Congressman Pete King


Israel

During my seventeen years in Congress, I have been a staunch defender of the State of Israel. I have consistently voted in favor of military and economic aid packages benefiting Israel and sponsored legislation that prohibits direct assistance to Palestinian Government entities associated with Hamas or other terrorist organizations. I have also authored the Promoting Anti-Terrorism Cooperation through Technology and Science (PACTS) Act which was signed into law by President Bush. This legislation encourages cooperation on homeland security research, development, testing, and evaluation between the U.S., Israel, and other allies in the Global War on Terror. I have also been a leader in securing homeland security funding to protect non-profit institutions such as synagogues, religious schools, and community centers.

Below, you may find various letters and resolutions I have recently endorsed:

  • On 2/11/09 I wrote to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calling for a moratorium on contributions to the United Nations Relief & Works Agency (UNRWA) until the Government Accountability Office (GAO) completes a report to determine whether any Palestinian terrorists receive funding from UNRWA.
  • On 6/12/08 I wrote to President Bush urging him to stand by Israel at the United Nations and support Israel’s right to self-defense. The letter also urged the President to demand that Arab states do more to support Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
  • On 4/29/08 I wrote to President Bush requesting the U.S. include Israel as part of its ballistic missile early warning system and install a ground-based early warning radar site in Israel.
  • H. Con. Res. 29—This resolution calls for increased transparency and accountability to make sure UNRWA is not providing money to or employing terrorists.
  • H. Res. 42—This resolution calls on the President and the Secretary of State to withhold U.S. funding for and participation in the Durban Review Conference (Durban II) and its preparatory activities. Durban II is the follow-up conference to the disastrous United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance held in South Africa in 2001.
  • H.R. 1208—Iran Threat Reduction Act—This bill strengthens existing legislation to sanction persons aiding and facilitating nonproliferation activities by the Government of Iran.
  • H.R. 1327—Iran Sanctions Enabling Act—This bill authorize state and local governments to direct divestiture from, and prevent investment in, companies with investments of $20,000,000 or more in Iran's energy sector.