Congress passes U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act
ZOA Praises House for Passing it
NEW YORK, May 11, 2012 — The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) strongly praised the House of Representatives for passing the U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act (H.R. 4133) by an almost unanimous vote. The bi-partisan bill was introduced by Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and passed by a vote of 411-2. Voting against were Rep. John Dingell, (D-MI) and Rep, Ron Paul (R-TX).
Nine members did not vote for the bill, but simply voted ‘PRESENT,” including Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), André Carson (D-IN), Donna Edwards (D-MD), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Walter Jones (R-NC), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Pete Stark (D-CA) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA). The U.S. Senate is considering similar legislation that is sponsored by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), along with 32 co-sponsors so far. AIPAC and ZOA’s Government Relations Department have been engaged in both houses in educating members about issues relating to Israel’s Defense, and the common threats the US and Israel face in the region.
All but one of the eleven representatives who made a point of not voting for the bill are aligned with the extremist, far-left, pro-Arab ‘J-Street.’ ZOA is distressed and disappointed that according to Adam Kredo of the Washington Free Beacon, J-Street itself remained “neutral” on the bill, and declined an opportunity to comment further on this matter.
This bipartisan legislation reaffirms and strengthens the deep military and security relationship between the United States and Israel, and reflects the bi-partisan consensus of the US Congress that this relationship must continue to thrive. It also reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself against threats and reiterates America’s unshakable commitment to Israel’s security, recognizing that a secure Israel will always be in America’s national interest. Additionally, this House legislation strengthens strategic cooperation between the US and Israel in missile defense, homeland security, intelligence, energy security and cyber-warfare. The aim is to maintain and protect Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge and ensure that Israel remains the preeminent military power in the region, where it is threatened by Iran and others. The Administration is required by this bill to report to Congress within 180 days on the status of Israel’s qualitative superiority “in light of current trends and instability in the region.”
Specifically, the legislation encourages the President to provide additional assistance to support US-Israel joint missile defense efforts; allocates additional weaponry and munitions to the forward-deployed US stockpile located in Israel; strengthens multilateral efforts to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza and to protect against terrorist attacks from the Sinai peninsula; expands already close intelligence cooperation between the US and Israel. The bill also establishes as policy that the US will veto any one-sided anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations.
The bill is beneficial to both Israel and the US. The intelligence the U.S. receives from Israel exceeds that which the U.S. receives from all NATO countries combined. The U.S. has also benefitted greatly from Israeli innovation and technology in the military realm. In fact, Israel often makes sacrifices of its own for the security relationship between the two countries.
Majority Leader Cantor stated: “This bill re-affirms Israel’s right to defend itself against threats and puts Congress on the record about America’s long-standing commitment to the US-Israel strategic relationship, a unique and special relationship founded on shared interests and shared democratic values.” On the floor of the House, Rep. Hoyer added: “Democrats and Republicans stand together when it comes to supporting our friend and ally Israel…. There needs to be a clear understanding by all those who would threaten Israel that the United States stands with her, because it is in our – the United States’ – security interest to do so, and because it is morally and ethically the right thing to do as well.”
ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said “It is gratifying to see the efforts of ZOA, AIPAC, and supporters of Israel in the Congress result in such an important piece of legislation. America is safer and the Middle East Region is safer when all of our potential enemies realize that there is close military and political cooperation between Israel and the US. Once again the House of Representatives has led the way, and ZOA expects the Senate will also do everything necessary to maintain Israel’s qualitative edge in the region. ”
ZOA Government Relations Co-Directors Daniel Pollak and Joshua London stated, “The passage of this bill is a milestone in demonstrating the importance that the US Congress places on the security relationship with Israel. If direct action should become necessary to prevent Iran from achieving a military nuclear capability, the detailed improvements in Israel’s refueling capability, missile defense, and specialized munitions could well prove decisive in the resolution of the crisis. Every joint exercise between US and Israeli forces demonstrates to our common adversaries that there is no hope of prevailing in a conflict with either democracy. We expect the Senate to take up and pass this important legislation as soon as possible, and ZOA will work to educate Senators about the vital nature of each of the provisions in this law.
Must I read more? Anything passed by an “almost unanimous” vote in our Congress that’s divided sharply over almost everything, can be of no TANGIBLE value to Israel. I dare say that (1) If it packed any punch in the draft, it has been entirely neutered, de-fanged and de-clawed, and (2) It will contain a loophole giving the Executive branch veto power over all its provisions.
@ BlandOatmeal:
I agree:
US legislators want a piece of Iron Dome
A House subcommittee is conditioning funding for the rocket interceptor on “appropriate rights”, and co-production.
Last week, the Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the US House of Representatives Armed Services Committee decided to allocate a further $680 million for the purchase by the IDF of additional batteries of the Iron Dome short-range rocket interceptor system in 2013. The system is produced by Rafael. (In 2011, the US Congress approved $203 million for this purpose, on an initiative by the Obama administration.)
“Globes” has now learned that the subcommittee is making the new grant for Iron Dome conditional on the US receiving rights in the system’s technology, and on part of its production being transferred to the US. The main implication is a loss of jobs in Israel.
The subcommittee members found that Iron Dome had proved itself highly effective, and said that the proposed funding would “ensure long-term cooperation” between the US and Israel on its development. However, the legislators want the head of the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Lt. Gen. Patrick O’Reilly, to “ensure the United States has appropriate rights to this technology”, before the money is transferred to Israel.
Together with the proposed grant, the US will have invested some $900 million, yet the US has no rights in the relevant technology, the bill drafted by the subcommittee states.
In addition, the bill states that O’Reilly “should explore any opportunity to enter into co-production of the Iron Dome system with Israel, in light of the significant US investment in this system.”
In response, Rafael USA president Oron Oriol told “Globes”, “We know that the Ministry of Defense is working with the US Defense Department on the question of US funding for Iron Dome. We are not involved in these talks, and rely entirely on the Ministry of Defense.”
Defense industry sources point out that the wording of the House of Representatives subcommittee’s bill is fairly vague, and not by chance. What does “appropriate rights” mean: access to the technology, or intellectual property rights? The call for examining joint production is also unclear: does it mean 50% of production, or perhaps 25%? Certain components of Iron Dome are already produced in the US, because Rafael came to the conclusion that this would be cheaper and more efficient.
The assessment is that the US legislators deliberately left broad room for maneuver for the Defense Department in its negotiations with the Israeli Ministry of Defense. “There is no need to take alarm at the draft bill that emerged from the Strategic Forces Subcommittee,” the sources said. “It will go through a lot of sifting.”
The US does have intellectual property rights in the Arrow anti-missile system, the technologies of which were entirely developed in Israel. However, this was stipulated in advance in the agreement between the two countries under which the US and Israel divide the development costs equally between them, but Israel develops the technology by itself. Parts of the Arrow system are made in the US by Boeing, and assembled in Israel.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news – http://www.globes-online.com – on April 30, 2012
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No Free lunches and now America can restrict resale to third parties or producing and reselling to Israels potential customers. Is ZOA that corrupt or obtuse? I would refuse the deal and tell congress where to shove their Security cooperation act.
This being an election year and Jewish money might be critical for these politicians?
I am glad it passed! Israel needs the help.
I am also glad that the Zionist Organization of America Morton Klein admitted that “the efforts of ZOA, AIPAC, and supporters of Israel in the Congress result[ed] in such an important piece of legislation,” because when I note that Jewish groups have power and influence, I get hammered for stating the obvious.
Well, they do. Morton Klein of the VOA says so.
I am NOT saying this is bad, or undemocratic; but it is a fact.
In this case, a happy fact.
@ CuriousAmerican:
We always make a distinction. You don’t. Yes we can get a lot of support in Congress and Senate. But the State Department which is in charge of foreign affairs, we have absolutely no support. It is in Saudi Arabia’s back pocket.
@ yamit82:
Why is it, that whenever I read something about “sharing technology” and “long-term cooperation” between the US and Israel, I think about Jonathan Pollard, rotting in prison? Pollard is behind bars for “sharing technology” and fostering “long-term cooperation” between the US and Israel — something which the US assured Israel was in place, but which Pollard discovered did not actually exist.
The US reserves the right to stab any country in wishes in the back, even Israel; but it’s stretching things a bit far to expect to be able to do it twice.
This I agree with.
Jews are lucky in the USA, and to a lesser extent Canada.
Outside the USA and Canada, it gets ugly.
I have noticed that there is little of an Israeli narrative in the media in South America.
England has the quasi-Islamic George Galloway.
The man could not be elected to dog catcher in the USA; but he is an MP with a massive following in Britain.
To the extent Israel has support in South America, comes from the bad actions of the Arabs, and the Christianity of the population; but the media is atrocious.
This window of opportunity is dying out in the USA as this video shows. The Israeli narrative has all but been squashed from the Academia.
CROSSING THE LINE – ANTISEMITISM in Academia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzPHK7mQ0eg
The problem is that the Jewish community is replying reactively claiming charges of anti-semitism instead of counter-attacking with protests against Islamic fundamentalism.
Instead of restricting free speech with hate crime lawsuits, use it to your advantage, and attack the source.
@ CuriousAmerican:
“If Tikkun Olam can be used in place of God, to repair God’s world, then who needs God. If Jews do not need God then they do not need to be Jews. If Jews do not need to be Jews then intermarriage is O.K. and Jews will cease to be”.
- Conversations with Safed
The antisemetic takeover of academia is not a new phenomena it existed right after the 6 day war led by SDS and some Jews were prominant in those groups including the Weather-underground
Jews were in the front ranks of anti-war protest. In the 1960′s it was estimated that 1/2 of the University of Chicago anti-war protestors were Jews. At Columbia the estimate was 1/3 and at the University of Wisconsin 1/4 of the protestors were Jews.
In 1964 at University of California, Berkley, the “Free Speech Movement” originated.It was a predecessor to the counter culture and anti-war movements. Six of the eleven initial founding organizations were Jewish. Anti-war activist, Abbie Hoffman, led the rioting against the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968. He was tried before another Jew for the rioting, Judge Julius Hoffman, of no relation.
The generation of the anti-war protesters were part of a major disconnect from Jewish historical consciousness. Having grown up in the American world of freedom, toleration and acceptance, the memory of European and world Jewish history was absent from their awareness.
Some of the Jewish protest leaders, Mark Rudd of Columbia and Bettina Aptheker of Berkley were themselves children of protest leaders from the 1930′s communist movements. Rudd and Aptheker were protesting more than simply the war. They were protesting who they were, the bourgeois Jewishness of their parents and the Jewish establishment’s abandonment of their Jewish birthright; Tikkun Olam as they defined it.
I always wondered why Jews and others waiting to enter the gas chambers knowing they were going to be murdered never attacked their Nazi or Ukrainian guards, tried to take their weapons from them and kill them? They were going to die anyway why not try to take some Nazis with them?
American Jewry remind me of such behavior. Some are aware, some articulate why and how but none truly seem to understand. The Jewish G-d of history is liquidating the exile. We have seen in our lifetimes ancient Jewish communities who were either wiped out or had to vacate lands where Jews lived and at times thrived since biblical times. We have seen in the last century both an attempt three times a genocide of the Jews and we have seen the rebirth of a Jewish homeland. Jews in the diaspora are being told you can take your own destiny’s in your own hands and leave the exile or let others determine Jewish destiny in the exile for them.
If you do not count Jewish Russian and Israeli immigration and single Jewish parent mixed marriages which are included in the positive Jewish demographic. Jewish America is actually about 1% of the total population and decresing by about 80-100 Jews per day to assimilation.
To expect the American Jewish community to suddenly stand up and fight for Israel is to not understand where that community is vis a vis their own identities and real concerns for Israel.
Natan Sharansky, himself a former Soviet Refusenik,once commented “Anti-Israel bias on campus brings to the forefront the greater issue of whether or not North American Jews will decide to stand up for their beliefs….U.S. Jews are in danger of becoming the ‘Jews of Silence’….90% of Jewish students are not willing to stand up for Israel.”
Jews declined as a percentage of the American population, from about 5-6% in 1945 to under 2% by 2005 – I wonder if that is not a good thing.
They support movements and Democrats that are unleashed on your country and ultimately hurt Israel and divide Jews. I have more trust in Christians than North East or California Jews when it comes to Israel. Savage refers to them as ” red diaper babies”. Bang on.
Every time I hear an American lefty open their mouth with the usual ” Who are we to…. America is such a rich country….” it is a person born Jewish with a German name, who has no connection to their roots.
In fact http://www.rt.com and www. Aljazeera.net is full of Jewish guests or participants not to mention the gang of Jews at the NY Times and other morally bankrupt American institutions.
Security cooperation pact is fine as long as the Pr. does not act-up like he did in the recent past.
We can count on the US to find a way to get legally or illegally the intellectual property rights pertaining to anything coming out of the brain cells of the Israelis.
It is all about POWER and not about right.
By virtue of being in the USA, Jews feel immune from any significant attack and many on the far left like it so much, that Israel, for them, is meaningless and they believe they could do without her. They prefer their dhimmitude made in USA to Israel. They have it both ways. As long as Israel remains strong it is fine. We need an opposition. After all we live in a “DEMOCRACY”!
@ CuriousAmerican:
I actually agree with all you are saying here.
Great news, Israel. A path is set for the U.S./Israel to meet challenges from extremist groups worldwide. I picture extremist Muslims at Israel’s borders determined to take back Jerusalem for Islam, even though that is the opposite of Quranic teaching, then Israeli and American jets flying overhead while a battleship is posted offshore with its guns pointed toward Hamas and Hezbollah and another battleship off the coast of Iran, waiting.