Senators introduce legislation aimed at bolstering support for Israel
September 22, 2016
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Kelly Ayotte (R-New Hampshire), John McCain (R-Arizona), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mark Kirk (R-Illinois), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), and Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) today introduced legislation which will provide Israel $1.5 billion to counter the increasing threats emanating from Iran.
The funding — $750 million for missile defense and $750 million in direct assistance to Israel’s military – will be in addition to funding provided in the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The legislation also extends the Iran Sanctions Act through the end of the Iranian nuclear deal.
“Israel faces increasing threats from a provocative Iranian regime who has threatened to wipe Israel off the map,” said Senator Graham. “Israel also faces threats from Iranian-backed terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. The recent nuclear deal has left Iran flush with cash. It’s important we make clear to the Iranian regime that we continue to stand with our close ally and are committed to Israel’s defense.”
“Iran is using its financial windfall from the ill-advised nuclear deal to increasingly threaten the U.S. and Israel— our closest and most reliable ally in the Middle East,” said Senator Ayotte. “We have to make sure our aid to Israel reflects the growing threat they face. Iran is using the cash it has received from the Obama administration’s ransom payment for its military expansion and terrorist activities to target the United States and Israel—potentially including a larger, more accurate, fleet of ballistic missiles and more weapons for Hezbollah.
The senators noted the amount is a fraction — 1 percent – of the amount of assistance provided to the Iranian regime since completion of the nuclear accord. Since the agreement was completed, Iran has fired four missiles in defiance of United Nations resolutions. Iran also continues to provide support to terrorists groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
