WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) expressed deep concern Tuesday over indications that the Obama administration is asking Israel to risk its security and survival to advance U.S. policy toward Iran, without providing assurances that the U.S. will protect Israel if the Iranian nuclear threat materializes.
RJC Executive Director Matthew Brooks said:
The Obama administration has strongly urged Israel to hold back from taking military action to derail or destroy the Iranian nuclear project. Israel, which has a much shorter and earlier window of opportunity than the U.S. to act militarily to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, is being asked to sit on the sidelines while the U.S. pursues sanctions and diplomatic outreach.
There are reports that Israel has asked Pres. Obama for assurance that if sanctions fail, he will use force against Iran. Pres. Obama’s has refused to provide that assurance, which has damaged the long-standing trust and cooperation between the two countries.
In addition, Pres. Obama’s 2013 budget request, released on Monday, calls for a sharp cut in U.S. military aid for Israel’s critical missile defense programs. Cutting critical funds for missile defense at a time when the threat from Iran has never been greater is extremely dangerous, worrisome and reckless.
The President’s actions are at odds with his words. His expectation that Israel should withhold action against Iran to meet an American policy timetable, while Iran moves demonstrably closer to the ability to annihilate Israel, is at odds with common sense. The Obama administration should make clear our commitment to Israel’s security and to our joint efforts to prevent Iran from achieving a game-changing nuclear capability that will threaten not just Israel, but the U.S. as well.
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Preceding provided by the Republican Jewish Coalition