Call Your Representative: Sanctioning Iran and Hezbollah

Tomorrow, the House of Representatives will consider two important pieces of legislation. These bills address the dangerous agression of Iran and its terrorist proxy, Hizballah.  Please take a moment to urge your representative to support both bills when they come to the House floor for a vote. 

(1) Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act (H.R. 1698)

This bipartisan bill expands sanctions against Iran's illicit ballistic missile program and its aggressive behavior in the region. The bill was introduced by Reps. Ed Royce (R-CA), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Steny Hoyer (D-MD).

(2) Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2017 (H.R. 3329)

Building on existing legislation, this bipartisan bill targets foreign governments that knowingly provide financial support to Hizballah, and foreign individuals or companies that aid its fundraising or recruitment activities. Authored by Reps. Ed Royce and Eliot Engel, the legislation seeks to cut off the flow of resources to the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hizballah.

Jim Himes (D-CT-4) was an early cosponsor of both bills; please call his office to thank him for his support on this issue.

Thanks to AIPAC for the action alert.

Write a Letter: Holding Iran Accountable

The Trump Administration recently announced that it would decertify the Iran nuclear agreement. Much has been made of this in the press, some of it confused or outright incorrect. Israel supporters should know the facts, and be advocates for correcting misinformation, for example by writing a letter to the editor of your local paper.

Call Your Members of Congress: Combat BDS

While some 20 states have passed or are considering anti-BDS legislation, it is equally important that the Federal government leads and passes legislation to oppose BDS at the national level.

Twin bills in the House (HR 1697) and Senate (S 720) aim to do just that. They oppose the UN Human Rights Council singling out Israel as the target of a boycott, while extending existing US law to explicitly combat activities aimed at boycotting US citizens or countries friendly to the US, like Israel. These are bipartisan bills, with broad support: nearly 250 cosponsors have signed on to HR 1697, and 49 Senators are cosponsoring S 720.

Share It! The Lancet lauds Israel's accomplishments in medicine

In 2014 during operation Protective Edge, the British medical journal The Lancet published an open letter from medical professionals around the world, falsely accusing Israel of a massacre. It provoked a firestorm of criticism. Amidst the backlash, the journal's editor Prof. Richard Horton, accepted an invitation to come to Israel himself. He expressed regret for the publication and indicated that The Lancet would publish a comprehensive survey of Israeli medicine.

Three years on, last month The Lancet devoted a special issue to health care in Israel. While explaining some of the challenges that remain, it highlights the enormous progress that Israel has made, delivering mostly free healthcare to almost 9 million people. It notes key accomplishments -- Israel's infant mortality rate is the lowest among 35 OECD nations -- but most of all it demonstrates the power of teaching and learning about Israel and the utter bankruptcy of the boycott movement.

Call Your Senator: Sanction Iran for Continued Destabilizing Activities

Two weeks ago, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in a strong bipartisan vote of 18-3, advanced legislation to push back on Iran’s non-nuclear behavior in the Middle East. The bill is now pending on the Senate floor and a vote is expected in the next several days.

The Countering Iran’s Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 (S.722), authored by Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) Chairman Bob Corker (R-TN), Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and SFRC Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-MD), bolsters sanctions against individuals and entities involved in Iran's ballistic missile activity, conventional arms trade, human rights abuses, and terrorism. Directed only at actions outside the nuclear sphere, the legislation in no way violates the letter or spirit of the Iran nuclear deal. 

Thanks to AIPAC for the action alert.

To support countering Iran's activity:
1.     Call the US Capitol switchboard toll free at 844-801-9984, select “2” to choose to speak with your Member of Congress, and then enter your zip code.

2.      Tell your Senator: "My name is ________, and I’m a constituent of yours. I live in (hometown). I am calling to urge you to become a cosponsor of the Countering Iran’s Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 (S.722) before the legislation comes up for a vote." 

Call your Senator: Commemorate the Reunification of Jerusalem

In two weeks, June 7th will mark the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, the Jewish people’s historic and spiritual capital for over 3,000 years. Between 1948 and 1967, Israeli citizens of all religions and Jews of all nationalities were denied access to Jerusalem's Old City and holy sites, including the Western Wall. Immediately after reunifying Jerusalem, Israel abolished restrictions on the free exercise of religion for all people.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Jerusalem's reunification, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) have introduced a bipartisan resolution (S.Res.176) that reaffirms support for “Israel’s commitment to religious freedom and administration of holy sites in Jerusalem" and commends the "mutually beneficial American-Israeli relationship.”

Thanks to AIPAC for the action alert.

To support the commemoration of Jerusalem's reunification:
1.     Call the US Capitol switchboard toll free at 844-801-9984, select “2” to choose to speak with your Member of Congress, and then enter your zip code.

2.      Tell your Senator: "My name is ________, and I’m a constituent of yours. I live in (hometown). I am calling to urge the senator to cosponsor S.Res.176, a bipartisan resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem.”

Call your Representative: End Financing for Palestinian Terror

The Taylor Force Act will stop your tax dollars from funding terrorism, by conditioning future aid to Gaza and the West Bank on actions by the Palestinians to combat terror attacks. These conditions include terminating payments to the families of those involved in attacks. In 2016, Taylor Force, a West Point graduate and former US Army officer, was murdered by a Palestinian terrorist while visiting Israel. The terrorist’s family then became eligible for regular payments from the Palestinian Authority’s ‘Martyr’s Fund.’ In 2015, the United States gave $272 million in taxpayer funds to the Palestinian Authority.

To support the Taylor Force Act, H.R. 1164: 
1.          Call the US Capitol switchboard toll free at 844-801-9984, select “2” to choose to speak with your Member of Congress, and then enter your zip code.

2.         Tell your Representative: My name is ________, and I’m a constituent of yours. I live in (hometown). I want you to stop my tax dollars from funding Palestinian terror by supporting H.R. 1164, the Taylor Force Act. Palestinian terrorists are rewarded with special financial gifts from their government, and the United States sends millions of tax dollars to the Palestinian Authority every year. Please support this critical bill by becoming a co-sponsor. Thank you.