Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday reiterated a pledge to Congress that the Obama administration is ready to boost its support of Israel’s defense systems with additional weapons and money, in a letter aimed at easing fears about the impact of a nuclear deal with Iran.
In a three-page letter to members of the House and Senate, Kerry aimed to win over lawmakers who are concerned that a deal to lift sanctions imposed on Iran in exchange for reduced nuclear capability will pose a threat to Israel.
“We are prepared to further strengthen our security relationship with Israel,” Kerry wrote.
Kerry’s letter is similar to a letter President Obama sent to congressional Democrats just a few weeks ago, in an effort to secure support from Obama’s own party. That letter told Democrats that his administration has already offered an “unprecedented level” of aid to Israel, and that it stands ready to do more.
Kerry’s letter seems to make the same offer to Republican members, as it stressed again that the government “is prepared to enhance the already intensive joint efforts underway to identify and counter a range of shared threats in the region,” and to increase missile defense funding beyond the current $3 billion already given. The additional funding, Kerry said, would be used to accelerate development of the Arrow-3 and David’s Sling missile defense systems.
“The administration stands ready to work with Congress on appropriate legislation that would … provide such authorities and resources as may be necessary,” Kerry wrote.
The two countries, he said, would also work to develop improved technology to detect underground tunnels used by terrorists to gain entry into Israel. He also said the U.S. will continue talks on a 10-year agreement to continue “our unprecedented levels of military assistance” to Israel.
“President Obama and this administration firmly believe we have an opportunity now to build and fortify the United States’ historic and enduring commitment to Israel’s security,” Kerry wrote.
Kerry’s letter comes in response to opposition to the deal from Israel, which has lobbied Democrats to vote against it. Israel fears the release of $150 billion in frozen assets will enable the country to escalate attacks on Israel and back terrorist groups in the region. Israel is also worried about language that could see the end of the conventional arms embargo against Iran in five years, or possibly sooner.
Kerry, in the letter, acknowledged Iran’s “destabilizing activities,” and said Obama “views Israel’s security as sacrosanct.” He pointed to the billions spent on missile defense and the forthcoming delivery of F-35 fighter jets as an example.
Kerry also said he’ll review regional security at a New York meeting in September with the Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers.
The letter comes on the same day Democrats achieved the 34-vote threshold needed to uphold the nuclear deal. The GOP-led Senate will begin debating the accord on Sept. 8 and will vote on a resolution of disapproval on Sept. 17.
Read Kerry’s letter here:
