This week, U.S. Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., both of whom sit on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, once again teamed up to help Israel as it faces terrorist attacks by Hamas.
Scott and Rosen led a letter, which was also signed by U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, and Mike Rounds, R-SD, calling on the U.S. Defense Department to send two more Iron Dome batteries and other unused military equipment to Israel.
“Since October 7, Hamas, which Iran directly supplies and funds, has fired thousands of rockets into populated areas across Israel with the intention of killing as many innocent civilians as possible. As you know, the United States Army is currently in possession of two Iron Dome batteries that have not been deployed and have no operational use inside the United States where they are currently stored,” the senators wrote. “Immediately transferring these two Iron Dome batteries that are not in use to Israel would provide tangible, life-saving and sustained support to our ally as it faces rocket and missile salvos that threaten to overwhelm its defenses. The transfer of these two Iron Dome batteries, in addition to sending other unused military assets, would bolster Israel’s defense capabilities and immediately help Israel combat terrorist aggression.”
Scott and Rosen scored a win at the end of last month when the White House announced Israel would be part of the Visa Waiver Program.
“The Visa Waiver Program allows individuals from participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa,” Scott’s office noted.
Scott and Rosen have been working on the matter since 2021. At the end of last year, Scott and Rosen led a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to request Israel be included in the program. More than a dozen other U.S. senators signed the letter, including U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
“Today’s announcement of Israel’s admittance into the Visa Waiver Program is great news and the product of months of strong, bipartisan support for Israel in Congress. I have been proud to work alongside Senator Jacky Rosen to urge the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security to take this action, which further strengthens the bond between the United States and our great ally, Israel, through increased tourism and business travel. Every step toward increased partnership between the American and Israeli people only reinforces the special relationship between our nations. I look forward to seeing the positive cultural and economic outcomes this development will bring,” Scott said.
“Israel is one of America’s closest allies and an important trading partner. By adding Israel to the Visa Waiver Program, we’ll strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship and help increase tourism and business travel to the United States. I was proud to lead the bipartisan push to get this done, and I’ll continue working across the aisle to strengthen ties between our two nations,” said Rosen.
