Lankford Reaffirms Support for Israel in Bipartisan Resolution

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued a statement after the Senate unanimously adopted a bipartisan resolution in support of Israel. Lankford joined the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Jim Risch (R-ID) in introducing the resolution earlier this week. 

“Hamas continues to call for violence against Jews and for the destruction of the nation of Israel. Israel has every right to defend itself against Hamas’s terrorism. The United States must continue to stand alongside our greatest ally in the Middle East,” said Lankford. 

“I am pleased to have worked with Leaders McConnell and Schumer, and Chairman Ben Cardin, on the resolution in support of Israel that was introduced yesterday in the US Senate with the support of 99 senators,” said Risch. “The United States will continue to unequivocally support the people of Israel as they defend themselves from the senseless acts of terrorism over the last week and a half. My prayers are with the Israelis, Americans, and others who have been killed or injured. This bipartisan resolution reaffirms Congress’ unwavering support for Israel and signals our intention to speed up additional assistance as quickly as possible. I will also continue to put pressure on the administration to cut off Iranian resources that fuel these attacks. We must do all we can to support our partner until the job is done.”

“I am immensely proud that this overwhelmingly bipartisan resolution has been introduced in the US Senate,” said Cardin. “The fact that nearly every Senator has signed on to this urgent legislation is a testament to the strength of the US-Israel alliance, and sends a clear and unequivocal message that we stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel in its hour of need. I look forward to swiftly passing our resolution at the first opportunity.”

Lankford is a co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Abraham Accords Caucus and the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism. He spoke on the Senate floor and during a Senate Republican press conference earlier this week in full solidarity with our friend and ally, Israel.

Following the terrorist attacks in Israel, Lankford called on President Biden and the State Department to immediately rescind the waivers that allowed Iranian funds to be converted and moved to more accessible bank accounts. Lankford also stood up with Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), leaders of the Senate Abraham Accords Caucus, along with a bipartisan group of Senators, to urge Secretary of State Blinken to make it the official policy of the US to freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets. Lankford has also called on President Biden to work to immediately rescue Americans being held hostage by Hamas.

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