Republicans Support Israel Extending Sovereignty

The Republican Jewish Coalition committed to making a major lobbying effort to encourage Republicans in the Senate and House to express their support for the government of Israel and to support Israel’s extending sovereignty over parts of Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley in order to promote the security of its citizens and the stability of the region. 

This week our efforts came to fruition when 116 Republican members of Congress sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing support for Israel and for Israel’s “right to make sovereign decisions independent of outside pressure,” including decisions about defensible borders. The congressmen wrote:  

We write to reaffirm the unshakeable alliance between the United States and Israel, to emphasize that Israel has the right to make sovereign decisions independent of outside pressure, and to express our support for you as you make such decisions in your capacity as Israel’s democratically-elected prime minister.  

We are aware of and deeply concerned by threats being expressed by some to retaliate against Israel as it makes decisions to ensure defensible borders. It is shortsighted to threaten relations with Israel, a long-time friend and critical ally that shares our democratic values. We support the Trump administration’s engagement with Israel on the Vision for Peace Plan, which was based on the critical premise that Israel should never be forced to compromise its security. We assure you that we will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel and oppose any effort to apply pressure.  

As The Algemeiner explains, the Trump administration plan stipulates that:

  …Washington will endorse an Israeli decision to apply sovereignty to large parts of Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley as long as Israel commits to holding good-faith negotiations with the Palestinians and avoiding construction in areas that could become part of a Palestinian state. Under the plan, that state will only be established four years after negotiations begin, and only if the Palestinians fully renounce terrorism and carry out major reforms and are no longer considered a threat to Israel.  

Netanyahu has repeatedly said he plans to accept the US plan and begin the process of applying sovereignty in Jewish communities as early as July 1.  

This letter was led by Republican Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-WY), Foreign Affairs Committee Republican Leader Michael McCaul (R-TX), and Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Lee Zeldin (R-NY) and David Kustoff (R-TN).  

The JTA reported:   

A top GOP aide said the RJC was critical in getting members to sign the letter. “The RJC was instrumental in making it happen,” said the senior Republican House aide, speaking to JTA on condition of anonymity. “From helping on the ground level to expanding the coalition of members who ultimately signed, their involvement cannot be [overstated].”  

On Tuesday, a group of Senate Republicans sent a letter to US President Donald Trump in support of Israel applying Israeli law to parts of the West Bank, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated the Jewish state intends to do by July 1, as The Algemeiner reported.   

The letter to President Trump was signed by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), John Barrasso (R-WY) and Joni Ernst (R-IA).  

Our thanks go out to the Republican leaders of the House and Senate for their unwavering support of Israel.