This evening marks the beginning of Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel’s 75th Independence Day. Since 1948, Israel has displayed great resilience and strength against its opposition and oppressors. House Republicans recognize the importance of Israel’s independence for the Jewish community and the advancement of global democracy. Together, we celebrate this milestone.
Unfortunately, House Democrats have used their platform to disseminate harmful anti-Israel and anti-Semitic biases while America experiences a surge in anti-Semitic hate crimes. House Republicans are committed to always standing with our nation's strongest partner and the Jewish people.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS’ HISTORY OF SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL:
In May 2021, following a conflict between Israel and Hamas, Chairwoman Stefanik and House Republicans held a press conference standing in support of Israel and sent a letter to President Biden demanding he do the same. Many Members proudly displayed “I Stand with Israel” signs outside of their offices on Capitol Hill.
During the May conflict with Hamas, House Republicans dedicated a Special Order Hour on the House Floor to highlight the conflict and reiterate our strong support for Israel.
In September 2021, House Republicans voted to reinstate $1 billion in funding for Israel’s Iron Dome after House Democrats stripped the funding from the Continuing Resolution.
200 House Republicans sent a letter to President Biden in November 2021 opposing his administration’s proposal to reopen the U.S. consulate general in Israel’s eternal capital, Jerusalem, that would provide separate diplomatic outreach to the Palestinians.
In February 2022, Leader McCarthy led a group of more than two dozen House Republicans to Israel to reaffirm the special relationship between the United States and the only democracy in the Middle East.
In February 2023, in a strong show of support for our ally, Speaker McCarthy, Majority Leader Scalise, and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman McCaul sent a letter to President Biden encouraging the Administration to oppose and veto any anti-Israel resolution put before the U.N. Security Council.
This week, House Republicans will vote to support the expansion of the Abraham Accords to encourage nations to normalize relations with Israel and express continued support for bilateral cooperation across economic, security and civilian issues.
In May 2023, Speaker McCarthy will visit Israel in his first trip abroad as Speaker and address the Knesset, as only the second U.S. Speaker in history to do so.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS’ HISTORY OF ANTI-SEMITISM AND SIDING WITH HAMAS:
House Democrats have refused to unequivocally stand with our partner and friend, Israel, over and over again, even throughout the May 2021 Hamas' terrorist attacks.
House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, while in college defended anti-Semitic comments made by National of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and his uncle Leonard Jeffries, and invited his uncle to speak on campus.
Leonard Jeffreis has spewed anti-Semitic conspiracies that Jew’s control Hollywood, compared Jews to “skunks,” and had called the Jewish community “evil.”
Far-Left Democrats blocked security funding from going to Israel but refused to question U.S. funding to the Palestinian Authority.
In May 2021, Democrat Rep. Omar accused Israel of committing "war crimes" following days of conflict between Israel and Hamas that saw thousands of missiles fired indiscriminately at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Speaker Pelosi has refused to take any action against Democrats who unapologetically attack the Jewish community.
President Biden has reopened negotiations on a nuclear deal with Iran, hoping to revive the 2015 JCPOA agreement.
Israel’s Prime Minister has argued that the deal will make it easier for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon which poses an extremely serious national security concern for Israel and the potential for nuclear proliferation by other Middle Eastern Countries.
Additionally, any lifting of sanctions on Iran will provide more funding for state-sponsored terrorism in the region, making our allies less safe.
President Biden continues to weaken U.S. relations on the world stage. He has been openly critical of Prime Minister Netanyahu, recently saying, he would not get an invitation to the White House “in the near term." Biden’s Administration also failed to defend Israel when the U.N. planned to vote on a resolution condemning Israel for recent actions to expand settlements, the first action the U.S. has allowed the U.N. to take against Israel in six years.
