A I PAC P O L I CY C O N F E R E N C E 2 0 1 7 • WA S H I N G TO N , D. C . • M A RC H 2 6 - 2 8
AIPAC
ISSUE BRI EF
COUNTER IRAN’S REGIONAL AGGRESSION
Iran—the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism—remains the greatest long-term threat to
Israel and U.S. interests in the Middle East. Since the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
(JCPOA), Iran has increased its troublesome behavior. America should respond decisively to let
Tehran know it will face severe consequences if it does not cease its aggression and comply with
its international obligations.
IRAN FUNDS AND ARMS HEZBOLLAH.
Hezbollah is a de facto arm of Iran and its Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iran provides
the terrorist group with military, economic and
diplomatic support. It transfers an estimated $800
million to $1 billion to Hezbollah annually; it also
furnishes massive weapons transfers—including many
of Hezbollah’s 150,000 rockets and missiles.
IN SYRIA, IRAN IS MOVING CLOSER TO ISRAEL.
IRAN’S BALLISTIC MISSILE PROGRAM IS GROWING.
Iran possesses the largest, most diverse stockpile of
ballistic missiles in the Middle East. U.N. Security Council
Resolution (UNSCR) 2231, adopted in July 2015, calls
upon Iran “not to undertake any activity related to
ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering
nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic
missile technology, until the date eight years after the
JCPOA Adoption Day.”
Nonetheless, Iran has carried out at least 15 ballistic
missile tests since then—the size and payload capacity of
each make them inherently capable of carrying nuclear
warheads. Several of the tested missiles have also been
emblazoned with the words “Israel must be wiped out.”
IRAN IS BOLSTERING ITS CONVENTIONAL MILITARY.
With increased cash flow as a result of sanctions relief
under the nuclear deal, Iran has begun updating its aging
military technology. Over the last two years, Iran has
nearly doubled its defense budget. In late 2016, Iran
deployed and declared operational the advanced Russian
S-300 air defense system. Iran is also planning to upgrade
its air force with advanced Russian fighters which it
hopes to employ well beyond its borders.
Iran has deployed thousands of IRGC personnel to Syria.
The IRGC arms, trains and funds tens of thousands of
Syrian forces, Hezbollah terrorists, and Shia militiamen.
Some of these forces have operated directly on Israel’s
northern border along the Golan Heights.
THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF CONGRESS
While former President Obama and President Trump
both imposed targeted sanctions against entities involved
in Iran’s missile program, the growing Iranian threat
demands a comprehensive strategy to push back against
Tehran’s malign activities. As part of this strategy,
Congress should adopt new legislation to strengthen
sanctions against entities supporting Iran’s ballistic
missile and conventional weapons programs in violation
of UNSCR 2231. Such sanctions would in no way violate
the letter or spirit of the JCPOA. As then-President
Obama wrote in August 2015, “Critically, I made sure
that the United States reserved its right to maintain
and enforce existing sanctions and even to deploy new
sanctions to address those continuing concerns, which
we fully intend to do when circumstances warrant.”
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SUPPORT SECURITY ASSISTANCE
TO ISRAEL AND A ROBUST FOREIGN AID BUDGET
U.S. security assistance to Israel is the most tangible manifestation of American support for
the Jewish state. Today, Israel faces an unprecedented array of threats stemming from the
growing instability and chaos gripping the region. These challenges require a significant
increase in Israeli defense expenditures. American aid is vital to ensuring Israel can defend
itself—by itself—and maintain its qualitative military edge over its adversaries.
SECURITY ASSISTANCE SERVES U.S. INTERESTS.
Cooperation between the two democracies in
intelligence, homeland security, missile defense and
counterterrorism has helped the United States meet
its own growing security challenges. America and
Israel share vital technologies and techniques that
greatly benefit both countries, including cyber,
unmanned vehicles, sensors and electronic warfare
systems, battlefield medicine and advanced defenses
for military vehicles.
U.S. SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL TO ISRAEL’S SECURITY.
In a Middle East that is increasingly uncertain and
chaotic, Israel is the one stable, reliable, democratic
ally that the United States can consistently count on.
The U.S.-Israel relationship is built on an unshakable
commitment to shared democratic values and interests,
including the rule of law, human rights, and freedoms
of speech and religion. Aid to Israel helps provide
the resources it needs to remain strong and deter any
combination of forces arrayed against it. U.S. support
helps deter conflict by making it clear to potential foes
that they cannot defeat the Jewish state.
ISRAEL FACES INCREASED THREATS AND COSTS.
Israel faces significant threats stemming from direct
challenges to the Jewish state as well as growing regional
chaos. To the north, Israel confronts terrorist groups
including Hezbollah and the Islamic State (ISIS), and to
the south it faces Hamas in Gaza and ISIS in the Sinai
Peninsula. Israel’s greatest threat remains Iran, which is
building up its military and actively working to destabilize
the region. These challenges require a significant increase
in Israeli defense expenditures. Israel spends more on
defense as a percentage of GDP than any other nation
in the industrialized world. The rising costs of advanced
weaponry compound Israel’s challenges.
FOREIGN AID BOLSTERS U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY.
At just one percent of the budget, U.S. foreign aid is a
cost-effective and relatively small investment that saves
U.S. taxpayer money. Spending on foreign aid today is
cheaper than military dollars that may need to be spent
tomorrow. Effective U.S. foreign aid programs help
prevent terrorist attacks, weapons proliferation, pandemic
disease, humanitarian crises, economic meltdown, societal
collapse and the spread of radical ideology.
THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF CONGRESS
Congress should demonstrate America’s unwavering
commitment to Israel by supporting $3.1 billion for
U.S. security assistance to Israel, in accordance with the
current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between
the two countries, and full funding for joint U.S.-Israel
missile defense cooperation. Congress should also support
a robust foreign aid budget, and oppose disproportionate
cuts, in order to ensure America’s strong leadership
position in the world.
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FIGHT THE DELEGITIMIZATION OF ISRAEL
Every day Israel faces unfair criticism from the United Nations, international organizations, and
activists that seek to stigmatize, delegitimize and isolate the Jewish state. From the U.N. Human
Rights Council (UNHRC) to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, Israel is
under assault. The United States has long led the effort to fight anti-Israel bias at the U.N. and
beyond, but it can and must do more.
Council called both for blacklisting all companies
conducting business in “Occupied Palestinian Territory,
including East Jerusalem,” and creating a database to
assist in this endeavor.
THE UNHRC AND BDS MOVEMENT HINDER PEACE.
THE U.N. HAS A LONG HISTORY OF BIAS TOWARD ISRAEL.
While the United Nations played a crucial role in the
creation of Israel, its history has been marked by persistent
antagonism toward the Jewish state. The world forum has
constantly questioned Israel’s legitimacy and isolated it
politically. From the 1975 “Zionism is Racism” resolution,
to the more recent Security Council Resolution 2334, the
U.N. unfairly singles out Israel.
U.N. STRUCTURES PERPETUATE ANTI-ISRAEL PREJUDICE.
Within the U.N. system, multiple bodies—like the
Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of
the Palestinian People—focus exclusively on promoting
the Palestinian narrative. These bodies carry out some
of the worst of the U.N.’s anti-Israel activity.
THE UNHRC IS HOSTILE TO ISRAEL.
The UNHRC is one of the most hostile, anti-Israel
organizations in the U.N. system, dedicating an
inordinate amount of effort to criticizing Israel. The
Council maintains scrutiny of Israel as its only countryspecific standing agenda item. In March 2016, the
By eschewing direct talks, blacklisting companies, and
threatening Israel with economic penalties if it does not
accept Palestinian positions, the UNHRC and the broader
BDS movement undermine the prospects for peace.
Peace will be best achieved if the Palestinians are willing to
join Israel in direct talks with the goal of two states—the
Jewish State of Israel living in peace and security with a
demilitarized Palestinian state.
THE U.S. HAS LED THE FIGHT AGAINST ANTI-ISRAEL BIAS.
The United States has long opposed anti-Israel activity
at the U.N. and efforts to boycott Israel. In the 1970s,
Congress passed key legislation to prevent American
companies from complying with the Arab League
boycott of Israel. Recently, Congress mandated anti-BDS
provisions be included in U.S. trade agreements.
THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF CONGRESS
Congress must continue to fight the delegitimization of
Israel and insist that the United Nations end its anti-Israel
bias. Congress should adopt legislation to prohibit U.S.
companies from cooperating with efforts by international
organizations—including the U.N.—to boycott Israel.
Congress should also make clear that if the UNHRC fails
to tangibly improve its performance, the United States will
reconsider its relationship with the body.
www.aipac.org/delegitimization
The mission of AIPAC is to strengthen, protect and promote
the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security
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of the United States and Israel.