U.S. Jewish leaders gather with legislators in Washington for pro-Israel rally

WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 500 people representing more than 50 communities came together July 28 for the National Leadership Assembly for Israel, held at the National Press Club. Lawmakers were joined by Ambassador to Israel Ron Demer and national security adviser Susan Rice.  The assembly was organized by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Representatives from the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and the Cape Cod Federation were in attendance.

A number of themes permeated the program: Congress and the administration stand by Israel. The country of Israel has the right and obligation to defend itself. Demilitarization of Gaza is, and should be, the objective outcome. Iran is a sponsor to Hamas. There is a media slant against Israel. There is a rise of anti-Semitism. The U.S. will pledge continued funding for Iron Dome.

Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, made it clear that Congress was in support of Israel when he said, “At times like this, people tend to want to isolate Israel. But we are here today to stand with Israel. Not just as a broker or as an observer, but as a strong partner and a trusted ally. Israel’s enemies are our enemies.”

“We have your back,” said Susan Rice on behalf of the administration. She also said Israel has the unequivocal right to self-defend like any other nation.

Israel Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer thanked Congress and the Obama administration for supporting Israel and Iron Dome funding.  “Iron Dome protects not only Israelis, but also Palestinians living in Gaza. It allows the Israelis the time and space needed to make strategic and judicious decisions.”

Rice and Boehner both said Iron Dome funding and support would not only continue, but would be escalated significantly.

The ambassador said he wanted America to know that Israel wants “a sustained quiet with no rockets fired at its people. Cease-fire or not, Israel will continue to destroy all terror tunnels.” He said Pres. Obama understands and supports this position. 

“The demilitarization of Gaza is critical if any cease-fire is to prove to be durable. Hamas must not be allowed to rebuild its war machine,” said the ambassador. “Israel is not fighting the people of Gaza; we are fighting Hamas, a brutal terror organization committed to the destruction of Israel.”

Rice agreed that demilitarization was important to ending the conflict. “Any process to resolve the crises in Gaza,” she said, “would have to be lasting and must result in the disarmament of terrorist groups.”

In an effort to demonstrate Israel’s close relationship with America, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., the incoming majority leader, said, “If there is one rocket fired on Israel that is a rocket fired on America.”  McCarthy also said the House would be passing a resolution to condemn Hamas’ use of innocent civilians as human shields. He called on Abbas and the international community to be outraged and call for an immediate halt to this practice.

Speakers made it clear that Israel has a right to defend itself. “There is a moral disconnect between purveyors of terror, and the defenders of people,” said Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., minority whip. “Israel has the right to end the Hamas reign of terror.”

Rice had strong words for those who seem to constantly criticize Israel. “No country is immune to criticism. Nor, should it be. But, when that criticism takes the form of singling out just one country unfairly, bitterly and relentlessly over and over, that’s just plain wrong, and we all know it.”

The security adviser also expressed concern over growing worldwide anti-Semitism, particularly in Europe. “The pretext,” Rice said, “is the current conflict, but we know it has its roots in something ancient and ugly. We should not shy away from calling it by its name. An anti-Jewish riot is not a policy critique. It is not free expression where a mob attacks a synagogue and a kosher grocery store. It is one thing when the message is to end the fighting. But, when the message is death to the Jews, it is an outrage.”

The program also included remarks from Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md.; Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., Foreign Affairs Committee chair; Rep. Ilena Ros-Lehtinen R-Fla.; Denis Stevens, deputy head of mission at Canada’s Embassy; Pnina Agenyahu, Israeli emissary to the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, D.C., and Malcom Hoenlein, Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations.