Conference of Presidents: Senate Members Should Stand Behind Reid-McConnell Letter to President Obama Reaffirming Support for Israel

New York, June 15, 2010 … Leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations urged members of the Senate to join Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in their letter to President Barack Obama that reaffirms “support for our strategic partnership with Israel” and encourages the President to continue to support Israel at the United Nations, citing Israel as “our strongest ally in the Middle East and a vibrant democracy.”  The letter notes the partnership “on military and intelligence issues” and the U.S. “national interest” in supporting Israel and its “right to self-defense.”

“We hope that members of the Senate will rally behind this very important statement that notes the deep concern of the Senate regarding the role of the IHH in the attack against Israeli soldiers on the Mavi Marmara and urges the Administration’s consideration of adding the IHH to the list of foreign terrorist organizations.  While the statement commends the U.S. for preventing a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have condemned Israel and for voting against the deplorable United Nations Human Rights Council resolution that did single out Israel alone for condemnation, it urges the President ‘to stand firm in the future at the United Nations Security Council,’ and to use the veto power, when necessary, to ‘prevent any similar biased or one-sided resolutions from passing.’ The letter also notes support for moving quickly to direct negotiations and ultimate resolution of the conflict,” said Chairman Alan Solow and Executive Vice Chairman Malcolm Hoenlein.

“We are grateful to Senators Reid and McConnell and the senators who have or will sign on to show their support for this important and timely statement.  We look forward to an equivalent initiative in the House. Similar to the results of polls across the country, this letter reflects the deep commitment of the American people to the special U.S.-Israel relationship, and their understanding and support for Israel, its efforts to protect its citizens and prevent Hamas from acquiring more sophisticated and greater quantities of weapons,” the leaders said.