Washington – Allegiance To Israel Takes Center Stage At DC Tribute

Washington – Emotions ran high this past Wednesday on Capitol Hill at a bi-partisan tribute honoring the American-Israeli security alliance, held just one day after the savage murders in a Har Nof synagogue.

Several speakers made reference to the bloody massacre, noting that it highlighted the significance of the special bond between the two countries.

“We tragically received yet another reminder of the importance of this very relationship, of this very alliance that we have to both countries,” remarked Senator Mike Lee of Utah.

“You have this kind of random murder and you see Hamas celebrating and people dancing in the streets of Gaza,” said New York Congressman Jerry Nadler. “How can you trust any kind of agreement with people like this?”

Below video: from the event (Credit: Shmuel Lenchevsky)

For Texas Senator Ted Cruz the tragedy hit even closer to home.

“A good friend of mine studied under one of the rabbis who was murdered this week,” said Cruz. “And to see in the aftermath Hamas and Fatah celebrating and justifying that murder, communicating with crystal clarity to anyone that was paying attention.”

Cruz noted that the need for strong ties between the United States and Israel is greater than ever before, despite tensions between the two countries.

New York Senator Chuck Schumer took the New York Times and other media outlets to task for their coverage of the Har Nof bloodbath, pointing to blasting coverage that reported Palestinian loss of life without saying that the dead Palestinians were the perpetrators the brutal attack.

Maryland Senator Barbara Milkuski, chair of the Senate appropriations committee, spoke powerfully about allowing Israel to stand up for itself in the face of terror.

“Israel must always be able to defend itself, whether it is against horrific attacks in a synagogue or at a bus stop,” said Senator Milkuski. “Whether it is missiles coming over, attacking communities like Ashkelon or preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon…there is no right to nuclear weapons to annihilate a treasured ally.”

Taking on those who have proposed cutting funding to Israel, Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia noted that money sent to Israel is a sound investment.

“We give Israel $3.5 billion a year,” said Isakson. “$2 billion of it comes back in purchases of US military equipment and the rest of it is security we couldn’t buy for ten times as much in that neighborhood.”

The United States support of Iron Dome was mentioned frequently throughout the tribute.

Event co-chair Simcha Lyons who categorized the Iron Dome as “a miracle,” observed that he felt it was crucial to thank Congress for the defense system which saved an untold number of lives during recent missile attacks.

“We know that Iron Dome works,” said Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehinten of Florida. “America is safer when Israel is safer. Israel is safer when America is safer. Those bonds can never be broken.”

While the tribute was intended to thank Congress for its support of Israel, the feeling of gratitude was evident throughout the room.

“ As you here today are thanking us, we thank you. Words and actions matter,” said Florida Congressman Mario Diaz Balart.

Other speakers included Missouri Senator Roy Blunt, Illinois Senator Mark Kirk, Michigan Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate armed services committee and Colorado Senator Michael Bennett. Special presentations were made to Senator Milkuski and Senator Isakson for their efforts on behalf of the American-Israeli alliance.

“It’s not an overstatement to say ‎that we the Jewish people live in a ‘malchus shel chesed,’” said Ezra Friedlander, CEO of The Friedlander Group which organized the Capitol Hill tribute. “To observe the identification with the Jewish people by so many members of Congress is a testament to that and we have to be grateful, which is why the tribute to the Congress for its security alliance was so important.”