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August 23, 2002/Elul 15 5762, Vol. 54, No. 49
Israel vital to U.S.
SCOTT BUNDGAARD
Jewish News asked the congressional and gubernatorial candidates to express their views on issues affecting the Jewish community in "Political Voices."
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Protecting the United States' interests in the Middle East is a vital national security interest.
The commonalities of the U.S.-Israel relationship include our shared values of freedom and equality; our commitment to democracy; our strategic partnership and our commitment to peace and prosperity.
Both countries share a common need and desire in preserving freedom and combating terrorism. Israel is the only democracy operating in the Middle East, standing out among surrounding authoritarian regimes because of regular, competitive elections, a free press and free speech.
The U.S. spends $3 billion in foreign aid to Israel ($1.8 billion in military aid, $1.2 billion in economic aid). Eighty percent of that aid is spent in the United States. Because foreign aid has been restructured, economic aid is being phased down, while military aid is being increased until the total aid package is $2.4 billion in military aid only.
Israel should continue to receive U.S. military aid through our strategic partnership because it needs to sustain its qualitative military edge over the combined military forces of its adversaries. The United States benefits from this partnership because we share technology and intelligence, improve our research and development, and avoid the costs of expensive deployment in the region.
The United States can further assist Israel by making every effort to prevent anti-Israeli resolutions from being passed by the United Nations. Unwavering U.S. support for Israel will force its Arab neighbors to deal with Israel directly. Peace must come from direct bilateral negotiations, not through solutions being imposed by outsiders. The peace process will be most effective when Yasser Arafat and his cronies are removed and the terrorism stops.
As I said in a speech May 14, Arafat must go before a durable peace can be achieved. I'm encouraged that President Bush has articulated a similar belief in recent weeks, as well as other candidates for U.S. Congress, District 2. The Palestinian Authority must reform itself and cease terrorism, end corruption, create a transparent financial system, and reform its judiciary and political systems.
Additionally, the migration of Russian scientists to Iraq and Iran must halt. U.S. influence should be used to stop the transfer of missile and nuclear technology to Iraq and Iran. The construction of the Iranian Shihab-3 ballistic missile - which can reach Israel - was the result of aid from North Korea, China and Russia. The new Shihab-4 and 5 could threaten Europe and possibly the United States.
The United States and Israel should continue their partnership in researching and developing missile defense systems. The Arrow anti-ballistic missile defense system is among the most advanced cooperative military projects between the two countries and will be used to shoot down missiles fired at Israel or U.S. troops in the region. Funding for this program must continue. Research and development on high-energy lasers and launch interceptors must continue, in addition to developing other cutting-edge military technology, in order to improve military readiness in the region.
Jerusalem should remain the undivided capitol of Israel and its seat of government, and the U.S. embassy should be relocated from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Unlike some of the other candidates in this race, I've learned about these issues first-hand and met with members of the Palestinian Authority and the Knesset. I was one of eight leaders under the age of 40 selected from across the United States to visit Israel in 1998 to study the peace process.
As your congressman, I will use this experience to support Israel and further strengthen our strategic partnership and our commitment to peace and prosperity. I would appreciate your vote on Sept. 10.
Bundgaard is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, District 2. For more information, please visit www.bundgaard.com.
Other candidates for the seat are Republicans Lisa Atkins, Trent Franks, Dick Hensley, Dusko Jovicic, John Keegan and Mike Schaefer; Democrats Linda Calvert, Randy Camacho, Elizabeth Farley and Sandy Reagan; and Libertarian Edward Carlson.
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