Jackson Purchase News

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has outlined four practical steps that the United States and its allies can take to support Israel in its ongoing conflict with Iranian-backed terrorists. In an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal, McConnell emphasized the need for the international community to stand in solidarity with Israel and take concrete actions to address the escalating violence.

McConnell began by highlighting the brutal nature of the recent attacks on Israel, stating, "As hundreds of Iranian-backed terrorists stormed into Israel...many of their fellow Palestinians and supporters around the world cheered." He emphasized that the face of evil has been once again revealed, and it is crucial for the democratic West to understand that such barbarism threatens all of us.

The first step McConnell proposed is to distinguish between the aggressor and the victim. He emphasized that there should be no calls for "both sides" to de-escalate, as Israel deserves the time and space to defend itself. McConnell stressed the importance of recognizing Israel's right to self-defense.

The second step McConnell outlined is the quick provision of specific capabilities and intelligence support that Israel needs to target and destroy the terrorists. He drew a parallel with the situation in Ukraine, where failure to act decisively prolonged the conflict and escalated the costs of war. McConnell argued that the United States and its allies should provide Israel with the necessary resources to effectively combat the threats it faces.

The third step McConnell highlighted is the need to prioritize America's national defense. He criticized the Biden administration for requesting consecutive budgets that cut defense spending while increasing nondefense spending. McConnell urged Congress to provide emergency appropriations to the Defense Department to assist partners like Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, as well as invest in enhancing the country's own military capabilities.

Finally, McConnell emphasized the importance of focusing on Iran. He pointed out indications that Iran played a significant role in orchestrating the current conflict and highlighted its long-standing support for terrorist groups such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. McConnell called for imposing real costs on terrorists and those who support or condone them. He advocated for extensive multilateral sanctions on Tehran, denying Iranian planes overflight rights, impounding Iranian shipping vessels used to circumvent sanctions, and treating Iranian officials as pariahs.

In conclusion, McConnell stressed that the brave people of Israel deserve the support of the free world, both in words and deeds. He called on the international community, particularly the United States, to take these four steps to help Israel defend itself against Iranian-backed terrorism. McConnell's op-ed serves as a reminder of the importance of standing in solidarity with Israel and taking decisive actions to address the ongoing conflict.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=58396352-B19B-43CA-944B-A384C25FDCC3