Don’t Hold Up Israel Aid to Further Ukraine War Funding

Overview:

This commentary by Kevin D. Roberts, Ph.D., President, and J.D. Vance, U.S. Senator for Ohio, published by The Heritage Foundation, discusses the issue of U.S. aid to Israel in the context of the Ukraine war funding. The authors argue against holding up Israel's aid to further support Ukraine's war efforts.

• They emphasize that the U.S. should not compromise its support for Israel, a key ally in the Middle East, in favor of additional funding for Ukraine.
• The commentary highlights the distinct nature of the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel and the need for separate responses.

​Key Quotes:

1. "Having failed to force through more Ukraine funding by tying it to disaster relief for Americans, Senate leadership is now using the crisis in Israel as a 'Plan B' to get the Biden administration’s funding request across the finish line."
2. "America cannot project strength abroad unless we are truly strong at home. Today, we honor this founding principle by standing with Israel."

What They Discuss:

• The recent terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel, resulting in significant casualties, including American citizens.
• The need for U.S. military support for Israel to respond to the escalating war and defend its people.
• The assertion that the U.S. focus on Ukraine has come at the expense of other allies like Israel and Taiwan.
• The strategic importance of Israel as a democratic U.S. partner compared to Ukraine's situation.
• The need for a clear strategy and transparency in U.S. foreign involvement, especially considering domestic challenges and limited resources.​

What They Recommend:

• Congress should debate and vote on the situation in Israel separately from Ukraine funding.
• The U.S. should focus on securing its own borders and fully enforcing immigration laws, considering threats from terrorist organizations.
• Conservatives should insist on strengthening the U.S. domestic industrial base and defending strategic interests.
• The U.S. should stand with Israel in its time of need, honoring the principle of "peace through strength."

Key Takeaways:

• The commentary calls for a balanced approach in U.S. foreign policy, ensuring that support for Israel is not compromised by the focus on Ukraine.
• It highlights the importance of differentiating responses to distinct international conflicts.
• The authors urge the U.S. to maintain its commitment to key allies and prioritize national security interests.​

This is a brief overview of the commentary from The Heritage Foundation. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full article.