US senators to Israel: We have your back
By JPOST.COM STAFF
03/01/2013 15:05
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announces resolution to support Israel's right to defend itself against a nuclear Iran.
US Senator Lindsey Graham Photo: REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
A bipartisan group of US senators is introducing a non-binding resolution to
support Israel’s right to defend itself when it comes to a nuclear-capable Iran,
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R–South Carolina) said at a press conference on
Friday.
“No one wants another conflict in the world, militarily, but we
also do not want a nuclear-capable Iran. It would create an arms race in the
Middle East and would put Israel and our own nation in great peril,” Graham
said.
“The people who want to destroy Israel very much have us in their
cross-hairs too... since America has no better friend in the Middle East than
Israel,” Graham said, acknowledging US President Barack Obama’s initiative to
put a stop to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Ahead of Obama’s visit to Israel
this month, Graham labeled the initiative as an effort by Republicans and
Democrats to tell Israel “we have your back.”
Graham presented the resolution as a statement of support in the event that Israel acts in self defense against Iran. "This is not a green light for Israel to do anything other than defend itself. If the Israeli people have to act in self defense against existential threat of nuclear capable iran, we will be there," stated Graham.
He presented the resolution
as a statement of support in the event that Israel acts in self-defense against
Iran.
“This is not a green light for Israel to do anything other than
defend itself. If the Israeli people have to act in self-defense against
existential threat of nuclear-capable Iran, we will be there,” Graham
said.
“Every senator that votes for this resolution is telling the world,
Iranians, Israelis, that in the event this day comes, we are going to be with
the State of Israel, politically, economically, militarily to help them defend
themselves against a threat that presents great danger not only to Israel but to
the world, and to the US,” he added.
Graham concluded his remarks with a
message to the international community, saying “when it comes to the concept of
standing with Israel in times of great peril, when we say we have your back, we
mean it, and when you [Obama] say it to Israel, you have our
blessing.”
Obama was scheduled to arrive in Israel on March 20.