Young Jewish Leadership PAC

The US-Israel Relationship

By State Senator Dan Debicella, Republican nominee for Congress in Connecticut’s Fourth Congressional District.

Israel is a shining light in the Middle East. As a capitalist democracy, it provides a template for the type of government and economy that can lead to the betterment of peoples of all religions throughout the region. The United States and Israel are natural allies through our shared values of individual liberty, limited government, and free enterprise.

As a Congressman, I will seek to maintain and strengthen this key alliance while addressing critical security and economic interests common to both our nations. Together we will work for peace in the region with anyone who seeks peace and increased freedom for all peoples of the Middle East as well as economic growth and prosperity for all—a natural result of lasting peace. To accomplish these goals, I will support several policies in Congress:

The U.S. Should Support Israel in the Peace Process. Israel continues to work towards a lasting peace with the Palestinians. The U.S. role in this process should be one of backing Israel as they determine what is the most sustainable solution for them. In the past, the U.S. has tried to play “mediator” rather than backing our ally—often resulting in failed agreements and increased tension in the region.

It is not America’s role to tell Israel what is in its own interest. Israel is in the best position to determine how to negotiate a lasting peace with the Palestinians that will succeed. It is America’s role to support any nation or people with national aspirations that wishes to live in peace with its neighbors, establish a civil society under the rule of law and to recognize the individual rights of its populace. America should back our ally as they negotiate the details of how Israel and Palestine Authority can co-exist peacefully.

America should also support Palestinians in their desire for a peaceful life. I support helping Palestine create the institutions necessary to establish a civil society. Unfortunately, the Palestinians have historically been abused by a leadership more interested in staying in power than in negotiating a lasting peace.

Israel Has a Right to Self Defense. As we learned on 9/11, Israel’s fight is our fight. We condemn any nation or entity that calls for another’s destruction. As any other nation, Israel has the right to defend itself against aggression. When attacked by terrorists or armies from foreign nations or by terrorists from within, Israel has the right to respond.

In January 2010, Congressman Jim Himes signed a letter with 54 other Congressmen calling for Israel to unilaterally lift sanctions against the Gaza Strip, and presumed to tell Israel how they should best defend themselves from terrorists. Apparently Congressman Himes believes he knows better than Israel how they should defend themselves—a position I find condescending and counterproductive. Instead, we should continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself economically and militarily against those who seek its destruction.

Instead, America should continue to support Israel’s defense through cooperation and direct aid. I unequivocally support the ten-year memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Israel which will provide $30 billion in military aid to Israel until 2017. With the vast majority of this money being spent with American companies, I believe this is mutually beneficial to Israel and America’s defense and economies.

Additionally, I oppose any international effort to undermine Israel’s fundamental right to self-defense. The Goldstone Report from the United Nations is a prime example of one-sided anti-Israeli bias. The “report” accuses Israel of war crimes without stating that Israel held off attacks for years while thousands of rockets were fired at its citizens before responding in self-defense. The United Nations in this report has attacked the victim without context, and should instead seek to support democracies who are defending themselves against terrorist acts.

Israel continues to be willing to negotiate with those Palestinians who are truly interested in peace. Unfortunately, Hamas is dedicated to the destruction of Israel, and there is no negotiation to be had with these terrorists. The United States should not give any aid to those dedicated to the destruction of Israel.

Stop Iran from Obtaining Nuclear Capabilities. Iran cannot be allowed to develop nuclear capabilities under any circumstances. Iran as a nuclear power would pose a threat to both Israel and the United States, both from direct threat of attack and the high probability of nuclear technology finding its way into the hands of terrorist organizations.

The U.S. should lead a coalition of allies in rapid escalation of actions to stop Iran from obtaining this technology. We should start with diplomacy, leading to economic sanctions, and eventually air strikes to neutralize any threat. We cannot take any actions off the table. America should not do this unilaterally, but in conjunction with our democratic allies. However, we should set definitive timelines for Iran to respond with clear escalating results for failure to cooperate with the international community.

Dan Debicella is the State Senator representing Shelton, Stratford, Monroe, and Seymour. He is the Republican nominee for Congress in Connecticut’s Fourth Congressional District.