March 6, 2013
House resolution would back Israel strike on Iran
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Bushehr nuclear power plant, 746 miles south of Tehran, on Aug. 21, 2010. Photo by Raheb Homavandi/Reuters
A slate of Republican congressmen in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a resolution that would support an Israeli strike against Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program.
The non-binding resolution introduced Tuesday by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) "fully supports Israel's lawful exercise of self-defense, including actions to halt Iranian aggression such as a strike against Iran's illegal nuclear program."
Another 12 Republicans are co-sponsors.
A non-binding Senate resolution introduced last week in time for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's annual conference would call on President Obama to logistically support Israel should it feel "compelled" to strike Iran to stop its suspected bomb-making. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.
Also Tuesday, Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) introduced the Senate version of another House bill introduced last week in time for AIPAC's conference that would designate Israel a "major strategic ally," a one-of-a-kind definition.
Those bills would codify much existing legislation on U.S. Israel missile defense, energy and cyber security cooperation as well as seek avenues to allow Israel to join a program that allows foreign nationals to enter the United States without a prearranged visa.
