Minority relationships highlighted at DNC events

September 4, 2012 Leave a comment

Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)

Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)

By Lauren Appelbaum and Melissa Weiss

Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 4 – The Jewish population is small in America – approximately two percent of the U.S. population. However, Jewish Americans remain a key electoral demographic for both parties.

And the American Jewish Committee (AJC) – a nonpartisan organization hosting educational events during both conventions – is putting the spotlight on coalitions between the Jewish community and other communities including Mormons, African Americans, Indians and Latinos.

During the Republican National Convention, Mormon and faith leaders said Israel ties are valued as part of Mormon-Jewish cooperation. Today, as AJC focused on both Black-Jewish and Indian-Jewish relations, both panels stressed that each community has much in common with Jewish Americans, and that each constituency has support – in most cases – for Israel.

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Wasserman Schultz: Israel deserves to continue as a Jewish and democratic state

September 3, 2012 1 Comment

By Lauren Appelbaum and Melissa Weiss

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz Addressing Jewish Democrats at the Democratic National Convention

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz Addressing Jewish Democrats at the Democratic National Convention

Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 3 – Speaking to Jewish Democrats at the Democratic National Convention’s Jewish Community Outreach meeting, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) stressed that the president’s parameters for Middle East talks are good for Jewish Americans.

“Obama has stood by America’s ironclad relationship with Israel,” the chair of the Democratic National Committee said Monday.

Among the parameters, Obama values the importance of Israel remaining a strong Jewish state and being recognized by its neighbors as such, Schultz said. “Israel’s security is tantamount.”

“Israel deserves to continue as a Jewish and democratic state,” she said to TIP following her remarks.

Wasserman Shultz said she was proud to have been chosen by Obama to chair the DNC because of the president’s convictions.

“I am so proud of this president’s agenda in making sure Iran doesn’t attain a nuclear weapon, that all options are on the table, but that the military option is the last option,” she said.

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Middle East experts focus on U.S.-Israel relationship during RNC

August 30, 2012 Leave a comment

By Lauren Appelbaum and Ashley Gold

AJC Panel on U.S. Values and Interests in a Changing Middle East with Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), AJC's Jason Isaacson, Amb. Mark Green, Amb. Barukh Binah

AJC Panel on U.S. Values and Interests in a Changing Middle East with Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), AJC’s Jason Isaacson, Amb. Mark Green, Amb. Barukh Binah

Tampa, Fla., Aug. 30 – While the Middle East is shifting, Israel needs to remain a stronghold, Israeli Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy in Washington, Amb. Barukh Binah, said Thursday.

Speaking on the final day of the Republican National Convention during a panel titled “U.S. Values and Interests in a Changing Region,” Binah focused on two concerns to the security of both Israel and the U.S. – Iran and Syria.

“Iran is a huge obstacle, a huge hurdle,” Binah said. “It is not just a threat beyond the horizon; it is a day to day nuisance.”

Regarding the U.S.-Israel relationship, the Israeli Ambassador said, “Israel does not have a better ally than the United States, and the United States does not have a better ally than Israel.”

“There is no more important value for the U.S. in the Middle East than maintaining alliances,” Binah added.

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McCain foreign policy speech highlights differences between Obama, Romney

August 29, 2012 Leave a comment

By Lauren Appelbaum

Tampa, Fla., Aug. 29 – Sen. John McCain delivered a major foreign policy speech during the Republican National Convention, outlining differences he believes exist between a potential Mitt Romney administration and a Barack Obama administration.

“We can’t afford to cause our friends and allies – from Latin America to Asia, Europe to the Middle East, and especially in Israel, a nation under existential threat – to doubt America’s leadership,” the Arizona Republican said to applause.

McCain criticized President Obama for not interfering in Iran and Syria earlier. He said Obama should have assisted Iranian civilians in their uprising against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other leaders.

“The president missed a historic opportunity to throw America’s full moral support behind an Iranian revolution that shared one of our highest interests: ridding Iran of a brutal dictatorship that terrorizes the Middle East and threatens the world.”

Romney has called for “crippling sanctions” and said would consider military action to prevent a nuclear Iran, a policy not unlike what Obama has said.

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Republicans pledge support for Israel

August 29, 2012 Leave a comment

By Lauren Appelbaum and Ashley Gold

Eric Cantor (R-Va.) addressing the Republican Jewish Coalition

Eric Cantor (R-Va.) addressing the Republican Jewish Coalition

Tampa, Fla., Aug. 29 – Republican members of Congress – who are primarily speaking about domestic issues – joined together to express their support for Israel Wednesday afternoon.

Speaking at an event sponsored by the Republican Jewish Coalition, the members of Congress stressed two themes – the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship and stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“This world would change dramatically if we ever allowed Iran to have nuclear weapons,” Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.) said.

Royce discussed attacks in Europe on Jews by Hezbollah. “Who would have thought we would see attacks in Europe?” Royce said.

Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) said the U.S. needs to support Israel precisely because of the threat from Iran. “Israel and U.S. share a common enemy,” West said. “So goes Israel, eventually so goes the U.S.”

“We’ll continue to stand side-by-side with Israel,” West continued, saying so not only the people in attendance but their children and grandchildren “can visit a safe and secure Israel for not 10 years but for 100 years.”

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Romney attacks Ahmadinejad, Romney’s surrogates attack Obama’s Iran policies

August 18, 2012 Leave a comment

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Mitt Romney speaking to the Faith and Freedom Coalition June 16, 2012

Mitt Romney speaking to the Faith and Freedom Coalition June 16, 2012

Washington, Aug. 18 – Iranian officials have been ramping up their anti-Israel rhetoric recently in anticipation of al-Quds Day yesterday, the last Friday during the month of Ramadan. The event was created by Iran in 1979 and calls for the destruction of Israel.

Friday in Iran, millions of people demonstrated in the streets, shouting “Death to Israel.” Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad once again called for Israel’s destruction and said al-Quds Day is a time for unity among all human beings to remove the “Zionist black stain.”

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said Ahmadinejad’s remarks remind Americans about what is at stake.

“America must lead the world in stopping Iran’s genocidal regime from obtaining a nuclear weapons capability. Ahmadinejad’s latest outrageous remarks are just another reminder of what is at stake. As I said recently when visiting Jerusalem, ‘We have seen the horrors of history. We will not stand by. We will not watch them play out again.’”

Members of the Iranian regime have for years publicly espoused statements saying Israel should be “wiped off the map.”

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U.S. Congress tightens Iran sanctions

August 2, 2012 Leave a comment

By Alan Elsner, Editor-in-Chief

Washington, Aug. 2 – The United State Congress has approved new sanctions on Iran’s energy, shipping and financial industries, in hopes that increasing the economic pressure will persuade the Islamic Republic to halt its nuclear weapons program.

The House of Representatives voted 421-6 in favor of the Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Human Rights Act of 2012, a set of measures aimed at depriving Iran of income from its energy production and shipping trade, the country’s largest export sectors. The Senate later approved the bill on a voice vote and President Obama is expected to sign it shortly.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran’s leaders remained unimpressed both by sanctions and threats of other actions.

“America and Israel have also made clear that all options are on the table. But these declarations have also not yet convinced the Iranians to stop their program,” Netanyahu said on Wednesday.

“However forceful our statements, they have not convinced Iran that we are serious about stopping them. Right now the Iranian regime believes that the international community does not have the will to stop its nuclear program. This must change and it must change quickly, because time to resolve this issue peacefully is running out,” the prime minster said.

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Romney announces Jewish Americans for Romney coalition

August 1, 2012 4 Comments

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Mitt Romney and Benjamin Netanyahu meeting at the Prime Minister's residence on July 29, 2012

Mitt Romney and Benjamin Netanyahu meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence on July 29, 2012

Washington, Aug. 1 – Fresh off his trip to Israel, Mitt Romney announced his Jewish Americans for Romney coalition.

“I am proud to have the support of so many distinguished Jewish Americans,” the presumptive Republican presidential nominee said in a statement. “The Jewish community has made contributions to American society that stand in amazing disproportion to its numbers, and I am genuinely honored to have so many of its leading thinkers, diplomats, and political leaders support my campaign.  Having just visited Israel at a critical juncture in the history of the Middle East, I am persuaded that now, more than ever, America needs to stand with Israel. I will extend the hand of friendship because our partnership is not merely a strategic alliance but a force for good in the world.”

Honorary chairmen include Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), former Gov. Linda Lingle (R-Hawaii), former Sens. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) and Rudy Boschwitz (R-Minn) and Adam Hasner of Florida.

Cantor, the House majority leader, called for all American Jews regardless of political affiliation to seriously consider Romney’s candidacy.

“Throughout his life, Gov. Romney has been an unwavering supporter of the state of Israel,” Cantor said in a statement. “Gov. Romney understands that peace in the Middle East will only be achieved when Israel is secure within its borders and not the target of violence fueled by senseless hatred. He will leave no stone unturned in the effort to keep Israel secure.”

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Bipartisan moment of silence for Munich victims

July 27, 2012 Leave a comment

Members of Congress hold a moment of silence for the Munich 11 on July 26, 2012

Members of Congress hold a moment of silence for the Munich 11 on July 26, 2012

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Washington, July 27 – Fifteen  members of Congress representing both parties held a minute of silence Thursday to honor the 11 Israelis killed during the 1972 Munich Olympic massacre and called on the International Olympic Committee to remember these victims of Palestinian terrorism during tonight’s Opening Ceremony of the London games.

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a simple message to the IOC: “Do the right thing.”

“For 40 years, the IOC has refused to hold a moment of silence at the Olympic Opening Ceremonies in memory of the 11 Israeli Olympians – including an American citizen, David Mark Berger – murdered by violent extremists at the 1972 Olympics in Munich,” she said.

“We know why the IOC has refused: Because the murdered Olympians were Israelis, and the IOC does not want to draw the ire of foreign governments who still object to the very existence of a Jewish state in the homeland of the Jewish people.”

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Obama to sign U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act

July 26, 2012 1 Comment

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Washington, July 26 – A day before Romney is set to arrive in Israel, Obama will be signing the U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act. This act, which passed Congress with broad bipartisan support on July 17, expands military and intelligence cooperation with Israel.

Obama will seek to stress his commitment to Israel’s security for American Jewish voters at a White House ceremony Friday. American Jewish leaders and congressional members from both parties have been invited to the signing ceremony.

Ha’aretz reports that an Israeli official said the White House deliberately timed the ceremony for the same weekend Romney visits Israel.

The Act means the U.S. government will increase joint military exercises with the Israel Defense Forces, provide Israel more aid in developing defense systems against rockets and provide Israel with advanced weaponry.

“The bill deepens our security cooperation with Israel by expanding our military assistance and providing Israel with access to additional equipment,” White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said on Thursday.

The new bill also extends U.S. funding for placing emergency American arms caches in Israeli warehouses in case of war. In addition, the law states the U.S. will assist Israel to prepare in security terms for the U.S. pullout from Iraq.

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