The two congressional representatives from Florida who lead the House Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee brought a resolution backing a longterm Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on military assistance between the U.S. and Israeli governments.
Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who chairs the subcommittee, was joined by her South Florida colleague Ted Deutch, the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee, in launching the resolution on Florida. They were joined by Texas Republican Kay Granger and New York Democrat Nita Lowey, the top two leaders on the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, in sponsoring the proposal.
“The United States has no greater friend and ally than the democratic Jewish state of Israel,” Ros-Lehtinen said on Friday. “But our major strategic partner is under constant threat in a region marred with terror, violence and instability – all of which are ever present on Israel’s borders. Ensuring Israel maintains its QME is not only U.S. policy, but it is our law. A new MoU between the United States and Israel is needed to help guarantee Israel’s safety and security in the face of these new threats and challenges. That is why it is incumbent upon the Obama administration to conclude a new, robust and long-term MoU with Israel that will increase the amount of assistance over the current agreement, expand its scope, and to do so expeditiously. We stand ready and willing to work with the administration to make sure that this priority is addressed in a manner that is mutually beneficial for the U.S. and our ally, Israel.”
“The Memorandum of Understanding between our countries forms the backbone of the U.S.-Israel security relationship,” Deutch said. “Prompt completion of a new agreement will significantly enhance Israel’s ability to defend herself against all threats and deepen our cooperation to ensure Israel’s safety and security for years to come. This bipartisan resolution reaffirms the long-standing congressional commitment to strengthening the U.S. – Israel relationship.”
The resolution was sent to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
