Letter to Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State - Congressman Biggs Leads Letter to State Department Supporting Jerusalem Embassy
Letter
Today, Congressman Biggs led a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, calling on him to oppose any effort to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Jerusalem back to Tel Aviv.
97 Members of Congress co-signed the letter.
Congressman Biggs issued the following statement:
"Several American presidents promised to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, but President Trump was the first to fulfill that promise in 2018. Republicans and Democrats may not agree on much these days, but I am encouraged that the Biden administration has committed to keeping the U.S. embassy in Israel in Jerusalem. I pray that this administration will unequivocally stand with our enduring ally Israel, and I hope to work across the aisle in the months ahead to support this great nation."
Co-signer support:
"As the leader of the free world and defender of democracy around the globe, it is imperative that America stands by our allies and remains true to our commitments. This is more than a signal of support to our ally Israel, it's a clear message to their adversaries and all enemies of freedom around the world. I urge Secretary Blinken to honor the United States' commitment to Israel as we usher in a new era of Middle Eastern peace advanced by the Trump Administration." -- Rep. Jodey C. Arrington (TX-19)
"Keeping the U.S. embassy in Israel's "eternal capital' ensures a continued partnership between the U.S. and Israel for decades to come. This partnership with one of our strongest allies is critical to the security of the Middle East, so I strongly urge Secretary Blinken to honor his commitment to keeping our U.S. embassy in Jerusalem." -- Rep. Jerry Carl (AL-01)
"As a longtime supporter of Israel and the U.S.-Israel relationship, I'm very supportive of the Trump Administration's decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to its historic capital, Jerusalem. It would be a mistake if President Biden were to listen to misguided, ideological voices and decide to reverse this historic achievement." -- Rep. Steve Chabot (OH-01)
"Israel is a friend and ally of the United States, one that shares our commitment to peace and liberty. In the past, the American people have stood with Israel, and it is more important than ever that we maintain a strong partnership. Our nation must continue to honor our agreement to keep the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, Israel's true capital. This meaningful action sends a strong message to the world that the United States keeps our promises as our countries proudly stand together." -- Rep. Michael Cloud (TX-27)
"In 2018, I was proud to be in Jerusalem for the opening of the U.S. Embassy in its rightful, undivided home. Since that time, the United States and Israel have continued to lead in the Middle East and have made historic progress toward Middle East peace. Israel is a staunch friend and ally, and we must continue doing all we can to support and preserve the partnership between these two great nations. I'm grateful to Congressman Biggs and the rest of my colleagues for making this a top priority as we begin the 117th Congress." -- Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
"Israel is the United States' most critical ally. As a U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot, I flew combat missions in the Middle East and saw firsthand why good relations between Israel and America are imperative. I want to thank Representative Andy Biggs for his leadership on this issue and I am honored to work with him to ensure we uphold our commitment to keep the U.S. embassy in the "eternal capital' of Israel and continue to work together as allies." -- Mike Garcia (CA-25)
"Jerusalem is the rightful capital of Israel, the sovereign Jewish state. I applaud the affirmation from Secretary of State Antony Blinken to keep the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. It is an important signal of support and commitment to the Jewish people in the United States and around the world." -- Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (FL-26)
"Jerusalem has been and remains the heart of the Jewish people and state. I urge the Administration to maintain and build on the actions of President Trump in standing by our allies and further uniting, rather than dividing, the Middle East." -- Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01)
"It's of great strategic importance for the United States to maintain goodwill with Israel, our best friend in the Middle East. Secretary Blinken and the Biden Administration must keep their promise to retain the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, the true capital of Israel." -- Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01)
"Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and the U.S. Embassy to Israel should remain there, where it rightfully belongs. I hope Secretary Blinken stays true to his word and continues to prioritize our special relationship with Israel." -- Rep. Ashley Hinson (IA-01)
"The U.S.-Israel relationship is the most important partnership we have in the middle east. I will continue to work with the Biden administration to strengthen this great friendship." -- Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-08)
"When President Trump formally recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and subsequently relocated the U.S. Embassy there, critics said peace in the Middle East would never be achieved. Since then, America's relationship with Israel has only strengthened and great progress has been made toward advancing peace in the region. In order to build on this success, Secretary Blinken must keep his promise to oppose any effort to move the U.S. Embassy back to Tel Aviv. Provided the Biden Administration supports the view of the American people in prioritizing a strong relationship with Israel, I am optimistic that the Middle East strategy implemented over the last four years will continue to inspire generational change." -- Rep. Ronny L. Jackson (TX-13)
"Jerusalem has been, and always will be, the capital of Israel - unless the Jewish people themselves determine otherwise. Moving the American Embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing it as Israel's capital sends a strong message of America's support for our great ally and the undeniable right of Israel to exist, and I strongly encourage the Biden administration to leave the 2018 official move of the Embassy in place." -- Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-06)
"President Trump delivered for the American people and the rule of law by moving our embassy to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. We must continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel, a vanguard against the terror states of the Middle East." -- Rep. Jim Jordan (OH-04)
"Recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's true capital is one of President Trump's many accomplishments. Israel has long been our strongest ally in the Middle East and I remain committed to ensuring that the Biden Administration does not renege on its commitment to keep our embassy in Jerusalem and continue the goodwill between our two nations." -- Fred Keller (PA-12)
"The historic decision to move the United States embassy in Israel to Jerusalem sent a powerful message to the world that the U.S. officially recognizes Jerusalem as the unequivocal capital of Israel. I urge Secretary of State Blinken to stand by our great ally and friend, Israel, and keep the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem." -- Rep. David Kustoff (TN-08)
"Jerusalem is the undisputed capital of Israel. I strongly oppose any efforts to undo this historic achievement by the Trump Administration. The American embassy must permanently remain in Jerusalem." -- Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO-05)
"At the end of 2017, President Trump announced that the United States would be moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and the Administration officially moved the embassy to Jerusalem in 2018. Although many Presidents supported this move, President Trump actually made it happen. This was necessary action because Jerusalem is the seat of the modern Israeli government. It is the home of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, as well as the Israeli Supreme Court. It is the location of the official residence of the Prime Minister and the President. It is the headquarters of many government ministries. We must fulfill the will of the United States Congress and stand with the people of Israel by fully recognizing their right to establish the location of their seat of government." -- Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05)
"Israel is America's strongest ally in the region. Moving our Embassy to Jerusalem was ordered by Congress more than two decades ago. To reverse this achievement and move it back to Tel Aviv now would not only defy a long-standing goal of the Congress, but would also defy our friendship with the Israeli people." -- Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-01)
"Over the last 60 years, the U.S.--Israel relationship has been a boon to international stability, providing security for Israel and giving the United States an important strategic edge in the Middle East. The Biden Administration would be wise to affirm our alliance with Israel by keeping the United States Embassy in Jerusalem." -- Rep. Tom McClintock (CA-04)
"Keeping the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is a reaffirmation of our deep commitment and friendship with Israel. This was an acknowledgement that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, a fact that Congress codified in law back in 1995. We hope the Biden Administration will keep President Trump's commitment to strengthening the bond between our two nations." -- Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (WV-01)
"I am proud to stand with my colleagues in support of our friend and ally, Israel. Under President Trump's leadership, America made the long overdue decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the U.S. Embassy to the city -- solidifying Israel as one of our strongest allies in the region. Maintaining our relationship with Israel is paramount to achieving continued stability with our allies in the Middle East, and I urge Secretary Blinken to follow through on his word and keep the U.S. Embassy in Israel's "eternal capital.'" -- Rep. Carol D. Miller (WV-03)
"I recognize Jerusalem as the true capital of Israel, and the United States should continue to stand with our allies in the Middle East as they work to build a brighter, more hopeful future." -- Rep. Mary E. Miller (IL-15)
"President Trump's historic decision to relocate our embassy to Jerusalem undoubtedly facilitated the groundbreaking Abraham Accords and many other unprecedented steps toward stability in the Middle East. I strongly urge the Biden administration to honor our commitments to Israel and continue these efforts to maintain goodwill between our two nations." -- Rep. Barry Moore (AL-02)
"The United States has no greater ally in the Middle East than Israel and President Trump's historic action of moving the embassy to Jerusalem showed our strong commitment to them. We cannot turn our backs on them and undo the years-worth of progress President Trump made. I encourage Secretary Blinken and the Biden Administration to fulfil their promise to keep our embassy in Jerusalem." -- Rep. Markwayne Mullin (OK-02)
"The United States must uphold our commitments to the democratic, Jewish State of Israel -- our most reliable ally in the region. Jerusalem is the rightful capital of Israel and it is where the US embassy should remain." -- Rep. María Elvira Salazar (FL-27)
"From the Trump Administration's relocation of the U.S. embassy and decision to stand firm with our Israeli allies, we have seen unprecedented peace measures starting with the historic Abraham Accords and its effects spreading throughout the Middle East. A decision from Joe Biden to move the U.S. embassy from Jerusalem would be a dangerous reversal in these foreign policy strides and strategic accomplishments, and an abdication of our alliance to Israel." -- Rep. W. Gregory Steube (FL-17)
"For over 20 years, every President of the United States failed to move our embassy to the true capital of Israel -- Jerusalem. President Trump kept his promise and in doing so further strengthened America's alliance with the strongest democracy in the Middle East. We must continue to support Israel and ensure the embassy remains." -- Rep. Michael Waltz (FL-06)
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