87 senators oppose U.N. flotilla inquiry

[Ed Barrow]

Eighty-seven members of the U.S. Senate urged President Barack Obama Wednesday to oppose a U.N. resolution criticizing Israel's handling of an aid flotilla.

The senators -- including Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. -- signed a letter to Obama defending Israel's actions in a May 31 confrontation during which nine people aboard a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza were killed, The Hill reported.

The letter expresses support for Israel's right to defend itself and asserts Israel was acting in self defense when its troops boarded ships in the flotilla.

"In response to thousands of rocket attacks on Israel from Hamas terrorists in Gaza, Israel took steps to prevent items which could be used to support these attacks from reaching Gaza," the letter said. "Israel's naval blockade, which is legal under international law, allows Israel to keep dangerous goods from entering Gaza by sea. The intent of the measures is to protect Israel, while allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza."


http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/06/23/87-senators-oppose-UN-flotilla-inquiry/UPI-71651277340139/

[muntrv]

1. How do you know that, Mitch?

[Purveyor]

2. I hate our fucking gov't. Just plain 'hate it'....

[hlthe2b]

3. Despicable pandering...

Supporting Israel's right to self defense does not equate to "Israel can do NO wrong".... Inquiry... not a trial, for heavens' sake.


...sigh...

[Quetzal]

4. rolls eyes*

no wonder Obama cannot properly negotiate or mediate with Israel - it's because they think they are untouchable politically.

Michael Oren is probably feeding this kind of info back to Netanyahu who justifies his actions as being right in the eyes of American foreign policy.

[peacetalksforall]

5. I hope Obama does the decent thing and goes with the UN. Going against the UN on this is probably

going to entensify the hate and actions against the people of this country.

Our leaders stink.

Everything about it was wrong because it was handled 100% wrong. It was piracy.

I eant to know who the dems are - they will be off my list permanently and the Same For Sec Clinton and Obama if they go along with the Senators.

Opposing the leaders of Israel is not opposing the people of Israel.

This right relationship is becoming more and more sick. Using our entire country to support death and theft and writing new rules for themselves. Leaders that is - I'm talking about there murderous leaders and the military who seems quite eager to kill.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

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[oberliner]

7. No Israeli can make any contribution to any Congressional campaign

Israelis are legally prohibited from contributing to any Congressional campaign.

To wit:

The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) prohibits any foreign national from contributing, donating or spending funds in connection with any federal, state, or local election in the United States, either directly or indirectly. It is also unlawful to help foreign nationals violate that ban or to solicit, receive or accept contributions or donations from them. Persons who knowingly and willfully engage in these activities may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment.

http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/foreign.shtml#Who_Foreign_National

[LeftishBrit]

9. Indeed. I can confirm that foreigners aren't allowed to donate to American political campaigns..

because I did try to donate to the Obama campaign, and was told that as a Brit I couldn't!

[ProgressiveProfessor]

11. You forget dual nationalities

A number of well off Americans move to Israel and have two passports.

[azurnoir]

8. remember most of these same pandering career polititians

also voted to go to war with Iraq

[cali]

10. Neither of my Senators signed

I didn't think they would. It's good to feel represented. It's good to live in Vermont.