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October 9, 2002
To: Officers, Rabbis, Key Contacts
From: Richard B. Stone, Chairman
Betty Ehrenberg, Director, International and Communal Affairs
Re: Foreign Aid to Israel
Urgent Action Needed
On September 12th, the House Appropriations Foreign Operations Committee
approved the fiscal year 2003 Foreign Aid bill which includes $2.7 billion
in military and economic assistance for Israel. The bill also includes an
additional $200 million in anti-terror assistance for Israel. In addition,
the bill includes language laying down essential pre-conditions for
Palestinian statehood based on President Bush’s June 24th speech. The bill
also demands a review of UNRWA and sets tight regulations on any future
aid to the Palestinians. On July 18th, the Senate Appropriations Committee
passed its version of the fiscal year 2003 Foreign Aid bill which included
$2.7 billion for Israel.
Israel today is facing existential threats on all fronts unlike any time
since its founding in 1948. Palestinian terrorism has become a daily
occurrence, killing more than 600 Israelis since September 2000. Hezbollah
forces continue to threaten northern Israel and both Iran and Iraq
continue their pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.
It is crucial that we support U.S. aid to Israel which is critical in
helping her maintain her qualitative edge. We must see to it that Israel
is able to remain strong in the face of increasingly sophisticated
military threats.
Urgent Action Needed
It is important that you contact your Representatives and Senators and
urge them to support the Bush Administration’s fiscal year 2003 foreign
aid request for Israel ($2.7 billion) and to oppose any efforts to
condition or reduce that assistance and to support the overall Foreign Aid
bill.
Contact your Senators and Representatives at:
|
Representative _________________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Tel: (202) 225-3121 |
Senator
____________________
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Tel: (202) 224-3121 |
Below are talking points that you may choose to use in
your message to your elected officials:
• Support U.S. Global Leadership: Foreign Aid
advances U.S. national interests throughout the world and is part and
parcel of our national security strategy. It has only grown in importance
since September 11th, 2001. At less than 1% of the federal budget, it
helps provide the U.S. with the tools needed to pursue an engaged American
foreign policy and to be a global leader.
• Unshakable Commitment to Israel’s Security: Now more than ever
Israel is facing existential threats on all fronts. U.S. assistance
provides Israel with the wherewithal to meet these growing threats and
symbolizes the unshakeable and material commitment the U.S. has to
Israel’s security. Since September 2000, the Israeli economy has been
undergoing a severe recession and needs our help to battle Islamic and
Palestinian extremists within Israel and Hezbollah terrorists on its
northern border, as well as the escalating threat of unconventional
missile attacks from Iraq. Israel is finding it difficult to meet the
needs for new gas masks and vaccines in case of a possible Iraqi attack.
• Aid helps fight the war on terror: No nation has been subject to
more horrific and relentless terrorist attacks than Israel. Israel is a
key U.S. ally and a front-line state in the war against terror. Foreign
aid will provide Israel with vital resources to help fight and protect its
population from further attack. Israel is a key U.S. ally in the war
against terrorism and provides key intelligence information and technology
to support the U.S. effort.
• Foreign Aid Benefits the United States: Israel’s aid is a bargain
in that provides tremendous benefits to both the United States and Israel.
Aid to Israel maintains the deterrence strength of our reliable ally 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.
• Aid Sends a Strong Signal of Support: At a time when Israel is
isolated in the world and is fighting the very lonely battle against the
forces of extremism and terrorism, U.S. support sends a loud and
unmistakable message – that we stand strongly with Israel and will provide
it with the assistance it needs to remain strong and secure. This message
of unshakable U.S. support needs to be heard, not just by Israel’s
enemies, but by the people of Israel.
Urge your Senators and Representatives to support the
Bush Administration’s fiscal year 2003 Foreign Aid request for Israel and
to oppose any efforts to condition or reduce that assistance. Urge them to
support the overall Foreign Aid bill which contains the aid to Israel.
Urge them to support this much needed aid as daily terrorist attacks and
threats from neighboring state sponsors of terrorism have caused a growing
economic crisis as Israel seeks to increase the security of its citizens.
Thank your elected officials for supporting the $200 million in
anti-terror aid for Israel that was included in the Foreign Aid bill.
Write or call your Representatives and Senators using the talking points
listed above:
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Representative _________________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Tel: (202) 225-3121 |
Senator
____________________
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Tel: (202) 224-3121 |
For more information, please call us at (212)
613-8123.
RBS
BE
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