboldening Hamas and making it less likely they will release the hostages they unjustly kidnapped during their barbaric attack on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023. Biden’s action undermines Israel’s right to self-defense and their ability to ensure long-term security. The Israel Security Assistance Support Act provides the kind of moral clarity necessary to support our great ally Israel and U.S. national security.”
Christians United for Israel (CUFI): “Israelis share American values and are fighting our shared adversaries. By withholding arms shipments to Israel, the Biden administration is betraying our ally and undermining the will of the American people. Congress must address the executive branch’s foreign policy malpractice. CUFI strongly supports the Israel Security Assistance Support Act.”
Coalition for Jewish Values, Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld, President: “Hamas, which has already violated every ceasefire to which it ever committed itself, has declared that it will repeat the massacre of October 7 if given the opportunity. Israel is fighting a genocidal adversary, and failing to eliminate this threat guarantees that Hamas will murder yet more innocents. We thank Chairman Calvert, Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, and all those working to ensure that Israel is given the necessary resources to finish the existential battle thrust upon it by the murderous terrorists of Hamas.”
Concerned Women for America LAC: “We support @HouseAppropsGOP leaders @KenCalvert @TomColeOK04 and others for releasing today the Israel Security Assistance Support Act to support our great ally in their fight against terrorism.”
FDD Action: “FDD Action endorses the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, an important bill that reaffirms the United States’ unyielding commitment to Israel’s security. With a resounding bipartisan majority, Congress recently approved supplemental funding crucial for Israel to dismantle Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure in Gaza. The Biden administration must fulfill its obligation and swiftly deliver these vital resources. Hamas poses a threat not only to Israel but to the region, to Europe, where it has been increasingly operating, and beyond. It is in the U.S. national security interest to support Israel’s inherent right to self-defense, stand with our allies, and combat Iran-backed terrorism.”
Heritage Action for America: “Despite authorization and appropriation from Congress, the Biden Administration recently halted a shipment of 3,500 precision guided bombs to Israel. This restricts our closest ally in the Middle East’s ability to destroy the terrorists responsible for the deadliest day in Israel’s history. President Biden then threatened in a CNN interview on May 6th that he would withhold all offensive weaponry from Israel if the IDF goes into Rafah. This decision-making emboldens Hamas terrorists, sends a bad message to American allies, and signals to captive Americans that the U.S. government is abandoning them. The Biden Administration has lifted UN Arms embargoes on Iran—the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism—and now places one on Israel, the region’s only democracy. Withholding munitions while Israel is fighting on all sides – Gaza to the South, unrest in West Bank to the west, overhead from Iran’s missiles, and to the north from Hezbollah – will only encourage an expansion of this war. We encourage your boss to support the Israel Security Assistance Support Act to hold the administration accountable to Congress.”
Independent Women’s Voice, Megan Mobbs, Director, Center for American Safety and Security (CASS): “As Israel continues to face unparalleled threats from the region, including ongoing attacks from Iran proxies and Hamas, Congress must act decisively. Moreover, American citizens are still being held as hostages by these terrorists. The ‘Israel Security Assistance Support Act’ proposes necessary measures to ensure that all approved and appropriate defense aids are delivered to Israel promptly—without undue delay or political interference. By supporting this act, Congress will reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself and maintain regional stability.”
Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA): “President Biden’s threat to cut off deliveries to Israel of offensive weapons if it enters Rafah to finish off Hamas will go down as one of the worst American betrayals of a close ally in recent memory. Hamas’ survival would be a huge victory for it and its Iranian backers, and a big defeat for Israel and its American partner, with Israeli deterrence and security further undermined. It also would condemn both Palestinian and Israeli civilians to indefinite suffering and unending cycles of conflict. By delaying the Rafah operation, the Biden administration has hardened Hamas’ terms for release of the hostages – including U.S. citizens – and prospects for a cease-fire deal. The new weapons ban reveals significant daylight between America and Israel, emboldening not just Hamas but also Hezbollah and Iran, making a major Middle East war far more likely — precisely what the Biden team is seeking to avoid. For all these reasons, JINSA strongly supports passage of the Israel Security Assistance Support Act.”
National Sheriffs’ Association, Sheriff Jim Skinner, Collin County, TX, Chair, Government Affairs Committee: “The National Sheriffs’ Association stands behind the United States’ support of Israel and its right to defend itself against terrorist organizations. NSA supports efforts to ensure timely delivery of arms and munitions, which congressional committees have approved. Israel continues to face increased attacks, and these materials are crucial for its defense.”
Republican Jewish Coalition, Senator Norm Coleman, National Chairman, and Matt Brooks, CEO: “We appreciate the strong leadership from House Republicans to respond quickly to President Biden’s indefensible betrayal of Israel. We are especially grateful to the bill’s sponsor, Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA), as well as the Chairman of the full Appropriations committee, Tom Cole, and Speaker Mike Johnson and his leadership team. The Israel Security Assistance Support Act will guarantee the delivery of the defense items promised to the Jewish state just a few weeks ago in the foreign aid supplemental. To ensure compliance, the Calvert bill will block funding to the agencies administering the embargo until it is lifted. RJC wholeheartedly endorses the Israel Security Assistance Support Act.”
Comprehensive list of stakeholders supporting H.R. 8369:AIPAC; Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE); Christians United for Israel (CUFI); Coalition for Jewish Values; Concerned Women for America LAC; FDD Action; Heritage Action for America; Independent Women’s Voice; Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA); National Sheriffs’ Association; Republican Jewish Coalition; Zionist Organization of America (ZOA)
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The original press release can be viewed here.