Arkansas Attorney General Griffin co-leads 25-state coalition in letter expressing concern over antisemitism at Columbia University amid calls for divestment from Israel

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement that he and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson have sent a letter on behalf of 23 other state attorneys general to Columbia University about the rise of antisemitism on its campus from groups promoting boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) against Israel:

“Since the Hamas attack on Israel last October, antisemitism has grown on university campuses, including Columbia University. Earlier this month, one Columbia anti-Israel student group advocating divestment rescinded its apology of a member’s remark about killing Zionists.

“In spite of antisemitic protests on its campus, Columbia has held the line against the BDS movement and should be commended for it. Our coalition urges Columbia to continue this position in the face of antisemitism from pro-Palestinian student groups while balancing student speech rights.”

In August, Griffin led a coalition of 24 state attorneys general in a letter urging Brown University to reject a proposal that the university divest from certain companies because they do business with Israel, thus triggering anti-BDS laws in several states. On October 9, the Brown Corporation announced that it rejected the proposal backed by student protestors who demanded the vote as a condition to disperse.

To read the letter, click here.

Columbia University - Wikimedia Commons Image

Cotton to Biden: Brief Congress on Leak Investigation

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to President Biden asking for consistent updates on the investigation into the reported leak of top-secret documents. Senator Cotton noted that the repeated leaks from the Biden-Harris administration raise questions about whether the administration will adequately address this security breach.

In part, Senator Cotton wrote:

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris - Wikimedia Commons Image

“Officials in your administration have repeatedly leaked information clearly designed to pressure Israel to curb its righteous campaign against Iran and its terrorist proxies over the last year. These leaks have ranged from reports of personal conversations between American and Israeli officials to assessments of Iranian intent and are clearly designed to handcuff Israel.”

Full text of the letter may be found here and below.

October 22, 2024

President Joseph R. Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500       

I write to express my deep alarm about the reported leak of top-secret American documents regarding Israel’s planned military response against Iran. This leak is an outrageous betrayal of an ally and a breach of trust that will undermine our relationship with partners for years to come.

Officials in your administration have repeatedly leaked information clearly designed to pressure Israel to curb its righteous campaign against Iran and its terrorist proxies over the last year. These leaks have ranged from reports of personal conversations between American and Israeli officials to assessments of Iranian intent and are clearly designed to handcuff Israel.

To cite a few examples:

• CNN recently cited unnamed U.S. officials claiming Israel’s has finalized a counterstrike plan to hit Iran before the U.S. election and provided details about that plan.

• You publicly discussed the timing of Israel’s retaliation again Iran for their latest attack saying on October 3 that it would not “happen today.”

• The Washington Post quoted an unnamed U.S. official about Israel’s plans for the ground invasion of Lebanon before the IDF launched the operation.

In each instance, these leaks are providing aid to Israel’s—and America’s— enemy about likely Israeli attack plans and limiting Israeli freedom of action.

Given this track record I am deeply concerned as to whether your administration will adequately address this serious security breach. Therefore, I request that you provide regular biweekly updates about the investigation to the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.  

Sincerely,

Tom Cotton
United States Senator                     

CD3 debate: Israel, abortion and immigration take center stage

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, said the United States shouldn’t tell Israel how to defend itself following the attacks on it by Hamas last Oct. 7. His Democratic challenger, Caitlin Draper, called for the United States to lead in creating a cease fire. Libertarian Bobby Wilson said the solutions would have to come from the region itself.

The three discussed that and other issues in a debate sponsored by Arkansas PBS on Tuesday (Oct. 8) that will be broadcast Oct. 9 and is available now on Arkansas PBS’ YouTube channel.

Womack said the initial attacks on Israel were imaginable and that the United States should not tell it how to respond.

CD3 debate: Israel, abortion and immigration take center stage

Cotton: Biden Administration is delaying arms shipments to Israel to undermine our ally

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to President Joe Biden, criticizing the Biden administration for withholding weapons and ammunition from Israel as it continues to battle Hamas. Senator Cotton requested the administration provide a complete list of all weapons and ammunition Israel has requested, as well as explanations for the delays.

In part, Senator Cotton wrote:

“Your administration is engaged in bureaucratic sleight-of-hand to withhold this crucial aid to Israel during a shooting war. As you are aware, the Arms Export Control Act requires the administration to notify Congress before sending weapons to a foreign country. Your administration has manipulated this requirement by withholding this formal notification to Congress of approved weapons sales, including F-15s, tactical vehicles, 120-mm mortars, 120-mm tank rounds, joint direct attack munitions, and small diameter bombs. Your administration can then claim that the weapons are ‘in process’ while never delivering them.”

Full text of the letter may be found here and below.

   June 20, 2024

President Joseph R. Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500                 

Dear President Biden:

I write regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s public statement this week that your administration has been withholding weapons and ammunition from Israel and hampering its war effort against Hamas—a serious accusation from a trusted U.S. ally.

Your administration responded by claiming that aid is flowing normally, with one official asserting, “We genuinely do not know what he’s talking about.” You claim that the only hold or delay is on the 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs you refused to deliver earlier this year. But you’re deliberately misleading the American people and insulting a key ally.

Your administration is engaged in bureaucratic sleight-of-hand to withhold this crucial aid to Israel during a shooting war. As you are aware, the Arms Export Control Act requires the administration to notify Congress before sending weapons to a foreign country. Your administration has manipulated this requirement by withholding this formal notification to Congress of approved weapons sales, including F-15s, tactical vehicles, 120-mm mortars, 120-mm tank rounds, joint direct attack munitions, and small diameter bombs. Your administration can then claim that the weapons are “in process” while never delivering them.

But the law also includes an exception for “when emergencies exist,” which allows you to waive the requirement for congressional review and expedite weapons sales. Your administration is obviously aware of this exception since you invoked it just last year. Yet, it appears that you stopped acknowledging the emergency in Israel after receiving a letter from nearly twenty congressional Democrats in January, urging you to end expedited weapons sales to Israel. Though your administration reportedly released a ship carrying at least some of these arms on Wednesday, that modest step doesn’t cure the damage done by the delay.

You’re playing politics with the nation’s honor and our ally’s security. Worse still, your administration lacks the honesty to communicate its true policy to the American people, instead preferring to hide behind weasel words and bureaucratic process.

Any delays to military support to Israel blatantly disregard Congress’s bipartisan mandate to supply Israel with all it needs to defeat the Hamas terrorists and other Iranian-backed groups. Our ally is under sustained threat, and we must use all available resources to expedite military aid. Please provide the following information no later than July 1, 2024:

1. What weapons and ammunition are being withheld from Israel? Include any weapons or ammunition delayed more than two weeks beyond their original delivery date.

2. Provide a list of all foreign military and direct commercial sales requested by Israel and the status of each request. Provide explanation for any delays.

3. Provide a list of any weapons or ammunition Israel has requested be expedited, the status of each request, and an explanation for that status.

4. What issues are hampering you from expediting the delivery of weapons and ammunition to Israel? What, if any, legislative relief is required to address those issues?

5. How much of the recent supplemental funding passed by Congress has your administration expended to deliver weapons and ammunition to Israel?

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

________________

Tom Cotton
United States Senator

Cotton, Colleagues introduce bill to repeal Biden Administration’s Arms Embargo on Israel

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, legislation that would force the Biden administration to send critical weapons to Israel. The bill comes after President Biden announced that his administration would withhold certain weapons from Israel if it conducted a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah in Gaza.

Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) are co-sponsors of the legislation. Congressman Ken Calvert (California-41) introduced companion legislation in the House.

“President Biden’s decision to impose a de facto arms embargo on Israel is a betrayal of one of our most important allies as it fights an existential war for survival. This bill will reverse Joe Biden’s arms embargo and withhold the salaries of officials who implement it,” said Senator Cotton.

“President Biden’s decision to withhold a portion of the Israel security aid just passed by an overwhelming and bipartisan majority of Congress projects the very weakness that has become a trademark of his presidency. If President Biden will not release these weapons, Congress must act to enforce the United States’ support for Israel in its efforts to eliminate Hamas. I thank Senator Cotton for his steadfast support for Israel and introduction of The Israel Security Assistance Support Act in the Senate,” said Congressman Calvert.

Bill text may be found here.

The Israel Security Assistance Support Act would:

• Force the Biden administration to complete the delivery of weapons to Israel.

• Cancel the salaries of any Biden administration official at the Department of Defense or Department of State who take any action to withhold the delivery of weapons to Israel.

Boozman, Graham introduce resolution condemning action by Biden Administration to withhold weapons for Israel

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and 46 Republican senators to introduce a resolution that condemns any action by the Biden administration to withhold or restrict ammunition or weapons for Israel.

“Israel is an American ally and we have a commitment to help our partner defend itself against Hamas terrorists and Iran and its proxies. President Biden’s decision to withhold critical weapons for Israel goes against our long-standing promise and makes it more difficult to rescue American hostages. His administration must unmistakably stand with Israel and deliver the resources it needs to successfully protect its interests,” Boozman said.

The resolution:

• Condemns any decision by the Biden administration to halt the shipment of United States-made ammunition and weapons to the State of Israel;

• Demands the Biden administration continue to fulfill the military aid requests from the State of Israel in order to provide the weapons needed to defeat Hamas and defend against attacks from the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies;

• Reaffirms the importance of the long history of the United States providing military aid to the State of Israel and willingness to expedite delivery of such aid in times of crisis; and

• Upholds the commitment of the United States to the State of Israel’s security and long-term prosperity.

The resolution is also cosponsored by Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Jim Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL),  John Thune (R-SD), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Kennedy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Todd Young (R-IN).

Representative Hill provisions included in package fighting against foreign adversaries and strengthening national security

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after three of his bills passed the House as part of significant, strategic, and critical legislation to support U.S. allies Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. 

“As our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan face threats against their freedom, providing U.S. aid was dire. Russia’s Vladimir Putin will not stop until he takes Ukraine, China’s Xi Jingping seeks to follow Putin’s aggressive and illegal footsteps in his pursuit of Taiwan, and Iran and Iran-backed terror groups are relentless in their attacks against our strongest Middle East ally, Israel. 

“It should be brutally obvious that Putin is responsible for the destruction his army has caused in Ukraine and bears the sole burden of paying for Ukraine’s reconstruction. The REPO Act that House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (TX-10) and I authored was a crucial part of our assistance to Ukraine as it allows Russian sovereign assets held in the United States to be converted for Ukraine’s reconstruction – all while saving U.S. taxpayer money. 

“Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is a transnational drug kingpin who exploits his dangerous drug captagon to generate billions in illicit funding and devastate families in Syria and in the region. It is crucial that we take further action to disrupt and dismantle the proliferation of captagon as it fuels Assad’s terror partnership with the Iranian regime and before it makes its way west to American shores. My bill, the Illicit Captagon Trafficking Suppression Act, does exactly that by directly targeting and sanctioning those involved with the proliferation of captagon. 

“Iran is the top state sponsor of terrorism and profits from their alliances with other terror regimes in the region, and the citizens of Iran deserve transparency about their corrupt, authoritarian leaders. While most of the population lives in poverty, Iranian leaders are focused on funding terrorism and enriching themselves. My bill, the Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act, exposes the finances of Iran’s theocratic leaders and cracks down on the financial institutions that facilitate Iran’s terror. 

“I am pleased that Speaker Johnson and House Leadership secured the important passage of my bills and crucial supplemental aid to our allies today – the world was watching, and we delivered.”  

Further Background: 

H.R. 8038 - 21st Century Peace through Strength Act: This legislation includes three of Rep. Hill’s bills:

• H.R. 4175 - Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians (REPO) Act: This legislation would utilize Russian assets to pay for the Ukrainian current financing gap and long-term reconstruction by giving the U.S. President the authority to seize, transfer, or vest Russian assets within U.S. jurisdiction into an international fund for the sole purpose of Ukraine’s eventual reconstruction.

• H.R. 6245 - Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act: This legislation would expose the finances of Iran’s authoritarian and theocratic leaders and crack down on financial institutions that maintain accounts in connection with those funds.

• H.R. 4681 - Illicit Captagon Trafficking Suppression Act: This legislation would issue new, direct sanctions against the perpetrators who illicitly produce and traffic captagon.

H.R.8035 - Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act: This bill would provide $60.8 billion in aid to Ukraine for defense purposes. $48.3 billion (79%) of this total will fund the U.S. defense industrial base. 

H.R.8034 - Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act: This bill would provide $26.38 billion to support Israel as it defends itself Iran and Iran-backed terror groups such as Hamas. It also would reimburse U.S. military operations in response to the recent attacks. 

H.R.8036 - Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act: This bill would provide $8.12 billion to assist Taiwan as they continue their efforts to counter the Chinese Communist Party and ensure strong deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

Womack cosponsored measures combatting Iran’s unprovoked attack on Israel pass the House

Washington, DC—April 18, 2024…In response to Iran’s unprovoked attack on Israel last weekend, House Republicans passed a slew of legislation to deter further aggression from Iran and support our ally, Israel. Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) supported every bill and is a cosponsor of two of them: H.R. 5947, To provide for the rescission of certain waivers and licenses relating to Iran, which passed the House of Representatives yesterday, and H. Res. 1143, Condemning Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel, which passed today. 

Congressman Womack said, “Iran, the leading state sponsor of terror and brazen human rights abuser, hasn’t changed their ultimate goal – destroying the State of Israel. House Republicans have stepped up where the Biden Administration has fallen short. Advancing legislation this week to deter further aggression from Iran is our strategic and moral obligation to our friend and ally. The United States must continue to stand in unwavering support of Israel in their fight to protect their people and rid the world of evil terrorists.” 

Bill breakdowns: 

• H.R. 5947, To provide for the rescission of certain waivers and licenses relating to Iran: In September 2023, the Biden Administration unfroze $6 billion in Iranian funds as part of a prisoner swap, allowing funds in South Korea and Qatar to be released to Iran for humanitarian needs. As everyone knows, money is fungible, meaning releasing money for humanitarian purposes allow Iran to shift money programmed for that purpose directly to support terrorism. In November 2023, the House passed HR 5961, the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, which imposed sanctions on financial institutions engaging in transactions with the banks holding these funds. This bill would rescind the waiver used to unfreeze these funds in the first place, limiting the president’s ability to exercise the waiver in the future. (Womack Cosponsor)

• H. Res. 1143, Condemning Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel: Condemns Iran’s recent attacks on Israel, reaffirms and supports Israel’s right to self-defense, and urges full enforcement of the United States’ sanctions and export controls against Iran. (Womack Cosponsor)

• H.R. 6046, Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act: Requires the Secretary of State to designate Ansarallah, commonly referred to as the “Houthis”, as a foreign terrorist organization under the Immigration and Nationality Act and imposes sanctions on the Houthis and its affiliates.

• H.R. 6323, Iran Counterterrorism Act: Requires Iran to have ceased support for acts of international terrorism as a condition for the President to waive secondary sanctions imposed with respect to the country. Also provides for a congressional review process for national security interest waivers (issued by OFAC) of these sanctions. 

• H.R. 4691, Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act: Establishes a review period for Congress to examine executive actions that ease or waive sanctions on Iran, requires the President to submit a report to Congress detailing the Administration’s proposed action and how it affects the United States’ national security and foreign policy interests in relation to Iran, and establishes expedited legislative procedures by which both chambers of Congress may pass a joint approval or disapproval resolution allowing or prohibiting the President’s actions with respect to Iran.

Missile factory coming to Arkansas

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

A new missile factory is set for construction in southern Arkansas.

The company RTX, formerly known as Raytheon, is building the facility in Camden. The projected cost is $33 million, and should create 30 new jobs.

At a press conference Thursday, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she was proud of the weapons Arkansas builds and sends worldwide.

“The only way to have a safe America, is to have a strong America,” she said. “Our enemies are on the march and they have their targets set squarely on the backs of Americans.”

Missile factory coming to Arkansas

Evan Vucci/AP

A missile leaves an "Iron Dome" battery, Israel's short-range missile defense system, Monday.

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Strengthening Arkansas’s Relationship with Israel

LITTLE ROCK – I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Israel Innovation Authority this week, and today I’d like to talk about what this means to Arkansas.

On Tuesday, my economic development team gathered with Dr. Ami Appelbaum, Chairman of the Innovation Authority, and Livia Link, Consul General of Israel. We gathered at the Melrose Hotel in Washington for the signing ceremony.

Dr. Appelbaum and I signed copies of the agreement in English and in Hebrew.

This agreement affirms the mutual interest of Arkansas and Israel to share ideas and to work together to produce technology that will benefit our nations and the world.

In the official language of the MOU, the purpose of this agreement is to promote activities to foster mutual cooperation in the innovation and development of technology.

I met Dr. Appelbaum last year when I was in Israel for the Prime Minister’s Smart Mobility Summit. This MOU is a logical next step to strengthen our robust relationship with one of the United States’ most important allies. It affirms the deep friendship and mutual respect between Arkansas and Israel.

Our relationship with the Jewish community dates to 1823 when businessman Abraham Block and his family were the first Jewish family to take up residence in Arkansas. Mr. Block and his sons opened businesses in four Arkansas counties, in New Orleans, and in Texas. The Blocks’ home in Washington is a museum in Historic Washington State Park.

I have had the privilege of expressing our support of Israel by signing bills that allow Arkansas to invest in Israel bonds and that prohibit state and local governments from conducting business with companies that boycott Israel.

As Israel’s ambassador said at the bill signing that day in August 2017, we were sending a message that Arkansas stands against hate and against anti-Semitism, and that Arkansas stands with Israel.

This agreement is a natural progression of our relationship with Israel.

My friendships within the Arkansas Jewish community have led to many personally enriching opportunities, such as participating in the annual Menorah lighting ceremony in Little Rock. I was equally enriched by the brief time we spent with our friends from Israel on Tuesday.

As I prepared to sign the Hebrew version of the MOU, I suggested that I was going to use my Hebrew name, which brought some laughter. The joke, of course, is that Asa is a Hebrew name.

Now that we have signed the MOU, we will explore what’s next in this mutually beneficial partnership between two leaders in innovation and technology as we embark on the next stage of our long relationship.