Congresswoman Lois Frankel joined a bipartisan letter today spearheaded by the Democratic Israel Working Group and Republican Israel Group in support of President Obama’s trip to Israel on Wednesday. 

Frankel, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Middle East Subcommittee, reasserts with Republican and Democratic colleagues that Israel is “our most important ally in the Middle East.” The letter also emphasizes:

• “We must continue to protect Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge and support Israel’s inherent right to self-defense”;
• This trip “will reinforce America’s leadership on issues of peace and security in the Middle East”;
• And when it comes to preventing Iran’s push for nuclear weapons capability “all options are and must remain on the table.”
   

The full text of the letter follows and can be found here.

March 19, 2013

The Honorable Barack Obama

President of the United States of America

1600 Pennsylvania Ave

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Obama:

We are writing to express our strong support for your upcoming trip to Israel, America’s major strategic partner and most important ally in the Middle East. As Israel and the United States face challenges in the Middle East and North Africa, including an increasingly intransigent Iran and an unstable Syria, now is an important time to send this message of solidarity to Israel.

As you know, the Israeli government has given your visit a name, “Unshakable Alliance,” recalling a refrain of your Administration: “the United States’ unshakable commitment to Israel’s security and our deep friendship and solidarity with the Israeli people.” This visit is a significant opportunity for you to directly reaffirm this commitment to the Israeli people.

With looming threats from throughout the region, we welcome the opportunity for you to restate America’s commitment to preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. We share your hope of finding a negotiated solution to Iran's nuclear program, but also your clear statements that all options are and must remain on the table.  And we must continue to protect Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge and support Israel’s inherent right to self-defense.

Your presence will reinforce America’s leadership on issues of peace and security in the Middle East and give the parties an opportunity to renew their commitment to negotiating in good faith. Peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors must ultimately be achieved through direct negotiations toward a two-state solution without preconditions. It is crucial for Israelis to know that America stands with them and will support their sacrifices for peace. And it is vital that Palestinians understand that circumventing direct negotiations, including attempts to upgrade membership status and the United Nations and ICC, will not move their people forward toward statehood.

Lastly, as we face tough fiscal decisions ahead, your Administration’s commitment to maintaining foreign aid to Israel and support for joint cooperative projects and the Iron Dome missile defense system, sends a strong statement to the Israeli people that they are not alone.

Reaffirming these commitments to Israel, in light of the very real threats that we both face, demonstrates that there is no daylight between the United States and Israel. We look forward to working with you when you return to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship and encouraging peace and stability in the Middle East.