Issue Position: A White Paper: The U.S. - Israeli Partnership

Issue Position

A White Paper: The U.S. -- Israeli Partnership

Since recognizing Israel's official founding on May 14, 1948, the bond between the United States and the Jewish State has steadily grown stronger through many historic and turbulent moments, to include the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Six-Day War, and Gulf War to presently underway efforts to downgrade, and ultimately eliminate, the offensive capabilities of terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and Hezbollah and to eliminate the regional threat posed by a potentially nuclear Iran. As history has proven time and time again, America has no better friend or more loyal ally than she does with Israel.

Today this strategic alliance has grown well beyond these essential military and intelligence ties to other vital areas such as rapid expansion of trade, cultural exchanges and shared interest in the sciences. What has nourished this growth is the fact that these two powerful nations share the values of democracy, appreciation of free market principles, strict adherence to the rule of law, and culture of innovation.

While over the last few years there has been an unfortunate slight uptick in misguided rhetoric coming from Washington concerning matters related to Israel and her self-interest and security, Joni Ernst believes the United States must remain committed to growing and nurturing this relationship in a host of ways, including the continuation of aid programs, sharing of intelligence, close coordination on foreign policy relating to strategic international and regional importance, and extension of a mutually-beneficial and growing trade relationship.

As a soldier who has commanded an Army unit in the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and current Lt. Colonel in the Iowa National Guard, Joni Ernst looks at the U.S.-Israeli relationship not only through the standard foreign policy and national security prism, but also from an on-the-ground, military readiness and capabilities standpoint. And as the next United States Senator from Iowa, she will enthusiastically fight to expand the bond that exists between these two partners while prioritizing efforts aimed at strengthening the only democracy in the Middle East with a recognition that doing so will preserve the safety and security of both America and Israel for generations to come.

To adequately express Joni Ernst's appreciation of the importance of the U.S.-Israeli relationship, she knows it is not enough to say she merely supports this crucial relationship; rather, she must evidence it by her standing on some of the core, timely issues of the day:

Security Assistance for Israel

Joni Ernst is a staunch advocate of continuing United States "security assistance" for Israel. The FY2014 federal budget dedicates $3.1 billion to Israel, which represents year six of an overall ten-year security assistance program pursuant to the 2007 Memorandum of Understanding. In addition, Joni supports the $220 million budgeted to support the Israeli-based Iron Dome defense system, which is an especially important and timely deterrent in the ongoing and accelerating Syrian conflict.

While this assistance carries the added benefit of economic benefits to U.S. companies who provide defense industry driven and domestic aerospace assistance to Israel as a result, most importantly this aid will help ensure that our partner, and the only democracy in the Middle East, is able to maintain its current and historic military edge over the many growing threats it faces in the region -- benefiting both the short and long-term interests of both the Israeli and American people.

Palestinian United Nations Statehood Bid and Direct Negotiations

Rather than continuing to bypass efforts to jumpstart direct negotiations with Israel by engaging in incendiary actions at the United Nations, Joni Ernst believes that it is imperative that the Palestinian Authority come to, and stay at, the negotiating table directly with Israel. These efforts at the United Nations are not leading toward a pathway to real and meaningful peace and that is why Joni supports efforts in Congress that would lead to serious implications concerning U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority should these efforts continue at the United Nations.

It is also important that as a part of the effort to get both parties talking directly, the United States must not aim to publicly impose a solution on the parties. While the United States has an important role to play in any such process, it is the parties themselves who need to come to their own agreement because they are the ones who will ultimately live with whatever agreement is reached.

Iranian Nuclear Capabilities

As a soldier with combat zone experience in the Middle East and an officer studied in military affairs, Joni Ernst is adamant that Iran cannot be allowed to become nuclear capable. Period. While peaceful solutions are always preferable -- and the recent election of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani provides a glimmer of hope that Iran's religious leaders may have slightly opened the door to engagement in real and meaningful multi-national talks on the issue -- no options should be taken off the table including the ultimate possibility of an American, Israeli or joint military strike on relevant targets and forceful sanctions -- bringing all of the tools available to prevent Iranian nuclear capability. In the interim, America needs to project greater strength on the issue and present a unified front with Israel and other nations in the region who oppose Iranian nuclear ambitions.

Egypt in Crisis

The unfortunate circumstances surrounding Egyptian violence and uncertainty over its future are incredibly concerning for America, Israel and any nation interested in seeing a more secure Middle East. Joni Ernst recognizes that a stable Egypt is vital to many of America's own interests, to include: (i) ensuring Egypt continues to honor its 1976 peace agreement with Israel; (ii) maintaining free and clear passage through the vital Suez Canal -- for both civilian and U.S. naval vessels; and (iii) continuing policies and activities meant to ensure radical elements and terrorist organizations do not find safe haven there.

While the United States must follow guiding statues regarding the continuation of aid to Egypt under these dynamic circumstances, the United States must demand that the Egyptian military quickly return control to a democratic government that follows the rule of law while the administration continues to review the ongoing $1.5 billion in annual aid provided to Egypt on an expedited "case-by-case" basis. While such a review is warranted to ensure democracy returns and that our government complies with guiding U.S. law, for the reasons stated above, the security and stability of Egypt is critically important to U.S. interests and regional stability and all decisions relating to aid must take that into account.

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