ISRAEL

Joe Sestak believes that the United States and Israel share a unique friendship which must be preserved for generations to come. During his 31-year career in the Navy, Joe visited Israel at least six times and saw firsthand the courage and steadfast resolve of its citizens.

HIGHLIGHTS OF JOE SESTAK’S SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL

DEDICATED AND UNRELENTING COMMITMENT TO ISRAEL’S SECURITY

As an Admiral in command of the USS George Washington Carrier Battle Group, Joe deployed one of his Aegis cruisers off the coast of Israel in 2003 to integrate its radar system into Israel’s air defense  system in order to provide for early warning against missiles that might have been launched by Iraq during the early phases of the Iraq War.

While serving as Director for Defense Policy under President Clinton on the National Security Council,  Joe  helped  plan Operation RELIANT MERMAID, the first ever military exercise between Israel and a primarily Islamic country, Turkey. Shortly thereafter, he was deployed to the Mediterranean to oversee the exercise as the senior US military representative present. The operation granted him unique insight into the possibilities of where nations working together with US leadership present can lead to a more secure future.

LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO SUPPORT ISRAEL

VOTED FOR H. RES. 34, RECOGNIZING ISRAEL’S RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST ATTACK FROM GAZA

Among other provisions, expresses commitment to the welfare and survival of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders and recognizes its right to act in self-defense; reiterates that Hamas must end rocket and mortar attacks against Israel, recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce violence, agree to accept previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians, and dismantle its terrorist infrastructure.

VOTED FOR U.S. – ISRAELI COOPERATION IN NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT

Increased funding by $20.5 million for the U.S.-Israeli cooperative short range missile defense program known as “David’s Sling” in the House version of the FY 2010 National Defense Authorization Act.

VOTED TO SUPPORT MILITARY FINANCING FOR ISRAEL

Voted for the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 which provides $2.4 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF), of which $631.2 million was designated for Israeli assistance.

SPONSORED CONGRESSIONAL RECORD HONORING ISRAEL’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Inserted an official statement into the Congressional Record to honor the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel.

VOTED FOR A RESOLUTION THAT RECOGNIZES THE HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF ISRAEL’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Voted to recognize the re-establishment of the sovereign and independent state of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people.

VOTED TO RECOGNIZE PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND EGYPT

Voted for a resolution recognizing the 30th anniversary of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. The resolution urges the two governments to strengthen their spirit of cooperation and calls for recognition of the Egypt-Israel peace treaty as a model mechanism upon which partner nations may build to overcome barriers to peace.

VOTED TO SUPPORT U.S.-ISRAELI ENERGY COOPERATION

Voted for H.R. 6, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007, which further developed economic relations between Israel and the US. This bill, which was signed into law, calls for U.S.-Israeli energy cooperation and authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants to businesses, academic institutions, nonprofit entities in Israel and the government of Israel to support research, development, and commercialization of renewable energy or energy efficiency. This is the only foreign nation for whom the bill authorized such assistance.

VOTED TO CONDEMN THREATS AGAINST ISRAEL

On June 20, 2007, voted for H. Con. Res. 21, calling on the U.N. Security Council to charge Iranian President Ahmadinejad with violating the Convention on the Prevention of Genocide because of his calls for the destruction of the State of Israel.

VOTED FOR ANTI-TERRORISM COOPERATION BETWEEN ISRAEL - U.S.

Voted for the Promoting Antiterrorism through Technology and Sciences Act (PACTS Act) on Feb. 27, 2007, which includes Israel as a possible foreign partner for international cooperative antiterrorism initiatives. The measure passed in the House.

SUPPORTING DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT WITH ISRAEL

HAD DINNER AT THE RESIDENCE OF THE ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES TO DISCUSS JOINT DEFENSE INITIATIVE

Shared a private dinner with the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Salai Meridor at his residence along with the Commander-in-Chief for the Israeli Navy, Eli Marom, and the US Secretary of Navy Donald Winter on the first eve of Hanukah, 2007. Discussed the state of Israeli’s military as well as foreign affairs, from Iraq and the Global War on Terrorism to the close relationship between Israel and the United States and their militaries. Also discussed the possibility for joint procurement of the Littoral Combat Ship. In follow up conversations, discussed this proposal with House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, House Seapower Subcommittee Chairman Gene Taylor and the US Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead.

The Congressman believes that joint ventures such as this greatly enhance the already-strong relationship between our two countries.

HELD MEETINGS WITH ISRAELI DIRECTOR OF MISSILE DEFENSE ORGANIZATION

In April, 2009 Arieh Herzog, Director of the Israeli Missile Defense Organization and Brigadier General Pinchas Barel Buchris, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, and several other dignitaries visited Congressman Sestak at his office to discuss Israeli procurement of missile defense equipment to counter hostile threats from Iran. Specifically, discussed Congressman Sestak’s efforts to procure the Arrow III missile defense system for Israel, which reports indicate is superior to the ground-based SM-3 system which is also currently being developed.

SUMMARY OF FUTURE INITIATIVES

Throughout Israel’s 61-year history, the United States has been rightly supportive of Israel and today Israel serves as a vital model of democracy in the Middle East. Israel is steadfastly working towards its goals of peace and security. Joe will continue to work towards:

A safe and secure Israel in a peaceful Middle East, which is vitally important not only for Israelis, but also for the security of the United States and the future of the democratic world;

Preserving and strengthening the unique U.S.-Israeli friendship for generations to come;

Continuing to provide robust military aid to Israel in the years to come;

Joe will monitor the conference for the FY 2010 foreign aid bill, the House version of which (that he voted for) contained $2.2 billion in security assistance to Israel. In addition to the 2009 emergency wartime supplemental bill, which provided $555 million in assistance and which Joe also supported, this fully funds the administration’s request of $2.775 billion for Israel to fulfill the second year of the 10-year US-Israeli Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2007.

Ensuring that Iran does not attain nuclear weapons, as this poses a direct threat to Israel and would in all likelihood provoke a regional arms race.