Re: Elections

As Election Day approaches, I remind community members of Congressman David Cicilline’s strong, unwavering support of Israel and his understanding of the significantly important relationship between our two countries. 

As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Cicilline has strengthened our alliance with Israel and supported Israel as she faces great challenges in the region. He was an original co-sponsor of the Iron Dome Support Act, co-sponsored legislation that recognizes the special relationship between our two countries, co-sponsored the Visa Waiver for Israel Act, and was a co-sponsor of the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act, which would place additional sanctions on Iran. Recently, he supported an effort to provide an additional $225 million in funding for Israel’s Iron Dome Anti-Missile Defense System, helping advance Israel’s efforts to defend itself from Hamas attacks on its civilian population.

Additionally, Congressman Cicilline has a very strong presence in our local Jewish community, as a former member of the Temple Beth-el Board of Directors, a member of the AIDS Task Force on the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, and a member of the Rhode Island AIPAC Committee.

I was both concerned and disappointed recently to hear his Republican opponent, Cormick Lynch, on WPRI’s “Newsmakers” program. When asked whether the United States should provide additional assistance to Israel, he said, “we’ve done a lot for Israel” and should not provide additional support, demonstrating a lack of understanding of the critical importance of our only true ally in the region.

We can’t afford to lose a strong supporter of Israel in Washington.  Please join me in supporting Congressman David Cicilline, on Nov. 4. 

David M. Hirsch

Providence, R.I.