Foreign Affairs
Iran
While a Member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Israel introduced language for consideration for all fiscal year 2011 House Appropriations bills that would require tougher enforcement of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 by federal agencies. The language was included and passed as part of several of the 2011 appropriations bills. A New York Times report in March 2010 found that U.S. companies doing business in Iran had been awarded $107 billion in contract payments, grants and other benefits by the federal government over the last decade.
Rep. Israel has consistently advocated for the Administration to enforce current sanctions and punish companies that violate American law. Watch Rep. Israel question Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner about enforcement of the Iran Sanctions Act.
In December 2009 Rep. Israel vote yes on the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2009 (H.R.2194).
In October 2009 Rep. Israel voted for H.Res.175, which condemned the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights.
Rep. Israel co-sponsored and voted for the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010. This legislation, which has since become law, imposed mandatory financial sanctions, expanded energy sanctions and sanctions on Iran’s human rights violators, supported states’ divestment efforts, and prohibited the issuance of licenses for nuclear cooperation. He also co-led a bipartisan letter to the Government of India protesting the trade delegation it was sending to Iran, and co-sponsored H.Res.568- A resolution affirming that it is U.S. policy to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability.
Israel
Rep. Israel is one of the leading voices in Congress supporting Israel. He believes the United States should continue our commitment to pursuing peace in the Middle East and defending our allies. In the 112th Congress (2011-2012), Rep. Israel is a co-sponsor of the following:
- H.Res. 268 — A resolution that supports an Israeli-Palestinian peace process and opposes Palestinian attempts to seek unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.
- H.Res. 244 — A resolution to oppose aid to a Palestinian government that includes Hamas.
- H.R. 1592 —A bill to prohibit U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority if the Palestinians unilaterally declare a Palestinian state.
- H.R. 4133 - The United States -Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012. This bill affirms the deep military ties forged over the years between the U.S. and Israel and reiterates our firm commitment to Israel's security.
- H.R. 4229 - The Iron Dome Support Act. This bill would authorize the President to help Israel procure additional Iron Dome defense systems. The Iron Dome is Israel's key defense against missile barrages by Hamas and Hezbollah in the Gaza Strip and Southern Lebanon.
In May 2011, Rep. Israel led a bi-partisan letter to the Prime Minister of Turkey urging the Turkish government to intervene and stop a second flotilla from departing for Gaza. “Another so-called aid flotilla to Gaza is nothing but an attempt to provoke Israel. The Turkish government can help prevent violence by saying ‘no.’ We are urging Prime Minister Erdoğan to actively work to put a stop to this and join with Israel in providing real humanitarian assistance to Gaza,” said Rep. Israel.
Rep. Israel has also worked to shut down the smuggling tunnels between Egypt and Gaza. From his position on the House Appropriations State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, Rep. Israel has worked to provide assistance to the region so that these tunnels can be shut down and the supply of weapons that threaten Israel and harm civilians can be minimized.
Congressman Israel recently led a letter to the President of the International Olympic Committee with Rep. Richard Hanna and 21 of their colleauges expressing disappointment with the IOC's decision to reject requests for a moment of silence during the London Olympic Games in memory of the 1972 Munich victims and urging the IOC to reverse their decision.
Iraq & Afghanistan
Rep. Israel has made multiple visits to Iraq and Afghanistan to meet with U.S. Armed Forces and top military commanders. In May 2011, he visited Iraq as part of a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to to assess progress on redeployment, thank U.S. troops in the region and to meet with Iraqi and U.S. officials.
In December 2009, he visited Afghanistan as the leader of a Congressional Delegation trip. During that visit he met with General Stanly McChrystal, the Commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan, to discuss U.S. strategy and policy for Afghanistan.
Darfur
Rep. Israel has been a leading voice in Congress raising awareness about the genocide in Darfur and working to provide assistance through his position on the House Appropriations State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee.
In January 2009, Rep. Israel wrote a letter to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice urging her to resist any U.N. attempts to delay action on the International Criminal Court warrant for the arrest of Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir. The bipartisan letter, which was led by Rep. Israel and signed by 22 Members of Congress, also called for a Presidential Envoy to respond to the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
In the 110th Congress (2007-2008), Rep. Israel wrote a provision that was passed in the House of Representatives that takes aim at expanding genocide relief missions in Darfur through an upgrade of the nearby Abeche airfield in Chad. The Abeche airfield, located near the Darfur region of Sudan, is currently used for some limited military transportation and humanitarian operations but may need upgrades to the air strip and hangars to allow for the increased air traffic that would arise through a UN or NATO deployment or expanded relief missions to Darfur. The Department of Defense (DOD) conducted a study on the feasibility of such an expansion, which sent a message to Sudan's President Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir that the United States is interested in expanding the Abeche airfield for genocide relief missions, NATO operations or a possible U.N. deployment to the region.
Helpful Links
More on Foreign Affairs
Port Washington, NY— Today, Congressman Steve Israel (D-Huntington) called on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the State Department to expedite entry for 16-year old Vadim Lacal to come to the United States so he can live with his newly-adopted parents, Bill and Marianna Lacal. Since the Lacals were waiting on the Ukrainian government for the approval of Vadim’s adoption, they failed to file all the required paperwork on time to ensure Vadim’s entry into the U.S. As a result, Bill is unable to return to the U.S.
Rep. Israel Joins Local Ukrainian-American Community to Call for Greater U.S. Assistance for Ukraine
East Meadow, NY— Today, Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) joined members of the local Ukrainian-American community to call for more robust U.S. assistance for Ukraine as they face continued threats from Russia. Rep. Israel has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine’s sovereignty and met with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko last week to reiterate his support.
To read about Rep. Israel's trip to Israel in August 2014, click here.
###
Washington, D.C.— Today, Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) will travel to Israel to show his support for the U.S.’s greatest ally as they face the constant threat of rocket attacks from Hamas and gain a firsthand understanding of the Iron Dome Missile Defense system and Israel’s push to destroy Hamas’ tunnel system.
Washington, D.C.—Today, Reps. Steve Israel (D-NY), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ted Deutch (D-FL) and Tom Cole (R-OK) announced that more than 100 bipartisan Members of Congress joined them in sending a letter to Navi Pillay, the U.N.'s top human rights official, calling on the UN to condemn Hamas’ use of civilians as human shields, which is a direct violation of international law. Hamas, a designated terrorist group, continues to launch missiles aimed at civilians in Israeli population centers and refuses to de-escalate the conflict by adhering to internationally-backed cease-fires.
Washington, D.C.—Today, Reps. Steve Israel (D-NY), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ted Deutch (D-FL) and Tom Cole (R-OK) announced that they are sending a letter to Navi Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights for the UN Human Rights Council calling on her to condemn Hamas’ use of civilians as human shields, which is a direct violation of international law. Hamas, a designated terrorist group, continues to launch missiles aimed at civilians in Israeli population centers and refuses to de-escalate the conflict by agreeing to internationally-backed cease-fires.
Washington, D.C. — Today, Reps. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) and Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) applauded the passage of their bipartisan resolution supporting the State of Israel’s right to defend itself against unprovoked rocket attacks from Hamas, a terrorist organization. The resolution passed with more than 140 cosponsors.
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Steve Israel (D-Huntington) and Congressman Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) introduced a resolution supporting the State of Israel’s right to defend itself against unprovoked rockets attacks from Hamas, a terrorist organization. Their bipartisan resolution reaffirms U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorist attacks, condemns the unwarranted attacks and calls on Hamas to immediately cease all rocket attacks against Israel. The resolution currently has over 50 cosponsors.
Queens, NY— Today, Congressman Steve Israel (D-Huntington) hailed the safe return of four-year old Mykhailo Kuzmin to his mother and step father in New York. Rep. Israel had called on the State Department to expedite the processing of an approved immigration petition for Mykhailo to come to the United States and live with his parents as a Legal Permanent Resident (Green Card holder). Mykhailo had been living with his grandfather in the Vinnytsia region of Ukraine, but due to the recent instability in Ukraine, his family feared for his safety. At Rep.
Washington, D.C. — Today, Reps. Steve Israel (D-NY) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) released the following statement after the announcement that the Iraqi Jewish Archives will remain in the U.S. for an extended period of time: