Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — Congress has been examining legislation that would
grant Israel the status of a “major strategic ally” of the United States.

In the first such designation, the House launched a bipartisan drive to
classify Israel as an official strategic ally of Washington. The bill was
meant to sustain major U.S. military and energy programs for Israel amid
deep cuts in the federal budget.

“Congress declares that Israel is a major strategic partner of the
United States,” the bill, called “United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013,” said.

The legislation was introduced by House Middle East and North Africa
subcommittee chairwoman Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and ranking Democrat Rep. Ted Deutsch, both from Florida. The bill, introduced on March 4, envisions an expanded alliance between Israel and the United States, including the fields of agriculture, energy, homeland security and alternative fuel.

“At a time when Israel faces a more precarious security situation than
ever before, it is important for the United States to reaffirm its
unwavering support and commitment to the unbreakable bond between our two great democracies,” Ms. Ros-Lehtinen said.

The legislation called on President Barack Obama to extend U.S. aid to
Israel’s missile defense programs despite massive cuts in the defense
budget. The bill cited Israel’s Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow-2 and the
developing Arrow-3.

“This bill not only reinforces and enhances our strategic partnership
with Israel, it builds upon decades of broad cooperation between our two
countries and reaffirms the shared values and mutual interests that form the
foundation of the U.S.-Israel relationship,” Deutch said.

The legislation was introduced during the opening of the annual
conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The bill was
referred to the House Foreign Relations Committee, where the Govtrack.US
website said it had only a five percent chance of moving to the floor of the
House.

  American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Govtrack.US, House bill would designate Israel a ‘major strategic ally’, House Foreign Relations Committee, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Rep. Ted Deutsch