« The Israeli War on Hamas - Not Nessarily a Left-Right Divide | Main | For the Sake of Peace, Let Israel Destroy Hamas »
January 10, 2009
Congress Stands with Israel
I am proud and pleased to see that the United States Congress has issued strong bipartisan statements of support for Israel in it's current war with Hamas.
On Thursday January 8 the Senate passed Resolution #10. When it appears in Thomas Registry you can read it here. In the meantime, you can read Majority Leader Harry Reid's statement introducing the resolution:
"I rise to voice my strong support of a resolution in support of Israel that I have introduced with (Minority) Leader McConnell, along with an overwhelming number of bipartisan cosponsors. When we pass this resolution, the United States Senate will strengthen our historic bond with the State of Israel by reaffirming Israel's inalienable right to defend against attacks from Gaza, as well as our support for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process."I spoke with Prime Minister Olmert last week and again expressed my understanding of and appreciation for the terrible situation that Israel has faced. Hamas has been firing rockets and mortars into Israel, killing and maiming innocent Israeli civilians, for more than eight years.
"I ask my colleagues to imagine if this were happening here in the United States and rocket fire was coming from Vancouver, Canada, into Seattle. Would the United States react? Of course we would. We would have to react to protect our people, and it would be not only our right but our obligation to do so. That is what the Israelis have done.
"Hamas must stop the rocket fire from Gaza into Israel. That is the stated objective of the Israelis.
"I acknowledge and appreciate the calls by some for a cease-fire. Certainly we must encourage a peaceful resolution of the conflict. But we must be certain that any cease-fire is sustainable, durable, and enforceable.
"Our resolution reflects these sentiments. It states that:
* The United States Senate stands with Israel at this critical moment and recognizes Israel's right to self-defense;
* Hamas must end the rocket and mortar attacks against Israel;
* Any cease-fire must be durable, enforceable and sustainable;
* The lives of innocent civilians should be protected; and
* We support a just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with a strong and secure Israeli living in peace with an independent Palestinian state.
"I encourage all of my colleagues to support this critical expression of support for our steadfast ally, the State of Israel."
I certainly don't say this often, but Senator Reid, my hat is off to you.
In the House, Republican Whip Eric Cantor and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer co-wrote an editorial in which they expressed their strong support of Israel which appeared in newspapers across the country. Here are excerpts:
During this difficult war in the Gaza Strip, we stand with Israel. Why? Because we have been to Israel. We have seen Sderot.In August 2005 and again in 2007, we visited the region of southern Israel that includes this embattled Israeli border town. Taken together, the trips helped us define the historical and military context for Israel's current action in Gaza...
What distinguishes the two sides, however, is their very aim. While Israel targets military combatants, Hamas aims to kill as many Israeli civilians as possible. Hamas, after all, is one of the Middle East's most notorious terrorist outfits. Since its inception in 1987, it has worked systematically to fulfill the goal laid out in its charter: the destruction of Israel. During the last Intifada, Hamas claimed credit for 52 suicide bombings that killed 288 Israelis, according to Israeli government figures...
Like most Americans, we identify strongly with Israel's ongoing, elusive quest to achieve peace and security in a dangerous part of the world. We recognize that by arming and training Hamas, Iran has made this latest Israel-Hamas war a key front in its effort to remake the region in its own radical image.
America would never sit still if terrorists were lobbing missiles across our border into Texas or Montana; and just as we assert our right to defend ourselves, Israel has every right to protect its own citizens from the implacable foes on its borders. Support for Israel in her time of need, from both Democrats and Republicans, is not just the logical choice. It is both a strategic and moral imperative.
Would it be that out Congress could think so clearly on other issues.
Posted by Tom at January 10, 2009 10:30 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.theredhunter.com/mt/refer.cgi/1264
Comments
I do wish that the mainstream media would show support for Israel. Did you see Time Magazine's cover for the current issue? The headline blares out: "What Israel Can't Win"!
Posted by: Always On Watch 
at January 11, 2009 2:32 PM
And they were mean to Sarah Palin also. You right wingers get mad about everything.
Posted by: truth101 at January 11, 2009 8:21 PM
I'm confused truth, what's your point?
Posted by: The Redhunter 
at January 11, 2009 10:37 PM
