AIPAC Briefing Book

AIPAC

Briefing Book 112th Congress • 1st Session

Table of Contents INTRODUCTION

3 4 4

About AIPAC What AIPAC Supports How AIPAC Can Help Your Office

W H Y I S R A E L M AT T E R S

6 7 17 23

Key Principles A Jewish Homeland and Safe Haven A Vibrant Democracy A Force for Good in the World

W H Y T H E U . S . - I S R A E L R E L AT I O N S H I P M AT T E R S

30 31 37 45 51

Key Principles The United States and Israel: A Vital Alliance Israel: America’s Strategic Partner U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation The U.S.-Israel Economic Partnership

W H Y I S R A E L I S AT R I S K

58 59 65 71 75

Key Principles The Terrorist Threat The Missile Threat The Nuclear Threat The Unjust Efforts to Delegitimize Israel

Briefing Book: Table of Contents

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FOREIGN AID

82 83 89

Key Principles The Importance of Security Aid to Israel Keeping America Safe, Strong and Prosperous

IRAN

96 97 103 107

Key Principles The Iranian Nuclear Threat A Terrorist Regime A Repressive Regime

THE PEACE PROCESS

112 113 121 125

Key Principles Direct Talks: The Key to Israeli-Palestinian Peace The Palestinian Divide The Role of the Arab States

SYRIAN AND LEBANON

130 131 137

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Key Principles Syria: Undermining Peace and Stability Hizballah: Amassing Arms and Power

American Israel Public Affairs Committee

Introduction At a time when our country faces historic challenges, including increasing global threats and turmoil in the Middle East, the unique bond between the United States and Israel is more essential than ever. Close strategic, economic, political and diplomatic ties between the United States and Israel further U.S. interests, promote regional peace and enhance the security of both nations. The United States and Israel share the same values and a common commitment to democracy and freedom. Israel is America’s most reliable friend and only democratic ally in the Middle East, one of the world’s most volatile and important regions. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) Briefing Book is designed specifically as a resource for members of Congress and their staffs. It examines key aspects of the U.S.-Israel relationship and highlights challenges for U.S. Middle East policy facing Congress this year. We hope that you find this material useful, and we look forward to working closely with you in the days and weeks ahead.

About AIPAC AIPAC is the only American organization whose principal mission is to lobby the U.S. government on behalf of legislation that strengthens the relationship between the United States and Israel. Every day, the professional staff and members of AIPAC are hard at work helping to educate members of Congress, candidates for public office, policymakers, media professionals and student leaders on college campuses about the importance of the U.S.-Israel alliance. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the organization has more than 100,000 members and 10 regional offices. AIPAC is registered as a domestic lobby and supported by private donations. The organization receives no financial assistance from the U.S. government, Israel, or any national organization or foreign group. AIPAC is not a political action committee. It does not rate, endorse or contribute to candidates.

Briefing Book: Introduction

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What AIPAC Supports The primary goal of AIPAC is to work with Congress to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship by supporting the following:

• A robust foreign aid budget, including $3 billion in vital security assistance to Israel in fiscal year 2011 and $3.075 billion in fiscal year 2012; • Economic, political and diplomatic measures to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran; • Efforts to promote peace through direct negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian officials; • Defense cooperation to strengthen the abilities of America and Israel to combat threats; • Homeland security, energy and trade cooperation aimed at improving the lives of Americans and Israelis; and • Actions to enhance Israel’s standing in international organizations and thwart efforts to delegitimize Israel and challenge its right to self-defense. How AIPAC Can Help Your Office AIPAC has a variety of resources available to help you and your office keep up-to-date regarding the latest news and analysis of the Middle East and the U.S.-Israel relationship. AIPAC’s staff is always available to answer questions and provide additional information.

• Contact AIPAC staff at any time at [email protected] or at 202-639-5222. • Visit the “For Hill Staff” section of our website at www.aipac.org for the latest news and analysis of the key issues as well as details on the legislative initiatives that AIPAC is supporting. You can also follow AIPAC on Twitter (twitter.com/aipac) and Facebook (facebook.com/aipac). • Subscribe to AIPAC policy publications. AIPAC produces a wide range of policy publications offering the latest news, unique insights and concise analysis of the critical issues affecting the U.S.-Israel relationship. These include the Daily News Digest (Middle East news summary); the Near East Report (AIPAC’s flagship bi-weekly on U.S. Middle East policy); Defense Digest; Homeland Security Monitor, and regular policy memos. You can learn more about these and other publications by visiting www.aipac.org/policypublications. • Attend Issue Briefings on the Hill. AIPAC and the American Israel Education Foundation, a charitable foundation affiliated with AIPAC, regularly hold briefings on Capitol Hill for congressional staff. These events offer unique opportunities to hear from top AIPAC staff and leading policy experts on the key issues facing the U.S.Israel relationship.

February 2011 4


Why Israel

W HY ISRA EL M ATTERS Israel is a vibrant democracy that, like the United States, stands out as a leading force for good in the world. Israel also serves a unique role as a sanctuary for Jews from around the world and the central focus of the Jewish faith.

Why Israel

SYRIAN & LEBANON

Why Israel Matters — Key Principles Force for Good in the World: In spite of unprecedented threats from its neighbors, Israel in just 60 years has become a model of innovation, creating new technologies that have improved the quality of life and cured diseases of millions of people. Israel has provided disaster and humanitarian assistance to countless nations. Fellow Democracy: Israel serves as an exemplar of democracy, pluralism and rule of law in a region dominated by authoritarian regimes. Ancient Jewish Homeland: The Jewish people established its first independent political entity in the land of Israel some 3,000 years ago, and has maintained a continuous presence there ever since. Vital Safe Haven: After the Jewish people endured millennia of exile and persecution, the new Jewish state has served as a safe haven for Jewish refugees from around the world. Fulfillment of the Zionist Dream: Israel’s national revival enabled the Jewish people to exercise their right to self-determination, with the commitment to ensure the rights of all Israeli citizens.

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Why Israel

A Jewish Homeland and Safe Haven The Jewish people reestablished the State of Israel in 1948, nearly 2,000 years after the destruction of an independent Jewish commonwealth in the Holy Land. Israel was intended as a safe haven for world Jewry—an urgent necessity following the Holocaust’s eradication of 6 million Jews.

Key Points • The Jewish people established their first independent political entity in the land of Israel some 3,000 years ago. • In 1948, the Jewish people reestablished the Jewish state, in part, to serve as a safe haven for Jewish refugees from around the world after millennia of exile and persecution. • Israel has made it a priority to absorb Jewish refugees from around the world. • Since its establishment, Israel has been forced to wage a struggle for survival and recognition. • Long before the State of Israel was formally established, Congress vigorously advocated for a Jewish home in the Holy Land. • Congress has recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in resolutions and law.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Since 1948, when President Harry Truman first recognized the State of Israel, every administration and Congress has understood the unique role of Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people. During the past six decades, as Israel has repeatedly faced efforts to physically eliminate the Jewish state or question its legitimacy, Congress has provided unprecedented political, financial, military and moral support. Today, once again, those who have failed to achieve their goals on the battlefield are engaged in an effort to deny the historic Jewish connection to the land. Members of Congress can continue America’s traditional support for Israel and speak out against the false argument that the Jewish people are a foreign, illegitimate presence in the historic land of Israel.

Briefing Book: Why Israel

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Why Israel

The Jewish Connection to Israel Dates Back More Than 3,000 Years

following the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE.

The Jewish connection to the land of Israel began in the earliest days of Jewish history. Jews have had a continuous presence there for more than 3,000 years and established their first independent political entity there around 1000 BCE. While foreign armies conquered the land of Israel in subsequent centuries, they were never able to break the link between the Jewish people and the Holy Land. Despite millennia of exile and persecution, Jews have always believed that Israel was their homeland.

The religious yearning of Jews to return to their land ultimately spawned the political movement of Zionism in the 19th century, when European anti-Semitism, in the form of persecution and massacres, presented Jews with an existential choice. Many Jews came to believe that they would only escape discrimination and murder in a state of their own. One of the first and most outspoken proponents of Zionism was Theodor Herzl, a prominent Austrian journalist. In the late 1890s, Herzl helped

The Zionist movement of the 19th century highlighted the need for Jews to return to their ancient homeland.

In 1948, the Jewish people reestablished the Jewish state. Based on the fundamental tenet of Zionism—that Jews must enjoy the right to selfdetermination in their own land—Israel has served as a refuge for Jews from around the world and as a focal point for Jewish aspirations. Israel’s citizens have built a country based on the principles of freedom and democracy for all its citizens, fulfilling both a political and historic imperative.

Building a New Nation in an Ancient Land The memory of Israel and the desire to return to the ancient Jewish homeland remained a central part of the faith after most Jews were forced to flee Israel

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rally both religious and secular Jews around the idea that a viable Jewish state could be reestablished in the historic land of Israel. The Zionists sought international backing for their quest to form a new political entity in the land of their ancestors—a sparsely populated desert wasteland described in the 1860s by Mark Twain as “a desolate country…given over wholly to weeds—a silent mournful expanse.” In a major political victory for the Zionists, the British, with the support of Congress, issued the Balfour Declaration in 1917. In that Declaration, Great Britain pledged to facilitate the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. On that basis, the League of Nations awarded Britain the Mandate for Palestine in 1920.

P R E S E N T- D AY I S R A E L Qiryat Shemona GOL AN HE IGHTS Haifa

Tiberias

SYRIA

Sea of Galilee

Nazareth

M e d it er r anean S ea Netanya

Jenin Sa

ma

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Nablus

WEST B ANK

Tel Aviv

Ramallah Jerusalem

Bethlehem

Ashkelon Gaza City GA ZA

Sderot

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Dead Sea

Beersheba

JORDAN

ISRAEL

EGYPT

Areas which came under Israeli control after the 1967 war. Final status pending negotiation. The Golan Heights have been under Israeli law, jurisdiction and administration since 1981. Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005.

SCALE

Eilat 0

This map is for illustrative purposes only and does not imply any view regarding future agreements between Israel and its neighbors.


25 mi.

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Dead Sea

Beit She’an

Haifa

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SINAI PENINSUL

Damascus

C IA

Sea of Galilee

Tel Aviv

Mediterranean Sea

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Beersheba

Jerusalem

Megiddo

Acco

Mediterranean Sea

After successfully defending itself in the Six-Day War, Israel controlled territory that tripled its size. It traded most of that land in a peace treaty with Egypt.

The Kingdom of Israel, during the reigns of Kings David and Solomon, was composed of a vast territory with Jerusalem as its capital.

Sa

ri ma

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Haifa

EG YPT

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WEST BANK

As part of the 1979 treaty with Egypt, Israel yielded the entire Sinai Peninsula in return for an historic peace treaty sponsored by the United States.

The U.N. proposed dividing the British Mandate of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. Israel accepted the plan. The Arabs rejected it and attacked Israel.

ISRAEL’S ARMISTICE LINES–1949

Haifa

Gaza City

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Nazareth

Sea of Galilee

GOLAN HEIGHTS

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Dead Sea

WEST BANK

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Sea of Galilee

Dead Sea

JO R D AN

Ramallah Jerusalem Bethlehem

Tel Aviv

GAZA

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GAZA

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WEST BANK

Jerusalem

Tel Aviv

Haifa

Mediterranean Sea

AN ANON

Israel’s current frontiers reflect its historic 2005 disengagement from Gaza, the first time that Israel ceded territory outside the context of a peace agreement.

The modern state of Israel established its initial armistice lines after surviving invasions by five Arab armies during its War of Independence in 1948.


Eilat

Beersheba

GAZA

Jerusalem

Sam

GOLAN HEIGHTS

SY RI A

Sea of Galilee

AN NO N

Proposed Jewish State

Tel Aviv

(SI NAI P ENI NS

Dead Sea

Proposed Arab State

Beersheba

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INT E RN AT ION AL Z ON E

Sea of Galilee

S Y R IA

ANSJORDAN

A NON

Jerusalem

Mediterranean Sea

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Tel Aviv

Mediterranean Sea

T H E H I S T O RY O F I S R A E L’ S B O R D E R S

BIBLICAL ISRAEL–circa 1020–930 B.C.E.

THE SIX-DAY WAR–1967

THE U.N. PARTITION PLAN–1947 PEACE TREATY WITH EGYPT –1979

American Israel Public Affairs Committee ISRAEL TODAY

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TX: 266,807 sq. mi.

INDIA: 1,269,346 sq. mi.

ISRAEL: 8,367 sq. mi.


ITALY: 116,305 sq. mi.

U.S.: 3,717,813 sq. mi.



IRAN: 636,296 sq. mi.

NJ: 7,787 sq. mi.




I S R A E L S I Z E C O M PA R I S O N

Why Israel

Holocaust Increases the Urgency to Establish a Jewish State Less than three decades later, the genocide of Europe’s Jews clearly demonstrated the vital need for a safe Jewish refuge. Trapped and with nowhere to flee, 6 million Jews— a stunning third of the world’s Jewish population—were systematically murdered during the Holocaust. The Nazis killed Jews in massacres, at such sites as Babi Yar and in death camps like Auschwitz. After the war, hundreds of thousands of homeless survivors remained in Displaced Persons camps. U.S. President Harry Truman was among the most prominent international leaders urging increased immigration of Jews to Mandatory Palestine. In 1947, the United Nations voted to partition Palestine into two states—one Arab and one Jewish. Even though more than half of the area allocated for the Jewish nation was desert, the Jewish community in Palestine immediately accepted the compromise. The Arabs rejected the plan, and five Arab armies invaded Israel, openly seeking to abort the creation of Israel.

Just three years after the atrocities of the Holocaust, Zionist leader David BenGurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948.

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A New Nation Struggles for Survival Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has been waging a struggle for survival. Israel has faced hostile neighbors with numerically superior armed forces and has been to contend with the constant threat of terrorism. In its early years, Israel fought three defensive wars against its Arab adversaries: in 1948, 1956 and 1967. After the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel controlled territory that included the Sinai Peninsula (later returned to Egypt), the Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip (evacuated in 2005) and the West Bank, as well as the Old City of Jerusalem. The united city is Israel’s capital, and Israel has opened the city to all—protecting and guaranteeing access to Christian, Muslim and Jewish holy sites.

Why Israel

More than six decades after its establishment, Israel must still fight to justify its own existence. Calls for Israel’s destruction still resonate in Iran and parts of the Arab world. And the United Nations, which helped found the modern State of Israel, has often become the forum for efforts to delegitimize Israel.

An Ancient Capital is Reestablished The new modern State of Israel established its capital in Jerusalem, the holiest city of the Jewish people that has served as its spiritual and religious capital for 3,000 years. Today, Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city—not a “settlement,” as the Palestinians and others charge—and a dynamic and multicultural metropolis. Congress has regularly recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in various resolutions and law. King David established the city as the capital of ancient Israel, and his son Solomon built the First Jewish Temple on what became known as the Temple Mount. This Temple became the focal point of ancient Judaism, drawing religious pilgrims from throughout the region. There are more than 850 references to Jerusalem in the Hebrew Bible and innumerable references to the city throughout more than 2,000 years of postbiblical literature.

Israel protects and guarantees access to Christian, Muslim and Jewish holy sites located inside the ancient walls of Jerusalem’s Old City.


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Why Israel

of Israel. However, the 1949 armistice following Israel’s War of Independence left Jerusalem divided between Israel and Jordan.

Even after the destruction of the Second Temple by the Roman Empire, Jews struggled to maintain a continuous presence in Jerusalem. Jerusalem has been central to Jews in their dreams and prayers. For 2,000 years, Jews prayed for the rebuilding of the Holy City, and to this day, Jews throughout the world face toward Jerusalem and pray for peace to return to this holy place. The centuries-old Jewish dream of reestablishing Jerusalem as the Jewish capital was partially realized in 1948, when the western half of the city became the capital of the new State

Between 1948 and 1967, Jordan denied Israeli Jews access to the Old City and Western Wall, one of the holiest sites in Judaism.

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Between 1948 and 1967, Jordan denied nonIsraeli Jews access to Judaism’s holiest sites and completely denied any access to Israeli Jews to the Old City or the Western Wall, a key remnant of the Second Temple. Furthermore, Christians living in Israel were allowed to visit churches and holy sites in eastern Jerusalem only once a year. Thousands of Jews, some of whose families had been living there for centuries, were expelled from eastern Jerusalem. After the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel immediately abolished Jordanian restrictions on access to the city, allowing all Jews, Christians and Muslims to worship at their holy places. Israel later annexed the eastern half of the city and declared the unified Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel.

A Home for Immigrants From Around the World While combating these challenges, Israel has forged a unified nation from an incredibly diverse population of immigrants. Israel nearly doubled

Why Israel

its populace as it welcomed more than half a million immigrants in its first years. The overwhelming majority were either survivors of the Holocaust or from Jewish communities forced to flee the Arab world. Since its founding, the tiny Jewish state has absorbed millions of immigrants from more than 100 countries. Today, Israel serves as a safe haven for Jews from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia and those still fleeing persecution, such as the remnants of the Jewish community in Yemen. Israel’s achievement in absorbing these immigrants is particularly remarkable, considering that the country possesses few natural resources—two-thirds of its land mass is arid desert. Israel has developed agricultural techniques that enabled it to “make the desert bloom.” Moreover, Israel has created world-class universities and has become a global giant in fields such as technology and medical innovation.

During its infancy, the new Jewish state absorbed more than 500,000 refugees from European and Arab countries.

Israel :“A Light Unto the Nations” For Israel, it is not enough to serve as a safe haven for world Jewry. Equipped with firsthand knowledge of the challenges that resource-poor countries face, Israel has always strived to share

its blessings with other less-fortunate countries. Even before establishing embassies in many world capitals, Israel dispatched skilled experts to teach developing nations how to upgrade medical facilities, improve schools and coax crops from arid land. Less than a century ago, Israel was only a dream in the hearts and minds of millions of Jews. Today, Israel has emerged as a thriving democracy and global leader, committed to fulfilling its biblical mandate of being “a light unto the nations.” Like the United States, Israel’s government and people constantly strive to fulfill the principles embodied in its Declaration of Independence: freedom, justice and peace.


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Why Israel

What Congress Did to Support the Establishment of the State of Israel Supported the Balfour Declaration Endorsing a Jewish Homeland. In 1922, Congress officially endorsed the creation of Israel when it unanimously passed a joint resolution expressing approval of the British Balfour Declaration. “It is entirely…commendable that the Jewish people in all portions of the world should desire to have a national home…[in] the country which was the cradle of their race,” said Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts, who introduced the resolution with Rep. Hamilton Fish of New York. Called for Jews to Be “Restored” to Their Homeland. In 1941, 69 senators signed a statement that called for “every possible encouragement to the movement for the restoration of the Jews in Palestine.” Pressed for an End to Restrictions on Jewish Immigration to Pre-State Palestine. In 1945, President Harry Truman received a petition signed by 54 senators and 250 representatives that called for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. In the same year, Congress passed a concurrent resolution calling for an end to restrictions on Jewish immigration to Palestine and the establishment of a Jewish commonwealth there.

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Why Israel

A Vibrant Democracy Israel is a unique sanctuary of democracy, freedom and pluralism in the Middle East, protecting its citizens’ rights while upholding the progressive values it shares with America. The Jewish state accomplishes this despite constant military threats and the fact that it is surrounded by authoritarian regimes.

Key Points • Israel’s Declaration of Independence guarantees “complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex.” • Israel guarantees freedom of religion to Jews, Muslims, Christians and members of any other faith, including access to holy sites. • Israel guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press. • Israel is a country grounded in the rule of law, sustained by a robust judicial system, free and fair elections and full voting rights for all its citizens. • Unlike any other country in the region, Israel provides full rights to women, who participate in all aspects of social and political life.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Congress can continue its vital support for Israel as a democratic ally under attack. Congress should speak out when Israel is demonized and when Israel’s right to self-defense is challenged. Similarly, Congress should speak out against any attempt to boycott, divest from or sanction Israel. Congress should point out the double standard of authoritarian governments and religiousbased regimes that falsely attack Israel for allegedly violating rights they deny to their own citizens. Congress should also note that Israel, like the United States, follows the rule of law, protects the rights of minorities and is committed to the values of democracy and freedom. As part of this effort, Congress should support Israeli efforts to enhance its position in the international arena by demanding equal opportunities and treatment in key international and multilateral organizations.


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Why Israel

Israel Shares America’s Commitment to Democracy

support extremist groups trying to violently impose Islamic law on the region.

Since President Truman made the historic decision to recognize the State of Israel on May 14, 1948, the U.S.-Israel relationship has been grounded in common values and interests. The people of the United States

Israel’s Declaration of Independence proclaims many of the same democratic principles that the United States adheres to, including “complete equality of social and political rights to all its

have seen in Israel a kindred spirit that shares America’s fundamental commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and freedom of speech, press, and religion.

inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex...(and) freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture....” Similarly, like the United States and in stark contrast to other Middle East nations, Israel has an independent judicial system, which protects the rights of individuals and operates under the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.” Israel also features regularly scheduled elections that are free and fair and open to all its citizens, regardless of religion, race or sex. The independent group Freedom House has consistently classified Israel as “Free” in its rankings of world nations.

Israel’s Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem is a powerful symbol of Israel’s democracy.

This similarity and commitment to democracy have been regularly reflected in polls showing overwhelming support among Americans for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. To the American people, Israel’s devotion to liberty is all the more remarkable in light of the dictatorial regimes of Israel’s neighbors, who deny the most basic rights of their own people and, in some cases,

Israel guarantees the right to vote to all its diverse citizens, unlike most other countries in the region.

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Israel Has a Vibrant Press and Legal System Israel has a robust free press with myriad publications representing all views within its society; hundreds of foreign journalists are free to report on every political and diplomatic development. Civil rights are guaranteed by law, and guarded by numerous private organizations and citizens action groups that often openly challenge the government. Israel is considered to be the most advanced and


Why Israel

tolerant country in the Middle East on such matters as the guarantee of a fair trial and the protection of minority rights. It is also the leading nation in the region in the protection of gay rights, with strong anti-discrimination laws. Furthermore, it maintains an independent judicial and court system. In Israel, nobody is above the law. Despite facing enemies that hide bombs in ambulances and dispatch women and children to carry out terrorist attacks, Israel remains committed to following the rule of law. The Israeli Supreme Court has a strong tradition of questioning and often overturning actions of both the Israeli government and its defense forces. For example, the Israeli Supreme Court has outlawed torture and has frequently acted to preserve the rights of Palestinians within the West Bank. Following controversial military operations, Israel conducts independent and thorough inquiries to ensure that appropriate human rights laws were followed.

Israel Respects Freedom of Worship for All Religions When Israel was established as a safe haven for the Jewish people in the aftermath of the Holocaust, the new state made it a priority to guarantee freedom of religion for all faiths. Indeed, Israel’s Declaration of Independence explicitly guarantees the rights of religious minorities, and Israel’s Knesset has reaffirmed these rights by statute. In most Middle East countries, minority religious groups suffer from persecution and discrimination. In Israel, each faith has its own religious council and courts, recognized by law, with jurisdiction over all religious affairs and matters of personal status. Since Israel’s unification of Jerusalem in 1967, Israel has guaranteed movement among all sections of the city and freedom of access to holy sites for all religions. In fact, Israel has granted each religious community authority over its holy sites in the city, sometimes favoring the status of other faiths over Judaism’s claims. In contrast, before 1967,

Israel is the only country in the Middle East where the Christian population has risen—300 percent—during the past 50 years.

when Jordan controlled Jerusalem, Jews were almost completely barred from visiting holy places such as the Western Wall, and Christians living in Israel were allowed to visit churches and holy sites in eastern Jerusalem only once a year. Today, Jews and Christians are fundamentally free to visit their holy sites at times of their choosing. Israel has also allowed Islamic religious authorities administrative control over the Temple Mount and freedom of worship at their holy sites within the area. The Protection of Holy Places Law, enacted by the Knesset in 1967, prescribes penalties for those caught desecrating or impeding access to holy sites associated with any faith. Israel consistently maintains a policy of allowing Christian leaders in Israel, with connections to small Christian communities in Arab countries, to regularly travel to these communities. Not only do these religious minorities have freedom of worship and access, but their population numbers have significantly grown during the past several decades. Israel is the only


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Why Israel

country in the Middle East whose Christian population has grown during the past 50 years. Between 1949 and 2009, the Christian population of Israel increased by 300 percent— from 35,000 to 151,700. Israel has also witnessed a flourishing of its Muslim population. Since 1967, Jerusalem’s Muslim population has increased by nearly four times, from 69,000 to 270,000. As a percentage of Jerusalem’s total population, it has increased from one-quarter to more than one-third. Jerusalem’s most recent population estimates predict a further increase in the proportion of Arab residents, to 40 percent by 2020. These figures belie any claim that Israel seeks to “Judaize” Jerusalem or drive Arabs from the holy city.

Women Play a Vital Role in Israeli Society Unlike any other Middle Eastern nation, women are at the forefront of many aspects of Israeli society. Israel has always had at least one woman on its Supreme Court, and Israel is the only country in the Middle East to elect a woman, Golda Meir, to the position of prime minister. Currently, the leader of the major opposition party is a woman who

Golda Meir—one of the first women to serve as prime minister of a country— is an example of the key role women have played in Israeli society.

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previously served as the country’s foreign minister. Women have played an integral part in the founding and flourishing of the state. Regardless of religion or ethnicity, all women in Israel enjoy equal rights, protections under the law and opportunities to succeed and contribute to society. From the founding of the state, women have long held important academic posts and leadership positions in government and served alongside their male counterparts in the defense of the state. Indeed, Israel’s Declaration of Independence guarantees legal and political equality without discrimination based on sex. In 1951, the Knesset passed the Women’s Equal Rights Law, and in the 1970s and 1980s, the Knesset enacted additional legislation to bolster antidiscrimination laws. Whereas many of Israel’s neighbors suffer from a high illiteracy rate among women and struggle to balance gender equality and cultural norms, Israel has achieved educational parity for men and women. Israel ranks seventh in the Western world in the percentage of women studying in institutions of higher learning. Women receive 57 percent of all academic degrees, and 46 percent of today’s doctoral students are women.

Why Israel

Israel Is a Safe Haven for Immigrants From Around the World Like the United States, Israel is a country established by immigrants. Since its founding, the tiny state has absorbed millions of immigrants from more than 100 countries, including Jews from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia and those forced to flee from Arab countries. A haven for Jewish refugees from around the world, Israel has also reached out to assist Jews wherever they suffer from persecution and has made the successful absorption of new immigrants in society a top priority. Following the War of Independence, Israel struggled economically, with food and other basics rationed, and new immigrants lived in temporary structures. Despite these shortages, Israel took measures to ensure the safety of Jews at risk abroad. Later, to handle the influx of immigrants to Israel, the government created absorption centers to provide housing and Hebrew classes.

Israel has absorbed immigrants from more than 100 countries during the past six decades.

Jews from Arab countries were among the first immigrants to be flown into Israel, out of harm’s way. One year after independence, the Israeli government arranged to airlift approximately 45,000 Yemenite Jews to Israel in Operation Magic Carpet. In 1951, Israel coordinated with

the Iraqi government to allow 130,000 Jews to be transported to Israel. Israel’s dedication to helping Jewish communities at risk was also clearly shown when Israel carried out secret missions to rescue Jews in Ethiopia. In 1991, with the help of the United States, Israel flew more than 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to the Jewish state. And with the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, Israel absorbed a massive wave of new immigrants. More than 1 million Jews from the former Soviet Union immigrated to Israel, changing the face of Israeli society.


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Why Israel

What Congress Has Done to Recognize Israel’s Vibrant Democracy Celebrated Israel’s Creation During Key Anniversaries. Congress has long celebrated Israel’s creation and its commitment to the ideals of Western democracy. With overwhelming bipartisan support, the House and the Senate have routinely passed resolutions in honor of Israel’s anniversary—including its milestone 50th in 1998 and 60th in 2008—that highlight the two countries’ shared values. In 1998, then-Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) and then-House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO) led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Israel to mark Israel’s golden anniversary. Backed Israel’s Inclusion in International Organizations. Congress has regularly pushed for the fair treatment and inclusion of Israel in a variety of international institutions. During the past decade, members of Congress helped advance Israel’s membership in such groups as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and backed the inclusion of Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service, in the International Committee of the Red Cross. Similarly, Congress has encouraged the United States to help Israel gain membership in the United Nations’ Western European and Others (WEOG) regional group, which greatly enhances Israel’s right to participate in various U.N. bodies, potentially including the Security Council. Visited Israel to Learn About the Issues. Members of Congress have also routinely traveled to Israel to educate themselves about the key issues facing the region and to express solidarity with their Israeli counterparts. Between 2006 and 2010 alone, more than 100 members of Congress visited the Jewish state. Senior lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), have participated in these important trips.

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Why Israel

A Force for Good in the World By sharing its experience, technologies and know-how with others, Israel has improved the lives of millions of people worldwide.

Key Points • Israeli-developed technologies are used every day around the globe—from cell phone and computer technology to the latest medical procedures. • Israel has one of the most sophisticated humanitarian assistance programs in the world, reaching the needy in countries near and far to provide critical aid. • Israel has used its vast disaster response experience to quickly help countries impacted by natural disasters, terrorism or war. • Israel is known throughout the world for literally “making the desert bloom.” Israel has extensively shared agricultural development techniques that it pioneered. • Israel contributes to a cleaner world, advancing cutting-edge renewable energy and water technologies.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Congress can continue to support Israel’s efforts to provide humanitarian aid and share scientific research. Programs such as the Middle East Regional Cooperation Program (MERC) and the Cooperative Development Program (CDP), which facilitate many of these efforts, should continue to receive funding as part of the annual foreign aid bill. Congress can also build upon the remarkable achievements of U.S.-Israel binational foundations by providing additional funding for their activities. The Binational Agricultural Research & Development Foundation (BARD; http://www.bard-isus.com) connects U.S. and Israeli scientists in the development of agricultural breakthroughs in arid land cultivation, food safety and resource issues.


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Why Israel

Israel Provides Humanitarian Assistance Throughout the World Equipped with firsthand knowledge of the challenges that resource-poor countries face, Israel has strived to provide other countries with the assistance they need to develop and grow. Before it had even established embassies in many world capitals, Israel sent experts abroad to teach developing nations such skills as how to upgrade medical facilities, improve schools and coax crops

Israeli doctors and other experts have quickly responded to major disasters around the globe, including the earthquake in Haiti.

from arid land. Today, Israel has one of the most extensive foreign assistance programs in the world for a nation of its size. Israelis are all too familiar with the reality of genocide. In both the Rwandan and Sudanese genocides, Israel provided humanitarian assistance to the refugees. In Rwanda, Israel established a field hospital and sent several doctors and nurses as wells as medical supplies and vaccinations. Israel has also dispersed $5 million to aid Sudanese refugees. In more than two dozen recent cases, Israel has contributed to relief efforts after earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters. For example, Israel sent medicine, water, food and other supplies to Sri Lanka after the tsunami in 2004. The next year, Israel also sent humanitarian aid and equipment to New Orleans

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for victims of Hurricane Katrina. After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Israel sent a comprehensive hospital team that set the standard for treating victims of a natural disaster in a speedy and humane manner. Since 1959, Israel has maintained numerous medical outreach programs, including eye clinics in developing countries. Israel’s eye clinics have operated for decades in Nepal, Mauritania, Tonga, Liberia and Micronesia.

Israeli Technology Advances Key Agricultural Techniques

Why Israel

Local doctors and nurses undergo special training, both at home and in Israel.

The Binational Agricultural Research & Development Foundation (BARD) connects U.S. and Israeli researchers in the development of agricultural technologies with global significance. Created in

Because Israel is 60 percent desert, its farmers and agricultural scientists have long focused on expanding both the yield and quality of crops, as well as making agriculture more efficient overall. Drip irrigation has become popular with fruit and vegetable growers in dry weather areas, from Southern California to the Middle East. The world’s first surface drip irrigation system was developed in the 1960s at Kibbutz Hatzerim near Beersheba. Similarly, Israeli scientists have developed genetically modified, disease-resistant bananas, peppers and other crops that are expanding the world’s food supply and helping to keep prices down at grocery stores around the globe.

When Israel was first founded, it experienced severe difficulties in agriculture production and even instituted a food rationing policy. Now that Israel has “made the desert bloom,” the Jewish state is helping others through a series of agriculture programs that include human capacity building, research cooperation, demonstration farms and agribusiness consulting centers. Israel has also established an African Growth Market, which seeks to provide higher yields of crops in arid areas through crop variation and a drip irrigation system.

1977, BARD has funded more than 1,100 projects, investing roughly $400 million in basic and applied science. Breakthroughs in arid land resource management, food safety and environmental protection are but a few of the many developments facilitated through BARD. The Foundation also hosts

Israeli agriculture techniques and technology, such as drip irrigation, have helped farmers around the globe, especially in Africa.

international workshops to ensure that others are able to benefit from these discoveries. In the past five years, BARD has expanded its operations to include cooperative research programs with Jordanian and Palestinian scientists in a form of “scientific diplomacy.” Not only does this create connections at the professional level, but local communities also benefit from U.S. and Israeli expertise in water purification, animal health maintenance and food safety—critical areas with real-world implications.


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Why Israel

Israeli Doctors Have Developed Life-Saving Treatments, Drugs

Israeli High-Tech Contributions Felt Throughout the Globe

Israeli companies have also taken advantage of their nation’s educated and innovative workforce to develop revolutionary medical treatments that are now in use throughout the world. Israel is a world leader in the manufacture of generic drugs. Israel’s flagship drug maker, Teva Pharmaceuticals, also develops and markets original medicines. These include Copaxone, for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, and Azilect, for Parkinson’s disease. And while endoscopy is never a pleasant experience, Given Imaging, of Yokneam, Israel, has developed a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure— known as capsule endoscopy—that uses an ingestible video capsule to help evaluate gastrointestinal ailments. This “camera in a pill” (pictured below) is marketed under the appropriate name of PillCam.

Israeli medical and computer technology has transformed how hundreds of millions of people work, communicate and are treated for diseases.

Some of Israel’s medical advances border on the fantastic. One such product is Gelrin, an injectable, biosynthetic gel used to stimulate bone repair, which was developed by Regentis Biomaterials of Haifa. 26


Israel’s high-tech civil innovations have left an important mark on homes, offices and businesses around the world. Many offices now have computerized phones that plug into the Internet, taking advantage of Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP. VocalTec Communications of Herzliya, Israel, developed the first practical Internet phone software. Similarly, those who enjoy chatting with friends over the Internet might be interested to know that this online phenomenon originated in Israel. Although the technology now belongs to AOL, Israel’s Mirabilis developed the first popular Internet chat program, ICQ. Every day, millions of Americans watch online streaming video for entertainment or educational purposes. Metacafe, the world’s third-most-popular video sharing website, was founded in Israel. Likewise, tech-savvy Americans over age 30 remember the original IBM Personal Computer of the early 1980s. What they may not know is that its brain, the Intel 8088 processor, was developed by Intel’s Israel division. More recently, the Pentium M series of processors for laptop computers using the Intel Centrino platform, as well as some of Intel’s latest processors (Yonah, Merom, Woodcrest), were also designed by Intel Israel. In addition, Amazon.com’s Kindle e-reader owes much of its success to technology developed in Israel.

In an era of booming populations, shrinking resources and environmental degradation, Israel leads the world in such critical fields as solar power generation and seawater desalination. As nations struggle to make the best use of their resources, Israel’s cuttingedge technologies promise to improve the health and living standards of hundreds of millions across the globe, while making industry more efficient and minimizing the environmental impact of human activities. Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has contracted with an Israeli company, Solel, to build the world’s largest solar energy park in California’s Mojave Desert. When completed in 2011, the huge site will have a capacity of 553 megawatts—enough electricity for 400,000 homes. In this context, the Mojave Desert’s Solar Energy Generating Systems (SEGS)— engineered by Israelis in the 1980s and now run with help from Solel—is currently the world’s largest and most productive solar array, with a capacity of 354 megawatts. Aside from its size, it is also notable for being the longest continuously operating,

Why Israel

Israel Contributes to a Cleaner World

commercially successful solar array in the United States. The total output of these facilities equals that of a coal-fired power plant burning around 3 million tons of coal annually, or an oil-fired plant burning more than 10 million barrels of oil a year. Such efforts provide concrete support for America’s pursuit of emissions reductions and energy independence. Also in the “world’s largest” category is the seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant, which first came online in 2005, in Israel’s southern city of Ashkelon. This plant can produce up to 320,000 cubic meters of fresh water daily, or around 5 percent of Israel’s total water needs. With Israel 60 percent desert and one of the world’s most densely populated countries, desalination will become a necessity of life. Israel’s success has attracted the attention of many developing countries. For example, China has selected IDE Technologies, an Israeli contractor that participated in the Ashkelon project, to build China’s largest desalination plant. IDE Technologies has built or delivered more than 360 desalination plants around the world, with a total production capacity of more than 1 million cubic meters per day.

Engineered by Israel, the Mojave Desert’s Solar Energy Generating Systems is the world’s largest and most productive solar array.


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Why Israel

What Congress Has Done to Support Israeli Humanitarian Efforts Supported Regional Cooperation on Health and Environmental Issues. Created in 1979 in the wake of the peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, the Middle East Regional Cooperation Program (MERC) has sought to promote scientific cooperation between Arab and Israeli researchers, students and communities. Previous projects involving Israel, the Palestinians, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia have focused on issues such as water, health, agriculture and the environment. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) since its inception at an annual level of $5 million to $7 million, the MERC Program unites Israel’s technological prowess with its quest for peace with its Arab neighbors. Backed U.S.-Israeli Programs in Developing Countries. Founded in 1988, the Cooperative Development Program (CDP) funds the collaborative research of American and Israeli scientists working with their counterparts in developing countries throughout the world in order to improve their conditions. Projects take place in Latin America, Asia, Africa, Eastern and Central Europe, as well as in some of Israel’s neighboring countries. Activities include training in arid lands agriculture, livestock, exotic crops and irrigation. Both America and Israel contribute funding to the CDP. Supported Joint Technological Development. Congress supported the creation of the U.S.-Israel Binational Agricultural Research & Development Foundation (BARD) in 1977 by appropriating $40 million for an initial endowment, fully matched by Israel. The endowment was augmented in 1984 with a contribution of $15 million, again matched by Israel, but has not been replenished since. This severely restricts BARD’s ability to continue funding cutting-edge research and development into agricultural technologies that assist programs focused on arid land development, water treatment, food safety and other vital areas.

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Relationship WH Y TH E U.S.-ISRAEL REL ATION SHIP M ATTERS Since the founding of the modern Jewish state in 1948, the United States and Israel have developed a resilient friendship and strategic alliance based on shared values and interests.

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The U.S.-Israel Relationship — Key Principles Commitment to Democracy: The U.S.-Israel relationship is a deep and natural alliance between two democracies that share a commitment to the rule of law, freedom of religion and speech and human rights. Shared Values: Both nations were established by immigrants who sought freedom and a safe haven from oppression. The United States and Israel stand as living symbols of liberty and pluralism in a world still marked by authoritarianism and intolerance. Strong Strategic Alliance: Long-standing U.S.-Israel strategic cooperation allows the two allies to face common threats, including terrorism and weapons proliferation. Israeli innovation in the defense and homeland security areas has helped protect American soldiers abroad and civilians at home. Dependable Allies: Since Israel’s establishment, the United States has a played an indispensable role in ensuring the Jewish state’s survival. At the same time, Israel is America’s most consistent ally. Shared Pursuit of Peace: For decades, the United States and Israel have worked hand in hand for a stable and peaceful Middle East. Strong U.S. support for Israel has allowed the Jewish state to take substantial risks for peace. Robust Economic Partnership: Joint U.S.-Israel research and trade has helped strengthen the economies of both nations. Joint research programs and a Free Trade Agreement—the first between the United States and any country—have spurred collaboration, innovation and commerce between the allies. Bipartisan Support: For more than 60 years, bipartisan support for Israel has been a hallmark of Congress. Even during periods of partisan divisions in Washington and frequent fluctuations between peace and violence in the Middle East, Congress has been a bastion of bipartisan support for Israel.

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The United States and Israel: A Vital Alliance The United States and Israel share common values and interests that provide a strong foundation for the U.S.-Israel partnership.

Key Points • Refugees seeking political and religious freedom founded each nation. • America and Israel are committed to vibrant democracy, the rule of law, freedom of religion and speech, and the support of human rights. • President Harry Truman understood these shared values when he made the United States the first nation to recognize the Jewish state. • According to decades of poll data, a strong majority of Americans supports Israel and considers it to be an ally of the United States. • The U.S.-Israel relationship has enjoyed strong bipartisan support since Israel’s creation. • The United States and Israel share a common commitment to working for peace. • America and Israel cooperate in fighting many of the same threats, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the growth of state-sponsored terrorism and the spread of Islamic radicalism.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Congress has been a bedrock of support for the U.S.-Israel relationship. By supporting aid to Israel, Congress can help ensure that Israel maintains its qualitative military edge while providing Israel with the backing it needs to pursue peace. Congress can continue to provide an element of solidity and consistency in the U.S.-Israel relationship by helping guarantee that the relationship transcends occasional disagreements that might arise. Similarly, Congress can help thwart efforts around the globe to undermine Israel’s legitimacy.

Briefing Book: Relationship

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The United States Has Helped Guarantee Israel’s Right to Exist In May 1948, the United States was the first country to recognize the new State of Israel. President Truman announced U.S. support for the fledgling Jewish state only 11 minutes after David Ben-Gurion announced its establishment.

President Harry Truman announced U.S. recognition of Israel just 11 minutes after its establishment.

percent of Israelis regularly describe themselves as being pro-American in public opinion surveys. In a symbolic measure of solidarity with the United States following the attacks of 9/11, Israel renamed a major Jerusalem thoroughfare “New York Street,” and teeming crowds of Israelis bestowed a heroes’ welcome upon New York’s mayor and delegations of first responders who visited. In the years since, from sharing security and counterterrorism expertise to dispatching humanitarian relief teams following Hurricane Katrina, Israel has always been there for the United States, offering everything that the small nation can muster in support of its friend.

The United States and Israel Have Shared Values The United States and Israel share all the characteristics of an unbreakable partnership, rooted in the allies’ shared values and common histories. The independent group Freedom House recognizes Israel each year as a “Free” nation, in contrast to all the other countries in the Middle East.

During the course of the next six decades, American presidents and lawmakers from both parties built and strengthened the U.S.Israeli bond. Americans have understood that solid relations between the United States and Israel are rooted in the shared value of democracy and the other moral principles of Western civilization. Polls have repeatedly indicated that more than two-thirds of Americans hold a favorable view of Israel, and Americans across a wide range of demographic groups strongly identify with the Jewish state. Polls have also shown that, more than any other nation, Israelis have a positive image of the United States. Eighty to ninety

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Refugees seeking political and religious freedom founded both nations. Both were forced to fight for independence against foreign powers. Both have absorbed waves of immigrants seeking political freedom and economic well-being. And both have evolved into democracies that respect the rule of law, the will of voters and the rights of minorities. Israel’s commitment to democracy, the rule of law, freedom of religion and speech and human rights means that it shares a common worldview with the United States. The two allies share interests, as well as values. They face many of the same threats in a volatile but strategic region. Above all, they share a deeply held commitment to stand by one another to face the challenges ahead. In a world of great uncertainty and shifting allegiances, Israel has been a key partner, ally and friend of the United States.

The United States and Israel Work Together to Combat Threats

Both the United States and Israel are dedicated to achieving peace in the Middle East. U.S. support for Israel has undergirded the success realized in Israel’s peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan. These states, and many others in the Arab world, have come to understand that an Israel allied with America cannot be destroyed and that peace with Israel is their only option in the long run.

The United States and Israel face many of the same threats, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the growth of state-sponsored terrorism and the spread of Islamic radicalism. The two countries have set up a complex and cost-effective network of strategic cooperation programs, which include sharing cutting-edge technology and valuable intelligence, conducting combined military exercises, and researching and developing new weapons. The United States has also prepositioned matériel in Israel for use in the event that the United States ever needs to respond quickly to a future Middle East conflict.

American leaders understand that one essential step to promote Mideast peace involves maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge. Americans accept that only Israel can make the life-and-death decisions necessary to maintain Israeli security. However, Americans also believe that providing military, economic and political support to Israel serves the cause of peace. If peace is to be realized, then both potential adversaries and would-be partners must understand clearly the immutability of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

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The United States and Israel Stand Committed to Peace

American military aid has helped Israel attain a qualitative edge over Arab countries that have waged several wars in the hope of destroying the Jewish state. U.S. support has also helped prevent war, because Arab states contemplating attacks on Israel know that they will face a U.S. ally defending itself with the world’s best weapons systems.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Obama have repeatedly affirmed the strength of the U.S.-Israel alliance.


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In addition to providing this vital assistance, U.S. leaders have explicitly stated their commitment to Israel’s security against existential threats, vowing to help defend the Jewish state should it come under attack. “Those who threaten Israel threaten us,” President Obama has said, affirming U.S. policy under both Democratic and Republican presidents. “Israel has always faced these threats on the frontlines, and I will bring to the White House an unshakable commitment to Israel’s security. That starts with insuring Israel’s qualitative military advantage. I will insure that Israel can defend itself from any threat, from Gaza to Tehran.”

United States and Israel Maintain a Robust Economic Partnership As Israel’s economy and technological prowess continue to grow, America will continue to benefit from the wide-ranging economic partnership that the two countries enjoy. Clearly, the United States and Israel are

U.S. security assistance to Israel has helped the Jewish state protect itself from those who seek its destruction.

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among the most technologically advanced nations in the world. Several binational programs allow American companies and universities to benefit from Israel’s expertise in agriculture and high technology, while others aim to break down barriers to trade and cooperation between the two countries. In 1985, Israel became the first country to sign a Free Trade Agreement with the United States.

During the past 60 years, bipartisan support for Israel has been a hallmark of the U.S. approach to the Middle East. Even during periods of partisan divisions in Washington and during the frequent fluctuations between peace and violence in the Middle East, the U.S. Congress has been a bastion of support for Israel. And for the past half-century, both major parties’ platforms have featured strong planks affirming the value of the U.S.–Israel relationship. Furthermore, both Republican

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Support for Israel Is Bipartisan

and Democratic presidents and lawmakers have worked to strengthen the bond between the two allies. The United Nations, other international organizations and the governments of many countries around the world often adopt the positions of Israel’s adversaries; Congress has represented an essential counterweight to Israel’s detractors. Congress has understood that every Israeli government has sought peace, even as Israel has often been forced to defend itself against aggression.

Despite heated divisions in Congress, bipartisan support for Israel has been a hallmark of its approach to the Middle East.


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What Congress Has Done to Strengthen the U.S.-Israel Relationship Approved Annual Foreign Aid to Israel. For four decades, Congress has provided Israel with vital aid. U.S. security assistance has strengthened America’s leading ally in an unstable region that is critical to U.S. national security interests. Backed Loan Guarantees to Help Refugees. Since 1992, the United States has made available some $10 billion in loan guarantees to help Israel absorb a million refugees from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. This backing has enabled Israel to integrate the many highly trained refugees into its society, paving the way for key advancements in science, technology and medicine that benefit the United States and other countries around the world. Supported Strong Strategic Cooperation. Congress has approved key U.S.-Israel cooperative defense programs that have boosted the ability of both the U.S. and Israel to defend their citizens. From missile defense to sophisticated tank protection to aviation security, Americans and Israelis have worked together to produce advanced technologies and systems that help keep both nations’ soldiers and citizens safe. Ensured Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge. In evaluating U.S. arms sales and military aid to other countries in the Middle East, Congress has consistently sought to ensure that such arms transfers do not erode Israel’s qualitative edge over its potential adversaries. This policy supports the U.S. goals of peace and stability in the Middle East by providing Israel with the ability to deter major conflicts. Reaffirmed the U.S.-Israel Alliance. Congress has regularly restated the important principles that form the foundation of the U.S.-Israel relationship. In 2010, resounding majorities of the House and the Senate signed letters to President Obama urging him to reaffirm the strength of this relationship and calling for any differences to be resolved amicably—as befits long-standing strategic allies. “The United States and Israel are close allies whose people share a deep and abiding friendship based on a shared commitment to core values including democracy, human rights and freedom of the press and religion,” the letters state.

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Israel: America’s Strategic Partner The United States and Israel have developed a deep strategic relationship aimed at confronting the threats that are common to both nations.

Key Points • The challenges the two allies face include weapons proliferation, terrorism and the spread of radical Islamist ideology. • With no other country in the region—and few in the entire world— does the United States share the same high level of strategic cooperation. • Israel’s military strength and central geo-strategic location provide a strong deterrent against Iran and other radical forces opposed to the United States. • The Jewish state has become a leader in designing techniques and technologies in the arenas of homeland security and counterterrorism. • The American and Israeli militaries frequently train together and learn new techniques from each other to combat common threats.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Recognizing Israel’s unique role as a strategic partner and the common threats that both nations face, members of Congress can continue to support U.S.-Israel cooperative programs, such as Arrow and David’s Sling, found in the annual defense authorization and appropriations bills. These bills also fund important Israeli-developed defense systems that enhance the war-fighting capability and safety of the U.S. armed forces. Congress should also continue to fund continued expansion of U.S.-Israel homeland security cooperation.


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Israel Is America’s Most Reliable Middle Eastern Ally

States and Israel is the most stabilizing feature in an otherwise unstable region of the world.

During the Cold War, the United States and Israel collaborated in limiting Soviet influence in the region. Today, in the post-9/11 world,

Israel’s presence in the region provides a de facto cost-effective guarantor of security well beyond its borders. Furthermore, Israel’s military strength and central geo-strategic location provide a strong deterrent against Iran and other radical forces that threaten America, its allies and regional and global U.S. objectives. President Obama has voiced a similar view on the importance of this relationship: “Many of the same forces that threaten Israel also threaten the United States and our efforts to secure peace and stability in the Middle East. Our alliance with Israel serves our national security interests.”

The United States and Israel cooperate on strategic matters from the highest political levels to soldiers on the ground.

Israel remains America's most reliable strategic partner in the Middle East, working to defeat common threats and supporting America’s regional and global policy objectives. These threats range from terrorism, the spread of radical Islamist ideology and nuclear and missile proliferation to narcotics, counterfeiting and cyberwarfare. Israel is a reliable democratic ally that shares America’s values and worldview in a region often dominated by radical forces, dictatorial regimes and extremist non-state actors. With no other country in the region—and few in the entire world—does the United States share the same high level of strategic cooperation. American-Israeli cooperation begins with frequent high-level strategic dialogues among senior political and military leaders and extends to combined military planning and exercises, intelligence-sharing and technological development. The expanding network of American and Israeli military and intelligence coordination has provided a powerful deterrent to those in the Middle East who seek to harm either country. The historic alliance between the United

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The close strategic relationship between the United States and Israel originated with the allies sharing key intelligence around the time of the 1967 SixDay War. This partnership was later broadened and formalized in the early 1980s, when President Ronald Reagan and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir announced the establishment of the Joint Political Military Group to coordinate planning against threats faced by both nations in the Middle East. Later in the decade, Israel formally became a major non-NATO ally of the United States. Today, the United States pre-positions military equipment, such as ammunition and armor, in Israel. The two allies also engage in joint military exercises involving American and Israeli land, sea and air forces. Two times each year, U.S. Marines conduct desert warfare training with their Israel Defense Forces (IDF) counterparts, and American soldiers and security officials have received Israeli instruction on urban combat techniques. U.S. pilots

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Allies’ Close Strategic Partnership Spans Decades

hold mock dogfights with the Israeli Air Force and have tested aerial combat tactics and practiced refueling. Research-and-development collaboration between the United States and Israel has produced innovative technologies and security techniques that are now protecting American and Israeli lives. In addition, Israel and the United States have cooperated on a wide range of intelligencesharing programs, including monitoring Iran, al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups. Such collaboration has played a critical role in stemming extremism in the region and boosting Israel’s role as an indispensable player in the war against radical Islam.

The United States and Israel Cooperate on Missile Defense The close partnership between the United States and Israel has yielded leading military technologies such as the Arrow anti-ballistic missile defense system that is currently deployed in Israel.

The American and Israeli armies routinely train together and learn from each other’s experiences in combating shared enemies.


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Jointly developed by the two allies, the Arrow is among the world’s most sophisticated missile shields. It is the only operational system that has consistently proven that one missile can shoot down another at high altitudes and supersonic speeds. Israel and the United States are also collaborating on the development of a quickreaction defense system, known as David’s Sling, to address the threats posed by short- and medium-range missiles and rockets.

The U.S.-Israel developed Arrow missile is one of the world’s most sophisticated missile shields.

innovations available to the United States. Many of these are currently in use by U.S. forces deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES AND LITENING TARGETING POD

The American military routinely deploys Israeli-developed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which have logged thousands of hours in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. planes in both countries have been equipped with the Litening targeting pod, a system of Israeli-origin with infrared sensors that identify ground targets and enable pilots to fly at night and in bad weather. The Litening made it possible for American fighter pilots to deliver the munitions that eliminated al-Qaeda’s top leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. BRADLEY REACTIVE ARMOR TILES AND IED PROTECTION

Similarly, Israel has developed the Iron Dome rocket defense system. Israeli civilians living in cities such as Sderot have been victimized by more than 7,000 indiscriminate rocket and mortar attacks. The Iron Dome, produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, uses small radar-guided missiles to blow up incoming Katyusha-style rockets. Recognizing the value of this system, the Obama administration has requested $205 million from Congress to help Israel fund Iron Dome. A centerpiece of the interaction between the two militaries has been combined missile defense training, including the biannual Juniper Cobra exercise. In this maneuver, U.S. and Israeli forces practice cooperative tactics to counter the growing threat from ballistic missiles and long-range rockets.

Israeli Technologies and Techniques Help U.S. Soldiers on the Battlefield Strategic cooperation has also made a number of important Israeli military

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Israeli-developed reactive armor tiles, which explode outward upon impact, protect American armored personnel carriers in Iraq, saving hundreds of soldiers from potential death or injury. America and Israel have also collaborated to reduce the threat posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs), increase the accuracy and safety of multiple weapon systems and improve aircraft selfprotection and personnel safety. ADVANCED MEDICAL TRAINING AND PRODUCTS

Israeli battlefield medical expertise has increased the survival rate of severely injured U.S. combat troops through both training and previously unavailable medical products. Beyond providing hardware, Israel is also sharing information with U.S. military doctors who are researching efforts to mitigate the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the psychological issues challenging amputees during rehabilitation.

Since 9/11, the United States and Israel have intensified their homeland security cooperation. U.S. policymakers, law-enforcement officers and first responders have sought to harness Israel’s hard-earned technical expertise in the counterterrorism and homeland security arenas. On February 8, 2007, the United States and Israel formalized homeland security cooperation between the two nations. Then-Israeli Minister of Public Security Avi Dichter and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff signed a Memorandum of Understanding, opening a host of possibilities to expand cooperation. Congress also passed legislation that same year aimed at strengthening homeland security ties between the United States and key allies, including Israel. AVIATION SECURITY

In signing the cooperation deal with the United States, Dichter said that the United States “should use Israel as a laboratory” for the development of its own homeland security needs. American aviation officials have done just that. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and airport officials from Massachusetts, California and Florida, among

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United States, Israel Strengthen Homeland Security Cooperation

other states, have sought to improve U.S. airport security by working with Israeli experts at Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion International Airport. In May 2010, Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the TSA to share information and techniques, including the use of behavioral screening. BORDER SECURITY

America has put to use Israel’s vast experience and advanced technologies to help protect U.S. borders. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been operating Israelidesigned unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicles (UAVs) along the Mexican border as part of the Arizona Border Coordination Initiative. These UAVs have proven to be effective force multipliers in CBP’s effort to stem the flow of illegal immigrants, dangerous narcotics and potential terrorists. U.S.-Israel cooperative research is also focusing attention on anti-tunneling technology. MALL AND PASSPORT SECURITY

Israel’s expertise extends beyond airport security and border protection. American security officials have recognized Israel’s know-how in mall security, explosives

U.S. aviation officials routinely work with Israeli counterparts to keep America’s skies safe.


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technology and behavioral screening and sought to learn from its experience. As Israel’s industry and proficiency grow, the United States will continue to benefit, as well.

State, Local Officials Build Ties With Israel Several states also have recognized Israel’s valuable input in protecting the American public. The Maryland-Israel partnership was announced in 2003; the Illinois-Israel partnership was adopted in June 2006. In November 2008, Michigan signed a Joint Declaration of Strategic Cooperation with Israel, and in summer 2010, Colorado signed a number of agreements with Israel, including energy security and enhanced identification verification technology. American law-enforcement officers and first responders are increasingly studying Israel’s battle against terrorism so that they can learn how to better protect U.S. citizens. Israel frequently hosts delegations of American police chiefs, sheriffs and emergency responders. These U.S. officials have infused their own departments’ training with valuable lessons on how Israeli security forces

American and Israeli first-responders and emergency officials have stepped up cooperation since 9/11.

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prevent terrorist attacks, such as suicide bombings.

ISRAELI INNOVATIONS: SAVING AMERICAN LIVES ON THE BATTLEFIELD Risk to U.S. Troops: U.S. ARMORED VEHICLES ATTACKED Since 2001, insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan have killed hundreds of U.S. soldiers by targeting armored personnel carriers with explosive devices. Israeli INNOVATION: BRADLEY REACTIVE ARMOR TILES Created by the Israel Defense Forces, the tiles overlay the vehicle’s armor with embedded explosives that blast outward to suppress incoming fire. The tiles have protected thousands of U.S. troops in armored personnel carriers.

Risk to U.S. Troops: BLEEDING ON THE BATTLEFIELD Ninety percent of American battlefield deaths occur before the wounded reach field hospitals. Half of those fatalities are due to hemorrhaging. Israeli INNOVATION: EMERGENCY BANDAGE Carried in every Army soldier’s first aid kit, the Israeli bandage stems blood loss, prevents infection and allows non-medically trained soldiers to stabilize the wounded following an attack.

Risk to U.S. Troops: REMOTE-CONTROLLED EXPLOSIVES Remote-controlled explosive devices have caused more than 60 percent of U.S. casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. Israeli INNOVATION: ADVANCED DETECTION OF EXPLOSIVES U.S. Army vehicles use an Israeli-developed device that uses radio frequencies to detect partially buried improvised explosive devices (IEDs) while the military uses unmanned aerial vehicles that have sophisticated IED sensors.

Risk to U.S. Troops: DANGEROUS FLYING CONDITIONS Targeting enemies in densely populated civilian areas is challenging for even the most seasoned fighter pilots. Sandstorms, bad weather and darkness can make a pilot’s mission more difficult—and more risky. Israeli INNOVATION: LITENING TARGETING POD The Israeli-developed Litening Pod identifies targets with laser precision from high altitudes, placing the pilot in less danger, while reducing collateral damage on the ground.


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What Congress Has Done to Strengthen U.S.-Israel Strategic Cooperation Funded Key U.S.-Israel Defense Programs. For the past two decades, Congress has funded key missile defense programs, including the Arrow anti-ballistic missile program. The Arrow is the centerpiece of the U.S.-Israel cooperative defense relationship, and it is one of the most advanced missile defense systems currently in existence. The Arrow offers Israel an essential capability against imminent and emerging ballistic missile threats and provides the U.S. with key research and technology for other theater missile defense programs. Congress also has allocated key funds for the David’s Sling, a short-range ballistic missile defense system, jointly developed by the United States and Israel. David’s Sling aims to provide both Israel and, potentially, the U.S. military with an effective and affordable protection against the clear and proven threat of longrange artillery rockets and short-range ballistic missiles, now in the hands of Syria and Hizballah. It also seeks to safeguard Israel from the emerging cruise missile threat currently proliferating in the region. David’s Sling will thus provide Israel with defensive system designed to efficiently defend against an emerging class of threats, with superior performance to existing missile defense systems. Backed Expansion of U.S.-Israel Homeland Security Cooperation. In 2007, Congress passed legislation to strengthen homeland security ties between the United States and key allies, including Israel. The Promoting Anti-Terrorism Cooperation Through Technology and Science (PACTS) Act created an Office of International Cooperation within the Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security. Israel was one of five countries mentioned in the bill as an international partner in homeland security.

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U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation The United States and Israel are working together to develop new energy technologies, as both nations grapple with the security and economic challenges posed by their dependence on oil.

Key Points • The United States and Israel have much to gain by reducing their dependence on oil, which funds countries and groups hostile to U.S. interests. • Israel is pioneering alternative energy solutions such as electric cars, biofuels and solar energy parks. • The United States and Israel have an official energy cooperation program that promotes research and development in such areas as alternative fuels and infrastructure modernization. • The United States and Israel should strengthen this cooperative program and deepen collaboration on energy issues.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Congress created the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Program to pursue new technologies that improve the way both countries use energy. Congress should continue to provide modest funding for this program, which connects private companies in both countries. By doing so, Congress would further develop and strengthen this program and help promote one path to limiting U.S. dependence on oil. America and Israel share challenges in the energy arena, and Israel is acutely aware of the threat posed by petro-regimes. Indeed, Israel has launched an ambitious national strategy to rid itself of gasoline dependence by the next decade.


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America’s Oil Dependence Threatens National Security America’s dependence on oil jeopardizes both U.S. national and economic security. The transportation sector—underpinning the entirety of the U.S. economy—is 94 percent reliant on oil, demanding 14 million barrels of petroleum each day and consuming $350 billion in the U.S. economy each year. This dependence exposes the country to drastic price shocks and compromises U.S. national security, enriching regimes that do not share U.S. objectives and often directly threaten Israel. Oil-producing regimes like Iran and Venezuela spend their wealth on weapons that may threaten the United States—fueling nuclear ambitions, funding terrorism and undermining regional stability. In 2011, Iran will assume the presidency of OPEC, the oil cartel that controls more than 75 percent of the world’s conventional oil reserves. Such a powerful position will grant Tehran new leverage to pursue its nuclear ambitions and continue funding, arming and training Hamas, Hizballah and the militias that target U.S. troops in the region.

Israel is developing new technologies that can help the United States and other countries reduce their reliance on foreign oil.

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Economically, oil imports contribute enormously to the U.S. trade and balance of payments deficits. The United States imports nearly 60 percent of its oil needs. In 2008, with spiked prices and the economy in deep recession, the United States exhausted $388 billion on oil products—56 percent of its total trade deficit. Not only is this detrimental economically, but this enormous sum also enriches the very regimes that threaten America’s national security.

Israel Is Committed to Eliminating Its Use of Oil The government of Israel understands the strategic perils of oil dependence more acutely than most and, in September 2010, launched an ambitious plan to eliminate oil from its transportation sector by 2020. Israel is dedicating significant resources to long-term research and development into alternative fuels and infrastructure modernization projects. It also plans to leverage private-sector investments and increase international cooperation, including projects with the United States. As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on

Relationship Israel is working to become the first country to begin the mass deployment of electric cars.

September 9, 2010, “I view this as a national goal of the highest importance because the addiction to oil has led to the Western world being dependent on the oil-producing countries and harms the standing and security of the State of Israel.”

The United States and Israel Have Boosted Energy Cooperation The United States and Israel share the goal of improved energy security through reduced dependence on petroleum and, in 2008, signed a cooperative agreement to harness their countries’ ingenuity to develop alternative energy technologies. The U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Program, authorized by Congress under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, brings together the U.S. Department of Energy and Israel’s Ministry of National Infrastructures in a collaborative program to produce next-generation technologies in an area of critical need.

Leading companies and academic institutions from the United States and Israel are joined in development of renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy security projects. During its short history, the program has already generated more than $23 million in private-sector investment in such areas as smart-grid management, solar technology and alternative fuels. The program’s efficiency and costeffectiveness are clear; private-sector investment is five times larger than the nominal U.S. investment of $4 million during two fiscal years.

Israel’s Energy Technologies Help the United States In recent years, Israel has developed remarkable new technologies that have transformed the way that Israelis and the international community think about energy development. From electric cars to solar energy parks and biofuels, Israeli innovations harbor the potential to revolutionize how the United States and the rest of the world use energy.


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DRIVING TOWARD A ‘BETTER PLACE’

Israel plans to become the first country to begin mass deployment of electric cars. Better Place, a venture-backed company that aims to reduce global dependency on oil through the creation of a market-based transportation infrastructure that supports electric vehicles, chose Israel to be the first market in which to deploy its model. By partnering with car manufacturers and battery suppliers, Better Place, the brainchild of Israeli entrepreneur Shai Agassi, offers subscribers access to lower car and battery prices, reducing oil’s stranglehold on the nation’s economy and environment. Recognizing the possibilities of such an innovation, U.S. policymakers from California and Hawaii are developing plans to implement the project in their regions, while others have expressed a similar interest. DRIVING TO CREATE ENERGY

An Israeli company has recently announced that it found a way to capitalize on the pressure that is created by the weight of cars on the road in order to produce electricity. The company’s aim is to generate commercial quantities of electricity that would help power

An Israeli firm is working to capitalize on the pressure generated by the weight of cars on the road to produce electricity.

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streetlights, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. The project was developed by scientists at Innowattech, a start-up partially owned by Israel’s Technion Institute and private investors. The pilot project will begin on a short section of road in northern Israel, in conjunction with Israel’s Department of Public Works.

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BUILDING SOLAR ENERGY PARKS

In 2007, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) contracted with an Israeli company, Solel, to build the world’s largest solar energy park in California’s Mojave Desert. When completed in 2011, Solel’s Solar Energy Generating Systems (SEGS) will have a capacity of 553 megawatts—enough electricity for 400,000 homes. Shortly thereafter, PG&E and Southern California Edison signed a solar energy contract with BrightSource Energy, which is bringing its solar-thermal technology to the Ivanpah section of the Mojave Desert. Expected to come online as early as 2012, Ivanpah will be capable of producing enough electricity to power 140,000 homes. BrightSource’s Solar Energy Development Center is based in Israel’s Negev Desert, where it successfully tested its “heliostat” technology.

U.S. and Israeli companies are working together to develop the world’s largest solar energy park in California.


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What Congress Has Done to Support U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Backed Joint U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Program. In 2007, Congress authorized the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Program as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act. This cost-sharing program between the U.S. Department of Energy and Israel’s Ministry of National Infrastructures fosters private-sector and academic joint ventures in clean technology, renewable energy and energy efficiency. It is not an aid program, but rather a collaborative undertaking funded jointly by the two governments. To date, the United States has contributed a total of $4 million during fiscal years 2009 and 2010. This minimal investment, which Israel has matched dollar for dollar, has spurred more than $23 million in private-sector investment since the program’s creation.

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The U.S.-Israel Economic Partnership Bilateral ties in trade and technology launched in the 1970s and cemented in the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement of 1985 have yielded groundbreaking advances and joint economic growth for the two allies.

Key Points • In 1985, the United States and Israel signed America’s first Free Trade Agreement. • American-Israeli trade has grown by 500 percent during the past 25 years. Daily trade exceeds $78 million worth of goods and services, creating jobs in both countries. • U.S. and Israeli businesses, researchers and academics are increasingly finding new opportunities for investment and collaboration. • Binational foundations in research and development, agriculture, academia and science and technology have led to pathbreaking discoveries and life-changing inventions. • Top U.S. tech firms such as Intel, Microsoft and Google routinely choose Israel for their international research and development headquarters.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Congress has played a key role in promoting U.S.-Israel technology collaboration since the 1970s. The American-Israeli partnership has broken new ground in trade, science and renewable energy development. Together, Congress, the administration and the Israeli government should explore ways to strengthen the 1985 U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement to enhance growth, employment, investment and technology development in both nations. Congress can also build upon the remarkable achievements of U.S.-Israel binational foundations by providing additional funding for their activities.


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U.S.-Israel Economic Ties Help Cement Relationship Connecting the American and Israeli economies, U.S.-Israel binational foundations have galvanized breakthroughs in agriculture, health care, energy technology and homeland security during the past three decades. These partnerships, begun in the 1970s, have enabled the U.S. and Israeli governments to encourage cooperation between the private

sector and academic institutions in both nations. Congress strongly supported the creation of these foundations, the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD, www.birdf.com), the Binational Agricultural Research and Development Foundation (BARD, www.bardisus.com) and the Binational Science Foundation (BSF, www.bsf.org.il). Congress further supported U.S.-Israel high-technology

GOOD GROWTH: THE RISE IN U.S–ISRAEL TRADE U.S.-Israel trade has grown $32 (est.) more than 500 percent since 1985, when Israel became the $28.3 first country to sign a Free Trade Agreement with the $26.6 United States.

$20.7

$11.3 2010 2009 2005

$6.5

2000 1995

$4.7 1990 1985

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$ in Billions

Relationship Intel and other major U.S. tech firms have established key research centers in Israel.

cooperation by funding the creation of the U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Foundation (USISTF, www.usistf.org) in 1995. These foundations have invested nearly $1 billion during the past three decades in nearly 6,000 joint projects, providing seed funding for research to help move products to development. BIRD alone has funded more than 800 projects in that time. The resulting products have generated more than $8 billion in sales for participating companies and significant investments in both the United States and Israel. Among these foundations’ life-changing breakthroughs are a medical device that allows the paralyzed to walk and Nobel Prize-winning cancer treatments. Other key developments include technology that allows first responders to see through walls, innovations in mobile Internet technology and enhanced aircraft vision systems that allow pilots to see in the dark. Intensified commitments in the future are likely to lead to further breakthroughs. BIRD Energy was launched in 2008 to leverage U.S. and Israeli ingenuity in reducing American and Israeli dependence on oil. In its

brief history, the Foundation has leveraged minimal government investment for more than $23 million in private-sector funding, initiating projects in alternative fuels, smartgrid management and solar technology.

Free Trade Agreement Boosts Ties In the 25 years since the United States and Israel signed their Free Trade Agreement, Israel has become a prime destination for U.S. goods and services. Despite having a population of slightly more than 7 million, Israel ranks as one of America’s leading trade partners, outpacing larger states such as Russia, Spain and Indonesia. More than $78 million worth of goods and services are traded daily between the United States and Israel, representing an increase of 500 percent since the 1985 agreement. This exponential growth has created jobs in both countries. The agreement has also served as a tool of economic diplomacy, creating the conditions for peace and helping to integrate Israel more fully into the region. Using the agreement as legal underpinning, the U.S. and Israel signed


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individual agreements with Jordan (1996) and Egypt (2004), creating Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ) where jointly produced goods are afforded duty-free access to the United States. Goods produced in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, when administered by the Palestinian Authority, also benefit. Bilateral trade has spiked in each case. QIZ factories in Jordan count almost 15,000 employees, representing $500 million per year in exports to the United States. More than 100,000 Egyptians are employed in more than 700 participating QIZ companies.

U.S. Companies Flock to Israel The United States and Israel share a culture of innovation. American heavyweights such as Intel, Motorola and Google have capitalized on Israel’s entrepreneurial spirit and worldclass talent pool, establishing major R&D

Israeli companies have invested more than $50 billion in the United States during the past decade.

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centers throughout the country. With the most Ph.D.s and published scientific papers per capita in the world, Israel has become the preeminent foreign outpost for computer technology, telecommunications and software industries, with roughly 100 U.S. companies active in Israel. More Israeli companies are traded on the NASDAQ than any country outside the United States and China. In 2006, esteemed investor Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway made its first-ever foreign acquisition, buying 80 percent of Iscar, an Israeli maker of precision blades and drills. When asked the reason for his interest in Israel—which, only weeks earlier, had fought a war with Hizballah in Lebanon—Buffet’s response pointed to the spirit that marks the economic drive of both the United States and Israel: “[Israel] had no advantages 50 years ago.... What they brought was brains and energy and look how it paid off…. They are the best that I’ve seen.”

Relationship The United States strongly backed Israel’s entry into the OECD, the world’s most exclusive economic body.

Israeli Businesses Invest Heavily in U.S. Economy

U.S. Backing Key to Israel’s Acceptance into OECD

Israeli companies have increasingly looked to opportunities in the United States, investing more than $50 billion between 2000 and 2009. Israel is among the top 20 suppliers of direct investment into the United States. In fact, Israelis invested more than $7 billion in 2009 alone. This sum marked an increase in U.S.-directed investment immediately following the global financial crisis, when many throughout the world were looking inward.

U.S. support was instrumental to Israel’s 2010 entry into the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the world’s most exclusive economic body. Israel’s acceptance was the culmination of a 10-year effort by American administrations, with the strong support of Congress.

Trade delegations from Colorado, Ohio and Connecticut, among others, have visited Israel to strengthen ties. States such as Virginia and Maryland have established offices at home to help bring Israeli companies to their communities. Twenty U.S. states maintain offices in Israel, and Ohio’s Department of Development Tel Aviv office provides a strong example of the benefits that such trade can yield. In 2007, the office helped bring 20 Israeli companies to the Cleveland suburbs, creating stable, highpaying jobs in the local economy.

In the years preceding membership, Israel brought its economy in line with OECD standards, making significant structural reforms to curb debt and reduce the government’s role in the economy. Dedicating a larger percentage of gross domestic product to research and development than any nation in the world, Israel makes extraordinary contributions to the arts and sciences. Israeli citizens have won nine Nobel prizes in subjects ranging from chemistry and economics to literature and peace. Israel also boasts a strong, representative democracy—a key criteria for OECD membership—with freedom of religion, freedom of the press, an independent judiciary and full rights for women and minorities.


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What Congress Has Done to Strengthen the U.S.Israel Economic Partnership Approved the First U.S. Free Trade Agreement. In 1985, Congress overwhelmingly voted to implement the landmark U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the first American agreement of its kind. By a vote of 422-0 in the House and a voice vote in the Senate, the FTA became the firm foundation upon which 25 years of economic relations have flourished. The agreement was amended in 1996 to better integrate Israel into the Middle East region, leveraging economic ties to promote peace. Through the West Bank and Gaza Strip Free Trade Benefits Act, Congress authorized the establishment of Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZs) in Jordan and Egypt. Qualifying goods enjoy duty-free access to the United States as long as they contain a certain level of Israeli content. Goods produced in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, when administered by the Palestinian Authority, also benefit. Promoted Israel’s Membership Into the OECD. Congress strongly endorsed Israel’s bid to join the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the world’s most exclusive economic forum, overwhelmingly passing resolutions of support in 2005 and 2006. Israel backs the United States in international fora more consistently than any other nation. With the OECD primed for an even larger role in the aftermath of the global recession, Israel’s membership in the organization directly benefits the United States and will help promote the positions that the United States takes in this institution. Supported Joint Projects Through Binational Foundations. Congress supported the creation of U.S.Israel binational foundations in the 1970s by appropriating funds for the American share of endowments through which their respective joint projects are funded. Initial funding levels differed among the foundations, established in partnership with the government of Israel, which matched U.S. contributions. Congress has appropriated $55 million each for the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD) and the Binational Agricultural Research and Development Foundation (BARD). The Binational Science Foundation (BSF) received an endowment from Congress of $50 million. The endowments have not been replenished since 1984, severely restricting their ability to continue funding cutting-edge research and development that could yield high-tech, homeland security, agriculture and healthcare technologies. BIRD Energy, created in 2008 as a dedicated energy offshoot program, has received appropriations during the past two fiscal years totaling $4 million, matched dollar for dollar by Israel.

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Israel at Risk

W HY ISRAEL IS AT RISK Enemies sworn to Israel’s destruction are pursuing nuclear weapons and procuring advanced missiles and conventional arms. Israel also faces non-military threats, as its foes seek to undermine the Jewish state through delegitimization efforts.

Israel at Risk

SYRIAN & LEBANON

Why Israel Is at Risk—Key Principles The Scourge of Terrorism: Israel faces a serious, growing challenge from radical Islamic terrorist groups and their state sponsors, whose stated goal is to destroy Israel. The United States should continue working with Israel to confront these threats through defensive operations, increased homeland security cooperation and efforts to disrupt terrorist financing and weapons smuggling. The Growing Missile and Rocket Arsenal: On a daily basis, Israelis face the expanding reach, accuracy and number of rockets and advanced missiles that can carry chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. The United States and Israel should continue working on joint defense systems to defeat this threat. The Pursuit of Nuclear Weapons: Iran is openly pursuing a nuclear weapons capability, while Israel has exposed Syria’s clandestine efforts. Many other Middle Eastern states are planning to acquire nuclear capabilities. Achievement of a nuclear weapons capability by hostile regimes will pose an existential threat to Israel. The international community, led by the United States, should take all appropriate measures to prevent Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons and to dissuade Syria from going down this path. The Delegitimization Effort: Israel routinely faces obstacles to its acceptance as a legitimate nation and its very existence, unlike any other country on Earth. The United States should continue playing a vital role in opposing efforts to impose double standards on Israel and to deny Israel the basic right to defend its citizens.

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Israel at Risk

The Terrorist Threat Israel faces a serious and growing challenge from terrorist groups and their state sponsors. With the cooperation of such allies as America, Israel’s security forces are working day and night to prevent suicide bombings and other attacks on Israeli civilians.

Key Points • Many radical Islamist terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hizballah and al-Qaeda affiliates, espouse the destruction of Israel and carry out terrorist attacks on the Jewish state. • Though the number of attacks on Israelis have fallen since Israel built a security barrier and took military operations in Lebanon and Gaza, terrorist groups are dramatically enhancing their capabilities. • Iran, the leading state sponsor of terrorism, provides military and financial support to groups attacking Israel. • Syria provides safe haven for terrorist organizations that hope to wreak havoc on the Jewish state. • U.S.-Israel cooperation helps impede terrorist financing and prevent the flow of illicit weapons. • U.S. support for Israel’s right to self-defense bolsters Israel and helps thwart international efforts to undermine the legitimacy of Israel’s response to attacks.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play As the voice of the American people, Congress has a vital role to play in condemning terrorism and strongly supporting Israel’s right to self-defense. Congressional support for U.S.-Israeli cooperation to combat weapons smuggling and target terrorist financing is fundamental to preserving U.S. interests in the region. It is also vital that Congress continues to support funding for joint U.S.-Israel research and development and for Israel’s acquisition of defense technology that the Jewish state can use to protect its civilians from a wide range of terrorist threats.

Briefing Book: Israel at Risk

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Israel at Risk

Iran: The Leading State Sponsor of Terrorism

Syria Serves as Key Headquarters for Terrorist Groups

Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism. Tehran has repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has declared that the “illegitimate Zionist regime” will be made to “disappear” through the “power of resistance and through the faith of the resistance”—a code word for the terrorist activities of Hizballah, Hamas and others. The Iranian regime has backed up these threats by providing hundreds of millions of dollars in military and financial support to terrorist organizations along Israel’s borders—Hamas in Gaza and Hizballah in Lebanon.

In addition to providing a transit point for Iranian weapons, Syria provides training to numerous terrorist groups. Syria also publicly supports the terrorist activities of Hizballah and Palestinian groups, calling these attacks “legitimate armed resistance.” Many terrorist groups—Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command and Fatah al-Intifada—find safe harbor within Syria’s borders.

Iran has provided Hizballah with some of its most advanced weaponry, heightening international concern that Iran might one day transfer nuclear weapons technology to the terrorist group. Former Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani said in December 2001 that “one atomic bomb inside Israel will wipe it off the face of the Earth.”

Designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union, Hamas rejects Israel’s right to exist and actively seeks its destruction. As its 1988 charter establishes, Hamas believes the complete annihilation of Israel can be the only resolution to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, and its leaders repeatedly proclaim that Hamas will never recognize

Hamas Calls for the Destruction of Israel

HAMAS’ CHARTER OF HATE The Hamas charter, published in 1988, details the guiding principles of the Islamist terrorist group. Laced with anti-Semitism, the document calls for the destruction of the state of Israel through jihad, or holy war. Israel will exist and continue to exist until Islam eliminates it as it had eliminated its predecessors. (Opening Statement) For our struggle against the Jews is extremely wideranging and grave, so much so that it will need all the loyal efforts we can wield, to be followed by further steps and reinforced by successive battalions from the multifarious Arab and Islamic world, until the enemies are defeated and Allah’s victory prevails. (Introduction) Allah is its [Hamas’] goal, the Prophet its model, the Quran its Constitution, Jihad its path and death for the case of Allah its most sublime belief. (Article 8)

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There is no solution to the Palestinian problem except by Jihad. The initiatives, proposals and International Conferences are but a waste of time, an exercise in futility. The Palestinian people are too noble to have their future, their right and their destiny submitted to a vain game. (Article 13)

Israel at Risk Hamas has killed more than 500 civilians, including two dozen Americans, in suicide bombings and other attacks inside Israel.

Israel. Hamas has carried out more than 100 suicide bombings and shooting attacks, killing more than 500 civilians. The victims of these attacks include more than two dozen U.S. citizens, including five students. In response to the worst wave of terrorism in its history—more than 1,000 Israelis were killed and thousands wounded between 2000 and 2005— Israel built a security fence along the West Bank to prevent terrorists from infiltrating Israel. In combination with recent efforts by the U.S.trained Palestinian Authority security forces, these steps have led to a dramatic decrease in terrorism emanating from the West Bank. With Israel’s success in the West Bank, Hamas stepped up its rocket attacks against Israeli cities and towns near the Gaza Strip. Since violently taking control of Gaza from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah forces in June 2007, Hamas has turned the Strip into a staging ground for attacks against Israel. Hamas has launched more than 10,000 rockets at Israeli towns since 2002. Hamas also continues to hold

captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit since kidnapping him in a cross border attack in June 2006. Since Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, Hamas has utilized an expansive tunnel network under the border between Gaza and Egypt to transport an increasing quantity and quality of weaponry. Hamas has stockpiled thousands of Qassam and Katyusha rockets, mortar shells, rocket-propelled grenades, anti-tank missiles, explosives and explosive materials, as well as assault rifles to use against Israel. Iran plays a vital role in funding, supplying and transporting these weapons through Sudan and the Sinai Peninsula and, eventually, into tunnels leading to Gaza. Following Israel’s Operation Cast Lead—a three-week military operation that Israel launched in December 2008 after enduring constant attacks from Gaza—Israel and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate on efforts to prevent weapons smuggling to Hamas. This cooperation has been critical to international efforts to combat weapons proliferation.


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TERRORIST BUILDUP IN GAZA Ashkelon

8 mi. Me di ter ra nea n Sea ERE Z CRO SSING

3 mi. Beit Lahia Beit Hanoun Sderot

Gaza City

ZA

TU

EL

TU

N

EL

S

N

E

ISRAEL

LS

KIS SUFIM CRO SSING

TU

N

N

E

Attacks On Crossings The Karni and Kerem Shalom Crossings have been the scenes of numerous attacks on Israelis.

LS

Terrorist Training Camps Former Israeli settlements are now being used as terrorist training camps.

Rafah SU FA CRO SS ING

KE R E M S H A L O M CRO S S I NG

EGYPT

5 mi.

Rocket Attacks Northern Gaza is being used to fire rockets at Israeli towns and cities.

TUNNELS

RAFAH CROS SIN G

SCALE 0

Khan Younis

S

N

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LEGEND

A G TU

N

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KAR NI CRO SSING

Tunneling Into Israel Tunnels are being built in order to infiltrate Israel and carry out attacks. Cash Smuggling Hamas has smuggled tens of millions of dollars through the Rafah Crossing. Weapons Smuggling Terrorists have used tunnels and sea routes to smuggle in massive amounts of weapons.


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Beyond the threat from Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups, Israel faces a dramatic and growing danger on its northern border. Iranian proxy and Lebanese organization Hizballah is recognized as the most technically advanced terrorist group in the world and openly calls for the destruction of Israel and the United States. In its 2009 party platform, the terrorist group stated, “We categorically reject any compromise with Israel or recognizing its legitimacy. This position is definitive, even if everyone recognizes Israel.” With the support of Iran and Syria, Hizballah has amassed more than 55,000 rockets aimed at Israel. This stockpile includes hundreds of advanced, guided rockets capable of targeting all of Israel. This weapons buildup is occurring despite the deployment in southern Lebanon of a U.N. peacekeeping contingent, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Moreover, U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701 require Hizballah to disarm and ban the provision of weaponry to the group. Hizballah’s 2009 party platform also reemphasized the long-held Hizballah policy of targeting U.S. interests and U.S. forces in the region and elsewhere. Hizballah has killed more Americans than any other terrorist group aside from al-Qaeda. In its first dramatic act of terrorism, Hizballah launched two truck bombs against the French and U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, killing 241 U.S. servicemen and an additional 58 French peacekeepers in October 1983. With support from Iran, Hizballah also carried out the 1996 terrorist attack against the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, killing another 19 U.S. servicemen. Following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, Hizballah and its primary sponsor, Iran, provided training and technology to Iraqi insurgent groups. Iranian and Hizballah’s support has enabled these groups to conduct terrorist attacks and to use sophisticated

Israel at Risk

Hizballah: A Terrorist Group With Global Reach

improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against U.S. and Coalition forces.

Al-Qaeda Vows to Expand Jihad to Israel While focused on attacks against the United States, al-Qaeda leaders and affiliates have promised to destroy Israel in efforts to rid the region of all infidels. Osama Bin Laden has specifically assured his followers that his organization will “liberate Palestine, the whole of Palestine from the [Jordan] river to the [Mediterranean] sea.” He has further stated that he would never “recognize even one inch for Jews in the land of Palestine as other Muslim leaders have.”

The terrorist group Hizballah openly seeks Israel’s destruction and has amassed 55,000 rockets aimed at the Jewish state.

Official al-Qaeda presence in Gaza and the West Bank is small, but support for the ideas that al-Qaeda espouses are present and growing. Many Palestinians are exposed to alQaeda’s ideology and connect to its leaders through the Internet and small, religiously stringent Salafi groups in the Palestinian territories. Despite Hamas’ claims that alQaeda does not operate in the Gaza Strip, Salafi groups regularly clash with Hamas over what these groups claim are Hamas’ lax religious laws. Salafi groups have also carried out attacks against Israeli interests, including targeting Israelis traveling in the Sinai.


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Israel at Risk

What Congress Has Done to Counter Terrorism Condemned Terrorism and Backed Israel’s Right to Self-Defense. In resolutions, letters and floor statements, members of Congress have stood steadfast against terrorism. Congress recognizes that the United States and Israel have been prime targets for terrorist attacks. Congress is the only body to repeatedly support Israel’s right to self-defense. Congress understands that just as America would respond to attacks on its soil, Israel has the right to act in defense of its territory and its citizens when necessary. Targeted Terrorist Financing. Congress has taken steps to prevent and combat the flow of financial contributions to terrorist entities such as Hizballah and Hamas. Legislation, including the USA PATRIOT Act in 2001 and the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, has successfully prevented the United States from becoming a center for terrorist fundraising. These laws have been used to prosecute Americans for providing funds to terrorist organizations while offering legal and financial recourse to victims of terrorism. Sanctioned State Sponsors of Terrorism. In 1979, Congress passed the Export Administration Act, which requires the secretary of state to determine whether a country supports acts of international terrorism. Today, countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism—such as Iran and Syria—are subject to numerous restrictions on trade and financial transactions with the United States, bans on military and dual-use exports, as well as prohibitions on U.S. foreign assistance. Under these designations, Congress has issued and expanded sanctions against Iran and Syria for their continuous support of terrorism. Congress passed the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act (2003) and the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act (2010) as efforts to dissuade Iran and Syria’s harmful activities. Urged the Designation of Terrorist Entities. Congress has pressed the executive branch to properly designate established terrorist organizations, their subsidiaries and partner entities. Congressional persistence led to the designation of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hizballah’s television station Al-Manar as terrorist entities.

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Israel at Risk

The Missile Threat Israel faces an extraordinary challenge in defending its citizens against evolving missile threats. Iran, Arab states and the terrorist groups Hamas and Hizballah are stockpiling tens of thousands of missiles and rockets to attack the Jewish state.

Key Points • Israeli officials estimate that Hamas and Hizballah together have more than 60,000 missiles and rockets. • Iran has supplied both Hizballah and Hamas with rockets capable of striking Israel’s major population centers. • Iran has advanced ballistic missiles capable of striking Israel, parts of Europe and U.S. troops in the region. • Syria possesses the region’s largest stockpile of missiles and biological and chemical weapons. • American investment in Israeli rocket and missile defense systems helps protect both Israel and American troops nearby. • Israel shares its technology with America, enabling the United States to help protect Americans at home and abroad.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play By helping Israel defend itself, Congress can help deter terrorist attacks and limit the prospects for war. Congress should continue vital funding for the U.S.-Israel missile and rocket defense programs like Arrow II, Arrow III, David’s Sling and Iron Dome. Congress should also work to isolate countries and groups that support missile proliferators and terrorist organizations.


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Israel at Risk

Israel Faces Evolving Threats Israel’s foes have shifted their focus from conventional military threats to the realm of rockets, missiles and unconventional weapons. Dangers loom in every direction— Hizballah and Syria from the north, Hamas in the south and Iran to the east. Israel’s foes have combined new military capabilities with the expressed intention of eradicating the Jewish state and pushing the United States out of the Middle East.

Iran Continues to Develop Advanced Missile Capabilities Tehran is rapidly amassing a stockpile of advanced ballistic weapons, with which it can intimidate the entire region. Under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, this arsenal—largely based on Russian, Chinese and North Korean technology—is regularly displayed with slogans calling for the destruction of America and Israel. Iran’s longrange missile buildup is increasingly using innovative and sophisticated indigenous technology and engineering. Not only do such weapons directly threaten Israel and the

Iran is stockpiling advanced ballistic missiles that can strike Israel and U.S. troops in the region.

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Arabian Gulf region, but their proliferation spurs America’s ongoing effort to deploy a missile defense shield to protect Europe. Recent reports also indicate that Iran imported some 19 North Korean BM-25 ballistic missiles, which, if deployed, would greatly increase the arc of Iran’s strategic potential. Ballistic missiles are one of the most effective means of delivering a nuclear payload. And they do not encounter the difficulties of longrange aircraft flight or the uncertainties of smuggling via terrorist proxies. Thus, for Tehran, missiles that carry unconventional weapons provide the best means to strike or intimidate its enemies. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has revealed conclusive evidence that Iran has been developing the technology to place a bomb onto a ballistic missile. According to the IAEA, Iran has tried to adapt its main long-range missile to carry a nuclear payload. Documents reveal that Iran has worked on the “redesign of the inner cone of the Shihab 3 missile reentry vehicle to accommodate a nuclear warhead.”


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G RE GR REEC CE E

SUD AN N

QA ATAR AR R U .A . A .E .E. OM MA N

BA H RA AIN

KUWAIT AIT T

I RA AN

ETH IO O P IA

I ND IA

C HI NA

Iranian Ballistic Missile Range

LEGEND

Iran has ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear, chemical or biological warheads 1,500 miles— threatening U.S. troops, Israel, other U.S. allies and vital energy resources.

PA AK IS S TAN

A FG F G H A N IS TA N

TA TA AJJ I K I S TA AN

K Y R GY Y ZS STAN AN AN


SO M ALI A

Y E M EN EN

S U DI AR AB SA A IA

ER E R I TR RI TREA

J O R D AN

IR A Q

UZ ZB EK K I STAN N

K AZ AK HSTAN

T UR R KM K M E NI ST TA N

A Z E RB R B A IIJJ AN AN AR RMEN NII A AZ

GEOR RGI GI A

RU S SIA

SY S Y R IA

TU U R K EY

UK R AINE U

LE B A N NO ON IS SRAE EL L

EG Y PT

MA MA AC C E DON DO DO ON NIA

BU B U LG A R IA A

SERB BII A

RO M AN IA

M O L D O VA

BE E LA L R US

T H E I R A N I A N M I S S I L E T H R E AT

Israel at Risk

Hamas, Hizballah Acquire Sophisticated Weapons Both of the principal terrorist organizations based along Israel’s borders—Hamas and Hizballah—continue to build up their stockpiles of weapons and strengthen their military capabilities. These groups receive

transferred 10 Scud-D missiles to Hizballah. These ballistic missiles can target all of Israel. This acquisition of advanced technology demonstrates that Hizballah’s stockpile is a regional threat—to Israel, other U.S. allies and areas of U.S. interest. Hizballah also threatens the stability and sovereignty of Lebanon.

Iran and Syria are supplying Hamas and Hizballah with increasingly sophisticated rockets and missiles to target Israel.

assistance from Iran to expand their arsenals and to carry out attacks against Israel. Since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, Hamas has launched more than 7,000 rockets and mortars at Israel. Yuval Diskin, Israel’s Shin Bet internal security chief, estimates that Hamas’ arsenal includes 5,000 rockets capable of striking deep inside Israel. The rockets that Hamas deploys against Israel continue to increase in both range and lethality, such as 122mm Grad rockets and 120mm mortar bombs imported from Iran. New 240 mm Fajr rockets have now also entered the arena and are capable of putting the heavily populated central part of Israel at risk. Hizballah—also a U.S.-designated terrorist group—has accumulated more than 55,000 rockets, including both short- and long-range versions, all aimed at Israel. According to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and other U.S. officials, Hizballah possesses more advanced weaponry than most countries. A New York Times article, published after the WikiLeaks release of thousands of State Department cables, cites the belief of the Pentagon that Syria

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Syrian Weapons Arsenal Threatens Regional Stability Since the 2006 war between Israel and Hizballah, Syria has sought to mimic Hizballah by accelerating its efforts to grow its inventory of ballistic missiles, rockets and chemical weapons. The Syrian government has spent billions of dollars acquiring one the largest supplies of ballistic missiles in the Middle East, as well as hundreds of tons of chemical weapons and precursor materials needed to produce mustard agents, and sarin gas. Weapons of mass destruction enhance Syria’s capabilities to confront Israel. With the assistance of North Korea and Iran, Syria has procured Scud-C intermediate-range ballistic missiles and is developing longer-range ScudD missile systems that can hit all of Israel. Both can be deployed with a chemical warhead. In defiance of U.N. Security Council prohibitions, Syria continues to help Hizballah smuggle rockets and missiles into Lebanon in support of its war plans against Israel. Syria also trains Hizballah militants to operate these weapons.

HIZBALLAH ROCKET RANGES Me di te r ra ne a n S e a

Qiryat Qir rryat Sh Shemona hemon h KATYUSHA

GOLA N GO LAN H E I GHT TS HEI

LONG RANGE KATYUSHA FAJR-3

Haifa

FAJR-5/SYRIAN 220mm

Tiberias

Sea a of Galilee

Nazare eth th Nazareth

Netanya

SYRIAN B-302

JJenin m Sa

ari

a

Nablus

WE ST B BAN ANK K

Tel Aviv

Jordan n River

ZELZAL-2

Ramallah Ramalla ah Jerusalem Ashkelon M-600

Gaza City y GAZ ZA

Sderot

Ju

Bethlehem Bethleh ehe ehe em m de

a

Dead Sea

Beersheba

SCUD-B

Hizballah Rocket Ranges KATYUSHA

12 mi.

LONG-RANGE KATYUSHA 24 mi.

Eilat This map is for illustrative purposes only and does not imply any view regarding future agreements between Israel and its neighbors.

FAJR-3

28 mi.

FAJR-5/SYRIAN 220mm

45 mi.

SYRIAN B-302

71 mi.

ZELZAL-2

130 mi.

M-600 *SCUD-B

SCALE

0

155 mi. 186 mi.

Not confirmed Hizballah has this missile in posession.


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25 mi.

Israel at Risk

What Congress Has Done to Combat the Missile Threat Funded Key U.S.-Israel Missile Defense Programs. For the past two decades, Congress has funded key missile defense programs, including the Arrow anti-ballistic missile program. The Arrow is the centerpiece of the U.S.-Israel cooperative defense relationship and one of the most advanced missile defense systems in existence. This system provides Israel with an essential capability to counter imminent and emerging ballistic missile threats. It also enhances U.S. security efforts by supplying key research and technology for other theater missile defense programs. Congress also has helped fund the David’s Sling Short Range Ballistic Missile Defense System, jointly developed by the United States and Israel. David’s Sling is designed to provide Israel and the U.S. military with effective and affordable protection against the threat of long-range artillery rockets (LRAR) and shortrange ballistic missiles (SRBM). David’s Sling will also help defend against the emerging cruise missile threat currently proliferating in the Middle East. Authorized Funding for the New Israeli-Developed Iron Dome Rocket Defense System. Both the House and Senate voted to support President Obama’s request to provide $205 million dollars to Israel to produce the short-range rocket defense system known as Iron Dome. The technology is designed to intercept artillery shells and short-range rockets from Hamas and Hizballah. Despite positive votes for Iron Dome in both houses of Congress, funding for Iron Dome awaits congressional appropriations action. Strongly Backed Israel’s Right to Defend Itself. Both houses have passed multiple resolutions backing Israel’s quest for peace and its right to self-defense. For example, the House and the Senate passed resolutions in early 2009 that support Israel’s right to self-defense against continuing Hamas rocket attacks on its cities and reaffirm America’s strong support for Israel.

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Israel at Risk

The Nuclear Threat The spreading pursuit of nuclear programs by Mideast states can pose an existential threat to Israel, while harming other important American interests and devastating the international non-proliferation regime.

Key Points • Iran, whose leaders regularly call for the destruction of the Jewish state, is aggressively pursuing a nuclear weapons capability. • Syria, which has threatened attacks against Israel, has been caught developing its own clandestine nuclear program. • Both Iran and Syria have pursued nuclear programs in violation of their Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) commitments. • Iran’s illicit actions will likely unleash a Middle East nuclear arms race, which could signal the end of the NPT and the theoretical hope of eliminating nuclear weapons. • As more nations acquire nuclear capabilities, the risk increases that a state will use these weapons—either by design or miscalculation. • A nuclear war in the Middle East would affect the safety of Americans and put America’s energy supply at risk.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Congress must do all it can to prevent rogue regimes like Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapons capability. Congress should ensure the strict enforcement of sanctions against nations that maintain illicit nuclear weapons programs because these sanctions may persuade such regimes to abandon their pursuit of nuclear arms. Congress must also punish entities illegally trading sensitive technologies and ensure the close safeguarding of the materials needed to build nuclear arms. Congress should limit proliferation risks and strive to ensure that any additional nations establishing nuclear programs for civilian energy uses demonstrably guarantee the peaceful nature of their programs.


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Israel at Risk

Iran Pursues Nukes, Threatens to Destroy Israel Iran’s illicit pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability, backed by relentless rhetorical threats to destroy Israel, can pose an existential threat to the Jewish state. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad repeatedly calls for the annihilation of “the Zionist regime” and denies that the Holocaust “actually took place.” This rhetoric is widespread throughout Iran’s leadership, with “moderate” leaders like former Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani emphasizing how only one nuclear bomb is needed to obliterate Israel. “If one day, the Islamic world is also equipped with weapons like those that Israel possesses now, then the imperialists’ strategy will reach a standstill because the use of even one nuclear bomb inside Israel will destroy everything,” Rafsanjani said.

Iran continues to enrich uranium and has explored using polonium to fuel a nuclear weapon.

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A nuclear-armed Iran is a rapidly approaching reality. Iran continues to defy its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It also rebuts demands of the international community to cease acquiring a nuclear weapons capability and permit the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to confirm the true nature of its activities. Iran has barred a total 44 of inspectors from investigating its facilities and refused to answer the IAEA’s questions about the possible military dimensions of its nuclear program. According to data from the IAEA, Iran has enough low-enriched uranium that, if further enriched, could yield three nuclear weapons. This amount represents a doubling in Iran’s stockpile in just 12 months. As Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated, Iran’s “policy is clear … and [we are] insisting on the nation’s right [to enrich uranium] without any retreat.”

Israel at Risk Syria refuses to answer IAEA questions about its secret nuclear facility reportedly destroyed by Israel.

Syria Pursues Clandestine Nuclear Program Syria remains in a state of war with Israel and helps arm and shelter terrorist groups such as Hizballah and Hamas. With North Korean assistance, Syria has pursued its own nuclear program in direct violation of its NPT commitments. In November 2008, the IAEA concluded that a secret facility reportedly destroyed by Israel in September 2007 was a nearly completed nuclear reactor. Syria modeled this reactor after one that North Korean utilizes to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons. After the facility was destroyed, Syria rebuffed international demands for a full, rapid site inspection. Instead, Syria removed tons of earth from the site and sought to hide any radioactive remains from international inspectors. Despite Syria’s refusal to cooperate, the IAEA discovered processed uranium particles while on a restricted visit to this reactor site, as well as to a reactor facility in Damascus. Beyond Syria’s nuclear program, Damascus has assembled a vast missile arsenal and what the U.S. intelligence community estimates is the largest stockpile of biological and

chemical weapons in the Arab world. The deadly quantity and variety of weapons that Syria possesses makes Damascus’ adamant refusal to cooperate with the IAEA for the past 18 months particularly worrisome.

Proliferation Prompts Other Arab States to Pursue Nuclear Programs In addition to directly endangering Israel, nuclear pursuits by Iran and Syria will likely spur nuclear proliferation throughout the Middle East. Many Arab states have already indicated their intention to begin “peaceful” nuclear programs— potentially a first step toward a nuclear weapons capability. The proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East would endanger U.S. allies and interests—including Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts and the free flow of oil from the Persian Gulf. A Middle East full of nuclear-armed states would not only threaten Israel, but also increase the prospect of cataclysmic war throughout the region and beyond—particularly if such weapons were to fall into the hands of terrorist groups. This scenario would not only raise the risk of nuclear conflict, but would spell the end of the NPT and any theoretical prospect for elimination of nuclear weapons.


73

Israel at Risk

What Congress Has Done to Counter Nuclear Proliferation Focused World Attention on Iran’s Pursuit of Nuclear Weapons. Congress has helped lead an international effort to draw attention to the dangers of an Iranian nuclear program. Congressional resolutions have condemned Iran for its repeated violations of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations and demanded cooperation with international nuclear inspectors. Members of Congress have reached out to foreign nations, urging them to enact tougher sanctions on Iran, and reached out to foreign businesses, urging them to exit the Iranian market. Passed Far-Reaching Sanctions Against Iran. Seeking to force Iran to choose between its economic well being and its nuclear program, Congress has passed increasingly tougher sanctions on Iran. The Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 targeted foreign investment in Iran’s energy sector—the lifeblood of the Iranian economy. Iran uses the revenue from its oil sector to fund its nuclear and missile programs. In 2010, Congress passed the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act (CISADA), authorizing sanctions against foreign banks that conduct business with Iranian entities involved in nuclear arms proliferation. CISADA also includes key provisions targeting nations that allow shipment of illicit materials to Iran. Cut Off Flow of Dual-Use Materials to Iran and Syria. Preventing countries from accessing the goods and technology needed to develop a nuclear weapons program has been at the forefront of congressional non-proliferation efforts. U.S. export laws currently restrict sales of dual-use American technology. And Congress has passed legislation authorizing sanctions against foreign entities that supply nuclear and missile components to Iran. Congress has also provided significant funding for diplomatic, military and intelligence efforts to intercept illicit shipments to Iran.

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Israel at Risk

The Unjust Efforts to Delegitimize Israel Israel routinely faces unique obstacles to the acceptance of its existence, legitimacy and right to self-defense.

Key Points • The United Nations has frequently and disproportionately singled out Israel for special condemnation, often for exercising its basic right of self-defense. • Most Arab states refuse any contact with Israel, and many participate in the Arab League boycott of the Jewish state. • Today, many of Israel’s opponents are engaged in a worldwide effort to boycott and sanction Israel. • America has opposed efforts to tarnish Israel’s legitimacy and has fought anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations and other international bodies. • The United States has also led efforts to enhance Israel’s standing by demanding fair and equal treatment for Israel in international fora and by highlighting Israel’s value to the United States and the world.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Congress can play a critical role by speaking out against any effort to delegitimize Israel and single it out for special opprobrium. If the U.N. Security Council considers an anti-Israel resolution, lawmakers should urge the administration to veto the measure. In addition, lawmakers can encourage the administration to fight such measures in forums where the United States does not have the power of a veto. Congress can also pressure Arab states to begin normalizing relations with Israel. Congress should also support efforts by Israel to enhance its position internationally. Support for updating the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement, backing Israel’s quest to join the U.N. Security Council, supporting Israel’s efforts to join the Executive Board of UNESCO and the Western Europe and Others Group in Geneva, among other steps, would strengthen Israel’s standing.


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Israel at Risk

From Double Standards to Delegitimization

The United Nations: A History of Exclusion

For decades, Israel has faced wave after wave of condemnation by international institutions and scores of countries. In these attacks, other nations have applied a standard toward Israel not used with respect to countries actually responsible for genocide and other massive human rights abuses. Through many of these campaigns against Israel, these nations and institutions have sought not only to discredit Israel’s policies, but also to delegitimize its very

Although the United Nations played a crucial role in the creation of Israel, U.N. history reflects a persistent antagonism toward the Jewish state. In the United Nations, Israel is singled out for condemnation in the General Assembly, in one-sided Security Council resolutions and in biased Human Rights Council reports. The United Nations has passed more resolutions aimed at isolating Israel than those condemning genocide, warfare and human rights violations throughout the world. The very countries that promote these efforts are oftentimes among the worst offenders of human rights.

Protestors across the globe have called for Israel’s destruction.

UNDERMINING ISRAEL’S LEGITIMACY

In 1975, Israel faced a singularly outrageous challenge to its legitimacy when the U.N. adopted General Assembly Resolution 3379, which equated Zionism with racism. After vigorous efforts by the United States to overturn it, the General Assembly in 1991 revoked the “Zionism is Racism” resolution. President George H.W. Bush personally introduced this motion, stating that Resolution 3379 “mocks…the principles upon which the United Nations was founded.”

right to exist. In addition, they have strived to deny Israel’s right to self-defense against countries and extremist groups that kill Israeli citizens and seek Israel’s destruction. These campaigns weaken the integrity of the international community and exacerbate the very conflicts that they purport to solve. They have also deeply undermined Israeli trust and encouraged Arab states and the Palestinians to continue rejectionist policies.

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Despite these efforts, various U.N. members and agencies continue to equate Zionism with racism. Similarly, for most of its history, the United Nations has condemned virtually every conceivable form of racism, yet it has refused to condemn anti-Semitism. Not until 1994 did the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva, at the insistence of the United States, finally pass a resolution condemning the hatred of Jews. The United States withdrew its delegation from the 2001 and 2009 U.N. Conferences on Racism, known as the Durban conferences, after member states and anti-Israel nongovernmental organizations hijacked the agenda, and the discussions degenerated into a forum for anti-Semitism. “You do not

A DOUBLE STANDARD FOR ISRAEL

The United Nations has consistently employed a double standard in its treatment of Israel, directing false allegations against the country while ignoring acts of genocide and other massive human rights violations committed by other countries. Furthermore, the United Nations has repeatedly held “Emergency Special Sessions” that focus solely on the Arab conflict with Israel. Although these types of sessions were originally conceived in 1950 for emergencies like the Korean War, since then, they have focused primarily on condemning Israel, while numerous other world emergencies, such as the genocide in Darfur, go virtually ignored. Likewise, three unique U.N. entities are dedicated to promoting the Palestinian cause

Israel at Risk

combat racism by conferences that produce declarations containing hateful language, some of which is a throwback to the days of ‘Zionism equals racism,’” said then-Secretary of State Colin Powell about the 2001 conference.

and, consequently, to repeatedly condemning Israel. They include the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division for Palestinian Rights within the U.N. Secretariat. Together, these three agencies spend millions of dollars each year to spread anti-Israel propaganda and engage in some of the worst anti-Israel activity. The United States has consistently condemned this behavior. SINGLING OUT ISRAEL ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Created in March 2006 to replace the former U.N. Commission on Human Rights, the new U.N. Human Rights Council maintains an endemic hostility to Israel, combined with hands-off treatment of some of the world’s most notorious human rights abusers. The new Council’s first session culminated with only one country-specific decision—a call for reports and consideration of “Israeli

The United Nations has condemned Israel more times than it has condemned various acts of genocide around the world.


77

Israel at Risk

human rights violations” in Palestinian and “other occupied Arab territories.” Less than one week later, the Council convened an emergency session devoted to “Israeli military operations against Palestinian civilians.” As the Israel Defense Forces sought to rescue Corporal Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier kidnapped by Hamas days earlier (on June 25, 2006), the Council passed a resolution condemning Israeli actions and dispatched an “urgent fact-finding mission” to the region to report on Israeli human rights abuses. The resolution ignored Hamas’ kidnapping and the daily barrage of Qassam rockets striking Israeli cities. QUESTIONING ISRAEL’S RIGHT TO SELF DEFENSE

This process of condemnation and delegitimization was renewed in the wake of fighting between Hamas and Israel in 2008. Israel had launched defensive operations in Gaza after enduring thousands of rocket attacks against its civilians. An ill-conceived and biased fact-

The Goldstone Report unjustly condemned Israel’s response to thousands of rocket attacks.

finding commission, appointed by the U.N. Human Rights Council, released a report— known as the Goldstone Report (after the commission’s leader, South African Richard Goldstone)—that placed blame for the fighting almost exclusively on Israel. Rather than illuminating the real causes of the Gaza conflict—eight years of Hamas’ unrelenting rocket attacks on Israeli civilians—the report merely rubber-stamped the Council’s predetermined conclusion that Israel had committed “war crimes.” It also ignored overwhelming evidence of Hamas’ deliberate and callous use of civilian infrastructure to hide the group’s terrorist activity. The report and subsequent action by the Council totally disregarded Israel’s long-standing practice of conducting independent investigations of alleged abuses during wartime, befitting a democratic nation operating under the rule of law. For its part, the Obama administration forcefully rejected the report, calling it “deeply flawed” and “irredeemably biased.” The United States was one of 18 countries to vote against a U.N. General Assembly resolution that endorsed the findings of the report. (114 countries voted in favor of the resolution and 44 abstained.)

The International Court of Justice Blames Israel In 2002, Israel began constructing a security barrier along the West Bank in an effort to keep out Palestinian suicide bombers that were repeatedly attacking its cities. Indeed, in 2001 and 2002 alone, Palestinian terrorists murdered more than 300 Israelis and wounded nearly 5,000. The barrier, most of which runs along Israel’s 1949 armistice line with the Palestinians, has been remarkably effective in eliminating suicide attacks inside Israel. Yet in 2004, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague voted overwhelmingly to condemn the barrier (which it called a

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The goal is to treat Israel as a pariah nation. In Britain, for example, some professors have refused to work with their Israeli counterparts or to engage in any academic exchange that constitutes a normal part of university life. In Australia, activists have protested outside a mall to encourage shoppers to refrain from purchasing Israeli products. And in the United States, BDS campaigns have tried to persuade universities—unsuccessfully, thus far—to divest their holdings in companies that do

Most Arab States Refuse to Recognize Israel Today, Israel maintains full diplomatic relations with only 2 of the 22 states that compose the Arab League: Egypt and Jordan. Many of the 20 remaining Arab states refuse relations with Israel, refuse to recognize the Jewish state and maintain a persistent propaganda campaign through their state-sponsored media and educational systems that seek to present Israel as inherently illegitimate. In addition, the Arab League maintains an official boycott against Israel—a potent symbol of the Arab world’s refusal to accept the Jewish state in its midst. While multiple United States presidents, including Barack Obama, have called on Arab states to undertake peace gestures, most have yet to do so.

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Campaign In 2005, Palestinian activists, with the support of some 170 Palestinian organizations, launched a global campaign aimed at persuading countries and organizations of all kinds to boycott, divest and sanction (BDS) Israel. The BDS campaign, as it came to be known, spread to countries throughout the world, particularly Europe, and has gained traction on some American campuses. The campaign has taken various forms: boycotts against Israeli universities, Israeli products, Israeli sports teams and Israeli cultural events.

Israel at Risk

“wall”), claiming that it would bring undue suffering to Palestinian civilians. The ICJ blithely dismissed the Jewish state’s argument that the barrier would save Israeli lives. “This is a dark day for the International Court of Justice and the international legal system,” said Dan Gillerman, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations. “It is shocking and appalling that in all the 60-plus pages of the opinion, the court failed to address the essence of the problem and the very reason for building the fence—the indiscriminate and murderous campaign of terror that Israelis are facing.”

Anti-Israel activists have called on the international community to boycott the Jewish state.

business with Israel and to refrain from participating in exchange programs with Israeli universities. Furthermore, former Israeli diplomats and retired military officials are unable to travel to certain democratic countries for fear of arrest for alleged war crimes. These developments are not isolated incidents; they reflect an international effort to delegitimize Israel by challenging its ability to operate as a normal country. There have been no comparable efforts targeting dictatorial regimes that condone or carry out genocide, routinely crush dissent through forced intimidation or otherwise oppress their own people.


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Israel at Risk

What Congress Has Done to Oppose the Delegitimization of Israel Backed Israel’s Inclusion in International Organizations. Congress has regularly pushed for the fair treatment and inclusion of Israel in a variety of international institutions. During the past decade, members of Congress helped advance Israel’s membership in such groups as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and backed the inclusion of Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service, in the International Committee of the Red Cross. Similarly, Congress has encouraged the United States to help Israel gain membership in the United Nations’ Western European and Others (WEOG) regional group, which greatly enhances Israel’s right to participate in various U.N. bodies, including the Security Council. Supported Israel in the Gaza Flotilla Incident. In June 2010, more than three-quarters of the House and the Senate signed bipartisan letters to President Obama that affirmed America’s support for Israel and called on the president to back its right to self-defense at the United Nations and other international organizations. The letters came in the wake of an illicit effort by a group of ships to break the Israeliimposed blockade of Gaza, which is aimed at preventing Hamas from smuggling weapons from the sea. The letter noted that the United States should stand with Israel because it is in America's “national security interest.” Condemned the Goldstone Report. In November 2009, the House overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling on the president and the secretary of state to oppose unequivocally any endorsement or further consideration by the United Nations or other international fora of the Goldstone Report on the Gaza war. The resolution called the report “irredeemably biased” and noted that it “is being exploited by Israel’s enemies to excuse the actions of violent militant groups and their state sponsors.” The resolution also reaffirmed U.S. support “for Israel’s right to defend its citizens from violent militant groups and their state sponsors.” Backed Israel’s Right to Self-Defense Against Hamas and Hizballah Attacks. In the wake of Hizballah’s kidnapping of Israeli soldiers, its amassing of thousands of rockets aimed at Israel and the onset of conflict with the Jewish state, the House and Senate in July 2006 overwhelmingly passed resolutions backing Israel’s right to self-defense. Similarly, with Israel being forced to take action in Gaza to defend its citizens from thousands of rocket and mortar attacks, the House and Senate resoundingly passed resolutions in January 2009 voicing support for Israel’s right to defend its citizens. Condemned the U.N. Human Rights Council. The House overwhelmingly passed a resolution in September 2007 condemning the U.N. Human Rights Council for unfairly and incessantly criticizing Israel while ignoring severe human rights abuses in other countries, including Iran, Syria, North Korea, Cuba, China, Zimbabwe and Venezuela. The resolution urged the Human Rights Council to remove Israel from its permanent agenda and to hold special sessions addressing other countries that are abusing the human rights of their citizens.

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Foreign Aid

F OREIGN A ID Foreign aid, about 1 percent of federal spending, is a cost-effective tool for keeping America strong, safe and prosperous and is vital in helping Israel counter increasing threats in the region.

Foreign Aid

SYRIAN & LEBANON

Foreign Aid — Key Principles Bolsters American Security: Foreign aid is an essential component of U.S. national security strategy that complements our military efforts and promotes successful and effective overseas operations. Keeps America Safe: Foreign aid helps prevent unstable areas from becoming breeding grounds for terror, disease, poverty and lawlessness that can spill over into other countries and directly threaten American interests. Creates Jobs at Home: In today’s globalized economy, U.S. foreign aid helps American companies grow markets; create stable business environments in developing countries; and bring education, health care and transportation to hundreds of millions of potential new customers. Promotes Stability and Democracy: U.S. assistance helps nations save lives and create sustainable institutions and accountable governance, all of which advance economic development and political stability around the globe. Supports Key Allies Such As Israel: Vital U.S. security assistance to Israel helps the Jewish state maintain its qualitative military edge and feel secure in pursuing diplomatic talks. Backed by Republican, Democratic, and Military Leaders: Former presidents, secretaries of state and defense, lawmakers and senior military leaders agree that a robust foreign aid budget is as essential as a strong military in maintaining America’s preeminent leadership position around the globe.

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Foreign Aid

The Importance of U.S. Security Aid to Israel U.S. security assistance to Israel in the annual foreign aid bill is the most tangible manifestation of American support, especially during a time of tremendous turmoil in the Middle East. American aid is a vital component of administration and congressional commitments to ensure that the Jewish state maintains its qualitative military edge.

Key Points • U.S. assistance to Israel provides important financial and technological support for the Israel Defense Forces. • Israel spends a greater percentage of its gross domestic product on defense than does any other advanced nation. • Despite its own extraordinary efforts, Israel finds it increasingly difficult to keep pace with the challenges of a potential nucleararmed Iran and military buildups by the terrorist groups Hamas and Hizballah. • U.S. assistance helps counter the great disparity in aggregate military spending between Israel and its Arab and Iranian neighbors. • U.S. aid demonstrates to friend and foe alike that America’s commitment to the Jewish state is unwavering. • President Obama’s fiscal year 2012 budget request for aid to Israel will represent the 4th year of a 10-year security agreement entered into by President Bush outlining America’s enduring security commitment to the Jewish state.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Congress should support the administration’s request for $3.0 billion in security assistance for Israel in fiscal year 2011 and $3.075 billion in fiscal year 2012. This assistance is consistent with the third and fourth years of a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2007 to enable Israel to meet evolving threats. Congress also should ensure that Israel has the arms it needs to maintain its qualitative military edge (QME) over potential adversaries.

Briefing Book: Foreign Aid

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Foreign Aid

defense expenditures.

U.S.-Israel Agreement Aims to Help Israel Face Increased Threats

Recognizing these increased threats and costs, the two allies have taken concrete steps to solidify the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security. In 2007, the United States and Israel signed a 10-year MOU that calls for the United States to provide $30 billion in security assistance during the 10 years of the agreement. Israel is slated to receive gradual increases in aid during the first 4

A potential nuclear-armed Iran, Hamas rocket attacks from Gaza against Israeli civilians, a resurgent Hizballah in Lebanon armed with 55,000 rockets and missiles: These are just some of the unprecedented threats that Israel faces. Such challenges require a significant increase in Israeli

STRONG SUPPORT: 10-YEAR PLAN FUNDING LEVELS

$2.55

$2.775

$3.0 $3.075

$3.1

$3.1

$3.1

$3.1 $3.1

$3.1 $3

$2

$1

The 10-year U.S.-Israel security agreement aims to provide Israel with increased aid to meet growing threats.

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$ in Billions

Foreign Aid

SOLID INVESTMENT: HOW AID TO ISRAEL BENEFITS THE UNITED STATES Creates Jobs

Promotes Peace

Advances Technology

Deters Major Conflict

Israel spends 75 percent of U.S. security assistance in the United States, buying vital defense products.

U.S. assistance has allowed Israel to remain strong militarily, allowing it to take risks for peace with the Palestinians and sign peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan.

Israeli battlefield use of American defense products has helped the United States improve its own equipment while tapping advanced Israeli technology and tactics.

U.S. aid has deterred major conflict by making clear to potential foes that they cannot defeat Israel on the battlefield.

years before leveling off at $3.1 billion for the remaining 6 years. America’s increase in aid to Israel reflects the dramatically escalating expenses associated with purchasing the latest American high-tech weaponry to combat evolving 21st century security challenges. The 10-year agreement is a key component of America’s commitment to maintain Israel’s “qualitative military edge,” which Congress has defined in legislation as Israel’s “ability to counter and defeat any credible conventional military threat from any individual state or possible coalition of states or from non-state actors.” Direct U.S. security assistance provided in the annual foreign aid bill is the most tangible way that the United States helps Israel maintain its military superiority and counters the great disparity in defense spending between Israel and potential adversaries in the Middle East.

Israel Is Boosting Its Own Defense Spending to Meet Threats Spiraling defense costs are forcing Israel to spend more on defense as a percentage of gross domestic product than any other nation in the industrialized world. Israel allocates roughly 7 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defense, or nearly double the percentage that the United States spends. However, the actual costs to the Israeli economy are much higher,

taking into account lost productivity and the need for reserve duty, internal security and antiterrorism spending. Israel has committed to a 10-year plan of sustained increases in its own defense spending to accompany the expected growth in U.S. security assistance. During the next decade, Israel is slated to spend $150 billion on defense, a 50 percent increase over the previous 10-year period.

Israel’s Defense Costs Have Risen Markedly This increased spending coincides with accelerated overall military spending throughout the Middle East, fueled by windfall oil profits. The growth rate of Saudi Arabia’s military budget is almost 6 times that of Israel’s, while Iran’s rate of military spending has grown 16 times more than that of Israel. This is reflected in the major purchases and development of new arms that may put Israel at risk. On a more modest but no less troubling level, Lebanon has greatly ramped up arms imports, and Iran continues to fund Hizballah’s military expansion. The military hardware—including Americanbuilt advanced fighter aircraft and naval vessels—that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) must acquire over the next decade to maintain its QME is far more sophisticated, Briefing Book: Foreign Aid

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Foreign Aid

complex and expensive than previous American equipment. The most recent U.S.-produced front-line fighter aircraft deployed by Israel, the F-16I, cost $45 million a piece. By comparison, the U.S. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which Israel is seeking to purchase during the next decade, may cost more than $100 million each. Israel is also investing more than $2 billion to develop cutting-edge systems to combat short-range rockets and longrange missiles and building dozens of upgraded tanks and armored vehicles to protect troops from advanced ant-tank missiles in the hands of Hamas and Hizballah.

Congress, Executive Branch Have Strongly Backed U.S.-Israel MOU With these threats and costs in mind, both Congress and the president have supported the funding of the MOU each year since the agreement went into effect in fiscal year 2009. President Bush, in fiscal year 2009, and President Obama, in fiscal years 2010 and 2011, both submitted budget requests consistent with levels outlined in the MOU. Congress, in turn, approved funding for Israel that is consistent with the MOU for both fiscal years 2009 and 2010. Although Congress was unable to complete action on the relevant appropriations bills for fiscal year 2011, it did pass a continuing resolution (CR) that maintained aid to Israel at

Congress and the president have strongly endorsed the U.S.-Israel agreement that pledges an increase in U.S. security assistance.

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2010 levels ($2.775 billion). The 112th Congress will likely revisit the issue, including the 2011 increase in funds (up to $3.0 billion) mandated by the MOU, before the CR expires in March. Even with the generous support of the United States, Israel is still not able to develop and procure all the necessary systems, such as F-35’s and the Iron Dome rocket defense shield, to defend itself from the escalating threats. The two countries continue to work together to find ways to fund these critical programs.

Aid to Israel Benefits the United States Despite these extraordinary investments, both countries have long recognized that their mutual interests in deterring war, promoting stability and eventually achieving peace are only possible if the United States continues to help ensure Israel’s QME over its potential adversaries. During the past few years, the two allies have greatly enhanced their collaborative efforts to preserve the IDF’s QME. Following the 1973 Yom Kippur War, U.S. support for Israel through annual security aid has helped deter conflict by making it clear to potential foes that they cannot defeat Israel militarily. Israel has served as an anchor of stability in the region, helping thwart aggressors and preserve moderate regimes without the type of deployment of U.S. forces required in Europe or East Asia. By helping the Jewish state maintain its military edge, American assistance has also promoted peace with Egypt and Jordan. This support has provided Israel with the assurance necessary to make dramatic concessions in peace talks and has enabled it to take risks for peace through farreaching offers to the Palestinians and Syria. U.S. assistance to Israel also serves other U.S. interests. By law, 75 percent of U.S. aid to Israel has to be spent in the United States, thus boosting America’s defense industry. In addition, Israeli battlefield use of American equipment and shared know-how have helped the United States improve both its equipment and tactics.


INCREASED THREATS, INCREASED COSTS: ISRAEL’S URGENT DEFENSE NEEDS Amid an array of changing and increasing threats, Israel is being forced to invest heavily in new and expensive technologies.

THREAT: Advanced Ballistic Missiles and Rockets. Hamas and Hizballah can hit Israel’s major population centers with Iranian-supplied systems, while Syria can strike with ballistic missiles. Iran continues expanding its ballistic missile capabilities, which could be used to deliver nuclear warheads.

ISRAEL’S NEED: Improve Rocket and Missile Defenses. Israel needs to invest more than $2 billion to urgently develop and deploy cutting-edge defense systems to combat short-range Qassam and Katyusha rockets, and medium- and long-range missiles, which are capable of hitting Israel’s major cities.

THREAT: Sophisticated Anti-Aircraft Weapons. Hamas and Hizballah are acquiring new anti-aircraft missiles, while Syria and Iran are fielding new Russian radar-guided air defense systems. Egypt and the Persian Gulf states are upgrading their fleets of sophisticated combat aircraft.

ISRAEL’S NEED: Enhance Aircraft Capabilities. Israel is planning to purchase America’s premier combat aircraft, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Israel plans to order 25 planes, with a goal to eventually field 75. Each plane will cost significantly more than $100 million.

THREAT: Advanced Anti-Tank Weapons. Syria, Hizballah and Palestinian terrorist groups are using advanced Russian and Iranian anti-tank missiles. Hamas and Hizballah are also building up their infrastructure of defensive positions, bunkers and fortified command posts.

ISRAEL’S NEED: Enhance Ground Forces. The Israel Defense Forces is building dozens of Merkava IV tanks ($4.5 million each) and deploying hundreds of heavy Namer armored troop vehicles ($1.5 million each) protected with new “active defense” technology to replace a 30-yearold fleet.

THREAT: Increased Sea- and Shore-Based Threats. Arab states are modernizing their fleets, terrorist groups’ are using maritime routes for weapons smuggling and Israel’s adversaries are deploying sophisticated anti-ship missiles.

ISRAEL’S NEED: Upgrade Naval Fleet. The Israeli Navy will expand and upgrade its fleet by purchasing new combat ships and submarines. These multi-hundred million dollar vessels will enhance Israel’s ability to project power at sea and defend the Jewish state’s coastline.


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Foreign Aid

What Congress Has Done to Support U.S. Security Assistance to Israel Ensured That Israel Receives Aid at Beginning of Fiscal Year. This “early disbursal” provision in the annual foreign aid bill allows Israel to receive its security assistance at the beginning of the fiscal year, rather than as military purchases are made over time. Under this provision, Israel receives its full allotment of security assistance at the beginning of the fiscal year or 30 days after final enactment of the bill, whichever is later. This provision, however, does not apply when the aid is provided as part of a continuing resolution, which was the case at the end of 2010. Allowed Israel to Invest in Its Domestic Military Industry. Under the “offshore procurement” provision, Israel is allowed to spend a portion of its security assistance to buy military hardware within Israel. The provision gives Israel the flexibility to use “no less than” 26.3 percent of American military aid to purchase domestic equipment designed specifically to meet the array of threats that Israel faces. Offshore procurement helps Israel preserve its military industrial base, which is critical to its national security. The rest of the U.S. aid is spent in the United States. Helped Israel Resettle Refugees. The U.S. government provides an annual grant (now $25 million) to the Jewish Agency/United Israel Appeal to help transport and resettle immigrants within Israel. Today, these funds are primarily used for the absorption of immigrants from Ethiopia. Designated Specific Funds for Israel. Congress can mandate that a specific amount of money be spent for a specific purpose. Each year, Congress mandates that “no less than” the slated level of aid to Israel for that fiscal year “shall” be provided. Israel’s annual “earmark” is a programmatic one and differs in kind from the special project earmarks that have been the source of much controversy.

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Foreign Aid

Keeping America Safe, Strong, and Prosperous The United States faces extraordinary challenges to its preeminence in today’s world, including physical threats to its security and economic well-being. A robust foreign aid program that supports key allies like Israel is an essential tool to address these challenges and help preserve America’s safety, security and prosperity.

Key Points • U.S. foreign aid includes critical assistance to Israel that strengthens a critical ally, deters war and supports American diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. • Funding for foreign aid, like financial support for the U.S. armed forces, is an essential component of America’s national security strategy. • Foreign aid plays a critical role in establishing new economic opportunities for American businesses and jobs for American workers. • U.S. foreign aid is a relatively small, cost-effective investment that helps prevent more costly wars, crises and disasters. • Foreign aid also helps to avert unstable areas from becoming breeding grounds for terror, poverty, disease and lawlessness—threats that can spill into other countries and undermine American interests.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Congress should support full funding for assistance to Israel as part of robust overall funding for U.S. foreign aid programs. Under a 2007 U.S.-Israel security assistance agreement, the United States committed to provide $3.0 billion in military aid to Israel in fiscal year 2011 and $3.075 billion in fiscal year 2012. Congress also should adopt the recommendation of both the Bush and Obama administrations to consider international affairs funding as an integral part of U.S. national security spending. In doing so, Congress would recognize what presidents, secretaries of defense and senior military officials have argued for decades—that foreign aid is a critical tool for American national security.


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Foreign Aid

Winning the War and Winning the Peace Foreign aid is an essential component of America’s national security strategy. Today, the U.S. foreign aid budget helps strengthen civil society and build institutional and economic capacity in the very places where hundreds of thousands of American soldiers are risking their lives. To win in Iraq and Afghanistan, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has called for “a dramatic increase in spending on the civilian instruments of national security— diplomacy, strategic communications, foreign assistance, civic action, and economic reconstruction and development.” Any hope of winning the peace in current conflict areas will depend on America’s willingness and ability to invest in building civil society, economic infrastructure and stable government institutions.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has said foreign aid is critical in supporting U.S. military efforts.

Both the Obama and Bush administrations have included foreign aid, together with defense and homeland security, as part of overall “national security spending” in the budgets they presented to Congress. Since our national security challenges extend well beyond traditional military threats, the United States must robustly fund foreign aid to complement and reinforce our American military forces’ efforts to combat aggression and promote stability in crucial conflict zones. In sum, U.S. soldiers cannot win the war with their weapons if we don’t win the peace with wise investments.

Securing America, Strengthening Our Allies Foreign aid is one of the principal tools available to American policymakers to help them advance American interests. As American military leaders repeatedly and readily acknowledge, a powerful military is not adequate if not backed up by a strong civilian diplomatic presence and the financial resources to help friends and undermine adversaries around the globe. In areas such as the Middle East, a region long plagued by wars, terror and religious extremism, foreign aid helps bring stability, encourage moderation and further the prospects for peace. U.S. aid to Israel, for example, assures that America’s close friend and ally has the military capabilities to deter attacks from its hostile neighbors or to prevail on the battlefield. Israel’s adversaries understand that they cannot destroy the Jewish state because of U.S. backing. Severely cutting foreign aid would result in a risky disengagement from the world at a time when we face severe military and economic threats. America will confront a much more precarious future unless we provide the resources to help secure allies, build stable societies in conflict zones, stop criminals and disease from spreading across our borders and encourage responsible economic development in struggling countries.

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Foreign Aid U.S. foreign assistance help nations recover from natural disasters and prevent the spread of diseases.

Asserting U.S. Economic Leadership and Creating American Jobs During the current economic downturn, in which millions of Americans lost their jobs, there is no more important issue than job creation. In today’s globalized economy, U.S. foreign aid continues to help American companies develop foreign markets, create jobs at home and build stable business environments in developing countries. Foreign aid also helps bring education, health care and transportation to hundreds of millions of potential new customers. Today, one in five American jobs is linked to U.S. exports. Foreign markets offer the best opportunities to expand the American economy. Foreign aid helps make the United States competitive with the fast growing economies of the world. Other countries—most notably China—are aggressively promoting exports for their businesses and securing major business deals with foreign governments trying to modernize their country’s infrastructure and exploit their natural resources. Foreign aid and the money America uses to fund its embassies and support American industry help ensure that

the United States will not idly cede markets and business opportunities to international competitors. For the past century, America’s international standing has been directly tied to its economic power relative to the rest of the world. When the United States is strong at home, it is better able to exert leadership abroad. Likewise, when America is engaged in the world, building the economies of other countries and opening markets for American products, American jobs are created, thus boosting the economy. Foreign aid plays a critical role in enabling the United States to flex its economic muscle abroad to achieve its foreign policy goals, as well as establish new economic opportunities for American businesses and workers.

Investing Modestly to Save Money in the Long Run At a time of declining budgetary resources, foreign aid is a cost-effective and relatively small investment that saves U.S. taxpayers money. Using foreign aid dollars wisely today helps prevent the more costly wars, crises and disasters


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Foreign Aid

FOREIGN AID: AN AFFORDABLE INVESTMENT While polls show that Americans think the United States spends 25 percent of the federal budget on foreign aid, the actual number is only one percent.

Foreign Aid 1% Defense 19% Other 8% Homeland Security 2% Interest Payments 9% Social Security 21% Income Security 13% Medicare 14% Health 10% Education 3% (Percentage of Federal Budget)

that might otherwise occur. Prevention— whether of terrorist acts, weapons proliferation, pandemic disease, economic meltdown, societal collapse or the spread of radical ideology—is always cheaper and easier. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said, “Having robust civilian capabilities available could make it less likely that military force will have to be used in the first place, as local problems might be dealt with before they become crises.” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen adds that investments in foreign aid and diplomacy today will help save American lives and money. “It is my firm belief,” Admiral Mullen has stated, “that diplomatic programs, as part of a coordinated strategy, will save money by reducing the likelihood of active military conflict involving U.S. forces. The more significant the cuts, the

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longer military operations will take and the more and more lives are at risk.”

Helping Abroad to Protect Americans at Home The United States can no longer wish away the world’s growing problems and hope that they don’t reach our shores. As former President George W. Bush recently wrote, “Many of the world’s problems—terrorist networks, criminal gangs, drug syndicates, pandemic diseases—are no more than a halfday plane ride from the United States.” The terrorist attacks of 9/11 should have forever put to rest the notion that we can disengage from the world without consequences for our homeland and for our people. To keep America safe, President Bush went on to write, “America has a direct stake in the progress

promoting democracy, pluralism and human rights; and encouraging needy people and their governments to become self-sufficient and law abiding.

Foreign aid helps bring political, economic and social stability to these very “hopeless, poorly controlled areas” around the world. Foreign aid helps prevent these areas from becoming breeding grounds for terror, disease, poverty and lawlessness that can spill over into other countries and directly threaten American interests.

The U.S. response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti is just the most recent example of both the urgency and magnitude of America’s humanitarian response when disaster strikes unexpectedly. As important as providing relief aid are the ongoing programs throughout the world to promote liberty, pluralism and open and free political institutions within weak societies. For example, democracy-building programs in Central America, Eastern Europe, South Asia, Africa and the Middle East help organize free and fair elections, support due process, train future leaders, promote good governance and protect human rights.

American foreign aid can be used wisely to help stabilize and develop failing states by building institutions; creating economic opportunities; developing standards for rule of law; and giving hope to young generations who have known violence, despair and ignorance.

Robust Foreign Aid Helps Affirm and Promote American Values In addition to advancing vital national security and economic interests, America’s foreign aid program embodies the core values of the United States: protecting the most vulnerable populations, especially when disaster strikes;

Foreign Aid

and hope of other nations.” That means tuning our attention and resources to what he described as the world’s “hopeless, poorly controlled areas.”

U.S. government programs leverage billions of dollars in contributions by private American donors supporting critical projects in needy countries. The programs also encourage collaboration between U.S. companies and private American voluntary organizations in running projects that promote health, education, economic development and private entrepreneurship.

U.S. foreign aid speaks to America’s core values of helping those in need and promoting free and open societies.


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Foreign Aid

What Congress Has Done to Fund Foreign Aid Programs Set Spending Targets in Budget Resolutions. Every year, after the president submits his own budget proposal, Congress approves a budget resolution that serves as a guide to appropriators, who, in turn, write the various appropriations bills. For fiscal year 2011, President Obama requested $58.5 billion for the overall international affairs budget, which includes both foreign aid and the diplomatic operations of the federal government. The president also endorsed former President Bush’s policy of including international affairs spending as part of the overall national security budget. For fiscal year 2011, the House-passed budget resolution included $54.85 billion for international affairs spending and the Senate-passed budget resolution included $56.2 billion. Congress never adopted a conference agreement on the budget. Funded Foreign Aid in State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Bills. After the budget resolution sets overall spending targets, the appropriations committees divide funding among 12 subcommittees and then determine program-by-program funding allocations for domestic, defense and international affairs programs. Foreign aid and other international programs are included in the State-Foreign Operations appropriations bill. Congress never completed final action on any appropriations bills for the current fiscal year (fiscal year 2011). Instead, Congress approved a continuing resolution (CR) that expires on March 4, 2011, to fund all government programs at the same levels as in fiscal year 2010. The CR included approximately $51.1 billion in annualized funds for foreign aid and diplomatic programs compared to the president’s original request of $58.5 billion.

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Iran

IRAN The Iranian regime has called for the destruction of Israel and for a world without the United States. Armed with nuclear weapons, Iran would present major challenges to American interests and international security.

Iran

SYRIAN & LEBANON

Iran — Key Principles Prevent a Nuclear-Armed Iran: American policy must unabashedly seek to prevent Iran from achieving a nuclear-weapons capability. A nuclear-armed Iran would spur a nuclear arms race in the Middle East; fatally undermine the global nuclear non-proliferation regime; dramatically increase the threat of nuclear terror; significantly aggrandize Iranian power and influence at the expense of pro-Western states; undermine American credibility and efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan and pose a serious prospect for the actual use of nuclear weapons. Thwart Iranian Terrorism: The United States should strongly oppose Iranian support of terrorism, including Hamas and Hizballah, and champion those combating their efforts. Support the Iranian People: The United States should promote human rights in Iran and stand with the Iranian people in opposition to the brutal mullah regime. Engage With Pressure: Although the United States should remain open to serious talks aimed at ending the Iranian nuclear weapons program, Iran cannot be allowed to use talks as a ruse to advance its nuclear program and avoid tougher sanctions. The international community must increase pressure on Iran until it abandons its dangerous nuclear quest. Implement Tough Sanctions: Congress must ensure that U.S. financial and political sanctions are implemented and enforced stringently. This pressure is the last best hope of persuading Iran to suspend its pursuit of nuclear weapons through political, economic and diplomatic means.

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Iran

The Iranian Nuclear Threat With its call for the destruction of the United States and its ally Israel, the Iranian regime—armed with nuclear weapons—would pose an unacceptable threat to American national security interests.

Key Points • Iran, as a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), has legally foresworn attaining nuclear weapons. • Iran continues its illicit drive for a nuclear weapons capability, in defiance of multiple mandatory U.N. Security Council resolutions. • Iran refuses to engage in serious talks with the United States and other world powers regarding its nuclear program. • Iran’s acquisition of a nuclear weapons capability would mark the end of the global non-proliferation regime and destabilize the Middle East. • Tougher sanctions are a key component of efforts to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Sanctions are the last best hope of peacefully persuading Iran to suspend its quest for nuclear weapons. Congress should press the Obama administration to implement and stringently enforce existing U.S. sanctions on foreign companies that continue to work in Iran’s energy sector or aid Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as banks that facilitate Iran’s international transactions. Congress can achieve these goals by conducting vigorous oversight hearings to ensure that the administration is implementing the law. In addition, congressional leaders should raise the issue in their meetings with officials of foreign governments to ensure that the international community enforces the sanctions and pressures recalcitrant governments to join them. If Iran continues to defy U.N. Security Council resolutions requiring it to end its uranium enrichment, Congress should consider enacting additional legislation that would dramatically increase pressure on the regime in Tehran.

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Iran

How a Nuclear Iran Would Undermine U.S. Interests A nuclear-armed Iran would pose a direct threat to American interests and an existential threat to Israel, America’s strategic partner in the region. It would likely lead to nuclear proliferation elsewhere in the region and around the globe, while fundamentally altering the strategic balance of the Middle East. EMBOLDEN THE REGIME

Possessing the capability to produce nuclear weapons would encourage Iran to extend its influence throughout the region, including Lebanon and Iraq, undercutting U.S. efforts to stabilize those countries. UNDERMINE U.S. GOALS IN THE REGION

A nuclear-capable Iran would likely further intensify its support of Mideast terrorist groups, particularly Hamas and Hizballah. This would endanger U.S.-led efforts to negotiate a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians— already a complicated process. Iran could also share its nuclear technology with anti-American terrorist groups, greatly increasing the threat of nuclear terrorism and blackmail.

DESTABILIZE PRO-WESTERN ARAB STATES

As cables released by WikiLeaks in late 2010 show, Arab leaders are deeply anxious over a nuclear Iran, fearing that it would become the dominant regional force. A resurgent Iran, in turn, would weaken the United States and the West. The Gulf countries, in particular, fear that Iran would use its nuclear umbrella to intimidate them and radicalize their people. They might seek to accommodate Iran and Iranian interests on the surface, as they pursue their own nuclear capabilities. KILL THE NON-PROLIFERATION REGIME

Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons would likely spur a regional nuclear arms race. Indeed, more than a dozen Arab states have already expressed new interest in “peaceful” nuclear programs, as Iran continues its pursuit of nuclear weapons. This heightened interest in nuclear technology would likely spread beyond the Middle East, marking the death knell of the global non-proliferation regime. When nuclear weapons abound the likelihood that they might actually be used would increase exponentially.

IRAN’S PROGRESS TOWARD THE BOMB Iran has accomplished most of the key steps needed to achieve a nuclear weapons capability. Just two remain.

1

Obtain raw uranium from local mines and foreign imports.

Iran imported 531 tons of uranium oxide from South Africa in the early 1980s.

2

Convert the uranium into yellowcake to begin the process of enriching, or purifying, the uranium for use in a weapon. Iran’s supply of yellow cake would last 30 years at current enrichment rates.

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3

Iran converts the yellowcake into a gas to feed into centrifuges.

Iran has produced 371 tons of uranium hexafluoride gas, which is enough to produce 30 bombs if further enriched.

4

Install thousands of centrifuges— machines that spin at supersonic speed—to carry out the enrichment. As of November 2010, Iran had installed nearly 8,800 centrifuges.

For the past two decades, the United States has proclaimed that it is unacceptable for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and has sought to prevent that from occurring. If the United States fails to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability, America’s credibility in the eyes of its allies in the region—and around the world— would be undermined.

Iran Pressing Ahead With Its Nuclear Weapons Pursuit These dangerous scenarios are moving closer to reality, as Iran continues to ignore the repeated demands of the U.N. Security Council to suspend its nuclear activities. For more than 25 years, Iran has pursued a path to nuclear weapons, constructing a secret program in violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Today, Iran has acquired enough nuclear material to serve as the core of at least three nuclear weapons. And, technicians are working on advanced centrifuges to expand Iran’s stockpile of low-enriched uranium and

Iran

UNDERMINE AMERICA’S CREDIBILITY

rapidly refine that material into bombgrade uranium. Iran has focused its nuclear efforts on enriching uranium, a key step in producing fissile material for the core of a nuclear weapon. Low levels of enriched uranium generate power, while highly enriched uranium (HEU) is used to make bombs. As of November 2010, Iran had stockpiled more than 7,000 pounds of low-enriched uranium (LEU). If further enriched to a weapons-grade level, it would be enough for three nuclear weapons. Technicians also have started converting Iran’s LEU into uranium enriched to the 20 percent level. This work represents 85 to 90 percent of the effort needed to produce weapons-grade fuel. Iran claims that it needs this uranium for a research reactor in Tehran that produces radioactive isotopes for medical procedures. However, it has so far rejected a proposal backed by the United States, France and Russia that would send a portion of Iran’s LEU outside the country in return for the medical-grade

LAST STEPS TO THE BOMB

7 5

Produce low-enriched uranium (LEU).

As of November 2010, Iran had produced more than 7,000 pounds of low-enriched uranium at the Natanz enrichment facility—enough to produce the needed fuel for three bombs.

6

Enrich uranium to a higher level representing 85 percent of the work needed to produce the fuel for a nuclear weapon. As of January 2011, Iran had produced more than 80 pounds of this higher-grade uranium.

80 lbs.

Produce the highly enriched uranium needed for a bomb.

It would take as little as three months for Iran to convert its stockpile of higher-grade uranium into weapons-grade.

8

Turn the highly enriched uranium into a metal sphere to form the core of a nuclear weapon. The warhead could be placed on Iran’s advanced ballistic missiles to target U.S. troops and allies in the region.

Briefing Book: Iran

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Iran

fuel. Under the proposal, Iran would have been able to meet its medical needs, while reducing its stockpile of LEU so that it could not build a nuclear weapon.

Iranian Nuclear Activities Have No Civilian Purpose Despite Iran’s claims that its program is peaceful, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have uncovered evidence that Iran has carried

clandestine Iranian effort focusing on uranium processing, high explosives and a missile warhead design, remains a matter of serious concern. Iran has failed to address questions about this project that the IAEA believes are critical to an assessment of the possible military dimension of the country’s nuclear program. In September 2009, the United States disclosed that Iran was constructing a secret uranium enrichment facility. The size

IMPACT OF SANCTIONS ON IRAN: BY THE NUMBERS

GDP growth rate declined 76% between 2009 and 2010

Unemployment rate has increased to 24%

International flights grounded… Only 1 firm will refuel Iranian planes in Europe

Iran lost $50 billion in energy investments in past few years

out a number of nuclear activities with no known civilian purposes. Iran has experimented with polonium, an element primarily used to trigger nuclear explosions and continues to block IAEA inspections of numerous nuclear facilities. Moreover, Iran reportedly conducted research and tests on a neutron initiator using uranium deuteride (UD3). The only application for UD3 is as a neutron source to trigger an atomic chain reaction in a nuclear warhead. The Green Salt Project, an alleged

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Gasoline imports have been slashed… 85% to 95%

Major auto firms fled… 4 firms—Toyota, Kia, Daimler and Hyundai— stop exports

Gas prices have soared 400%

of the facility is insufficient to produce needed fuel for a nuclear power reactor, but ideal to produce HEU for at least one bomb a year, perhaps more. Iran has also been conducting research and tests on technologies needed to deliver a nuclear weapon, including the rapid advancement of its long-range ballistic missile and space program. In addition, Tehran has escalated its threats to destroy Israel, military tests, including war games and rocket and land-mobile missile tests, as well as its threats to close the Strait of Hormuz.

Upon taking office, President Obama made it a priority to reach out to Iran and seek a dialogue. Despite the president’s efforts, Iran has failed to engage in significant, substantive talks with the United States, the IAEA or the P5+1 (the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, plus Germany).

Iran

Iran Faces Tougher Sanctions After Rejecting Outreach Efforts

The resulting economic difficulties are forcing Iran to end generous public subsidies. Foreign investment in Iran is plummeting, and unemployment, already high, is increasing. Growing concern among the political elite is producing tensions within the conservative establishment, and criticism of the Ahmadinejad government is rising, along with dissension in Iran’s clerical ranks.

Iran’s refusal to engage in serious negotiations has led the United States to seek greater pressure on Tehran from the international community. Since 2007, the U.N. Security Council has passed four sets of increasingly tougher sanctions on Iran. These measures— mandatory for all U.N. members—target Iranian entities involved in Tehran’s nuclear, missile and conventional weapons programs. The European Union, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea and other U.S. allies have adopted further measures beyond the U.N. sanctions. Combined with American efforts, these international sanctions are having a dramatic impact on the Iranian economy and are causing increased political division within Iran. Some of the world’s best-known companies— energy firms, financial institutions and other international businesses—have announced their withdrawal from Iran.

Major Iran sanctions legislation signed by President Obama in 2010 is squeezing the Iranian economy.

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What Congress Has Done to Prevent a Nuclear Iran Targeted Iran’s Nuclear and Missile Programs. Congress has enacted a series of sanctions, beginning with the Iran-Iraq Non-Proliferation Act of 1992, to punish foreign firms that supply Iran with everything from nuclear components to conventional weapons. These sanctions, combined with tough law-enforcement efforts to disrupt proliferation networks, have limited the flow of critical technologies and supplies to Iran. Squeezed Iran’s Energy Sector. To increase the pressure on the Iranian regime to alter its behavior, the United States has targeted key sectors and players in the Iranian economy. In 1996, Congress passed the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act, which was later renamed the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA), the first legislation to target the economic heart of Iran: its energy sector. ISA authorized sanctions on foreign firms investing more than $20 million in Iran’s oil and natural gas sectors. With the passage of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act (CISADA) in 2010, Congress expanded the sanctions to firms working in Iran’s refined petroleum industry. These sanctions have helped to drastically reduce Iran’s energy sector revenue and imposed a heavy price on Tehran for its flagrant violation of numerous U.N. resolutions. Outlawed Financial Firms Dealing with Iran. Congress’ passage of CISADA marked the most far-reaching U.S. sanctions on Iran to date. The measure mandates sanctions on foreign banks that continue to conduct significant business with sanctioned Iranian entities. Since 2006, the United States has specifically sanctioned 17 Iranian financial institutions, and all Iranian banks have been barred from carrying out transactions via U.S.-based financial institutions. These measures have isolated the Iranian financial sector, increased costs and disrupted Iranian trade. Called on the Administration to Enforce Sanctions. Congress has repeatedly urged the executive branch to utilize its authority and fully enforce U.S. sanctions. In September 2007, the Senate called on the administration to sanction the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for its involvement in Iran’s nuclear program as well as its support of terrorism. In the following month, the Treasury Department also sanctioned the IRGC—a group responsible more than 60 percent of Iran’s economy. To date, no foreign owned, non-Iranian company or bank has been sanctioned.

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Iran

A Terrorist Regime Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, providing weapons, money and training to groups whose goals include the destruction of Israel and the establishment of Islamic theocracies throughout the Middle East and beyond.

Key Points • Iran is a radical Islamist regime that has called for the destruction of both the United States and Israel. • Iran sponsors terrorist groups that have killed hundreds of American civilians and soldiers. • Iran has a global terrorist reach and undermines U.S. peace efforts through its support of such terrorist groups as Hamas and Hizballah. • The United States and other countries should increase efforts to interdict arms shipments and the transfer of funds from Iran to its terrorist allies.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Congress should ensure that the executive branch exercises its broad authority to sanction Iranian entities that engage in or finance terrorism. Congress should closely monitor Iranian attempts to bypass current sanctions through the use of front companies and other deceptive practices, as well as the regime’s continuing support of Hamas and Hizballah.

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Iran

A History of Targeting Americans Iranian-sponsored terrorists have a long history of targeting Americans and U.S. interests around the world. From the 1983 bombing of the U.S. marine barracks in Beirut to the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, Iran’s terrorist proxies have killed more Americans than any group other than al-Qaeda. Hamas suicide

1747, which forbids Iran from exporting any weapons. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)—itself a designated terrorist organization—provides Hizballah with training, weapons, and more than $200 million each year, making Hizballah the largest recipient of Iranian aid.

The attack on the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983 by the Iranianbacked Hizballah killed 241 American servicemen.

bombers and other terrorists backed by Iran have killed dozens of Americans in Israel. In recent years, Iran has targeted American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, providing weapons, financing and training to Iraqi insurgents and the Taliban. Iranian-produced improvised explosive devices have been directly responsible for the deaths of American soldiers in both conflicts.

Iran Bankrolls Hizballah Terrorist Activities Iranian support for Hizballah—whose supporters regularly chant “Death to America; Death to Israel” at rallies—is one of the clearest examples of Tehran’s support for terrorist activity. Iran is the primary supplier of Hizballah’s arsenal of 55,000 rockets and missiles. In November 2009, Israeli naval forces seized a single cargo ship carrying 320 tons of Iranian weapons intended for Hizballah. By providing sophisticated weapons to Hizballah, Iran blatantly violates numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions, including Resolution

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Iran Backs Hamas’ Military Buildup in Gaza Just as it supports Hizballah’s war against Israel, Iran also provides critical aid to the terrorist group Hamas, which openly calls for Israel’s destruction. By networking with smugglers in Yemen and Africa, Iran sends cash and weapons through Egypt to the Gaza Strip. Iranian arms transferred to Hamas include thousands of mortars and hundreds of rockets, including longer-range rockets capable of striking Tel Aviv from Gaza. Iran also provides key financial support to Hamas. While exact figures are difficult to verify, estimates start at $30 million annually, but may be several times as much.

The United States Works to Intercept Iranian Arms The U.S. military and intelligence services have worked to uncover and disrupt Iranian weapons shipments. In 2009, the U.S. Navy

Iran

intercepted at least two vessels containing shipments of Iranian arms destined for Hamas and Hizballah. Both of the shipments were arranged by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), which the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned in 2008 for facilitating shipments of military-related cargo to Iran. The EU and the U.N. Security Council have sanctioned IRISL since then.

In the aftermath of the 2009 conflict in Gaza, the United States and Israel signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding that pledged joint efforts to stem the flow of weapons to Hamas and other terrorists in the Gaza Strip. The agreement calls for enhanced international sanctions and enforcement mechanisms against those states, such as Iran, that are determined to supply weapons and explosives to Gaza.

IRAN’S ARMS SMUGGLING ROUTES Iran provides advanced weaponry to Hamas in Gaza and Hizballah in Lebanon through various land, sea and air routes.

SYRIA LEBANON IRAQ

IRAN

ISRAEL GAZA

JORDAN KUWAIT BAHRAIN Q ATA R

EGYPT SAUDI ARABIA

U.A.E. OMAN

SUDAN

YEMEN

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Iran

What Congress Has Done to Counter Iran’s Terrorist Support Outlawed Support for Terrorist Entities. Congress has enacted legislation giving wide authority to the executive branch to impose sanctions on entities that engage in terrorism, finance terrorism or otherwise facilitate terrorist activities. Under this authority, the Treasury Department has sanctioned multiple Iranian entities involved in terrorism, making it a crime for U.S. citizens to provide them with material support. In 2007, the Treasury Department sanctioned the IRGC-Quds Force, the facilitator of much of Iran’s terrorist activities. Targeted the Source of Iran’s Terror Funding. Congress has also targeted Iran’s energy sector, whose revenue funds terrorist activities. The Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 has helped limit investments in Iran’s energy sector, costing the regime tens of billions of dollars that could have been used to finance terrorism. In addition, the United States has targeted Iranian banks involved in the transfer of funds to terrorist entities. Since 2006, 17 Iranian banks have been sanctioned for supporting terrorism or aiding Iran’s nuclear program. Provided Support to Iran’s Victims. Congress has sought to provide support to the victims of Iranian terrorism by allowing civil lawsuits against the Iranian regime. In 1996, Congress amended the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) to allow victims of terrorism to sue designated state sponsors of terrorism for their terrorist acts. Victims have since won multiple judgments—totaling billions of dollars—against Iran. Congress has also worked to provide avenues for the victims to collect their financial awards from the Iranian government.

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Iran

A Repressive Regime Iran is a theocratic dictatorship that maintains control by holding fraudulent elections and violently suppressing its own citizenry.

Key Points • Following massive protests after the June 2009 presidential election, the Iranian regime instituted and maintained a massive crackdown on an increasingly discontented and restless population. • Iranian authorities subject their opponents to arbitrary and mass arrests, prolonged detentions, torture and execution. • Iran severely limits women’s rights and freedoms of speech, press and assembly. • The United States can play an important role in criticizing Iranian abuses and in providing funding to promote human rights in Iran.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Congress has been a steadfast voice speaking out in support of freedom and democracy in Iran. Congress should ensure that the executive branch implements and enforces measures passed in the summer of 2010 that require a report on and the sanctioning of those violating Iranian human rights in the aftermath of the 2009 Iranian election. Congress can give additional support to human rights activists in Iran by providing anticensorship technology, supporting broadcasting into Iran and exercising its oversight responsibilities to examine the scope and effectiveness of the administration’s efforts in the area. Congress also can do more to highlight Iranian religious repression through hearings and in meetings with foreign officials.

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Iran

The Regime Has a Long Pattern of Repressing Its People The June 2009 presidential election was a stark reminder of the lack of democracy and fundamental freedoms in Iran. In addition to severely limiting the ability of candidates to run for the office—only 4 out of 476 prospective candidates were allowed to run—this election was marked by significant voter fraud. When millions of Iranians took to the streets to protest President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s stolen electoral victory, the government unleashed the

increasingly a military—dictatorship. The Supreme Leader retains final veto authority over all government decisions and has empowered the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)— a U.S.-designated terrorist organization—and IRGC-affiliated politicians to manage many aspects of Iran’s domestic and foreign policy, as well as much of its economy. TORTURES AND KILLS OPPONENTS AFTER FRAUDULENT ELECTION

In the immediate aftermath of the fraudulent election, as many as 200 people were killed and

In 2009, Iranian citizens initiated mass protests after fraudulent presidential elections.

Revolutionary Guard and the paramilitary Basij militia to violently suppress the demonstrations. Although the government’s intimidation has been largely successful so far, protests continue to erupt in Tehran and other major cities on national holidays. During the past 18 months, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made clear his support for Ahmadinejad and reminded the world that despite presidential and parliamentary elections, Iran remains a religious—and

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another 4,000 were arrested as part of the initial crackdown on opposition activists. Thousands more have since been arrested. In addition, reports of rape, torture, and executions of political prisoners remain commonplace. IMPOSES HARSH CENSORSHIP AND DENIES FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Claiming the need to protect the “fundamental principles of Islam,” the Iranian regime restricts freedom of speech and of the press, creating a vast system of censorship and self-censorship. The regime suppresses all

TREATS WOMEN AS SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS

The Iranian constitution grants women equal protection under the law. However, due to the regime’s strict adherence to Islamic legal

Iran

criticism of Islamic rule and routinely imprisons journalists who dare to defy its dictates. Reporters Without Borders has awarded Iran the infamous honor of being the country with the greatest number of journalists in jail.

codes, women have little legal standing and are restricted from pursuing careers in numerous advanced fields. While many are well educated—60 percent of Iranian university students are female—they represent a disproportionate number of the unemployed and under-employed. According to the U.S. State Department’s annual report on human rights, women also often receive a disproportionately harsh punishment for crimes such as adultery, which is punishable by death by stoning. RESTRICTS THE FREE EXPRESSION OF RELIGION

While Iran recognizes other forms of Islam, as well as Judaism and Christianity, the regime severely restricts freedom of religion. Conversion from Islam is punishable by life in prison, or death. In particular, the Iranian regime targets members of the Baha’i faith and frequently sentences its leaders to decade-long imprisonment. The U.S. State Department’s report on religious freedom for 2010 states: “The Baha’i religious groups reported arbitrary arrest and prolonged detention, expulsions from universities and confiscation of property. During the reporting period government-controlled broadcast and print media intensified negative campaigns against religious minorities, particularly the Baha’is.”

Iranian protestors voice outrage against the regime, which represses women and restricts the free practice of religion.

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Iran

What Congress Has Done to Oppose Iran’s Human Rights Violations Condemned and Sanctioned Iranian Human Rights Violators. During the past 30 years, Congress has passed dozens of resolutions condemning systematic human rights violations and the denial of basic freedoms in Iran. In 2010, as part of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act (CISADA), Congress for the first time mandated sanctions against individuals responsible for the massive human rights abuses and the government crackdown following the 2009 election. The Obama administration has so far sanctioned eight Iranian officials, including the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and the minister of intelligence. Urged Greater Scrutiny of Repression in Iran. Congress has also urged the administration and the international community to put greater diplomatic emphasis on Iranian human rights violations. Congress has supported the U.S.-led efforts in the United Nations to condemn Iran’s record. Every year for the past seven years, the General Assembly has passed a resolution sponsored by the United States and Canada condemning the “serious ongoing and recurring human rights violations” in Iran. Provided Funding for Democracy Activists. Beginning with the fiscal year 2004 appropriations bill, Congress has provided financial support for the promotion of democracy in Iran. During the past six years, more than $50 million has been appropriated for such efforts. In 2006, Congress passed the Iran Freedom Support Act, declaring that the policy of the United States should be to support human rights and democracy promotion in Iran. Supported Media and Internet Freedom in Iran. In 2003, Congress established Radio Farda to broadcast uncensored news and information to the Iranian people. Radio Farda remains the most popular international radio broadcaster in Iran and maintains one of the most visited Facebook pages. The same year, The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) established its Voice of America Persian language services (the Persian News Network), which provides seven hours of television programming each day. Congress has appropriated tens of millions of dollars to support the BBG’s efforts. More recently, Congress placed greater focus on Internet technology, as the Iranian regime increased censorship and attacked new media to prevent the flow of information and ideas. In February 2010, at the urging of Congress, the administration provided licenses to export anti-censorship software to Iranian democracy activists. As part of CISADA, Congress also prohibited government contracts to any company that provides the regime with technology used to monitor and restrict free speech.

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Peace Process

W HY ISRA EL M ATTERS For more than 60 years, Israel has sought a lasting peace with its Arab neighbors. As the United States works with Israel to pursue this goal, American diplomats should adhere to principles that have guided previous successful negotiations.

Peace Process

SYRIAN & LEBANON

The Peace Process—Key Principles Maintain Close U.S.-Israeli Coordination: The United States should support and work closely with Israel as it charts the course for peace. Press for Direct Negotiations: The United States should press the Palestinians to enter direct talks without preconditions. Resist Distractions: The United States must discourage Palestinians from avoiding direct negotiations by turning to the U.N. Security Council or other parties that would delay actual progress toward peace. Reject Imposed Solutions: America must recognize that no outside party can impose a durable Israeli-Palestinian agreement. Instead, the United States must assist Israelis and Palestinians in negotiating a peace agreement in which they will be invested. Isolate Extremists: The United States should exclude extremists from negotiations until they demonstrate a willingness to live in peace. America should continue to isolate Hamas until it meets the three conditions—recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements—issued by the diplomatic Quartet responsible for mediating the Middle East peace process (the United States, the United Nations, Russia and the European Union). Urge Arab States to Play a Positive Role: The United States should continue to press the Arab states to normalize relations with Israel and take concrete steps to support the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Recognize That Israel Is a Durable Ally: America should remember that the U.S.-Israel relationship rests on shared values and interests that transcend the fluctuating status of negotiations.

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Peace Process

Direct Talks: The Key to Israeli-Palestinian Peace The only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is through direct negotiations. While Israel has worked with the United States to pave the way for serious discussions, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has refused to hold talks with Israel and is taking unilateral steps that only serve to undermine U.S.backed peace efforts.

Key Points • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken far-reaching steps to pave the way for substantive talks with the Palestinians. • Netanyahu has called for a Palestinian state, reduced barriers to movement in the West Bank and implemented an unprecedented 10-month West Bank housing construction moratorium. • Despite these steps, PA President Mahmoud Abbas continues to reject direct talks with Israel. • Instead of negotiating, the Palestinians are taking unilateral steps, including seeking recognition for a Palestinian state outside of talks with Israel. • The Arab states have rebuffed U.S. requests to take concrete steps to support peace talks. • As the United States pursues peace between Israel and its neighbors, it should adhere to the key principles that have guided past negotiations.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Congress should continue to support U.S. diplomatic efforts to bring Israelis and Palestinians into direct negotiations. Congress should stand by the principles detailed in bipartisan House and Senate letters to the Obama administration in 2009, which highlighted the importance of remaining (1) both a trusted mediator between the parties and a devoted friend to Israel and (2) insisting on an absolute Palestinian commitment to end incitement and violence against Israel. Congress should also oppose unilateral Palestinian measures, encourage Arab states to make substantive steps toward peace and urge outside parties to refrain from seeking to impose solutions on the parties. In addition, Congress should continue to support efforts, backed by Israel and the international community, to enhance Palestinian institution building and Israeli-Palestinian cooperation.

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Peace Process

United States and Israel Push for Peace In one of his first acts as president, Barack Obama appointed former Sen. George Mitchell (D-ME) as his special envoy to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. President Obama and Sen. Mitchell asked Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab states to take concrete actions to facilitate talks. Israel responded positively to the president’s request, taking a series of bold steps over a two-year period. For the first time in his career, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in June 2009 that he accepts, and is prepared to negotiate, a twostate solution to the conflict: a demilitarized Palestinian state alongside the Jewish state of Israel. Netanyahu also announced a 10-month moratorium on the construction of new homes in the West Bank on Nov. 25, 2009, a move that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described as “unprecedented.” No Israeli prime minister from either side of the political spectrum had ever agreed to such a freeze on settlements.

Israel removed more than 400 checkpoints and roadblocks in the West Bank to ease Palestinian travel.

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In addition, Israel has removed more than 400 West Bank checkpoints and roadblocks, improving the freedom of movement for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. The improved security situation permitted Israel to allow its Arab citizens to shop in West Bank cities. These actions have significantly boosted the West Bank economy, which has been growing at nearly 10 percent annually— one of the highest growth rates in the world.

The Palestinians Refuse to Hold Direct Talks The Palestinian Authority (PA) has taken an important step by helping to clamp down on terrorism emanating from the West Bank and has made significant progress in institution building for a future Palestinian state. But it has fundamentally rebuffed President Obama’s appeal to return to the negotiating table and has not reciprocated Israel’s positive actions. The PA has refused President Obama’s request to return to direct negotiations without preconditions. And Palestinian leaders have not taken advantage of Israel’s generous confidencebuilding measure to resume peace talks. Instead,

Peace Process

the Palestinians have generated new preconditions, demanding that Israel cease all construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This stance is peculiar, given that recently leaked notes of Palestinian negotiators demonstrate that Palestinians—like Presidents Clinton and Bush—were willing to accept Israeli control over nearly all Jewish neighborhoods in eastern Jerusalem. Palestinian leaders know that Israeli leaders never intended to extend their construction moratorium to their sovereign capital. The government of Prime Minister Netanyahu, in keeping with the position of all prior Israeli governments, views Jerusalem as different in nature from the West Bank and considers Israeli construction within Israel’s capital as completely legal and proper. Moreover, additional construction in Jerusalem has been necessary because Jerusalem’s government must meet the housing and infrastructure requirements of a growing population. Because the Palestinians refuse to enter into direct negotiations with Israel, the United States is pursuing what Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has characterized as “substantive two-way conversations” with the two sides in the hopes of building trust and eventually resuming direct negotiations.

Arab States Rebuff U.S. Call for Normalization with Israel The Obama administration has called on the Arab states to take concrete steps to support the peace process, including beginning to normalize relations with Israel. Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah rebuffed a personal request to take such moves from President Obama, who visited the kingdom in June 2009. In addition, while the Arab Peace Initiative offered normalization with Israel, it required that Israel implement all Arab demands before the Arab states would take any steps. The Arab states also explicitly stated that the terms of the Arab Peace Initiative were not open to negotiation, and they permitted contact with Israel only through states that are already at

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah rebuffed President Obama’s call to take concrete steps to reach out to Israel.

peace with Israel—Egypt and Jordan. The Arab states have also been a driving force behind moves that question Israel’s legitimacy, including international endorsement of the Goldstone report, repeated attacks by the U.N. Human Rights Council and one-sided resolutions proposed to the U.N. Security Council and General Assembly.

Key Principles for the Peace Process As the Obama administration continues to help the two sides pursue peace, it is critical that it keep in mind a number of key principles that are vital to supporting fruitful negotiations. THE U.S. AND ISRAEL SHOULD WORK TOGETHER

The chief guiding principle is that the United States and Israel must always work together, even if they are not in full agreement on every issue. Israel can be more flexible in negotiations when it completely trusts American negotiators. Efforts to go around Israel or pressure the state on issues relating to its security are destined to backfire. When the United States and Israel closely coordinate their approaches to peacemaking and avoid surprises, the chances for success increase.


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Peace Process The United States should continue pressing the PA to ensure its security forces are fighting terrorism.

The United States promotes negotiations in a variety of critical ways. The United States often hosts talks and is in close contact with regional and international partners. It can help rally support for negotiations and opposition to parties trying to undermine them. In the case of Israel’s negotiations with the Palestinians, the United States can help isolate the terrorist organization Hamas until it foreswears terror, accepts Israel’s right to exist and accepts prior Israeli-Palestinian agreements. STRONG U.S. SUPPORT ALLOWS ISRAEL TO PURSUE PEACE

America’s approach—including its special relationship with Israel—is an asset to the negotiations process and has historically made the United States the only outside party trusted by both sides to be an effective mediator. When its security requirements are being addressed and when the United States is backing its efforts, Israel will be more confident and secure as it charts the course toward peace. The United States should continue to promote the need for secure, recognized and defensible borders with the understanding that Israel must determine its own security requirements. Negotiations should also be premised on the belief that a final-status

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agreement between Israel and a Palestinian state would entail the end of all claims between the parties. THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HOLD THE PALESTINIANS ACCOUNTABLE

The United States can take actions that help the parties in a fair-minded way and urge them to maintain their commitments. With respect to the Palestinians, America can support moderate leaders, without abandoning its insistence that the Palestinian Authority decisively act to halt violence, incitement and terror. THE U.S.-ISRAEL RELATIONSHIP TRANSCENDS THE PEACE PROCESS

Beyond the peace process, the United States and Israel have a deep alliance, based on common values, that benefits both countries. The two allies share intelligence, cooperate extensively regarding defense measures and work to counter the mutual threats of terrorism and proliferation. It is critical that this vital cooperation be maintained irrespective of the daily ups and downs of Israel’s negotiations with its Arab neighbors. Similarly, the United States should assert its position as a trusted ally of Israel, providing the support and assurance so essential to Israeli leaders as they consider tough compromises for

DIRECT TALKS—NOT IMPOSED SOLUTIONS— ARE NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS

An enduring solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must arise from the parties themselves and cannot be imposed by the United States or other outside parties, as President Obama made clear at the outset of the new round of talks. “The United States will put our full weight behind this effort,” he said. “We will be an active and sustained participant. We will support those who make difficult choices in pursuit of peace. But let me very clear. Ultimately the United States cannot impose a solution, and we cannot want it more than the parties themselves.” A deal can only work if both parties enter into it willingly, feel vested in it and intend to implement it. Without buy-in from the two parties and the publics they represent, no accord will be viable. UNILATERAL STEPS ARE NOT HELPFUL

Recently, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has openly discussed the possibility of seeking backing for the United Nations for a unilateral

Peace Process

peace. Differences should be worked out with Israel privately. Public differences have allowed the Palestinians to stall U.S. efforts to get the sides back to the negotiating table.

declaration of Palestinian statehood. Although it has not made that move yet, it has sought—and received—recognition from a number of countries of a “Palestinian state” within its own predetermined borders. Such unilateral moves—presumably designed to negate the need to resolve outstanding disputes directly with Israel—are highly destabilizing, undermine trust and fail to advance the goal of a negotiated peace agreement as advocated by the United States. That is why direct, sustained bilateral negotiations—which can be facilitated by the United States—are still the best way forward. ARAB STATES MUST PLAY A ROLE IN SUPPORTING NEGOTIATIONS

The Arab states have a vital role in supporting Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. To foster such efforts, it is critical that the Arab states accept Israel’s right to exist within secure and recognized boundaries. The Arab states can also help support negotiations by fighting terrorists who are seeking to undermine the peace efforts. Additionally, the United States should press Arab states to pay their long-overdue pledges to the PA, which are critical to effective self-governance and economic development today and to lay the groundwork for a future Palestinian state.

The Arab League should encourage the Palestinians to hold talks with Israel and take steps to normalize relations with the Jewish state.


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ISRAEL’S QUEST FOR PEACE Even before the establishment of Israel in 1948, the Jewish community in then-British Mandate Palestine expressed its desire to live in peace with its Arab neighbors. Since its founding amid the ashes of war, Israel has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to make bold, painful concessions such as withdrawing from land and forcibly removing its citizens—in order to reach peace.

1937

Chaim Weizmann, who was to become the first president of Israel, leads a mission to Cairo in 1918 to express the Jewish people’s desire to live in harmony with the Arabs.

1918-1919

Early Zionists Reach Out to Arabs

Jews Accept Peel Commission Report Israel’s future prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, accepts the recommendations of the official British Peel Commission report, which allocated a very small percentage of Palestine to a Jewish state. The Arab governments rejected the plan. A State is Born

1948

1947

Jews Accept U.N. Partition Plan The Jewish community of Palestine, and Zionists worldwide, accept the partition plan approved by the United Nations that would create a Jewish state alongside an Arab state. The Arab states reject the U.N. resolution and prepare to start a war.

1978

Israel’s Offer to Withdraw is Rejected Days after successfully defending itself in the Six-Day War, Israel offers to return captured territories in return for peace treaties. The Arab states reject the offer.

1993

Israel agrees to return the entire Sinai Peninsula, an area almost three times the size of Israel, to Egypt. In 1979, Egypt and Israel sign a peace treaty—the first between Israel and an Arab country.

1967

Israel Signs Camp David Accords with Egypt

Declaring independence, Ben-Gurion says Israel will “extend the hand of peace to all its neighbors” as well as grant “full and equal citizenship and due representation” for the non-Jewish population. In response, the armies of five Arab states invade.

Israel Inks Oslo Agreement Israel grants the Palestinians unprecedented authority over Gaza and parts of the West Bank and starts talks aimed at ending the conflict with the Palestinians.

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2000

1994

Israel Establishes Peace with Jordan Jordan’s King Hussein and Israel’s Yitzhak Rabin sign a peace treaty, making Jordan the second Arab state to recognize Israel. Israel Removes All Soldiers, Citizens from Gaza

Israel Endorses Demilitarized Palestinian State; Impl Implements Settlement Moratorium Moratori

2009-2010

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally endorses the demilitarized Palestinian creation of a demilit state and announces a 10-month moratorium on the construction of new homes in the West Bank. Palestinians Bank refuse to hold refu serious talks despite seri these gestures. the

Israel Makes Historic Offer for Peace Israel agrees to President Clinton’s proposals for peace between Israel and the Palestinians: Israel would cede all of Gaza, 96 percent of the West Bank and additional territory from within pre-1967 Israel, recognize an independent Palestinian state and cede parts of eastern Jerusalem to serve as the Palestinian capital. Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat rejects the offer and launches the worst wave of terrorism in Israel’s history.

2008

At the U.S.-sponsored Annapolis conference, Israel reiterates its commitment to peaceful negotiations with the Palestinians and Arab states.

With backing from the United States, Israel unilaterally withdraws from southern Lebanon after 18 years of maintaining a security zone to prevent attacks on its northern communities. Israel’s step is met with a massive military buildup by Hizballah.

2007

Israel Extends Hand in Peace at Annapolis Conference

2005

With U.S. support, Israel takes a historic step and unilaterally withdraws from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, providing the Palestinians with an unprecedented chance to prove their intention to fight terrorism and govern effectively.

Israel Unilaterally Withdraws from Lebanon

Israel Continues to Seek Peace Despite Daily Attacks Despite daily Hamas rocket fire and other terrorist attacks against its civilians during the year, Israel holds intensive negotiations with the Palestinian Authority to reach an agreement covering all remaining issues.


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Peace Process

What Congress Has Done to Support the Peace Process Opposed a Unilateral Declaration of Palestinian Statehood. In September 2000, Congress passed a law expressing the opposition of the United States to the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state, arguing that such an action would violate the underlying principles of the Oslo Accords and the Middle East peace process. The law, the Peace Through Negotiations Act of 2000, states that the United States would withhold diplomatic recognition of such a state and would urge all other nations to do likewise. The law also spells out sanctions that the United States would impose on the Palestinians should they decide to declare a state unilaterally. In December 2010, the House passed a resolution reiterating its opposition to such a move by the Palestinians. Pressed Palestinians to Make Fundamental Changes. An overwhelming majority of the House and Senate signed letters in 2003 to then-President George W. Bush backing his demands that to restart negotiations the Palestinians must take the following steps: Elect new leaders not tainted by terrorism; implement security, economic and political reforms; and end violence against Israelis. Talks broke down in 2000 when the Palestinians rejected Israel’s peace offer at Camp David and launched the worst wave of terrorism in Israel’s history. Supported Key U.S. Peace Commitments to Israel. The House and Senate overwhelmingly passed resolutions in 2004 strongly endorsing key commitments that President George W. Bush made in an April 14, 2004, letter to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon supporting the Israeli leader’s plan to withdraw from Gaza. The resolutions strongly backed the president’s support for defensible borders that reflect demographic realties and opposition to the Palestinian refugees’ right of return to Israel. Restricted U.S. Aid to Hamas-Led Palestinian Authority. With Hamas joining a national unity government with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction, Congress passed in 2006 the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act, which strengthened the ban on direct U.S. aid to the Palestinians as long as the terrorist organization was part of the government. The law permitted humanitarian assistance to continue through non-governmental organizations. Reinforced Key Peace Process Principles. Throughout the peace process, Congress has taken action to reiterate the key principles vital to supporting Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. In June 2008, House and Senate lawmakers sent letters to President Bush reinforcing Israel’s right to self-defense, calling on the United States to stand strong with Israel at the United Nations and urging the president to press the Arab states to do more to support Israeli-Palestinian talks. In 2009, majorities in the House and Senate sent letters to President Obama reiterating these important principles. Urged Administration to Press Arab States to Take Peace Steps. In August 2009, senators sent a letter to President Obama emphasizing the need for Arab states to take dramatic steps that demonstrate their commitment to peace with Israel. The letter cites the example of Egypt’s President Anwar Sadat, whose historic visit to Jerusalem in 1977 ultimately led to peace between Egypt and the Jewish state.

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Peace Process

The Palestinian Divide Israel’s Palestinian neighbors in the West Bank and Gaza are ruled by two separate bodies with strikingly different leaderships and ideologies. This dual governance compounds the difficulty of negotiating and implementing an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

Key Points • The Palestinian Authority (PA) governs in the West Bank, where the dominant political force is the Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) Fatah Party. • The PLO and PA have said that they are committed to reaching an agreement with Israel and have engaged in on and off talks. • Today, the PA is working with Israel and America to improve the security and economic situation among West Bank Palestinians. • The U.S.-designated terrorist group Hamas, which is committed to destroying Israel and replacing it with an Islamic state, rules the Gaza Strip. • Hamas has used Gaza as a base for more than 7,000 rocket and mortar attacks on Israel and has imposed strict Islamic law. • The United States and much of the international community have worked to isolate the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Congress should continue to support Palestinian leaders committed to peace with Israel and opposed to violence and terror. Congress should press the PA leadership to resume direct negotiations with Israel without preconditions. It should also continue to insist that Hamas cannot be a partner for negotiations until it meets key requirements demanded by the international community: recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements. Congress should continue its oversight of American-led security efforts that enable the PA to work together with Israel to fight terror in the West Bank. Congress should also encourage the PA to build free and accountable government institutions, end incitement and educate its children about peaceful coexistence with Israel. Briefing Book: Peace

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Peace Process

Hamas Seizes Control of Gaza After Israeli Withdrawal In August 2005, Israel took a bold step by unilaterally withdrawing from Gaza, which Israel captured during the 1967 Six-Day War. In a dramatic move that caused great trauma among the Israeli public, Israel dismantled all 21 settlements in Gaza, relocated roughly 8,500 residents and removed all its soldiers. At that time, the PA governed in both the West Bank and Gaza. Israel had hoped that the PA would use this opportunity to demonstrate its capacity to govern and improve the life of Gaza’s population. For some, Israel’s withdrawal provided a chance

the Hamas-led government and established a technocratic government led by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, whose government controls the West Bank. However, Hamas remains in control of Gaza.

Hamas Expands Weapons Smuggling, Military Infrastructure Since the 2007 coup, Hamas has expanded both the quantity and sophistication of its weapons arsenal. Hamas manufactures Qassam rockets, which it has indiscriminately fired at such Israeli border towns as Sderot. Hamas has also imported more destructive longer-range Katyusha rockets, targeting major Israeli

In 2007, Hamas carried out a bloody coup against Fatah, taking control of the Gaza Strip by force.

to show that Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian-populated areas could galvanize a process of reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians and, ultimately, peace between Israel and a Palestinian state. Unfortunately, that did not happen. After Israel withdrew, Hamas-led radical forces shattered the prospects for building peace. First, Hamas won parliamentary elections in January 2006 and led a unity government with Fatah, the party of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Then, in June 2007, Hamas carried out a bloody coup against the Fatah Party, forcibly taking over the Gaza Strip. After the coup, Abbas dismissed 122


population centers, including Ashkelon, which has more than 100,000 residents. Between 2002 and 2010, Hamas fired 11,330 rockets and missiles at Israel. Today, the terrorist group possesses more than 5,000 rockets and missiles, including some that can reach Tel Aviv. Iran and other radical regimes have provided Hamas with extensive financial and military aid.

United States, Israel Help Improve Conditions in the West Bank The United States and Israel have worked with Palestinian leaders to improve security and economic conditions in the West Bank.

Hamas Refuses to End Violence, Accept Israel While the West Bank has undergone positive changes, the situation in Gaza continues to lag behind because of Hamas. After Hamas

Peace Process

With U.S. training, PA security forces have made a dramatic improvement in the West Bank security situation. They also coordinated thousands of missions with Israel during the past two years. As a result, Israel has removed more than 400 checkpoints and roadblocks, allowing for easier movement of Palestinians, increased commerce and the completion of major infrastructure projects. The West Bank economy has been growing close to 10 percent annually, one of the highest in the world. Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has taken robust steps to build government institutions and root out corruption and nepotism. And, the number of terrorist attacks originating from the West Bank has dropped precipitously.

launched thousands of rockets at Israeli civilians, Israel began a military operation in Gaza in late 2008 aimed at ending the rocket fire. The Israeli campaign succeeded in restoring a measure of calm to Israeli border communities, but some rocket attacks continue. Even in difficult circumstances, Israel has been committed to ensuring that the Palestinian people in Gaza continue to receive needed humanitarian supplies. Since the end of Israel’s military operation in early 2009, more than 1.5 million tons of humanitarian aid have been delivered to the Gaza Strip. In 2010, Israel also expanded the transit of normal commercial goods into Gaza, with an average of 1,000 truckloads entering Gaza every week. Unfortunately, Gaza’s Hamas leadership does not accept the basic commitments undertaken by previous Palestinian leaders— recognition of Israel and cessation of violence and terror. Hamas’ violence and rhetoric will further isolate Gaza and imperil the prospects for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

The economy in the West Bank is growing at nearly 10 percent per year, among the highest rates in the world.


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What Congress Has Done to Support the PA and Isolate Hamas Pressed for Isolating Hamas for Terrorist Activity. Members of Congress have sent letters, made floor statements and passed legislation and resolutions regarding the direct threat that Hamas’ rejectionism and violence pose to Israel and to U.S. peace efforts. The United States has consistently declared Hamas a terrorist organization and rejected any attempts to engage Hamas. Then-President Bill Clinton first designated Hamas a terrorist organization in 1997, and this policy has been fully supported and strengthened by subsequent U.S. administrations and by Congress. Prevented Funding for Any Hamas-Led Government. Congress has provided significant funding to the Palestinians since 1993, the beginning of the Oslo peace process. The Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 remains one of the strongest displays of congressional action to ensure that aid does not go to Hamas or to a government in which Hamas participates. The law strengthens the ban on direct U.S. aid to the Palestinians—unless the president certifies that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is not controlled by a terrorist organization—while permitting humanitarian assistance through non-governmental organizations to continue. Called on the United States and EU to Ensure that Hamas Meets Standards for Recognition. In 2007, large majorities of the House and Senate sent letters to both the Bush administration and to the European Union urging them not to grant any aid or recognition to Hamas until it agrees to recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements. Supported Funds for PA Security Forces. Since 2007, Congress has provided more than $200 million to the PA for the training of its security forces to combat extremists and maintain order in Palestinian areas.

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The Role of the Arab States The Arab states can positively impact the chances for Israeli-Palestinian peace, both by improving their own ties to Israel and by encouraging the Palestinian leadership to resume direct talks with Israel. These actions can help create an atmosphere of peace and support a realistic Palestinian negotiating posture.

Key Points • Israel has signed peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan, but the remaining Arab states have failed to follow their example. • When Arab nations establish ties with Israel, they signal their willingness to live in peace. This action can provide material support to peace efforts. • Arab support for Palestinian elements willing to negotiate with Israel, like the Palestinian Authority (PA), would demonstrate their backing for ultimate peace. • Arab states should normalize relations with Israel, provide direct financial assistance to the PA and support direct talks between Israel and the PA without preconditions. • When Arab states seek to delegitimize Israel at home or in international bodies, they undermine the prospects for durable peace. • Arab leaders should end incitement and boycotts against Israel and begin preparing their publics for peace with the Jewish state.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Because the Arab states can profoundly impact the peace process, Congress should continue to press Arab states to support U.S.-led peace efforts by encouraging Palestinian leadership to return to the negotiating table. Congress should ask Arab leaders to increase funding for the PA, normalize relations with Israel and prepare their own publics to make the necessary compromises for peace. Congress should also discourage Arab countries from verbally assaulting Israel at the United Nations.


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Egypt and Jordan Have Signed Peace Treaties With Israel Since its founding, Israel has strived to make peace with its neighbors. With the help of the United States and willing Arab partners, Israel has signed peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan. Egypt became the first Arab country to make peace with the Jewish state when Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signed a comprehensive peace treaty on March 26, 1979. Fifteen years later, Jordan recognized Israel when Jordan’s King Hussein signed a peace accord with Israeli

a Palestinian state. Because internal Palestinian politics are fraught with sharp divisions, the Arab nations’ support for direct negotiations with Israel would give Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas important political cover to enter into talks and make necessary compromises for an agreement—one that includes such complex issues as the status of Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees. Not only should Arab states provide Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad with political support, but with vital financial support as well. Strong financial support would help the

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah and other Arab leaders need to support Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas so he can make necessary compromises for peace.

Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Some Arab states have participated in various peace conferences and summits during the past few decades and have, on occasion, established low-level relations. However, none has followed the examples of Egypt and Jordan and officially ended their conflicts with Israel.

Arab States Need to Take Steps for Peace There are a number of key steps that the Arab states can take to help foster the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. SUPPORT PALESTINIAN LEADERS COMMITTED TO PEACE WITH ISRAEL

The Arab states must strongly back U.S. peace efforts if they are truly committed to establishing

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PA build the institutions necessary to create a stable state and implement a peace treaty with Israel. Supporting the PA, rather than Hamas, would demonstrate to opponents of peace that the Arab world rejects the path of violence and deligitimization of Israel. NORMALIZE RELATIONS AND CONDITION THE ENVIRONMENT FOR PEACE

In 2002, the Arab League put forth the Arab Peace Initiative. Among the provisions of this “take it or leave it” proposal, Arab states would agree to peace with Israel only if Israel implemented all Arab territorial demands. The Arab Peace Initiative could provide a basis for dialogue between the Arabs and Israel if Arab states used it as an opening to negotiations, rather than as an ultimatum. Unfortunately, the Arab world has not yet chosen that path.

Rather than issue ultimatums or condone violent alternatives, the Arab states should normalize relations with Israel and take serious steps to help the Palestinians build a better life. “The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems,” said President Obama in his landmark Cairo speech in June 2009 to the Muslim world. “Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state, to recognize Israel’s legitimacy and to choose progress over a selfdefeating focus on the past.” Despite repeated urgings by the Obama administration to begin normalizing relations, the Arab states have failed to take any initial steps, such as allowing Israeli commercial jets to fly over their airspace or supporting cultural exchanges.

Peace Process

Indeed, in a 2007 summit in Riyadh, the Arab League reaffirmed the 2002 Initiative, while issuing a a statement that called comprehensive peace only “a strategic option”; it did not rule out other options, such as continued violence.

END THE ARAB LEAGUE BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL

Since Israel’s founding in 1948, the Arab League has maintained an official boycott of Israeli companies and Israeli-made goods. In 1994, Saudi Arabia—along with the other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council—announced that it would no longer enforce the secondary and tertiary boycotts of Israel. To date, each of the Gulf countries has a different level of compliance with the Arab boycott; several of them still enforce it. Ending the boycott would be a major signal to Israel that the Arab states are committed to peace. Furthermore, it would show their own populations that change is needed to end the conflict. END ATTACKS AGAINST ISRAEL AT THE UNITED NATIONS AND IN INTERNATIONAL FORUMS

The Arab states have used the United Nations as a platform to promote an anti-Israel agenda. Instead of continuing to propose one-sided resolutions, present biased reports or lead Israel-bashing sessions, the Arab states should use the United Nations to promote areas of potential cooperation on such issues as the nuclear threat from Iran and regional environmental matters.

Arab League officials continue to maintain a boycott of the Jewish state.


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What Congress Has Done to Press the Arab States Called on Arab States to Take Steps to Support the Peace Process. Congress has often urged Arab states to support the peace process. In 2009, strong majorities in the House and Senate wrote to President Obama, calling on him to encourage Arab states to bolster peace efforts and to take demonstrative steps toward reconciliation with Israel, such as those taken by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat when he traveled to Israel in 1977. Opposed Arab League Boycott of Israel. Congress has played a leading role in the anti-boycott movement for decades—writing language in foreign assistance laws that express U.S. opposition to the Arab boycott. More than 30 years ago, Congress approved legislation forbidding U.S. businesses from participating in the boycott. Congress has also sought to condition trade agreements with Arab nations on their agreement to cease participation in the Arab boycott. For example, when Saudi Arabia sought World Trade Organization membership and when Oman and Bahrain were negotiating Free Trade Agreements with the United States, Congress pushed for requirements to end their participation in economic, political and cultural boycotts.

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Syria-Lebanon

SYRIA AND LEBANON Syria and the terrorist group Hizballah—which continues to expand its political and military power in Lebanon—threaten Israel and are undermining U.S. interests in the region.

Syria-Lebanon

SYRIAN & LEBANON

Syria and Lebanon — Key Principles Maintain Strict Sanctions on Syria: Congress must ensure that sanctions are enforced against Syria until it ends it support of terrorism and reveals the truth regarding its nuclear program. Condition Aid to Lebanon: With Hizballah’s hand-picked candidate now serving as prime minister in Lebanon, U.S. funding to the Lebanese Armed Forces should be re-evaluated. The United States should make sure that military assistance to Lebanon in no way aids Hizballah and facilitates Lebanon's implementation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Prevent Hizballah’s Military Buildup: The United States must urge strict United Nations enforcement of Security Council resolutions designed to dismantle Hizballah while pressing Syria and other nations to stop transferring arms to that terrorist organization. Combat Hizballah’s Terrorism: The United States must continue to counter Hizballah’s terrorist capabilities. Hizballah has killed more Americans than any terrorist group except al-Qaeda. Support Special Tribunal in Lebanon: The United States should continue to back the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which is opposed by Hizballah and Syria, and assist it to successfully prosecute those who assassinated former Lebanese Prime Pinister Rafik Hariri.

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Syria: Undermining Peace and Stability Syria’s support of terrorism, cooperation with Iran and interference in Lebanon undermine U.S. interests in the region.

Key Points • Syria’s support of Hamas and Hizballah undermine U.S. peace efforts. • Syria provides the terrorist group Hizballah with increasingly sophisticated weaponry and is destabilizing Lebanon. • Syria maintains advanced missile and chemical weapons programs and refuses to address concerns about its nuclear program. • Syria has rejected repeated U.S. outreach efforts aimed at improving relations and ending Syria’s destabilizing actions.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play Congress should continue to press for the expansion of sanctions against Syria until Damascus changes its destabilizing behavior. As the Obama administration attempts to engage Syria to determine whether the regime will play a more productive role in the region and distance itself from Iran, Congress must ensure that Syria does not exploit this outreach. With Syria already maintaining the largest stockpile of biological and chemical weapons in the Arab world, Congress must also press for a full investigation into the Syrian nuclear program.

Briefing Book: Syria-Lebanon

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Syria Continues Strong Support of Terrorism Syria has been a charter member of the U.S. list of designated State Sponsors of Terrorism since the list’s inception in 1979. Syria provides financial, political and diplomatic support to numerous terrorist groups, including Hizballah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Iraqi insurgents. Syria’s continued support of terrorism undermines U.S.-led peace efforts in the region. SYRIA IGNORES U.S. CALLS TO END SUPPORT OF PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS

Syria is a safe haven for Palestinian terrorist groups that target Israeli civilians. Numerous promises—most notably in April 2003 to Secretary of State Colin Powell—to close the Damascus offices of these groups remain unfulfilled. The headquarters of almost a dozen Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas, are still open and operational. SYRIA HELPS HIZBALLAH AMASS ARSENAL IN LEBANON

In the aftermath of the 2006 war between Hizballah and Israel, Syria has played a key role in helping Hizballah to rearm, in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Syria is

Syria continues to allow Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups to operate offices in Damascus.

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both a transit route for Iranian weapons shipments to Hizballah and a key supplier of advanced weapons to the terrorist group. Syria has provided its most advanced, longrange guided rockets to Hizballah. Indeed, Pentagon officials believe that Syria has transferred 10 Scud-D missiles to Hizballah. These ballistic missiles are capable of targeting all of Israel and represent a significant advancement in the terrorist group’s military capabilities. The fact that Syria is willing to provide Hizballah with such weapons demonstrates both Syria’s reckless disregard for regional stability and the depth of the relationship between these terrorists and Damascus. SYRIA BACKS TERRORISTS ATTACKING U.S. TROOPS IN IRAQ

Syria has taken a leading role in facilitating— both financially and logistically—the transit of foreign fighters into Iraq. Although there has been a decrease in the number of foreign fighters during the past two years, U.S. and Iraqi officials maintain that Syria continues to allow terrorists to cross into Iraq to carry out major attacks against American troops and Iraqi civilians.

Syria-Lebanon Syrian President Bashar Assad and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad work together to support Hamas and Hizballah.

Syria Continues to Interfere in Lebanon Despite the end of its illegal 30-year occupation of Lebanon in 2005, Syria continues to play the unwelcomed role of a power-broker in that country. Syria’s pervasive intelligence and patronage network undermines the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon. Furthermore, Syrian interference has forced pro-Western Lebanese officials to accede to Hizballah’s political demands and has allowed the terrorist group to expand its influence. Today, tensions are rising as the U.N.-established Special Tribunal for Lebanon that is investigating the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri nears the release of sealed indictments.

Interim reports from the investigation indicate that officials believe that Syrian leadership orchestrated and conducted the attack. Additional reports suggest that the indictments may include top Hizballah officials as well. These speculations prompted Hizballah and its allies in the Lebanese cabinet to resign, which toppled the government. Both Syria and Hizballah have been pressuring the Lebanese government to disavow the Tribunal. The Hizballah-led coalition has hand-picked the new Lebanese prime minister and has pressed him to disavow the Tribunal.

Syria Rejects U.S. Outreach Efforts As part of the Obama administration’s emphasis on engagement, U.S. policy toward Syria has


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focused on a renewed effort to encourage Damascus to distance itself from Iran and become a more productive regional actor. Five years after the United States withdrew its ambassador following the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the Obama administration announced its nomination of career foreign service officer Robert Ford as the ambassador to Syria. After Senate inaction on the nomination, President Obama made a recess appointment of Ford in late 2010. U.S. officials have taken more than a dozen trips to Damascus during the past two years in efforts to communicate U.S. goals to the

Syrian Preconditions Derail Talks with Israel During the Oslo era of the 1990s, Israel and Syria engaged in U.S.-sponsored talks culminating with the January 2000 meeting between thenIsraeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and then-Syrian President Hafez al-Assad. Although the parties appeared close to finalizing an agreement, a deal could not be reached. Assad died six months later, and his son Bashar al-Assad assumed the presidency. Since that time, Syria and Israel have negotiated on and off through third parties. Between 2007 and 2008, Turkey facilitated indirect negotiations between the two nations.

Syrian President Bashar Assad has rejected repeated outreach efforts by the Obama administration.

Syrian leadership and press the regime to end its destabilizing behavior. This outreach culminated in a meeting between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem in September 2010. Despite sincere and determined engagement by the Obama administration, Syria has rebuffed this U.S. outreach. Instead, Syria has strengthened its relationships with Iran and Hizballah. During this period, administration officials have assured Congress that they understand the importance of the 2003 Syria Accountability Act and will not seek to lift sanctions until Syria significantly changes its behavior.

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However, following Israel’s defensive operations in Gaza at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009, Syria suspended peace talks with Israel. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have called for a resumption of peace talks and have volunteered to meet with the Syrian leadership as soon as possible. However, Syria has imposed a precondition before it will resume any peace talks: an Israeli commitment to a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights. Syrian leaders have also stated that Damascus will continue to support terrorist groups and have close relations with Iran even if it reaches a peace agreement with Israel.


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Haifa fa

28 mi.

Netanya

Mediterranean Sea

LEBANON

Jenin

Nazareth

Tiberias

ISRAEL

Tulkarm

Kuneitra

JORDAN

Jordan River

SYRIA

Damascus

0

10 mi.

SCALE


B EKAA VA LLEY

Yarmuk River

Sea of Galilee

Katzrin

GO LA N HE IGHTS

Qiryat Shemona

Sheb Fa Sheba Farms Metulla

Litani Rive River

WE ST BANK

Tyre

58 mi.

Beirut

I S R A E L’ S N O R T H E R N B O R D E R

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What Congress Has Done to Change Syrian Behavior Passed Tough Sanctions on Damascus for Interfering in Lebanon. In December 2003, Congress passed the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act, imposing diplomatic and economic sanctions on Syria for violating Lebanese sovereignty, for backing terrorist groups in Iraq and for maintaining weapons of mass destruction programs. The new sanctions included prohibiting the export of American products to Syria and barring American businesses from investing or operating in Syria. Syria had already been banned from receiving U.S. foreign aid or military goods because of its addition to the State Sponsors of Terrorism list in 1979. Backed Sanctions on Syria for Pursuing Weapons of Mass Destruction. In 2005, Congress expanded the Iran Non-Proliferation Act to authorize sanctions against entities that support Syria’s efforts to obtain weapons of mass destruction. Syria maintains the largest stockpile of chemical weapons in the region and has conducted research into various biological weapons. An investigation by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) provides strong evidence that Syria also has been pursuing nuclear weapons. Condemned Syrian Interference in Lebanon. In October 2007, the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed resolutions that reaffirm U.S. support for a democratic Lebanon and condemn Syria’s continued support of terrorist groups that undermine Lebanese stability and sovereignty.

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Hizballah: Amassing Arms and Power Hizballah is a terrorist organization with global reach that continues to expand its influence over the Lebanese government. Supported by Iran and Syria, Hizballah poses a direct threat to American national security interests and to Israel.

Key Points • U.S. officials describe Hizballah as the most technically capable terrorist organization. Centered in Lebanon, Hizballah targets U.S. allies and interests in the Middle East and across the world. • Hizballah, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, has killed more Americans than any terrorist group other than al-Qaeda. • Hizballah acts as a proxy in Iran’s efforts to destroy Israel and was founded as an organization dedicated to Israel’s “obliteration.” • Hizballah’s Iranian- and Syrian-supplied arsenal of more than 55,000 short- and long-range rockets threatens all Israeli population centers. • Hizballah’s refusal to disarm and its expanding influence over the Lebanese government is a threat to regional stability.

The Important Role That Congress Can Play During deliberations on foreign aid legislation, Congress has played an important oversight role in assuring proper use of U.S. assistance by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). With Hizballah's hand-picked candidate now chosen as Lebanon's prime minister, Congress should reevaluate U.S. funding for the LAF. America should make sure that military assistance to Lebanon in no way aids Hizballah and facilitates Lebanon's implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolutions.


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Hizballah Serves as Iran’s Proxy Along Israel’s Border More than four years after the end of the 2006 war between Israel and Hizballah, the terrorist group has amassed a larger and more sophisticated arsenal than ever before. With the support of Iran and Syria, Hizballah flagrantly violates U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which established a cease-fire and called for Hizballah’s disarmament. Instead, Hizballah has amassed a stockpile of more than 55,000 rockets and mortars, including hundreds of advanced

exporting or trading weapons. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)—itself a designated terrorist organization—provides Hizballah with training, weapons and more than $200 million each year, making Hizballah the largest recipient of Iranian aid.

Syria Helps Hizballah Advance Military Capabilities Syria serves as a transit point for Iranian weapons and provides its own military and technical support to Hizballah. In the view of American

Hizballah, which has consolidated political power in Lebanon, serves as Iran’s proxy in the unstable country.

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guided rockets capable of hitting all of Israel. U.S. officials, including Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, have said that Hizballah’s military capabilities now dwarf those of many nations.

and Israeli defense officials, Syrian-Hizballah ties have advanced over the past five years to the point that the Syrian leadership views Hizballah as an extension of its own military.

As the leading state sponsor of terrorism, Iran has utilized Hizballah as a vehicle for exporting its revolutionary ideology and promoting terrorism. Together, Iran and Hizballah have built alliances with narcotics traffickers in Latin America and terrorist groups throughout the Middle East, including Iraqi insurgents who attack U.S. forces.

Even a dramatic increase in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) presence in Lebanon since the 2006 war has not stopped the flow of weapons to Hizballah. Hizballah has rebuilt its weapons inventories in southern Lebanon and has pre-positioned weapons in Lebanese villages.

By providing sophisticated weapons to Hizballah in the aftermath of the 2006 war, Iran blatantly violates numerous Security Council resolutions, including U.N. Security Council Resolution 1747, which forbids Iran from

Top Israeli and American officials have accused Syria of transferring some of its most advanced missiles to Hizballah. Pentagon officials believe that Syria has transferred 10 Scud-D missiles to the terrorist group, according to a WikiLeaks


Growing Hizballah Power Undermines Lebanese Stability Following Lebanon’s 2005 Cedar Revolution, which ended Syria’s 30-year occupation of Lebanon, the United States became one of Lebanon’s largest donors. America has provided the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with more than $700 million in security assistance. Despite this effort to counter Hizballah, the terrorist group has greatly strengthened its political power. In May 2008, Hizballah launched attacks on civilian neighborhoods in Beirut, placing the country on the brink of civil war. Weeks later, after the worst outbreak of intra-Lebanese violence since the end of the Lebanese civil war, the pro-Western March 14th movement and Hizballah reached a temporary agreement granting Hizballah increased leverage in the cabinet. The following year, Hizballah suffered an electoral setback in parliamentary elections. Despite its victory, the pro-Western majority was unable to govern until it agreed to form a unity government with

Syria-Lebanon

report picked up by the New York Times last December. These ballistic missiles can target all of Israel; they constitute a strategic weapon and a significant escalation on the part of Hizballah.

the Hizballah-led opposition, which controlled a blocking third of the cabinet. In January 2011, Hizballah forced the collapse of the previous government because the cabinet refused to cave to its demands to denounce the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon investigating the assassination of former Prime Minster Rafik Hariri. Hizballah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah has pledged to “cut off the hand” of anyone attempting to enforce indictments against Hizballah officials. The Lebanese parliament has selected the Hizballah-backed, pro-Syrian candidate Najib Mitaki as the next prime minister, raising serious questions about the continued provision of U.S. assistance to Lebanon, which should be reevaluated. With Hizballah’s handpicked candidate now in control, the U.S.-designated terrorist group will certainly play a larger role in government decisionmaking—perhaps the dominant role.This development comes as the LAF has failed to disarm Hizballah and has increased its cooperation with the terrorist group. U.S. and Israeli officials have become increasingly concerned about the LAF’s prospective misuse of U.S. weapons and Hizballah’s ability to indirectly benefit from this aid.

Hizballah continues to amass weapons despite a U.N. security resolution demanding its disarmament.


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What Congress Has Done to Isolate Hizballah Urged the EU to Designate Hizballah as a Terrorist Group. In March 2005, the House and Senate passed resolutions urging the European Union (EU) to designate Hizballah as a terrorist organization. A decade earlier, the United States had designated the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Congress urged the EU to prohibit the funding of Hizballah and recognize the organization as a threat to global security. While individual countries have taken steps to ban Hizballah’s fundraising activities, the EU as a body has not sanctioned Hizballah. Called for the Designation of Al-Manar as a Terrorist Organization. A July 2005 letter signed by 51 Senators—including now-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton—urged the Bush administration to place AlManar on the Treasury Department’s Specially Designated Global Terrorist Entity (SDGT) list. Al-Manar is the official television station of Hizballah and has a history of broadcasting anti-Israel, anti-Semitic and antiAmerican material. The administration sanctioned Al-Manar the following year. Condemned Hizballah and Reaffirmed Israel’s Right to Self-Defense. During the 2006 war between Israel and Hizballah, the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed resolutions reaffirming Israel’s right to self-defense against Hizballah’s unprovoked attacks. The resolutions also condemned Syria and Iran for supporting Hizballah. Provided Economic and Military Assistance to Lebanon. In the aftermath of the 2006 war between Hizballah and Israel, Congress dramatically increased aid to the Lebanese army as a way to help build a national institution after years of Syrian domination and to counter Hizballah’s growing influence. Since 2007, the United States has provided more than $1.3 billion in aid to Lebanon, including more than $700 million in security assistance. As part of the appropriations and authorization process, Congress has provided important oversight for this military assistance, requiring the Secretary of State to provide a detailed spending plan prior to the provision of aid.

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