[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 700 Introduced in House (IH)]







109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 700

 Supporting an upgrade in Israel's relationship with NATO to that of a 
  leading member of NATO's Individual Cooperation Program, as a first 
   step toward Israel's inclusion in NATO as a full member with all 
        corresponding rights, privileges, and responsibilities.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 28, 2006

 Ms. Ros-Lehtinen (for herself and Mr. Wexler) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting an upgrade in Israel's relationship with NATO to that of a 
  leading member of NATO's Individual Cooperation Program, as a first 
   step toward Israel's inclusion in NATO as a full member with all 
        corresponding rights, privileges, and responsibilities.

Whereas ministers representing Member States of the North Atlantic Treaty 
        Organization have expressed the need to amend the NATO alliance in order 
        to enhance its ability to address new threats;
Whereas the confluence of global terrorist threats necessitate the geographic 
        expansion of the alliance;
Whereas NATO Member States have been attacked by, and continue to be threatened 
        by, groups based in the Middle East;
Whereas Israel's geographic location and advanced military and intelligence 
        capabilities make it considerably able to address such regional threats;
Whereas Israel is a valuable strategic ally of the United States and other NATO 
        Member States;
Whereas Israel has been a staunch ally in the global effort to eradicate terror 
        and a strong defender of democracy, freedom, and human rights;
Whereas Israel faces a range of regional strategic threats and is not a party to 
        any organization, such as NATO, that has a mutual security guarantee 
        mechanism, such as Article 5 of the NATO Charter;
Whereas Israel has presented NATO with a plan for a step-by-step upgrade in 
        bilateral cooperation entitled the ``Individual Cooperation Program: 
        Strategic Cooperative Framework Between the State of Israel and NATO for 
        2006-2007'' detailing a wide range of vehicles for enhanced cooperation 
        between Israel and NATO, including Israel's willingness to provide NATO 
        with assets to support NATO search and rescue operations, in addition to 
        disaster relief;
Whereas NATO has also sought to deepen its relationship with Israel, including 
        through the visit of NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to 
        Israel in February 2005, marking the first such visit to Israel by a 
        NATO Secretary General;
Whereas in February 2006, a delegation of multinational military officers led by 
        NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force General Axel Tuttelman 
        brought an AWAC early warning surveillance plane to Israel, in hopes of 
        further enhancing security cooperation between NATO and Israel in the 
        war on global terrorism;
Whereas NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer stated that Israel ``had 
        shown a keen interest'' in joining NATO naval patrols in efforts to 
        prevent terrorist smuggling of materials through the Mediterranean into 
        Europe;
Whereas Israel is a member of the NATO Mediterranean Dialogue, which has served 
        as a forum for consultation and practical cooperation between countries 
        in the Mediterranean area for the past ten years;
Whereas the NATO Mediterranean Dialogue criteria precludes Israel from deepening 
        its military and strategic relationship with NATO in a number of areas 
        that would be mutually beneficial to both Israel and NATO Member States;
Whereas Israel and NATO have held joint military operations and have explored 
        the possibility of increasing joint counter-proliferation efforts and 
        intelligence sharing;
Whereas Israel is developing the technology to make its military assets 
        interoperable with those of NATO forces;
Whereas Israel will place a liaison officer at NATO's naval headquarters in 
        Naples, Italy;
Whereas Israel continues to demonstrate its commitment to work with NATO Member 
        States to enhance its policies and programs regarding military 
        capabilities, military doctrine and exercises, border security, arms 
        control, terrorist prevention, humanitarian efforts, public diplomacy, 
        and technological advancement to forge a relationship with NATO which 
        enhances the capabilities of the alliance;
Whereas Israel possesses a functioning democratic form of government, market-
        based economy, and respect for the political rights and liberties of 
        minority groups, has demonstrated a strong commitment to peacefully 
        settle disputes and the ability and willingness to contribute militarily 
        to the alliance, and has in place a democratic civil-military structure; 
        and
Whereas Israel meets the criteria for membership in NATO and executes policies 
        and upholds principles which are in keeping with the objectives of the 
        Washington Treaty and in ensuring the alliance's future relevance: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) the pluralistic and geographic expansion of the North 
        Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance is necessary for the 
        alliance's continued effectiveness and relevance;
            (2) Israel's demonstrated commitment to uphold democracy 
        and to combat terrorism, in addition to its strong strategic 
        and military capabilities, make Israel deserving of NATO 
        membership, and would make Israel an invaluable NATO ally;
            (3) the United States, as Israel's strong ally, should take 
        the lead in supporting an upgrade in Israel's relationship with 
        NATO to that of a leading member of NATO's Individual 
        Cooperation Program, as a first step toward Israel's inclusion 
        in NATO as a full member with all corresponding rights, 
        privileges, and responsibilities; and
            (4) Israel's deepened relationship with NATO would be 
        mutually beneficial to both Israel and NATO Member States, 
        including the United States.
                                 <all>