On Monday, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla.. focused on Middle Eastern affairs, calling on President Donald Trump to get tough with Iran and showcasing his support of Israel.
Insisting Iran was behind them, Scott weighed in on recent drone attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia. Scott also called for the White House to stand firm against Iran.
“Iran needs to know that acts of aggression against the United States or our allies will not be tolerated,” Scott said. “Until the United States increases pressure on Iran, they will continue these attacks. We have to protect the safety and security of our military assets and our men and women in uniform that are in the region, as well as the security of our allies in the region, especially Israel. Military conflict is not our first choice, but we must take this seriously. President Trump must not make any concessions to Iran ahead of the UN General Assembly.”
Also on Monday, Scott stressed his continued support of Israel. He wrote Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirmed his commitment to helping that nation.
“As you know, I just returned from my fourth visit to Israel, and the importance of the relationship between the United States and Israel cannot be overstated. On my most recent trip, I traveled all across Israel and visited the borders. I was at the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights, and saw firsthand how close Israel is to its enemies. I met innocent Israelis that are living in fear of terror. I met Israeli troops working hard to defend peace and democracy, and was impressed by their bravery and dedication. In the United States, we must make sure Israel has the resources it needs to continue funding its defense, and fight against any attempt by the Democrats to cut funding,” Scott wrote Netanyahu who is trying to retain his current office in Tuesday’s elections.
“The United States and Israel are partners in every sense of the word, and we have come together over decades to defend our common interests and protect peace and security. I am thankful for your friendship and leadership. In Israel, the United States has a strong, capable, and trustworthy ally,” Scott added. “Florida has also maintained a strong relationship with Israel for many generations. As governor, I took a stand against discrimination and prohibited state agencies and local governments from contracting with companies boycotting Israel. I also signed legislation to ensure the state of Florida will not support those that participate in the BDS movement. Israel’s economic strength is key to its ability to defend itself and our common interests.
“I applaud President Trump’s bold decisions to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights and to confront Iran. As we discussed in our meeting, Iran is the region’s greatest threat and continues to threaten the U.S. and our allies through its military actions, its support of proxy organizations in the region, and its support for terrorism,” Scott continued.
“The security of Israel, and the safety and security of our military assets in the Middle East, continue to be our most important concern. We remain steadfast in our support for Israel – support that should never be a partisan issue—because we have no greater ally in our efforts to protect the peace and secure our interests in a dangerous world. As senator, I promise to personally fight against any efforts by Democrats to cut funding for Israel. I also will fight against any form of anti-Semitism, racism, hate and discrimination, and fully support your decision not to let anti-Semitic members of Congress travel to Israel,” Scott wrote in conclusion. “Thank you again for being a partner in this fight. Together, we will continue strengthening our partnership for generations to come.”
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
