Families for James Lankford

A Strong and Consistent Relationship

Israel and the United States have a unique relationship and special bond among nations.  Both nations were birthed out of incredible adversity to form prosperous and free democracies, in spite of incredible opposition.  Both nations forcibly defended their right to exist as a free and independent nation for years after the signing of their Declaration of Independence.   Both nations are consistent supporters of free market economics and basic human rights.  Both nations are a melting pot of people who have immigrated from all over the world.  In the Middle East, the relationship between America and Israel remains distinct from any other relationship because no other nation in the Middle East has the same commitment to freedom, justice and peace.  But, while the United States reaches its history back in centuries, Israel traces her history in millennia.

The United States enjoys a peaceful relationship with Canada and Mexico, but Israel is surrounded by aggressive neighbors who do not recognize Israel’s right to exist as a free and independent nation.  The United States enjoys the prosperity of peace and the freedom to spend a smaller portion of her GDP on defense, while Israel does not have that luxury.  Both the United States and Israel face a common threat that does not regard human life, country or borders: radical Islamic fascism.  Since the 1979 overthrow of the Shah of Iran, the Iranian Revolution has been the powder keg of anti-Israel and anti-freedom radical views.  The Islamic fascists are willing to kill any infidel, destroy any enemy and overthrow any government it can infiltrate.  While Americans errantly view Islamic fascism as a distant threat; Israelis see the threat on their doorstep every day.  Iran focuses all of its attention on the expansion of its influence and the destruction of Israel. 

In the Middle East region, extremist Muslim leaders build coalitions around a common hatred for Israel.   For instance, Iraq attacked Israel in 1991 to divert the attention of the Muslim world away from its own atrocities during the Gulf War.  The Arab world and the United Nations often seek international sanctions against Israel, while they fail to pursue basic human rights within the borders of Muslim countries.

More than twenty years ago, as a college student majoring in Secondary Education (History and Speech), I used an elective class to study the Hebrew Bible under a brilliant Jewish history professor. His unique insight into the scripture, as well as the issues of the day, caused me to seriously consider for the first time the issues surrounding Israel.  Even as a committed Christian, I understood the special relationship and the unique issues surrounding the United States and Israel.

America has a clear ally in the Middle East region and it is Israel.  In the past two years, America has changed our strategy of negotiating Middle East peace.  We have moved toward a neutral position in negotiations, even occasionally demonstrating an inexplicable deference toward the Palestinians.  This ambiguity creates a destabilizing effect on the region and increases the possibility of aggression.  The United States must stand with Israel as a friend and allow other nations to play the role of the neutral broker.  Peace will not advance when America acts weak and forces Israel to also act weak.  Peace will have the opportunity to develop when the Islamic nations surrounding Israel see that Israel has a loyal and consistent ally in the United States.

Palestinian leaders have demonstrated an inability to develop stable and peaceful governmental structures in Gaza and the West Bank.  This instability has created a breeding ground for extremist groups and terrorism.  Local Palestinian leaders have been unwilling to denounce and subjugate the terrorism within their borders, which leaves Israel with no choice but to use military intervention to defend its own people and sovereignty.

Peace Process – Peace has been the dream and the primary task of the nation of Israel since its rebirth in 1948.  While Israel has given land and participated in enumerable peace talks, their outreach has been met with a continued resolve for their destruction.  Peace cannot be imposed from any outside party, including the United States.  Israel is a sovereign nation that is capable of self-determination.  America should stand as a strong consistent ally in all negotiations and allow other nations to function as a neutral third party when it is needed.  But, any peace process must include neighboring nations who have failed to accept Israel’s right to exist under the U.N. Security Council Resolution 242.

Nuclear Free Middle East – The current United Nations conversation about a “nuclear free” Middle East is irrational and unreasonable because Israel is specifically named, while Iran has been left out.  There is no global conversation about the United Kingdom putting aside all nuclear arms, because their past behavior demonstrates they are consistently peaceful and mean no harm to their neighbors.  The same can be said of Israel, but the same cannot be said of Iran.  Israel and Iran are not morally equivalent nations and they should not be forced to live under the same international guidelines.  The nations around Israel have no right to determine how Israel may defend itself, especially when they do not recognize the right of Israel to exist.  The United States should reject any treaty that seeks to reduce the defensive capabilities of Israel, including nuclear capabilities, should they exist.    

Protecting Israel’s Borders – Israel has the right to protect its people by maintaining border security, by any method necessary.  Examining vehicles, cargo and personnel is a practical task of self-preservation at all border crossings and sea routes.  Since the neighboring territories remain in a state of war against Israel, the blockade around Israel is as appropriate as the United States blockade of Cuba in the 1960’s.  The United States should work behind the scenes with foreign governments to assure that all ships submit to the practical rules of cargo inspection before off loading into Gaza. 

Iran – As an eleven year old boy, I remember watching the news in 1979 with my family as the Shah of Iran fled and Iran was taken over by the radical Islamic dictator, Ayatollah Khomeini.  Later that year, I remember when the American Embassy in Iran was stormed and 52 staff members were taken hostage for 444 days. The lesson of that time was clear, the Islamic Republic of Iran does not share the same values as most nations of the world and they do not respond to weakness. 

Iran is the major destabilizing force in the Middle East region.  In the past twenty years, no nation on earth has actively pursued the destruction of Israel more than Iran.  America must have a seminal commitment to preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear threat to Israel, the region and the world as a whole.  Aggressive sanctions, world economic isolation, consistent wide-spread diplomacy and thoughtful military options must be maintained to prevent Iran from destabilizing the region even more with nuclear weapons.  As Iran stalls the nuclear negotiations, they continue to supply Hamas, Hizballah, Iraqi and Afghan terrorists with weapons and expertise to fight a proxy war with the United States and Israel.  Supply routes must be discovered and eliminated. 

As a congressman, I pledge my support to Israel’s right to self-defense and commitment to a world free of nuclear despotism.  Immediate economic sanctions must be approved against Iran including sanctions against refined petroleum.    Israel must be equipped with the resources needed, including the Arrow missile defense system, Iron Dome and David’s Sling to protect its people from an increasingly aggressive neighbor.  I would also encourage my fellow legislators to be committed to a strategy of leadership transition in Iran.

Aid to Israel – It is in the national security of the United States to have a stable democracy in the Middle East.  It is also consistent with our national values to stand with Israel and abide by the financial commitment made in 2007 in the US-Israeli Memorandum of Understanding.  Israel provides critical intelligence sharing, security expertise, technology advances, medical developments, defense employment and more to the United States.   Israel is a partner in international security and America should stand with Israel through direct aid, shared expertise, technology and intelligence. 

As a Congressman, for the betterment of the region and our national security, I would work to assure that foreign aid to Israel is consistent and strong.  I would vote annually to maintain the foreign aid bill, including the provisions for security assistance for Israel.  Israel is a significant ally and an important element in the American economy.  It is to the benefit of both nations to maintain a consistent trade and foreign aid relationship, regardless of the progress in the peace negotiations.

Jerusalem – Jerusalem is not a settlement, it is the Capital.  Israel should have the right to build housing and function in her own capitol.    As a Congressman, I support Israel’s right to live and work within her capitol and the right of the United States to locate our Embassy in Jerusalem.