by Justine Hemmestad
Senator Chuck Grassley (R - Iowa) is the President pro tempore of the United States Senate, making him third in the presidential line of succession. Grassley was elected to the senate in 1980, and he’s currently in his seventh term. I recently had the opportu- nity to ask Senator Grassley a few questions about his positions on Israel, as well as about the recent unrest on Iowa’s college campuses in regard to the Israel-Hamas war. Even a glance at his web- site would suggest that Israel holds great importance for him, so I asked Senator Grassley to clarify his attachment to Israel and to the Israeli people. Grassley answered, “As a Christian, the Holy Land holds great importance for me, and I have visited several times. I also keep in close contact with the Jewish community, especially those in Iowa.” I wondered then how the depth of this connection, between both Israel and himself personally and Israel and Iowa policy, can be used to guide our two countries forward. Senator Grassley answered, “Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. This creates a signifi- cant political bond between our two nations. Religious affinities strengthen that bond, as the United States has a large and thriving Jewish community, and Christians feel a strong connection to the lands of the Bible and historic Israel and Judah. “Recently, we’ve witnessed a resurgence of anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric. This pervasive conduct is an affront to the Jewish community, and re-emphasizes the need to promote an accurate understanding of history among younger generations.” Before addressing Iowa’s college campuses, I asked Senator Grassley if he would compare the connection between Israel and America, between America and any of its other allies to determine how he gauges the importance of the US-Israel relationship (strategically and geopolitically as well as culturally and spiritually). Senator Grassley answered, “Israel is an economic and military powerhouse, and our greatest ally in the Middle East. The U.S.-Israeli relationship runs deep, both because of our mutual strategic goals, as well as our shared Judeo-Christian values.” Specifically in regard to Iowa, I wondered if the majority of Americans support Israel, to which he answered, “Polling shows that a majority of Americans support Israel, and I often hear that support echoed during my meetings with Iowans.” Senator Grassley fully supports the supplemental funding legislation that provides military aid to Israel. Additionally, he supports aiding Israel’s Iron Dome where needed. Senator Grassley also criticized President Biden for going back on his pledge of unconditional support for Israel. When asked what we could be doing to support Israel, the Senator said, “President Biden should learn from the lessons of the past. The United States was the first country to recognize Israel, and our relationship has for decades played an important role in U.S. national security. Israel is a strong democracy and a homeland for the Jewish people. We must always stand with them.” Senator Grassley and several colleagues also pressed President Biden to “oppose the International Criminal Court’s impending use of arrest warrants and other tactics against Israel for rightfully defending itself.” Additionally, 47 Senators along with Grassley support a resolution that condemns any action taken by President Biden “to block or restrict the supply of U.S. ammunition and weapons to Israel.” “However,” Senator Grass- ley notes, “as we’ve seen on campuses across the U.S., there’s a growing effort to demonize Israel’s right to ex- ist. That’s why it’s especially important to raise awareness and speak out in support of Israel as it continues to de- fend itself from attacks.” Senator Grassley’s website adds that, “more than 100 students from Columbia University were arrested after setting up a tent encampment on the school’s main lawn to protest Israel. Similar encampments have sprouted at other universities, including Yale and New York University, requiring police action to break up increasingly disorderly demonstrations and resulting in disruptions to class schedules.” Specifically in regard to Iowa’s college campuses, I wondered if there were any guidelines that can be put in place on college campuses (especially to protect Jewish students). Senator Grassley answered very similarly to what my friend Itamar Ben David said earlier about how harmful speech can be in the college campus protests. “The best way to counter bad speech is with better speech,” Senator Grassley said. “But, when certain speech crosses the line and leads to the harassment of Jewish students, we need to make clear that it is unacceptable. “All colleges that accept federal student aid are obliged to comply with certain civil rights protections and anti-discrimination laws. I’ve written to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona calling on their agencies to uphold these legal obligations and ensure the safety of Jewish and Israeli students. “I also believe we should clarify when harassment qualifies as antisemitism. That’s why I’m Cosponsoring bipartisan legislation requiring the Education Department to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws on campus.” The Alliance’s definition of antisemitism is as follows, “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” Senator Grassley has previously said, “There have been disturbing reports of Jewish students on American college campuses targeted for harassment in the course of anti-Israel protests. The Education Department is charged with investigating antisemitism at higher-ed institutions, and it should be using the most effective methods to do so. We must be uncompromising in our efforts to call out and condemn antisemitism. Such hateful, discriminatory behavior has no place in our nation.” Grassley has joined fellow Iowa Senator Joni Ernst to call upon Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to ensure the safety of Jewish and Israeli students amid rising antisemitism on campuses. Senator Grassley is united with Senator Tim Scott and additional colleagues “in reaffirming the United States’ support for Israel’s right to defend itself, as well as denouncing any efforts by U.S. lawmakers to interfere in Israel’s democratic electoral process.” When asked about Israel’s strengths in the world, as well as an ally to the United States (given its Middle East geography), Senator Grassley stated, “Israel remains determined to defend itself against any odds and unphased by the animosity of its regional neighbors. The Israeli nation has an impressive military and extensive reserve forces. These factors, combined with its successful democracy and booming economy, led several other Middle Eastern countries to establish diplomatic and economic relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords. Israel is undeniably both a capable ally and a model nation for other countries in the region.” Additionally, Senators Grassley and Ernst are among the lawmakers who condemn the United Nations’ failure to act on behalf of Israel in the face of Hamas’ widespread sexual violence against Israeli women. Grassley’s website says, “The senators called on UN Secretary-General António Guterres to open an independent investigation into Hamas’ use of rape and sexual assault as ‘weapons of war,’ and provide support to the Israeli survivors of sexual violence.” I also asked him where America, as well as specifically Iowa, would be if Israel does not fight Hamas. He answered, “Hamas is the Palestinian chapter of the Muslim Brotherhood, which exists to destroy the State of Israel and establish an Islamist regime. If successful, this new regime would pose grave danger to other countries in the region and beyond. “In 1993, as part of the Oslo Accords, Israel with- drew from Gaza and allowed it to be self-governed by the Palestinian people. However, since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, the terrorist organization has devoted all its resources to threatening the nation of Israel, rather than looking after the Palestinian people.” He continued, “Israel has attempted to live sideby-side with Hamas-controlled Gaza, but the brutal October 7 attacks made clear that Hamas must be destroyed – otherwise, Hamas terrorists will continue to attack innocent Israelis and put the Palestinian people in danger, as Hamas’ leaders have repeatedly stated they intend to do.”
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