ACLJ Urges Senate to Reject Nomination of Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense

(Washington, DC) - The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which focuses on constitutional law, said today former Senator Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense would put our closest Middle East ally, Israel, at greater risk by creating instability and weakening our military effectiveness in one of the most dangerous regions in the world.

“The fact is former Senator Hagel is the wrong person for this job,” said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ, which has an office in Jerusalem. “His record is deeply troubling. Instead of backing Israel, Hagel refused to sign a letter of support for Israel. He opposed labeling Hezbollah a ‘terrorist organization.’ And, he supported direct dialogue with the terrorist group Hamas. He even voted against labeling Iran's Revolutionary Guard, which has a long history of terrorist activity, a ‘terrorist organization.’ We need a Defense Secretary who understands the critical U.S.-Israel relationship and will work to strengthen it – not weaken it. The country deserves a sound and capable leader who directs our Armed Forces through strength, not appeasement. We urge the Senate to reject the nomination of Hagel.”

The ACLJ has launched a national petition urging members of the Senate to defeat the Hagel nomination.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.