In a startling revelation, County Commissioner Kate Dean has reported that the Jefferson County Indian Island Naval Base is supplying Tomahawk missiles to Israel, raising questions and concerns about the implications of such military assistance.

Dean learned of these arms shipments in 2017, while on a 2-week fact-finding political study tour of the Holy Lands, funded by the educational wings of American Israel Political Action Committee and Jewish Voices for Peace (a gift reported to the Public Disclosure Committee, as is legally required).

Dean said she met a broad cross section of people on her trip, including journalists, members of the Knesset, Israeli military officers, and members of the Palestinian Authority. 

The arms supply issue came  up in a conversation she had with an Israeli General. When Dean told him that she represented Jefferson County, he enthusiastically indicated that he knew exactly where she was from because of Jefferson County’s Naval Base on Indian Island. He noted with appreciation that Israel gets many of their Tomahawk Missiles from Indian Island.

The Tomahawk missile, a long-range precision weapon, has been a focal point of global attention due to its significant role in modern military conflicts. The decision to provide these missiles to Israel has prompted concerns both locally and internationally, as citizens and geopolitical experts weigh in on the potential consequences.

Critics argue that the provision of Tomahawk missiles adds fuel to the already complex and sensitive situation in the Middle East, particularly in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Questions are being raised about the appropriateness of such military support and its alignment with broader diplomatic objectives.

Local peace vigils took place just last week, including one at the Tyler Street Plaza and another at the gates of the Indian Island Naval Base itself. Participants publicly mourned the civilian losses on both sides and called for a long-term ceasefire. 

Calls for accountability and transparency in foreign policy decisions are resonating, as citizens seek a better understanding of the rationale behind this military collaboration.

International relations experts weigh in on the potential geopolitical ramifications, with some arguing that such military aid may have broader implications on regional stability. 

Commissioner Dean referred to her trip to Israel/Palestine as “a 100-pound gift” that she has been carrying since her return.

“The gift was seeing things and being able to talk with people in a way that most visitors can’t. I was right at the (Gaza) border. I saw  Palestinian children getting shot at from security towers. Maybe they were rubber bullets, maybe not. I also spent a day at one of the kibbutzes where 40 people were killed on Oct. 7, and the entire thing was burned to the ground.”

“You don’t recover after witnessing something like that, and trying to discern what going to be of help … it’s a tough one … I couldn’t just do that trip and accept that gift without doing something.”

Commissioner Dean’s recently led the passing of County Resolution 72-23, which calls for an end to the ongoing violence, war and bombing in Israel and Occupied Palestine. Commissioners Heidi Eisenhour and Greg Brotherton also signed the resolution.

In a similar vein, the Jefferson County Board of Health has crafted a resolution that names their unwavering solidarity against Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian/anti-Arab bigotry, both within the community and on a broader scale.

Notably, the resolution advocates for the establishment of protected humanitarian access, underscoring the importance of delivering essential aid to the people residing in the Gaza Strip.

The Jefferson County Indian Island Naval Base is likely to become a focal point for discussions on the role of local military installations in international affairs

The community will need to navigate the complexities of both local sentiment and global diplomacy in the aftermath of this revelation.