| Alpha | | Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 6:19 am Post subject: House overwhelmingly backs Israel in vote |
| Mearsheimer/Walt paper ( http://www.warwithoutend.co.uk/wake-up-america-your-government-is-hijacked-by-zionism/2006/03/17/u-s-middle-east-policy-motivated-by-pro-israel-lobby.php ) is confirmed yet again with the following:
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll391.xml
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House overwhelmingly backs Israel in vote
By ANNE PLUMMER FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer
Thu Jul 20, 2:42 PM ET
The House, displaying a foreign affairs solidarity lacking on issues like Iraq, voted overwhelmingly Thursday to support Israel in its confrontation with Hezbollah guerrillas.
The resolution, which was passed on a 410-8 vote, also condemns enemies of the Jewish state.
House Republican leader John Boehner cited Israel's "unique relationship" with the United States as a reason for his colleagues to swiftly go on record supporting Israel in the latest flare-up of violence in the Mideast.
Little of the political divisiveness in Congress on other national security issues was evident as lawmakers embraced the Bush administration's position.
So strong was the momentum for the resolution that it was steamrolling efforts by a small group of House members who argued that Congress's pro-Israel stance goes too far.
The nonbinding resolution is similar to one the Senate passed Tuesday. It harshly condemns Israel's enemies and says Syria and Iran should be held accountable for providing Hezbollah with money and missile technology used to attack Israel.
Yet as Republican and Democratic leaders rally behind the measure in rare bipartisan fashion, a handful of lawmakers have quietly expressed reservations that the resolution was too much the result of a powerful lobbying force and attempts to court Jewish voters.
"I'm just sick in the stomach, to put it mildly," said Rep. Nick J. Rahall (news, bio, voting record) II, D-W.Va., who is of Lebanese descent.
Rahall joined other Arab-American lawmakers in drafting an alternative resolution that would have omitted language holding Lebanon responsible for Hezbollah's actions and called for restraint from all sides. Rahall said that proposal was "politely swept under the rug," a political reality he and others say reflects the influence Israel has in Congress.
"There's a lot (of lawmakers) that don't feel it's right ... but vote yes, and get it the heck out of here," Rahall said.
Rep. Darrell Issa (news, bio, voting record), R-Calif., who co-sponsored the alternative resolution and also is of Lebanese descent, agreed. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee lobby "throws in language that AIPAC wants. That isn't always the best thing for this body to endorse," Issa said.
Nevertheless, Rahall and Issa said they were considering voting in favor of the resolution. "I want to show support for Israel's right to defend itself," Issa said.
Another lawmaker with Lebanese roots, Rep. Charles Boustany Jr., R-La., said he too planned to vote in favor of the resolution despite holding deep reservations on its language regarding Lebanon. "I think it's a good resolution. But I think it's incomplete," he said.
The lack of momentum for alternative proposals frustrated pro-Arab groups.
"This is the usual problem with any resolution that talks about Israel — there are a lot of closet naysayers up there (in Congress), but they don't want to be a target of the lobby" of Israel, said Eugene H. Bird, president of the Council for the National Interest, a group that harshly condemns Israel's military campaign.
"These guys aren't legislating. They're politicking," said James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute.
An AIPAC spokeswoman said Congress's overwhelming support for Israel reflects the support of U.S. voters and not any pressure applied by lobbyists. "The American people overwhelming support Israel's war on terrorism and understand that we must stand by our closest ally in this time of crisis," said Jennifer Cannata.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice planned to discuss diplomatic efforts to end the violence, and the possibility of international troops to police a peace, over dinner Thursday in New York with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
On Friday, Rice will receive a report from fact-finders Annan sent to the region.
Rice, herself, is expected to go there. "She intends to travel to the region as early as next week," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
Approximately 2,600 U.S. citizens have been evacuated from Lebanon by the United States since Sunday.
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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/20/politics/main1820193.shtml
House Passes Pro-Israel Resolution
WASHINGTON, July 20, 2006
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(CBS/AP) The House, displaying a foreign affairs solidarity lacking on issues like Iraq, voted overwhelmingly Thursday to support Israel in its confrontation with Hezbollah guerrillas.
The resolution, which was passed on a 410-8 vote, also condemns enemies of the Jewish state.
House Republican leader John Boehner cited Israel's "unique relationship" with the United States as a reason for his colleagues to swiftly go on record supporting Israel in the latest flare-up of violence in the Mideast.
Little of the political divisiveness in Congress on other national security issues was evident as lawmakers embraced the Bush administration's position.
So strong was the momentum for the resolution that it was steamrolling efforts by a small group of House members who argued that Congress's pro-Israel stance goes too far.
The nonbinding resolution is similar to one the Senate passed Tuesday. It harshly condemns Israel's enemies and says Syria and Iran should be held accountable for providing Hezbollah with money and missile technology used to attack Israel.
"I certainly sympathize with the Lebanese people and the Lebanese government," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told CBS News' The Early Show on Thursday. But, he said, if Hezbollah is "going to launch attacks from the Lebanese territory, then tragically the Lebanese government and people pay a price for that."
Yet as Republican and Democratic leaders rally behind the measure in rare bipartisan fashion, a handful of lawmakers have quietly expressed reservations that the resolution was too much the result of a powerful lobbying force and attempts to court Jewish voters.
"I'm just sick in the stomach, to put it mildly," said Rep. Nick J. Rahall II, D-W.Va., who is of Lebanese descent.
Rahall joined other Arab-American lawmakers in drafting an alternative resolution that would have omitted language holding Lebanon responsible for Hezbollah's actions and called for restraint from all sides. Rahall said that proposal was "politely swept under the rug," a political reality he and others say reflects the influence Israel has in Congress.
"There's a lot (of lawmakers) that don't feel it's right ... but vote yes, and get it the heck out of here," Rahall said.
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., who co-sponsored the alternative resolution and also is of Lebanese descent, agreed. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee lobby "throws in language that AIPAC wants. That isn't always the best thing for this body to endorse," Issa said.
Nevertheless, Rahall and Issa said they were considering voting in favor of the resolution. "I want to show support for Israel's right to defend itself," Issa said.
Another lawmaker with Lebanese roots, Rep. Charles Boustany Jr., R-La., said he too planned to vote in favor of the resolution despite holding deep reservations on its language regarding Lebanon. "I think it's a good resolution. But I think it's incomplete," he said.
The lack of momentum for alternative proposals frustrated pro-Arab groups.
"This is the usual problem with any resolution that talks about Israel — there are a lot of closet naysayers up there (in Congress), but they don't want to be a target of the lobby" of Israel, said Eugene H. Bird, president of the Council for the National Interest, a group that harshly condemns Israel's military campaign.
"These guys aren't legislating. They're politicking," said James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute.
An AIPAC spokeswoman said Congress's overwhelming support for Israel reflects the support of U.S. voters and not any pressure applied by lobbyists. "The American people overwhelming support Israel's war on terrorism and understand that we must stand by our closest ally in this time of crisis," said Jennifer Cannata.
Meanwhile, Israel is predicting its offensive could last for weeks, although international pressure is building for a quick cease-fire. Israel and the United States oppose that move, preferring a more comprehensive agreement. Lebanon's prime minister estimated Wednesday that Israel's military week-old campaign had killed some 300 people and wounded 1,000 more, most of whom were civilians.
The Bush administration said Wednesday it saw no point in leaning directly on Syria to help stop the cross-border warfare between Israel and the Hezbollah guerrillas that Syria supports.
"The track record stinks," White House press secretary Tony Snow said.
Snow described previous diplomatic sessions with Syria as meetings where U.S. officials drank tea and sat for "five, six, 10 hours listening to polite, but long discourses on greater Syria and at the end of that having gotten nothing."
The administration has no diplomatic ties to Iran, and no contact with Hezbollah, which it considers a terrorist group.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice planned to discuss diplomatic efforts to end the violence, and the possibility of international troops to police a peace, over dinner Thursday in New York with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Approximately 2,600 U.S. citizens have been evacuated from Lebanon by the United States since Sunday. Many of the evacuees have been transported to Cyprus, with the State Department arranging chartered flights to the United States. Rice said the State Department will waive requirements that U.S. citizens reimburse the government for evacuation costs.
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http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/july-dec06/backing_07-20.html
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Pelosi Floor Statement on House Resolution Reaffirming Support for Israel
Wed Jul 19, 10:38 PM ET
To: National Desk
Contact: Brendan Daly or Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616, both of the Office of House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
WASHINGTON, July 19 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor tonight in support of H.Res. 921, condemning the recent attacks against Israel. Below are Pelosi's remarks:
"Mr. Lantos, it's hard to capture the words to express the difficulty that Israel is facing now for all of us, but for you, it must be particularly difficult. I know that you are an idealist; I know that you are a realist. I thank you for your leadership; we could not be better served than by having you here at this difficult time.
"And at this difficult time for the state of Israel, this resolution reaffirms our unwavering support and commitment to Israel, and condemns the attacks by Hezbollah.
"I support this resolution because I believe that the seizure of Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah terrorists was an unprovoked attack and Israel has the right, and indeed the obligation, to respond. Hamas and Hezbollah are committed to the destruction of Israel, what more do you need to know? It is clear that Iranian and Syrian aid have helped the effort to achieve that goal. The United Nations Security Council has already spoken on the issue of dismantling Hezbollah; the Security Council's resolution must be enforced by the international community. Syria has repeatedly demonstrated it is a rogue state, which is why we passed Mr. Rangel's Syria Accountability Act more than two years ago. However, we must now fully implement all the sanctions spelled out in that legislation.
"In order to address the Iranian support of terrorists, I urge the passage of the Iran Freedom Support Act. We must ensure that Iran and Syria understand the depth of the commitment of the United States to the state of Israel by using every diplomatic tool at our disposal.
"For a time in recent years, there was a hope that a corner had been turned in the Middle East. The Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, the emergence of a democratic process in Lebanon, and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza were all hopeful signs that the future could be different from the past. Those indications of progress, however, were seen as threats by Hezbollah and Hamas, organizations that have a greater interest in maintaining a state of hostility with Israel than in improving the lives of the people they claim to represent. Now the lives of those people and tens of thousands of others in the Middle East, including thousands of American citizens in Israel and Lebanon, have been put at risk by the aggression of Hamas and Hezbollah.
"As the fighting rages, it is imperative that the combatants take whatever steps they can to lessen risk to innocent civilians. The world knows too well the horrors of war. It also knows that there are ways to offer some degree of protection to civilians, and it is right to insist that those ways be chosen. Using civilians as shields by concealing weapons in civilian areas, as done by Hezbollah, is inconsistent with affording them protection, and the resolution we are considering properly condemns that action. Protecting civilians also means getting our citizens out of harm's way as quickly as possible. I urge the administration to expedite its efforts to bring to safety those Americans who want to leave Lebanon.
"When the fighting ends, and I hope that it will be soon, the United States must engage in a concerted, sustained effort with other nations seeking a just resolution of the differences between Israel and its neighbors. Israel's right to exist is the non-negotiable starting point for that effort.
"I thank again those who were responsible for bringing the resolution to the floor and again commend Mr. Lantos for his leadership, compassion, and wisdom."
http://www.usnewswire.com/ | |
