Issue Position: Stand with Israel

Issue Position

The U.S.-Israel strategic alliance is a special one -- one that must remain safeguarded and supported by all our elected officials in Washington and throughout our country.

Our two nations rightly maintain a special bond based on shared values and deep strategic ties. Throughout both Israel and the U.S., we face the threat of terrorism, of ideologies that hate us, growing anti-Semitism and forces that wish to destroy us both. The State of Israel must maintain its ability to defend itself from hostile neighboring forces and instability in the region.

I support efforts that strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship and ensure Israel has the tools needed to defend itself against such growing threats, including the Iron Dome and access to U.S. technology and defense systems. Support for Israel is a part of our security strategy and should remain so.

We must remain vigilant in order to defend our role as the "shining city upon a hill." This warrants both forceful condemnation of aggression by our foes, such as Russia providing significant resources to Iran, Syria, and other countries who seek to destroy our way of democracy, along with an open-mindedness and flexibility in the global quest for peace among all nations.

SUPPORTING OUR ALLIES

We must work for peace and stability in the region, together. Neither the U.S nor Israel can do this alone. Our success is incumbent upon the ability to work with our regional allies in the Middle East to contain and to beat back Iranian aggression and Islamic extremism in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. It is imperative that Israel maintain its Qualitative Military Edge (QME) to ensure its security and survival.

When a country is surrounded by millions who seek its destruction, all avenues of defense must be available. I will work to cut off aid to any country that does not seek peace with Israel, and fully support efforts like the Taylor Force Act that sets restrictions on aid to the Palestinian authority.

ENFORCING SANCTIONS

Aiding our allies means thwarting Tehran's influence in the region. I agree with enforceable and targeted sanctions limiting Iran's economic and political abilities. These must remain in place in order to hold Iran accountable. Ultimately, as its population continues to rise up in protest against its tyrannical regime, we will have an opportunity to push for a new deal to replace the flawed and inadequate JCPOA.

FIGHTING RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION

Throughout its history, Israel has stood up to bullies across the globe who threaten to isolate Israel by way of economic pain and pressure. The promulgation of boycotts of Israeli goods is none other than an attempt to delegitimize the State of Israel. In technology, medical sciences, and economic innovation, Israel has been an unwavering ally to the United States. I oppose these anti-freedom, anti-Israel protests.

PEACE PROCESS AND THE ROLE OF THE UNITED STATES

In closing, the United States' role in supporting peace throughout the globe as leader of the free world means we must remain a forceful defender and advocate of the peace process. I would not put forth or take part in a proposal imposing a forced solution on the State of Israel -- and certainly not as both Israel and the Palestinian Authority continue working to negotiate how to achieve peace in the region. Direct, bilateral negotiations ought to always be our goal. Lasting peace will not be achieved through international mandates but through a process developed and implemented by those in the region. Our representation at the federal level and on the global stage at the U.N. Security Council must always push back and exercise, when necessary, its veto power to strike down attempts by regional bullies to impose deals that don't work for us and don't work for Israel.

Finally, our countries must work for a regional peace, that allows Israel to exist and stops the regional power conflict and proxy wars of Iran and Saudi Arabia. The flawed JCPOA must be replaced by a regional peace accord that stops an Islamic nuclear state and stems the tide of ballistic missile proliferation throughout the region.

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