Netanyahu Visit Draws Support From State’s Congressional Delegation

The nation faces a clear decision with its support of Israel in a time of a tense situation with Iran, members of the state’s Congressional delegation said Tuesday.

The delegation, along with House and Senate members heard from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a joint meeting of Congress.

In his remarks, Netanyahu, who faces voters in his country March 17, said the time for support – in light of negotiations between the United States and Iran on nuclear issues – is needed.

“That deal would not prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons – it would all but guarantee that Iran gets those weapons, lots of them,” Netanyahu told Congress. “It paves Iran’s path to the bomb.”

CONGRESSIONAL REACTIONS
Locally, members of the Arkansas delegation stressed their support for Israel.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech to Congress highlighted the strong bond between Israel and the United States. And his speech brings clarity to the issue of a nuclear Iran, a nation which has long sought nuclear capabilities and at the same time has been a known sponsor, both fiscally and through its military, of terrorism around the world,” Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, said. “I believe it is time that the U.S. stop dithering on its support of Israel and stand firm with our strongest Middle Eastern ally. I appreciate the Prime Minister bringing his unique perspective to the United States Congress. I believe we should heed his warning and I will do everything in my power to prevent a nuclear Iran. And as Moses said and the Prime Minister reminded us, it is time for our nations to ‘be strong and resolute. Neither fear nor dread them.’”

Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, agreed.

“A nuclear Iran endangers the very existence of Israel, a bright light of democracy and our greatest ally in a region that is becoming more and more volatile with every passing day. Make no mistake, America must mitigate this threat, as well as the threat of radical Islam, and as we do so, our partnership with Israel is more important than ever,” Womack said. “I thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for his unconditional commitment to fighting these existential threats with us.”

Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, said the United States must support Israel.

“I proudly joined my other Congressional colleagues today in extending a warm welcome to Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel. In his speech to Congress, the Prime Minister made it clear that any chance of Iranian nuclear capability is a direct threat to not only the safety of Israeli citizens, but also Israel’s very existence. The United States must stand with Israel and reject support for any deal that allows Iran access to acquire or develop nuclear weapons,” Crawford said.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said the speech from Netanyahu also brought the issue of terrorism into focus.

“I am happy to welcome a truly courageous leader to address the Congress today. There is no one better equipped to discuss the danger posed by a nuclear Iran than Prime Minister Netanyahu. For decades, Iran has had as its expressed goal for Israel to be ‘wiped off the face of the earth’ and has been a lead financier and arms supplier of terrorist organizations dedicated to destroying Israel. If Iran is allowed to retain their nuclear program, the United States will find itself in a similar position,” Cotton said. “The Obama administration’s negotiations with Iran have become an endless series of concessions. Any deal reached at the end of this month will inevitably empower our enemies and put our national security at risk. It is up to Congress to stand with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel and restore the credible threat of force against Iran to permanently end their nuclear program.”

The state’s senior senator, Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., said the speech called for unity.

“I’m glad Prime Minister Netanyahu accepted the Speaker’s invitation to address Congress and I was honored to be in the House chamber for it. He delivered a powerful, forceful speech. His message for us to stand together to eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat must be the priority for negotiations. There is no viable containment option,” Boozman said.

Boozman gave a speech Monday on the Senate floor, calling for the elimination of Iran’s nuclear program.

“Nothing short of full elimination of Iran’s nuclear program can honestly be considered a victory. If these talks fail to produce an agreement that requires that of Iran, Congress must have the authority to reject it,” Boozman said.

Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, said the debate over Iran called for powerful leadership.

“With the situation in the Middle East becoming increasingly more volatile, it is essential that we listen carefully to the leader of the most stable democracy in the entire region. Our relationship with Israel always should supersede politics, as they are an important economic and strategic ally whose stability is critical to peace in the Middle East,” Hill said.

“Today’s powerful words from the Prime Minister come as the Administration and the P5+1 countries are in ongoing negotiations with Iran. I believe that only after Iran’s entire nuclear program is verifiably dismantled should sanctions be lifted. Iran is the greatest threat to security and peace to Israel and the entire Middle East. They are involved in the conflicts in Iraq and Syria and continue to support terrorist groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah. It is imperative that the White House and Congress remain acutely aware of this as we consider our diplomatic and military strategies in the region.”

The speech was also boycotted by nearly 55 Democrats in Congress.

One of those Democrats, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, called Netanyahu’s speech “misguided.”

“While success with Iran is far from assured, we must seek to overcome the misguided approach of those, like Mr. Netanyahu, who would reject any reasonable nuclear agreement,” Doggett said Monday. “The only true alternative to an effective agreement is war with Iran. Scuttling nuclear negotiations with Iran would endanger every family in America and Israel.”

However, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the vision of Iran with a nuclear weapon is even more dangerous.

“A nuclear-armed Iran is one of the gravest security threats facing both the United States and our ally Israel,” Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., said. “We have heard from countless experts, administration officials, and regional partners. Now, with a critical deadline only weeks away, Congress will appropriately hear from the prime minister of Israel.”