May 9, 2024, New York, NY — The following statement is attributable to Daniel Rosen, President of the American Jewish Congress; Jack Rosen, Chairman; Dr. Munr Kazmir, Vice President; and Dr. Ben Chouake, Secretary:
“President Biden has demonstrated unstinting support for Israel, in the best traditions of our country’s relationship with its most unwavering ally. He embraced Israel’s anguish and anger after October 7, and reaffirmed America’s steadfast commitment in both rhetoric and action to the defense of the Jewish state. However, the recent statement halting arms shipments to Israel is deeply concerning. It risks generating a narrative that could exacerbate the rise of antisemitism in the United States, providing a source of validation to those who harbor hatred towards Jews and Israel and empowering Israel’s enemies.
While this is surely not the President’s intent, it is imperative to avoid portraying Israel as a pariah state in any way. As General Petraeus noted recently in Tel Aviv, the immense challenges Israel faces are comparable to some of the toughest situations in modern history. “What the Israelis are facing is more difficult and more challenging than anything that we ever did,” he remarked. He further emphasized that Hamas, which is akin to al Qaeda, must be dealt with decisively: “THEY HAVE TO BE DESTROYED, JUST AS WE HAD TO DESTROY THE CORE AL QAEDA.” Expecting Israel merely to contain Hamas, and to deny it the resources to defeat the terrorist group, will only energize Hamas, demoralize Israel, and embolden other malign actors that seek to destroy Israel and harm American interests in the region.
While prioritizing the protection of civilians is a laudable and humane objective, it is just as crucial to not overlook the existential threats confronting Israel.”
