WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) that calls for the strengthening of economic ties between the U.S. and Israel. The resolution comes amid Israel’s war against Hamas in response to the terrorist group’s gruesome assault on Israel on October 7^th, which has stunted Israel’s economy.

“Ever since the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement was instituted in 1985, the strong economic relationship between Israel and the U.S. has flourished,” said Senator Blackburn. “While Israel faces an unprecedented war against Hamas, we must have their back. I thank my Senate colleagues for sending the unified message that we support trade and investment between our two countries in order to help boost Israel’s economy during this turbulent time.”

“I’m glad my Senate colleagues joined me in passing this resolution to support Israel and reaffirm our commitment to strengthening our economic ties,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I will keep working to provide Israel with the support necessary to defeat Hamas.”

• U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Kennedy (R-La.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined the resolution.

•  This resolution is endorsed by the National Taxpayers Union, the Center for Individual Freedom, and the Trade Alliance to Promote Prosperity.

• The U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement of 1985 has helped US-Israel trade grow more than sevenfold since that year and serves as an important tool for supporting the Israeli economy during this time.
• In 2022, American companies exported $14.2 billion in goods and $5.8 billion in services to Israel. Major exports included machinery, mechanical appliances, stone, glass, metals, and chemicals.
• Israeli companies exported $21.4 billion in goods and $9.2 billion in services to the U.S. last year.
• Israeli companies’ stock foreign direct investment in the U.S. was $10.6 billion in 2022, supporting more than 20,000 American jobs.

View the resolution here.