WASHINGTON — Today, Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Tim Scott to announce their introduction of a resolution reiterating Israel’s right to self-defense and condemning recent calls from U.S. lawmakers, which interfere in Israel’s sovereign electoral process. The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.). 

Senator Scott is currently visiting Israel, where he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other high-ranking officials to discuss the United States’ and Israel’s shared priority of destroying Iran-backed Hamas terrorists that have killed thousands of individuals, including Americans since the October 7, 2023 attacks. In recognition of Holy Week, Senator Scott also visited the Western Wall to pray for the people of Israel and the immediate release of all hostages.

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

BACKGROUND

It is the longstanding policy of the United States to support Israel’s inherent right to self-defense. This policy was enshrined in U.S. law through the passage of several bipartisan pieces of legislation, including the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-150) and the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-596). The Senate recently reaffirmed this policy through the passage of S. Res. 417, following the devastating terrorist attacks perpetrated against Israel by Hamas—an Iranian-backed terrorist organization—on October 7, 2023.

On March 14, 2024, the Senate's top Democrat gave an unprecedented speech on the Senate floor where he called for elections to be held in Israel, stating that the country’s current government “no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7.”

Read more regarding every action and statement Sen. Scott has done in the wake of the October 7th Iran-backed Hamas terrorist attack: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/israel

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