Defending Our Allies

I was invited to Sunday night's AIPAC Dinner in Boston, where I had a chance to join 1,000 people in supporting a strong U.S.-Israeli strategic partnership. The event was picketing by a group of protesters who blame Israel for the plight of the Palestinians and continued violence in the Middle East. I didn't see similar protests against South Korea or Taiwan, which are also U.S. allies facing threats to their very existence.

I was asked to outline my views on these issues in a White Paper, which I am happy to share below:

White Paper: Defending Our Allies in the Middle East

Assisting Our Allies
The United States and Israel have signed their second Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), outlining the expected level of foreign aid over the next ten years. This agreement builds on the first MOU signed in 1998, and anticipates $30 billion in assistance over the next ten years.

The strategic partnership between the U.S. and Israel has broad, bipartisan support, and has been crucial to preserving Israel’s existence over the past sixty years. With hostile neighbors on all sides, Israel must be able to maintain its military superiority in order to survive. Israel and the U.S. are two of the international partners in the development of the Joint Strike Fighter. Continued air dominance will allow Israel to defend itself and deter its enemies from attacking.

Confronting Our Enemies
Iran’s irresponsible leadership continues to destabilize the Middle East, and can not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. While the latest intelligence estimates state that Iran has halted warhead development, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues to pursue fissionable nuclear material and development of longer range missiles, two of the three steps necessary for deploying nuclear weapons. Ahmadinejad has also stated that “Israel must be wiped off the map,” and continues to oppose American interests around the world.

Both Hamas and Hezbollah continue to wage war against Israeli civilians, attacking and killing Israelis and visitors of all faiths with indiscriminate rocket attacks and bombings. Both are unrepentant terrorist organizations, and should not be treated otherwise. The Palestinian people have been used as pawns by the Arab states, and cursed with criminal leadership. They deserve leaders who seek peace and recognize Israel’s right to exist.

Promoting Peace and Freedom
Israel remains an oasis of freedom in a desert of oppression. The economic, political, and religious freedoms in Israel provide hope and opportunity to people of all faiths throughout the Middle East, with the capitol of Jerusalem remaining a peaceful destination for the world’s three great monotheistic faiths.

Peace in the Middle East will require people of all faiths and all ethnicities to renounce violence, to recognize Israel’s right to exist, and to support religious and political freedom throughout the region. No other U.S. ally faces the same day-to-day threat to its existence as Israel, and so no other needs such strong support. While other nations seek to blame Israel for violence in the Middle East and the plight of the Palestinian people, we must recognize that Israel has taken extraordinary steps and made extraordinary concessions in search of peace. We must continue to support the right of Israel to defend itself, as is the right of all free people. We need not always agree with the Israeli government, nor any other ally, for the United States to remain committed to supporting one of its closest friends.

For more information: www.Bosse2008.com