To:       Officers, Rabbis, Synagogue Leadership

From:   Richard B. Stone, Chairman
             Betty Ehrenberg, Director, International and Communal Affairs

Re:       House Vote on Foreign Aid This Week

Urgent Action Required

Last week, the House Appropriations Committee passed the Foreign Operations Bill for the fiscal year 2001.  The full House is expected to consider the bill this Thursday, July 13.  Amendments to withhold a portion of Israel's aid were offered and defeated in the Appropriations Committee and the Foreign Operations Subcommittee, and it is possible that amendments to cut or withhold aid to Israel will be offered on the House floor.  It is urgent that you call the Representatives you know and urge them to vote for final passage for the Foreign Aid Bill and oppose any amendments that would cut or condition Israel's aid.  

The Bill provides $13.3 billion in overall foreign assistance, $500 million more than last year's House-passed bill.  Consistent with Israel's voluntary aid reduction plan, the bill includes $1.98 billion in military aid and $840 million in economic aid to Israel.  All traditional pro-Israel provisions were incorporated in the bill, including early disbursal of Israel's aid. 

It is imperative that the United States stand by Israel and that a strong message of American support for Israel be sent at this point in time, as Israel is engaged in critical peace negotiations.  Given recent pronouncements by some Representatives to threaten to withhold aid to Israel, it is important that we send a strong message to our Representatives that the Foreign Aid Bill must be passed. 

Talking points for your call to your Representative regarding the Foreign Aid Bill:

• Support US aid to Israel.  Aid to Israel strengthens America's only reliable ally in the Middle East and helps Israel maintain a qualitative military edge in a very dangerous part of the world.  As Israel now faces a very serious point in the negotiations, aid to Israel is more important than ever.  Israel is entering the third year of a ten-year plan to eliminate economic assistance while refocusing Israel's aid package on her security needs.  The plan will save the United States $3.3 billion over ten years.

• Support a strong US Foreign Aid program.  Remind your Representatives that less than 1% of the federal budget constitutes foreign aid.  Foreign aid is an important, cost-effective tool in advancing American foreign policy.  It enhances US national security and American diplomatic objectives around the world. 

• Call your Representative now.  If Congress fails to pass the Foreign Aid Bill just as Israel is making critical decisions, failure to support foreign aid for Israel could affect her long- term security.  Urge your Representative to support final passage of the Foreign Operations Bill and to oppose any amendments to cut or condition aid to Israel.

Members of Congress can be reached at (202) 225-3121.  Just ask for the offices of the Representatives that you know.  Please call the OU/IPA at (212) 613-8124 with any feedback or comments from the Representatives or their aides whom you have contacted.

Comments?