MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Steve Hunegs, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC), released the following statement: 

“JCRC applauds the approval of $95 billion in military assistance to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan as the United States renews its commitment to our democratic allies at a time when each country faces the existential threat of annihilation by an axis of autocratic dictatorships. 

“This package includes $17 billion in urgently needed assistance to Israel and $9 billion in humanitarian relief to citizens of Gaza and other war-torn regions. An additional $400 million is included in this funding for the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which provides critically important security funds for houses of worship and other nonprofits that are at an increased risk of being targeted by terrorists.

“We are proud that among the 79 Senators who approved this strongly bipartisan package are every member of the Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota Senate delegations. We thank Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, Kevin Cramer, John Hoeven, Mike Rounds, and John Thune for their leadership, support for Israel, and strong stand against the isolationists and political extremists in their respective parties.

“Relatedly, every member of the Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota House delegations – with the notable exception of Rep. Ilhan Omar – approved the Israel, Gaza, and NSGP components of the bill when it passed the House on Saturday by a vote of 366-55. We again applaud Representatives Angie Craig, Tom Emmer, Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach, Betty McCollum, Dean Phillips, Pete Stauber, Kelly Armstrong, and Duty Johnson for their bipartisan leadership.”