Following reports on the Heritage Foundation’s proposal to end U.S. aid to Israel, Democratic Majority for Israel President & CEO Mark Mellman today released the following statement:
“Democratic Majority for Israel unequivocally opposes the Heritage Foundation’s proposal to end U.S. aid to Israel. This proposal represents a betrayal of America’s long-standing, mutually beneficial commitment to Israel’s security that has been a cornerstone of U.S.-Israel relations for more than 75 years. It’s also a betrayal of a democratic ally that faces existential threats from Iran and its proxies — the same bad actors who shout, ‘Death to America.’
“It is a short-sighted proposal that would lead to more chaos in the Middle East at a time when we need to be working towards stability and integration. This proposal only serves to encourage Iran and its proxies who believe that if they just wait long enough, they can destroy Israel.
“The Heritage Foundation occupies a unique space in Washington, D.C., which is why this proposal must be taken seriously. As the authors of Project 2025, which the Trump Administration has swiftly implemented, the Heritage Foundation is a leading right-wing think tank that sets the agenda for Republican elected officials and policymakers. The proposal should not only be rejected outright, but it must also be strongly condemned by Republicans and Democrats alike who are committed to a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.
“This proposal — along with the way the U.S. has turned its back on our allies in Europe — represents a dangerous trend: the lure of isolationism. The world is not going to be safer if the United States continues to retreat from it — it will only get more dangerous as we embolden totalitarians against democracies.
“The U.S.-Israel relationship is stronger than any single partisan initiative, and it is essential that we continue to support and strengthen this alliance for the benefit of both nations.”