US Senate vows to back Israeli strike on Iran
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 | Israel Today Staff
The US Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly voted in favor of adopting a resolution stating that America will support Israel should the latter decide it is necessary to attack Iran's nuclear program.
Senate Resolution 65 reaffirms America's unwavering support for Israel's security and continued existence, and calls upon the White House to provide military, diplomatic and economic backing should Israel feel compelled to strike Iran as an act of preemptive self-defense.
Seventy out of 100 senators voted in favor of the motion.
Israel had grown concerned that should it become necessary to strike Iran's nuclear facilities, the Obama Administration would not lend its support, either morally, logistically or materially.
Obama's appointment of John Kerry and Chuck Hagel as secretaries of state and defense, respectively, had only deepened that concern, as both men are on record as opposing military action against Iran under any circumstances.
Israel's new defense minister on Tuesday delivered an Independence Day speech in which he said Israel hoped the international community would succeed in halting Iran's nuclear drive, but that Israel must be prepared to act alone.
"The world must lead the battle against Iran, but Israel must take into account the possibility that it may be forced to defend itself, by itself," said Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon.
Ya'alon noted that Iran firing a missile at Israel is not the only danger in allowing the Islamic Republic to go nuclear.
"A nuclear Iran could launch an arms race in the Middle East and spread nuclear weapons among terror groups. This could be the western world's nightmare," he said.
http://www.israeltoday.co.il/NewsItem/tabid/178/nid/23793/Default.aspx?ref=newsletter-20130417
Senate Resolution 65 reaffirms America's unwavering support for Israel's security and continued existence, and calls upon the White House to provide military, diplomatic and economic backing should Israel feel compelled to strike Iran as an act of preemptive self-defense.
Seventy out of 100 senators voted in favor of the motion.
Israel had grown concerned that should it become necessary to strike Iran's nuclear facilities, the Obama Administration would not lend its support, either morally, logistically or materially.
Obama's appointment of John Kerry and Chuck Hagel as secretaries of state and defense, respectively, had only deepened that concern, as both men are on record as opposing military action against Iran under any circumstances.
Israel's new defense minister on Tuesday delivered an Independence Day speech in which he said Israel hoped the international community would succeed in halting Iran's nuclear drive, but that Israel must be prepared to act alone.
"The world must lead the battle against Iran, but Israel must take into account the possibility that it may be forced to defend itself, by itself," said Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon.
Ya'alon noted that Iran firing a missile at Israel is not the only danger in allowing the Islamic Republic to go nuclear.
"A nuclear Iran could launch an arms race in the Middle East and spread nuclear weapons among terror groups. This could be the western world's nightmare," he said.
http://www.israeltoday.co.il/NewsItem/tabid/178/nid/23793/Default.aspx?ref=newsletter-20130417
