HOURS BEFORE ISRAEL’S PREEMPTIVE STRIKE ON IRAN, ZOA HOSTS CRITICAL LOBBYING MISSION ON CAPITOL HILL

ZOA PRESIDENT MORTON KLEIN BEGAN THE DAY AT THE PENTAGON WITH THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR POLICY AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS

WASHINGTON D.C. – Just hours before Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iran, the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) brought over 100 American Jewish leaders from across the country, from California to Florida to Capitol Hill for its annual Legislative Lobbying Mission. With tensions escalating and existential threats facing Israel, the mission focused on three core priorities: opposing Palestinian statehood, confronting the Iranian threat and combating rising antisemitism in the United States.

The day began with a high-level luncheon on Capitol Hill, where ZOA leaders were addressed by 25 bipartisan U.S. Senators and Representatives who expressed their unwavering support for Israel and alignment with ZOA’s legislative agenda. Speakers included Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL), Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL), Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC), Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY), Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), Rep. Ronnie Jackson (R-TX), Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Jeff Crank (R-CO), Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) and Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-ID).

Following the luncheon, ZOA delegations fanned out across the Capitol, meeting with more than 30 additional members of Congress and key staff to advocate for urgent legislative action. The meetings centered on three critical issues:

First, ZOA underscored the growing danger posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran. As Israel prepared to act in defense of its citizens, ZOA emphasized that Iran is not only an existential threat to Israel but a major danger to American national security and the West as Iranians proclaim, “Death to America, Death to Israel.” ZOA called on Congress, not only to support supporting Israel’s right to take military action in self-defense against Iran’s aggression and proxy terrorism, but also to support stronger and enforced sanctions, reject any diplomatic path that allows Iran to pursue nuclear weapons and ensure that any future agreements with Iran receive Senate approval as a treaty.

“Iran continues to defy international agreements, fund global terrorism and threaten the very existence of the Jewish state,” said ZOA National President Morton A. Klein. “The world must understand that Israel has not only the right, but the obligation, to defend herself. America must stand firmly beside Israel as it faces these genocidal threats. The timing of our mission could not have been more crucial.”

Second, ZOA strongly opposed the creation of a Palestinian Arab state, warning that such a move would reward Arab Islamic terrorism, legitimize Hamas, empower Iran and pose an existential threat to Israel’s survival. Participants lobbied that any recognition of Palestinian statehood would destabilize the region and give more power and land to strengthen the Palestinian Arabs heinous Jew-hating, Israel-hating religious Islamic agenda.

“October 7, 2023, should have been a wake-up call for anyone living in denial, thinking that the Palestinians just wanted Statehood and peaceful coexistence with Israel,” said Klein. “Eight times over the last century, the Palestinians have been offered a state in exchange for peace. Every time, that offer, made by Israel, has been rejected with no counter offers.”

“Even with limited sovereignty, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas have proven a total lack of accountability and responsibility towards their people and instead have chosen to perpetuate the conflict, support Arab Islamic terrorists and use their territories to launch terror attacks to murder Jews.”

Finally, ZOA addressed the dramatic and disturbing surge in antisemitism in the United States since the October 7th Hamas massacre. Jewish students across American campuses, as well as K–12 schools and cities, are increasingly facing harassment, intimidation and violence. The ZOA delegations urged Congress to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act and the Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act, sanction elected officials who promote antisemitic blood libels, and take action against foreign nationals and organizations that support terrorist ideologies by denying visas and tax-exempt status and determines who is funding these rallies and riots.

“Our message to lawmakers is simple: this moment requires moral clarity and legislative courage,” said Klein. “We will not tolerate excuses, delays, or appeasement of antisemitism. We need strong laws, bold leadership and an unflinching commitment to the safety and dignity of the Jewish people, both in Israel and in the United States.”

ZOA President Morton Klein also shared with those in attendance that his private Pentagon meeting with Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby and other officials was heartening in that they were clearly supportive of strong U.S.-Israel relations and understood the Islamic Arab dangers and threats both Israel and the US face. Furthermore, they looked forward to continuing meetings and the sharing of ideas in the future.

Founded in 1897, the Zionist Organization of America is the oldest pro-Israel organization in the United States. The ZOA works towards strengthening US-Israeli relations through educational activities, public affairs programs, advocating on Capitol Hill, and by combating anti-Israel bias in the media, textbooks, and on campuses. The ZOA is dedicated to educating the public, elected officials, media, and college/high school students about the truth of the ongoing and relentless Arab-Islamic war against Israel and the Jewish people. For more information, visit www.zoa.org