Lankford Continues to Support Israel’s Right to Self Defense

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) to introduce a resolution reiterating Israel’s right to self-defense and condemning recent statements from US lawmakers, which interfere in Israel’s sovereign electoral process. 

“Make no mistake—America stands with our friend and ally, Israel, and the democratically elected leaders of Israel,” said Lankford. “When Hamas attacked the innocent civilians of Israel on October 7, their government had every right to respond, and they have every right to continue to defend themselves.”

“Hamas is the reason the conflict started on October 7th and the reason it continues today,” said Scott. “ Israel has every right to defend itself from this brutal terrorist organization that raped and murdered innocent civilians and continues to hold more than 100 people hostage – including several American citizens. I will always stand with Israel as it seeks to confront and eradicate the threat of terrorism.”

The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Thune (R-SD), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Ted Budd (R-NC), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Barrasso (R-WY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Hoeven (R-ND), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Katie Britt (R-AL).

BACKGROUND

It is the longstanding policy of the US to support Israel’s inherent right to self-defense. This policy was enshrined in US law through the passage of several bipartisan pieces of legislation, including the US-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-150) and the US-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-596). The Senate recently reaffirmed this policy through the passage of S. Res. 417, following the devastating terrorist attacks perpetrated against Israel by Hamas—an Iranian-backed terrorist organization—on October 7, 2023.

On March 14, 2024, the Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the Senate’s top Democrat, gave an unprecedented speech on the Senate floor where he called for elections to be held in Israel, stating that the country’s current government “no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7.”

Following the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel, Lankford spoke on the Senate floor and during a Senate Republican press conference in full solidarity with our friend and ally. He joined a resolution re-affirming support for Israel and also called on President Biden to work to immediately rescue Americans being held hostage by Hamas.

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