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2010-03-28 Home Front: Politix

Three-quarters of Congress sign letter for Obama: back off Israel

In a Jerusalem Post article about something else, this bit:

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu received some badly needed support on Friday from 327 congressmen, who signed a letter expressing concern that "the highly publicized tensions" in US-Israeli ties will "not advance the interests" of either state.

In Washington, 337 congressmen -- three-quarters of the House of Representatives -- signed a bipartisan letter to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressing solid support for Israel and the expectation that differences between Jerusalem and Washington will be smoothed over quickly and in private.

"We are writing to reaffirm our commitment to the unbreakable bond that exists between our country and the State of Israel and to express to you our deep concern over recent tension," the letter read. "A strong Israel is an asset to the national security of the United States and brings stability to the Middle East.

"We are concerned that the highly publicized tensions in the relationship will not advance the interests the US and Israel share. Above all, we must remain focused on the threat posed by the Iranian nuclear weapons program to Middle East peace and stability."

The letter stated that the US's unswerving commitment to Israel's security has been essential in forging previous Israeli-Arab peace agreements, "both because it convinced those who sought Israel's destruction to abandon any such hope and because it gave successive Israeli governments the confidence to take calculated risks for peace."

The letter, signed by both House Majority leader Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) and Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-Virginia), said the Israeli-US relationship needed "constant reinforcement," and quoted Vice President Joe Biden's comment while in Israel recently that "progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the US and Israel when it comes to security, none. No space."

"We recognize that despite the extraordinary closeness between our country and Israel there will be differences over issues both large and small," the letter continued. "Our view is that such differences are best resolved quietly, in trust and confidence, as befits longstanding strategic allies. We hope and expect that, with mutual effort and good faith, the United States and Israel will move beyond this disruption quickly, to the lasting benefit of both nations."

The American Israel Political Affairs Committee issued a statement applauding "this enormous outpouring of support" and expressing appreciation to Hoyer, Cantor, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-California), Ranking Member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida), Mideast subcommittee Chairman Gary Ackerman (D-New York) and Ranking Member Dan Burton (R-Indiana) "for their leadership on this letter and for the unprecedented speed with which the effort took place."

It took just three days, the AIPAC statement said, to get the 327 signatures.

Did they not try in the Senate, or will that be next?

Posted by 2010-03-28 00:23|| || Front Page|| [11136 views ] Top

#1 Our view is that such differences are best resolved quietly, in trust and confidence, as befits longstanding strategic allies.

No cluebat, no clue.

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2010-03-28 08:49|| 2010-03-28 08:49|| Front Page Top

#2 I wonder how many of the congressional black caucus signed on?

Posted by Anonymoose 2010-03-28 10:17|| 2010-03-28 10:17|| Front Page Top

#3 Pass a resolution and add it to a bill. See if Zero signs it...

Posted by 49 Pan 2010-03-28 11:57|| 2010-03-28 11:57|| Front Page Top

#4 Pass a resolution and add it to a bill. See if Zero signs it...

Posted by 49 Pan 2010-03-28 11:58|| 2010-03-28 11:58|| Front Page Top

#5 Unfortunate it is that "three-quarters of Congress" couldn't sign a letter to Barry concerning the wishes of the American people with regard to Obamacare.

Posted by Besoeker 2010-03-28 12:05|| 2010-03-28 12:05|| Front Page Top

#6 I wonder if they think Nobama relly cares what they think?

Posted by chris 2010-03-28 12:19|| 2010-03-28 12:19|| Front Page Top

#7 Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu received some badly needed support on Friday from 327 congressmen, who signed a letter expressing concern that "the highly publicized tensions" in US-Israeli ties will "not advance the interests" of either state.

Obama's got a problem. He either has to rely on Congress for support, or the public. Looks like in this case, he'll have to rely on himself.

Posted by gorb 2010-03-28 12:51|| 2010-03-28 12:51|| Front Page Top

#8 It is just a letter from members of congress that recently sold out the American people in a ~~power grab~~ health care bill. It is just a fluff letter from people who have no self respect nor set of values. I hate to say it, but that is how I see it.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2010-03-28 16:02|| 2010-03-28 16:02|| Front Page Top

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