Congress
They write: “As the State Department has often noted in reference to a nuclear agreement with Iran, ‘nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.’ We hope that no agreement is finalized without additionally addressing these concerns.”
“There is no denying that anti-Semitism is a persistent problem in our society that needs to be identified, called out and crushed in all forms,” said co-chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus Rep. Lee Zeldin.
Jewish organizations and lawmakers have long called for funding for the grant to be increased to $360 million, with calls for the increase gaining steam after the recent hostage situation in Colleyville.
“The mood in Congress indicates concern over the direction of these negotiations. Endless discussions only benefit Iran’s nuclear program, and there are calls for a more coercive approach to the U.S. posture on Iran,” said Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran.
Just like in 2015, it is expected an agreement with Iran would be unanimously rejected by Republicans in both chambers, as well as some Democrats. While it’s unlikely that two-thirds will reject the agreement, it’s likely to be rejected by a majority vote, according to JINSA.
A letter to the U.S. Department of Education cited a survey by Alums for Campus Fairness that found 75% out of 500 alumni and current students said that anti-Semitism continues to be a serious problem.
The United States and Israel left UNESCO in December 2018 after the organization passed several anti-Israel resolutions.
The main issue requested was a sizable increase in the total for security grants, from the current $180 million a year to $360 million.
“This sort of rhetoric won’t do anything to solve the underlying problems and only gives talking points to radical extremists,” stated Reps. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) and Steve Chabot (R-Ohio).
Reps. Andy Levin and Haley Stevens are running in the newly formed 11th Congressional District, which will become the most Jewish district in the state. Stevens is backed by mainstream pro-Israel groups such as Pro-Israel America, while Levin is supported by J Street.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), said the report “belies history, facts and common sense. Israel remains the only democracy in a region of autocrats and human-rights abusers.”
A few of the candidates running against DMFI endorsed candidates have taken positions openly critical of Israel and in favor of BDS.
