Urgent Action Needed

March 27, 2001

To:        Officers, Rabbis, Key Contacts

From:   Richard B. Stone, Chairman

             Betty Ehrenberg, Director, International and Communal Affairs

RE:       Foreign Aid to Israel

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It is important to remember that foreign aid to Israel is something that cannot be taken for granted and that we must strongly urge Congress to support the Foreign Aid Bill, as well as Israel’s regular aid request this year for FY2002 and a supplemental security aid request for Israel that was proposed last year. Israel has incurred some $950 million in costs associated with its courageous and costly withdrawal from Lebanon. Israel requires a special one-time assistance to help defray these costs so it is important that you call the Members of Congress to urge support for this important aid package during this time of crisis for Israel. Israel’s aid package is included in the annual Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill. Aid to Israel can only be provided if Members of Congress vote to pass the Foreign Operations Bill.

The following are talking points that will help you urge your Members of Congress to support foreign aid:

• Unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security:  Despite the Oslo peace process, Israel today faces severe existential threats, in addition to daily security problems that affect the lives of every Israeli. The violent Palestinian uprising, instability on Israel’s border with Lebanon as a result of Hezbollah’s growing military presence, vocal threats by Iran and Iraq, in addition to the very real dangers posed by their acquisition of weapons of mass destruction, create a dangerous instability that could easily lead to a rapidly escalating conflict. U.S. military assistance provides Israel the wherewithal to meet these growing threats and symbolizes, more than anything else, the unshakeable commitment the United States has to Israel’s security.

• Supplemental security aid request:  Given the extraordinary threats Israel faces today, posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and by Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, a supplemental military request of $450 million in FY 01 and $350 million in FY 02 for Israel were submitted, but not enacted, towards the end of last year to help Israel meet those growing threats. We hope you will support this supplemental assistance package when it is submitted.

• Support U.S. global leadership:  Foreign assistance programs are cost-effective ways to advance U.S. national interests throughout the world. At less than 1% of the federal budget, foreign aid provides the U.S. with tools needed to pursue an active and engaged American foreign policy. Without the necessary resources and the foreign aid bill, the U.S. cannot be a global leader.

• Aid benefits the U.S.:  Israel’s aid is a bargain and provides tremendous benefits both to the United States and to Israel. Aid to Israel maintains the deterrent strength of a reliable ally, enhances Israel’s security and projects American power without risking U.S. soldiers. U.S. aid helps Israel survive and maintain its qualitative edge in a very dangerous neighborhood.

• Israel’s aid restructuring:  This is the fourth year of Israel’s plan to reduce economic assistance, while gradually increasing military aid and reducing Israel’s cumulative aid levels by $360 million to date. Israel’s aid request for FY 02 is scheduled to be $2.76 billion dollars overall - $720 million in economic aid and $2.04 billion in military assistance.

Using the above talking points, it is important to write or call Representatives or Senators and ask them to support the Foreign Aid Bill as well as Israel’s regular request for FY2002 and the supplemental security aid request for Israel that was proposed last year.

Write to:

Call:

(202) 225-3121 Ask for your Representative

(202) 224-3121 Ask for your Senator

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