Prospects for a US-Israel mutual defense pact - Sen. Lindsey Graham and JINSA chief Michael Makovsky

In July, 2019 a working group run by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), under the leadership of former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Adm. (ret.) James Stavridis, issued a report making the strategic case for a U.S.-Israel mutual defense pact. JINSA drafted the text of a treaty that is similar to, but more narrowly defined than, existing U.S. arrangements with 50 countries, becoming the only organization to put out such a draft to date.

Since then, the organization said in recent a statement that various objections to a pact have been raised, “and we believe it now constructive to advance the policy conversation by elaborating the most salient counterarguments.” To that end, JINSA released a follow-up report addressing the main points of concern.

Michael Makovsky of JINSA at AIPAC 2020

In its new report, JINSA addressed six areas of criticism, beginning with freedom of action. It stated that “mutual defense pacts do not give allies a direct say in each other’s strategic decisions, nor do they obligate the parties to support or become involved in the others’ military activities.” The section on freedom of action added that the U.S.-Israel relationship “already features greater responsibilities than those officially contained in or required by a treaty alliance, without the extra deterrence provided by an explicit security guarantee.”

“We released that report because there’s been skepticism of the idea, even among many in Israel and some here in the United States who are pro-Israel. So we thought it was valuable to at least address some of the skepticism and objections head on,” Michael Makovsky, president and CEO of JINSA, told JNS.

“This is an issue we’ve been pushing—first quietly, then publicly—starting in the summer, when we released our own paper and draft treaty,” he added. “I would encourage anybody, if they have concerns, to at least read our draft first. If they have other suggestions of what a draft should look like, they should put forward those edits. But right now, that’s the draft that Senator Lindsey Graham [R-S.C.] is championing. The Israeli prime minister seems very supportive.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham discussed the plan with the Republican Jewish Coalition meeting in Las Vegas.



Mr. Makovsky acknowledged concerns among some in Israel over potential restrictions to Israeli freedom of action, saying, “Obviously, we wouldn’t support any such treaty either that constrained Israeli freedom of action. But we don’t think it should. The U.S. has mutual defense treaties with 50 other countries, and it hasn’t stopped the U.S. or these other countries from various military action.”

Any significant Israeli military action in the Middle East would likely be preceded by Israeli consultations with the United States in any case, and a mutual defense pact could add a level of deterrence for Israel, he argued.

“If a war breaks out, it could also mitigate the intensity and scope of the conflict,” said Makovsky. “I would say that since we put out our report in July, the Iranian threat has become more serious. What’s going on internally in Iran is encouraging, but one never knows how that’s going to play out, and it could even lead the regime to conduct more provocative action. The situation is more serious regarding Iran.”

Referring to the Sept. 14 Iranian drone and cruise-missile strike on Saudi energy sites, Makovsky noted that “provocations in the region have only intensified.”

“I think Israel is more exposed, and therefore, the importance of having a mutual defense pact has grown,” he said. “But I would add that it’s not the only thing that needs to be done. We put out another report recently, detailing the the need and options for accelerating the delivery of weapons to Israel under the 10-year Memorandum of Understanding [MOU]. It’s in Israel’s DNA to rely only on itself. So it’s incumbent on U.S. also give Israel the tools it needs to continue its countering of Iranian aggression, and ultimately, also to prepare for major war against Iran Hezbollah, if it comes about.”

Makovsky said that in terms of timing, “on the Israeli side, I think it’s unfortunate that it’s gotten caught up in the elections. Certainly, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s interest has nothing to do with elections. The Israelis were interested before this long before the elections. We raised this idea first a year-and-a-half ago.”

He continued: “On the U.S. side, I think it’s a good time to engage the issue. No one knows how the presidential elections are going to turn out in a year, but at least for now, it looks like President Trump has shown interest. It’s important to seize that opportunity as much as possible. For us, the impetus is purely to contribute to regional stability.” In its follow-up report, JINSA said that Iran’s growing regional aggression, including providing more than 130,000 rockets and missiles to Hezbollah in Lebanon, and its now-revived nuclear program create the potential for higher-level conflict that Israel alone “might struggle to deter or defeat.”

I.D.F. servicemembers and their Friends of the IDF supporters counter detractors' slanders with personal testimonials

Gene Simmons of KISS entertains the FIDF Gala in L.A.

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) raised a record $53.8 million at its annual Western Region Gala on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017 at the landmark Beverly Hilton Hotel. The figure represents the most money raised at any single FIDF event in the organization’s history. The sold-out gala, which has become one of Los Angeles’ premier charitable events, united some 1,200 supporters from across the country to support the brave men and women of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Presiding as the evening’s master of ceremonies was Israeli actress and model Moran Atias. The event featured special performances by singer Seal, The Tenors, David Foster & Friends, and Gene Simmons. 

Dr. Salman Zarka tells Christian and Jewish communities in

the U.S. about Ziv Medical Center's treatment of Syrians

wounded in their country's civil war.

Col. (Res.) Dr. Salman Zarka, director general of the Ziv Medical Center in Israel, described Israel’s extraordinary humanitarian initiative “Operation Good Neighbor,” which provides aid to refugees and victims of the Syrian civil war. Zarka, with 25 years of experience in the IDF Medical Corps, has led a staff that has treated hundreds of wounded Syrian civilians.

Ethiopian-Israeli Lt. Mazal Zemmru, 23, leads training of Kfir Brigade recruits in the Jordan Valley. She discusses her work and her family life - including her relations with Ashkenazim and Sephardim.

Austrian-raised, I.D.F. artillery Sgt. Leah Duxler discusses anti-Zionism in the life of European Jews old and young - and her views of Zionism -which propelled her and others to emigrate to join the Israel Defense Forces.

What is FIDF's Impact Program for underprivileged soldiers?  Let Sephardic beneficiary, Sgt Major Ma'or Cohen, explain to you:

Do you remember John Goodman's movie character, Walter Sobchak in The Big Leibowski, who converted to Judaism for marriage and all through his life became a devout contributor to Jewish culture?

Courtesy: Pordorat on YouTube

JooTube spoke with Roman-Catholic-raised, US Marine Lt. Col. (ret.) David McCarthy.  The veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan Wars declares respect for FIDF - which assisted his once, lone-soldier son, Sgt. Joseph Daniel McCarthy, with a flight home to the United States. Lt. Col McCarthy also tells us of his impression of US - Israel military collaboration and how moved he was by the appearance of Israeli parents of slain border-police Corporal Hadar Cohen that he gave her parents his Marine Challenge-Coin.              

Friends of the I.D.F. Gala will return to Los Angeles on November 1st, 2018.

Would Israel be better off under Republican or Democrat leadership? Listen to Israeli Amb. Michael Oren

Amb. Michael Oren and Hillary Clinton (photo: IsraelMatzav)

On a visit to Los Angeles to promote his book, "Ally," Israeli Amb. Michael Oren discussed the Democrat administration's treatment and often, mistreatment of Israel, despite its professing "no daylight" between the two countries. Elliott Abrams reviewed the book in Commentary, entitled "The Ally that Wasn't'- Michael Oren memoir blasts Barack Obama, but pulls its punches elsewhere." 

The first thing to say about the book is that it should not have been published—not before January 2017, that is. Oren writes about Netanyahu, Obama, and many other people who are still in power, and he writes about issues and problems over which they are still fighting. . . . But to judge it on its own terms, Ally is very well written, engaging, and enormously interesting.

Amb. Oren spoke to a capacity audience in the Nixon Library in Southern California during his book tour in the Summer, 2015.

Donald Trump's campaign Israel Advisory Committee co-chairs Jason Dov Greenblat and David Friedman, released this statement days ago regarding Mr. Trump's prospective administration's position on Israel:

It has been an exhilarating election cycle. Approximately seven months ago, we were blessed to have been tapped by Donald J. Trump to be his top advisors with respect to the State of Israel. We have been fortunate to work with a talented team of people and have put together the below positions. Each of these positions have been discussed with Mr. Trump and the Trump campaign, and most have been stated, in one form or another, by Mr. Trump in various interviews or speeches given by him or on his social media accounts.

For those of you who are true friends of the State of Israel, and for those of you who believe that the State of Israel and the United States of America have an unbreakable friendship, we urge you to read the below. We would like to express our gratitude to those individuals who have helped us over the past few months – we truly appreciate your efforts, friendship and guidance. We would also like to express our gratitude to our friend, a great friend of the State of Israel, Donald J. Trump, who gave us the tremendous opportunity to serve in this capacity. May God bless the United States of America and the State of Israel.


"The unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel is based upon shared values of democracy, freedom of speech, respect for minorities, cherishing life, and the opportunity for all citizens to pursue their dreams. Israel is the state of the Jewish people, who have lived in that land for 3,500 years. The State of Israel was founded with courage and determination by great men and women against enormous odds and is an inspiration to people everywhere who value freedom and human dignity. Israel is a staunch ally of the U.S. and a key partner in the global war against Islamic jihadism. Military cooperation and coordination between Israel and the U.S. must continue to grow. 

The American people value our close friendship and alliance with Israel — culturally, religiously, and politically. While other nations have required U.S. troops to defend them, Israelis have always defended their own country by themselves and only ask for military equipment assistance and diplomatic support to do so. The U.S. does not need to nation-build in Israel or send troops to defend Israel. The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the American and Israeli Governments is a good first step, but there is much more to be done. A Trump Administration will ensure that Israel receives maximum military, strategic and tactical cooperation from the United States, and the MOU will not limit the support that we give. Further, Congress will not be limited to give support greater than that provided by the MOU if it chooses to do so. Israel and the United States benefit tremendously from what each country brings to the table – the relationship is a two way street.

Tim Constantine of The Capitol Hill Show and the Washington Times reviews the candidates' speeches to AIPAC in March

The U.S. should veto any United Nations votes that unfairly single out Israel and will work in international institutions and forums, including in our relations with the European Union, to oppose efforts to delegitimize Israel, impose discriminatory double standards against Israel, or to impose special labeling requirements on Israeli products or boycotts on Israeli goods. The U.S. should cut off funds for the UN Human Rights Council, a body dominated by countries presently run by dictatorships that seems solely devoted to slandering the Jewish State. UNESCO’s attempt to disconnect the State of Israel from Jerusalem is a one-sided attempt to ignore Israel’s 3,000-year bond to its capital city, and is further evidence of the enormous anti-Israel bias of the United Nations. The U.S. should view the effort to boycott, divest from, and sanction (BDS) Israel as inherently anti-Semitic and take strong measures, both diplomatic and legislative, to thwart actions that are intended to limit commercial relations with Israel, or persons or entities doing business in Israeli areas, in a discriminatory manner. The BDS movement is just another attempt by the Palestinians to avoid having to commit to a peaceful coexistence with Israel. The false notion that Israel is an occupier should be rejected. The Trump administration will ask the Justice Department to investigate coordinated attempts on college campuses to intimidate students who support Israel.

 

Rally'ers arrested asking Sen. Schumer for Senate Dems to over-ride Obama's Iran shift

Original, full video from New York City protest by Americans for a Safe Israel and Assemblyman Dov Hikind- arrested for obstructing Sen. Chuck Schumer's office building.  
(Playlist controls on bottom)

Israeli Amb. Michael Oren discusses revelations about Democrat administration shift against Israel, towards Iran in "Ally"

Israel's Ambassador to U.S. Michael Oren at Nixon Library, July 2, 2015

Israel's Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren (2009 - 2013) discusses his book, "Ally," which exposes the Obama Administration's duplicity towards Israel (and has caused a stir among previously Obama-supporting Jewish-Americans) with Rabbi David Wolpe at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, California, on the last night of his U.S. book tour.



Amb. Oren engages with audience's questions in the continuation of our original video, filmed July 2nd 2015.  

David Suissa in the Jewish Journal of L.A. (who interviewed Amb. Oren the previous night at the Museum of Tolerance), analyzes Oren’s book as

... threatening to liberal Zionists because it makes a compelling case that their hero Obama has severely undermined the very thing they crave – negotiations towards a two-state solution.

With the sharp eye of a historian, Oren explains how, in Obama’s zeal to create diplomatic “daylight” with Israel while reaching out to the Arab/Muslim world, Obama brought terminal darkness to the peace process.

Read more

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon: the rightful blame for no peace-progress belongs on Abbas' rejection of Israel as a Jewish state and cessation of hostilities

On September 11, Israel acknowledges America's shared struggle against Islamist supremacism

US ambassador Dan Shapiro speaking at the September 11
 Memorial in Jerusalem.. (photo credit:KKL-JNF)

Israel is the only country in the Middle East which joins America every September 11th in mourning, commemorating the day in 2001 when jihadists from Al Qaeda dragged the U.S. into resisting the same Islamist jihadism which antagonizes Israel.

All 9/11 victims' names are inscribed
in the Jerusalem Living Memorial 

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke today about Israel's shared sorrow with the US over the attacks. "We remember that day thirteen years ago and we mourn with you on this day for the thousands who lost their lives in that horrific attack," Netanyahu said. "All of Israel mourns on September 11."

A memorial ceremony was held by the Jewish National Fund at the site of the 9/11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem, honoring and remembering the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children who died at the hands of terrorists 12 years ago.

US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro spoke at the ceremony along with other ambassadors from around the world, as well as representatives of the Israeli families who lost their loved ones in the attacks.

At the Van Nuys, California Fire Station 88 (which sent its firefighters who happened to be on the East Coast in 2001)  last Sept 11, Israel's Southwest US Consul General David Siegel set a floral vase gift sent from the Living Memorial- upon the altar to the NYC WTC and Pentagon victims. Consul Siegel spoke with JooTube about Israel's shared situation in resisting and defeating the forces of Islamism- especially those with WMD - such as chemical weapons in Syria.

 

The L.A.F.D. Stationhouse 88 sent 23, L.A. first-responders to the World Trade Center rescue effort. Assistant Chief Pat Butler stands before the Stationhouse' monument which holds structural remnants from the wreckage of NYC's World Trade Center and the US Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He gestures to the floral bouquet presented by Consul Siegel on behalf of Israel's Living Memorial.

The Jerusalem Living Memorial is the sole statue outside of America which recognizes all of the September 11th attack's victims' names and countries of origin. Watch its opening ceremony from 2009.



L.A.F.D. Ass't Chief Pat Butler accepted and comments on Israel's Living Memorial presenting a gift to the L.A. memorial.


 
The Fire Chief of Jerusalem, Shmuel Friedman, visited the L.A. Celebrate Israel Fair in 2012 with the Jewish National Fund- to raise donor funds to purchase additional emergency vehicles.  He discussed with JooTube the experience that their particular fire and rescue services encounter- and what they do with that knowledge which could benefit you.



What can L.A.F.D. and Israel's Fire and Rescue services teach each other? Ass't Chief Pat Butler discusses his visit and meeting to compare best-practices in Israel:



New York City held its first commemoration ceremony since the opening of the museum at the National September 11 Memorial, along with the adjoining repository for unidentified victims' remains.

A woman grieves at her husband's memorial at South Tower Memorial Pool during memorial observances on the 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014. Family and friends of those who died read the names of the nearly 3,000 people killed in New York, at the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. (Photo: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times/AP)

At Jerusalem Conference, Israeli candidates address Jews' domestic and global-relations concerns

Obama pulls Netanyahu towards concessions
to cede land to Palestinian state led by Abbas

The 6th Jerusalem Conference is an annual forum for the discussion of Israel's national priorities, social values, and aspirations, which hosts key figures and policy makers from Israel and around the world -- all leaders in the political, economic, academic, communal, security, military, and rabbinic spheres. 

The 2009 Jerusalem Conference focused on the "New Leadership and New Direction" that will emerge this year in Israel and the United States following the national elections in both countries. 

Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who leads the Likud Party, discusses maintaining the Jewish integrity, demographically and politically, between life in Jerusalem, East Jerusalem, and Yesha.

Amb. Danny Ayalon, Deputy Foreign Minister's addresses the 6th Jerusalem Conference.

Tzipi Livni of 2008/9 Kadima Party addresses Jerusalem Conference (English translated)  

Compiled speeches by MK Maj. Gen. Danny Yatom (Labour); Dr. Martin Kramer, historian / political analyst; MK Yuval Steinitz (Likud, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Defense Readiness); and MK Dr. Arieh Eldad (National Union).
 

After Netanyahu's Jerusalem Conference speech, he convened with his fellow party member Dr. Yuval Steinitz and Ichud Leumi (National Union) party Chairman Yaakov Katz. Katz asked the Likud chairman what his plans are for a coalition after the Israel elections. Netanyahu responded, "We will establish a broad coalition based on all the Zionist parties - blue and orange."