Few speak out for Palestinians in U.S. Congress (House Adopts Measure Backing Israel)

[Barack_America]

Source: Reuters

(Adds House vote, paragraphs 2, 11)

By Susan Cornwell

WASHINGTON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Many voices around the world speak up for the Palestinians, but few in the U.S. Congress.

Lawmakers in Washington routinely pass nonbinding resolutions supporting Israel during Middle East crises. The Senate on Thursday backed Israel's battle against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip and the House of Representatives followed on Friday.

Even U.S. lawmakers who express sympathy for the Palestinians hesitate to call themselves pro-Palestinian and they voice strong support for the security of Israel as well, hewing to decades of close U.S.-Israeli ties.

<snip>

The House on Friday passed a resolution "recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza" by 390-5. The measure noted that the humanitarian situation in Gaza "is becoming more acute" but did not rebuke Israel.

<snip>

The few opponents of the measures often include lawmakers of Arab-American descent or from Arab-American communities, and mavericks such as Democrat Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and Republican Ron Paul of Texas.

Kucinich, who sought the Democratic presidential nomination last year, charged that the United States was ignoring the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza while facilitating Israel's actions with arms deals worth billions.

Washington "sniffs at the slaughter of innocents in Gaza," he said. "U.S. tax dollars, U.S. jets and U.S. helicopters provided to Israel are enabling the slaughter in Gaza."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed2/idUSN09...

---

Mods: The title sounds like an Op-Ed, but this is how Reuters decided to present the news that HR34 had passed the house. The only other source available now is a CQ Politics article and I felt that Reuters was the stronger source.

Here is the CQ Politics link:

House Adopts Measure Backing Israel on ‘Durable’ Gaza Truce

The House overwhelmingly adopted a resolution Friday to express solidarity with Israel and condemn the Islamist group Hamas for its role in the conflict in Gaza and southern Israel.

The non-binding measure, adopted 390-5, calls for a “durable and sustainable” cease-fire.

<snip>

Democrats Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio and Lois Capps of California, and Texas Republican Ron Paul spoke against the measure. Paul, the lone GOP “no” vote, said the resolution was not in U.S. or Israeli interests and arming Israel leaves the United States with a moral responsibility for Palestinian deaths.

Twenty-two members voted present, including Keith Ellison , D-Minn., one of two Muslim members. Ellison said he supported Israel’s rights but the measure did not do enough to encourage peace.

The resolution calls on Hamas to end its rocket attacks, but makes no mention of Israel’s bombing or ground attacks. It says the humanitarian situation in Gaza is “becoming more acute” and humanitarian needs should be addressed “promptly and responsibly.” It also calls on countries to place blame on Hamas for ending a six-month cease-fire and for the resulting casualties, and to condemn the group for embedding itself among civilians. It urges Egypt to stop the smuggling of arms and other goods across its border into Gaza...

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=cqmidday-00...

Edited: to add both titles in order to clarify the subject of the thread

[stillcool]

1. and the band played on...

is there any other ally in the world that is more important to the National Security Issue of prominence in the Middle-east than Israel?

[Lance_Boyle]

4. Israel is not an ally. Israel is a dependant. n/t

[stillcool]

5. Interdependent

The U.S. strategy in the Middle east has always relied on Israel.

[tbyg52]

29. Co-dependent. nt

[IsItJustMe]

30. Unholy alliance.

[Barack_America]

2. House roll call vote link..

http://clerk.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.asp?year=2009&rolln...

For those interested.

[Marie26]

13. 5 nays, 22 "present"

---- NAYS 5 ---

Kucinich
Moore (WI)
Paul
Rahall
Waters



---- ANSWERED “PRESENT” 22 ---

Abercrombie
Blumenauer
DeFazio
Dingell
Edwards (MD)
Ellison
Farr
Grijalva
Hinchey
Johnson (GA)
Kilpatrick (MI)
Lee (CA)
McCollum
McDermott
Miller, George
Moran (VA)
Olver
Payne
Sanchez, Loretta
Stark
Watson
Woolsey

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[elleng]

35. Thanks for this.

Asked my Rep to modify tone from that of Senate. That did seem to occur, slightly, but not according to 'news.' But then, who CARRIED it?

[Cass]

3. These assinine resolutions of support for this slaughter is a disgrace.

First the Senate, now the House. Not that the vote outcome comes as a surprise but, damnit, why are they voting to condone this slaughter?? I am beyond disgusted with this country right now. This is wrong, plain and simple.

I read a thread earlier that said the UN wants to investigate war crimes charges against Israel for shelling the safe house that Palestinian civilians were told to go by Israeli forces. And our Congress rushes in with a vote to support this shit.

[pjt7]

6. Let's pass a resolution

in support of the over 1 million innocent Palesinain people inside Gaza.

[JayMusgrove]

7. Or just for the dead children, who posed no threat to Israel

This Israel inter-locking with the USA sickens me, and has sickened Arabs for generations.

It is part of the rationale that led to 9/11. We know this, and yet we pass stupid stuff like this in Congress?

I'm sorry, I am in favor of all people of all religious persuasions on this planet, as long as they don't kill children and innocent civilians in exercising their religious freedoms.

There are easier ways to deal with extremists, and killing innocent children is NEVER a good way.

[pjt7]

8. The bill is so one-sided to Israel & does mention

many innocent Palestine's have been murdered or how Israel broke the truce on Nov. 4th:

Recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirming the United States strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Whereas Hamas was founded with the stated goal of destroying the State of Israel;

Whereas Hamas has been designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization;

Whereas Hamas has refused to comply with the Quartet's (the United States, the European Union, Russia, and the United Nations) requirements that Hamas recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce violence, and agree to accept previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians;

Whereas in June 2006, Hamas illegally crossed into Israel, attacked Israeli forces, and kidnaped Corporal Gilad Shalit, whom they continue to hold today;

Whereas Hamas has launched thousands of rockets and mortars against Israeli population centers since 2001, and has launched more than 6,000 such rockets and mortars since Israel withdrew its civilian population and its military from Gaza in 2005;

Whereas Hamas has increased the range and payload of its rockets, reportedly with support from Iran and others, putting hundreds of thousands of Israelis in danger of rocket attacks from Gaza;

Whereas Hamas locates elements of its terrorist infrastructure in civilian population centers, thus using innocent civilians as human shields;

Whereas Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement on December 27, 2008, that `We strongly condemn the repeated rocket and mortar attacks against Israel and hold Hamas responsible for breaking the cease-fire and for the renewal of violence there';

Whereas on December 27, 2008, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said, `For approximately seven years, hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens in the south have been suffering from missiles being fired at them. . . . In such a situation we had no alternative but to respond. We do not rejoice in battle but neither will we be deterred from it. . . . The operation in the Gaza Strip is designed, first and foremost, to bring about an improvement in the security reality for the residents of the south of the country';

Whereas the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including shortages of food, water, electricity, and adequate medical care, is becoming more acute;

Whereas Israel has facilitated humanitarian aid to Gaza with hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian assistance and numerous ambulances entering the Gaza Strip since the current round of fighting began on December 27, 2008;

Whereas on January 6, 2009, before the United Nations Security Council, Secretary Rice stated that: `The situation before the current events in Gaza was clearly not sustainable. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis lived under the daily threat of rocket attack, and frankly, no country, none of our countries, would have been willing to tolerate such a circumstance. Moreover, the people of Gaza watched as insecurity and lawlessness increased and as their living conditions grew more dire because of Hamas's actions which began with the illegal coup against the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. . . . A ceasefire that returns to those circumstances is unacceptable and it will not last'; and

Whereas the ultimate goal of the United States is a sustainable resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that will ensure the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders, and a viable, independent, and democratic Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with the State of Israe

[pjt7]

10. Congressman that kept their soul's

Maxine Walters CA
Kucinich OH
Ron Paul TX
Nick Rahall WV
Gwen Moore WI

[Barack_America]

12. Mine ain't there and I called him before the vote.

[kas125]

16. Same here, I called mine again this morning. I am really curious

to know if they got any calls asking them to vote yes.

[Barack_America]

24. Undoubtedly, yes.

Jewish groups organized a lot of pro-Israel demonstrations this week. And that is their right. What bothers me is that one phone call was likely held above all of their constituents' phone calls (either 'yea' or 'nay') and that was the phone call that many of them received from AIPAC.

[The Stranger]

9. 1.5 million.

[subsuelo]

11. Why does it seem that the more vicious you are, the more the US supports you?

[Poll_Blind]

17. I'm thinking that, because our nation conspicuously consumes SO much...

...raw material, and at an ever-growing rate, that America's sense of right or wrong has been consciously and subconsciously perverted to support our energy habit. Whatever keeps me in energy, an economical-to-drive automobile, and countless electronic diversions- do it!

  If there's a fight over a resource between two or more parties, and the U.S. is also interested in that resource, we'll be the first ones in line to pick the side who is likely to split the spoils of their victory and "share" them with us.

  With Israel, it is only a little more complex: Israel is our proxy insofar as its actions indicate to the entire region that their oil and natural gas will be easily available to the United States as opposed to, say, Russia or China. We have also helped pervert Israeli culture by supporting extremist elements within it.

  Elements which will almost certainly some day bite us as badly as they are ravaging their own culture.

PB

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LeftishBrit]

19. If (not when) the next 9-11 comes, we can all blame those who actually perpetrated it

I don't believe in collective punishment for anyone. Not Palestinians, not Israelis, not British and not Americans.

[classysassy]

18. Why

does our congress critters fear,is it because the fear of voting against Israel,endangers their re election?.Cowards,I truly hope the citizens remember their names on election day, but they know the attention span of the average American is zero.

[IndianaGreen]

20. Next time we are asked for money from our representatives

we should tell them to send the bill to Israeli Embassy.

[Barack_America]

22. Or AIPAC.

[McCamy Taylor]

21. 5 Congress members with spines. No wonder Bush never got impeached.

US silence would have been enough. They did not have to form a cheer leading squad to applaud as the bodies of the dead children and UN workers were carried out. Do these guys and gals have a collective hole in their head? Do they think that history is not going to consider them even more culpable than Israel? Israel will be given the they were scared, they lost their reason excuse. The members of Congress have no excuse.

[IndianaGreen]

23. They could have kept their fraking mouths shut, like Obama did

Instead, they chose to become the IDF's cheering squad.

[proud progressive]

25. nor will any of his thugs be prosecuted

[IsItJustMe]

31. Agreed. They should of came out in support of a resolution supporting peace, not war.

[proud progressive]

26. invade iraq, support israel, castigate the arabs..all par for the course for the congressional slime

[slay]

27. Kucinich is awesome

I dream of the day he would be president. He is IMO the best liberal/progressive we have. I KNEW he would speak out.

[Barack_America]

28. Perhaps what is the most remarkable is that the media is actually covering his remarks.

Good on them for that too.

[marasinghe]

32. you and me both; on both counts. but never gonna happen.

he knows it too; yet he always does the right thing. too bad prophets are never acknowledged, appreciated, or accepted, by the general mob.

[Blue_Tires]

34. +1

i was proud to vote for him in the primary

[Hardrada]

33. I never expected the Zionist grip on our government to be

relaxed despite all the ballyhoo and talk of Change. No change that matters will ever happen as long as our foreign policy is hijacked by the Israel Lobby. The Lobby's opponents will just have to get more organized and realize that honor is preferable to this continued disgrace. And if we regain our national honor we will also regain our national pride and the respect of other nations.

[Bigmack]

36. What else can a person do?

I wrote both my senators, not once but SEVERAL times. I called my representative AND wrote him several times. Voiceless doesn't BEGIN to express how I feel in the face of these pro-Israeli resolutions in the House and in the Senate. They are WRONG WRONG WRONG. Which is NOT the same as saying that the Palestinians are RIGHT. I am simply sick and tired of Israeli control over MY government. Israeli behavior in Gaza is a war crime. The only things I can conclude is that governments of a feather flock together. Ms Bigmack

[IndianaGreen]

37. My message to my Congressman, Andre Carson

I am extremely disappointed that you did not join Dennis Kucinich, Maxine Waters, Ron Paul, Nick Rahall, and Gwen Moore in opposing HR34, the resolution endorsing Israel's genocide in Gaza.

In today's column John Pilger wrote about the silence of those that know:

" They know that the horror now raining on Gaza has little to do with Hamas or, absurdly, "Israel's right to exist". They know the opposite to be true: that Palestine's right to exist was cancelled 61 years ago and the expulsion and, if necessary, extinction of the indigenous people was planned and executed by the founders of Israel. "

http://www.stopwar.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&...

The American media is sanitizing the slaughter in Gaza. The British press has no such restraints: the use of white phosphorus by Israel on civilian population, the targeting of aid convoys and foreign reporters, the 18-month deliberate starvation of Gazans by Israel, etc.

Britain's The Independent is carrying this story tonight:

Massacre of a family seeking sanctuary

The Samounis claim they were guided to a safe haven by Israeli troops – only to be cut down by shells.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/mas...

Israel is systematically slaughtering civilians in Gaza. The United States must stop enabling Israeli crimes against humanity. Congressional resolutions such as HR34 do nothing but hurt the long term interests of the American people, as well as make us all complicit in war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Speaker Pelosi saw to it that impeachment of Bush and Cheney remained off the table, despite their gross violations of the Constitution and American law, such as FISA which Bush publicly admitted he broke. Now the Congress has decided that international law matters none at all, as it surrenders our sovereignty to the Israel Lobby.

[Barack_America]

38. That's an excellent letter.

Thank you for posting it.

I too am planning on writing my representative, considering my phone call apparently didn't do jack shit.

[oberliner]

40. What was his response?

Did you get any reply from his office?

[IndianaGreen]

41. No response yet

I will post the reply whenever I get it, which may come by snail mail if past practice is adhered to.

[No Elephants]

39. This is very likely to come back at us and for no reason whatever, since the resolution is

only a non-binding one. Just brilliant.

[IndianaGreen]

42. 9-11 didn't happen in a vacuum either!

The big lie to the question as to "why do they hate us?":

"They hate us for our freedoms."

[No Elephants]

43. I know, but I can make a distinction between concrete action to aid Israel, whether

correct or not (not trying to go there), and risking a terrorist attack over a non-binding resolution.