IV 

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; 
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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 stepby-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 
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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 
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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 civilmilitary 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 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that— 

3 (1) the pluralistic and geographic expansion of 

4 the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance is 

5 necessary for the alliance’s continued effectiveness 

6 and relevance; 

7 (2) Israel’s demonstrated commitment to up8 hold democracy and to combat terrorism, in addition 

9 to its strong strategic and military capabilities, make 

10 Israel deserving of NATO membership, and would 

11 make Israel an invaluable NATO ally; 

12 (3) the United States, as Israel’s strong ally, 

13 should take the lead in supporting an upgrade in 

14 Israel’s relationship with NATO to that of a leading 
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1 member of NATO’s Individual Cooperation Pro2 gram, as a first step toward Israel’s inclusion in 

3 NATO as a full member with all corresponding 

4 rights, privileges, and responsibilities; and 

5 (4) Israel’s deepened relationship with NATO 

6 would be mutually beneficial to both Israel and 

7 NATO Member States, including the United States. 

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