NOTE: This resolution has no word of compassion for
Gaza and does not call for an end to the killing. It passed both Houses
unanimously. It was written by AIPAC. Americans For Peace Now’s
Lara Friedman explains how this resolution represents a new low here.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/15/the-senate-on-gaza-then-and-now.html
RSOLUTION
Expressing vigorous support and unwavering commitment
to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of
Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure
borders, and recognizing and strongly supporting its
right to act in self-defense to protect its citizens against
acts of terrorism.
Whereas Hamas was founded with the stated goal of destroying the State of Israel;
Whereas Hamas has been designated by the Secretary of
State as a Foreign Terrorist Organization;
Whereas Hamas refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist,
renounce violence, and accept previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians; 2
Whereas Hamas has launched thousands of rockets and missiles since Israel dismantled settlements and withdrew
from Gaza in 2005;
Whereas terrorists in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip have
fired approximately 900 rockets and missile shells into
Israel this year, an increase from roughly 675 attacks in
2011 and 350 in 2010;
Whereas Hamas has increased the range of its rockets, reportedly with support from Iran and others, putting additional large numbers of Israelis in danger of rocket attacks from Gaza;
Whereas, on November 14, 2012, President Barack Obama
condemned the rocket fire from Gaza into Israel and reiterated Israel’s right to self-defense; and
Whereas Israel, as a fellow democracy, has an inherent right
to self defense in the face of terrorist attacks: Now,
therefore, be it
1 Resolved, That the Senate—
2 (1) expresses unwavering commitment to the
3 security of the State of Israel as a Jewish and demo-
4 cratic state with secure borders, and recognizes and
5 strongly supports its inherent right to act in self-de-
6 fense to protect its citizens against acts of terrorism;
7 (2) reiterates that Hamas must end Gaza-
8 linked terrorist rocket and missile attacks against
9 Israel, recognize Israel’s right to exist, renounce vio-
10 lence, and agree to accept previous agreements be-
11 tween Israel and the Palestinians; 3
1 (3) urges the United Nations Security Council
2 to condemn the recent spike in Gaza-linked terrorist
3 missile attacks against Israel, which risk causing ci-
4 vilian casualties in both Israel and Gaza; and
5 (4) encourages the President to continue to
6 work diplomatically with the international commu-
7 nity to prevent Hamas and other Gaza-based ter-
8 rorist organizations from retaining or rebuilding the
9 capability to launch rockets and missiles against Israel
Obsequious toadying is also the order of the day here in Australia.Sigh.
This obsequious toadying will, clearly, never end. It will only get worse.
In one of his early speeches Obama said to the American people: “Make me do it”. Perhaps now would be a good time to remind our servants who pays their salaries and whose interests they are to serve, as defined by the US Constitution.
The Israeli contempt for the American appeasers and the silent public is not without merit. Is America, as Netanyahoo says, a “thing that can be moved”?
I think it’s time for a NATIONAL REFERENDUM to define the limits of US’s support for Israel and to ban foreign agents meddling in US’s affairs.. What do you “American things” think?
Oops, forgot to say that clicking the CC button (bottom of frame) will provide the translation.
Btw: this clip was shown on Israeli Channel 10 News.
Would that our media had the professionalism of the Israeli media… (sigh)
You are right, but the US Senate and House are completely beholden for their offices to the Israel lobby. Without them they can’t get elected, and if they oppose them in the slightest they are blackballed. The only two Presidents to show the smallest backbone on Israel lost their second-term elections. A national referendum would be illuminating, but I believe the Israel lobby’s control of the national media would prevent a fair hearing of the issues and skew the outcome. And I don’t think I could bear the screams of “antiSemitism” that would resound throughout the land during the runup.
Martha, if we continue to do nothing, nothing will change. Perhaps you’re right and “believe the Israel lobby’s control of the national media would prevent a fair hearing of the issues and skew the outcome”. But…
What if such an effort could succeed if we at least tried? Even if we “fail”, it will provide a learning opportunity. Edmund Burke once said: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men (and women*) to do nothing.” (“my edit).
I sometimes wonder if there are people within those lobbies who realize that they have gone too far and are now out of step with reality and damaging their client’s interests, but are unable to stop the rot and need an excuse to reconsider, even catch up with the times?
I’m just as sick of hearing the idiotic screams of ‘antisemitism’. I have nothing against (semitic) Palestinians. Au contraire. The word is an ad hominem, “an appeal to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect marked by or being an attack on an opponent’s character rather than by an answer to the contentions made” (Merriam Webster dictionary). In plain English, it’s the last recourse of a scoundrel projecting his/her own limitations and lack of credible arguments. No?
The hopeful sign is that Americans (including Jews who talk) are breaking with Israel, and the AIPAC “purchase” of the Congress, although dangerous, is shown to be anti-American and perhaps also dangerous to all Americans — just as the “purchase” of the Congress by BIG-BANKS (empowering bailout), BIG-OIL-COAL-GAS (empowering global warming), BIG-PHARMA (empowering ruinous costs in Obamacare) is anti-American and dangerous to all Americans.
This is an insult to the American people, an abomination to any shreds of remaining international law, and puts the blood of Palestinian children on our hands. Dare we attempt to wash it off?
Unfortunately we already have the blood of Palestinian children on our hands. It’s our F-16s and Caterpillars that bomb them and tear down their houses, and our taxes that pay for Israel’s occupation and war.
Cry me a river, terror-supporter.
What does this snarky name calling mean? Hostility and defensiveness simply demonstrate that you’re unsure of your arguments. Please, if you have a point of view or some ideas, present them.
Whereas yee who employ Willie Peter, shall reap Willie Peter.
“…Gaza-linked terrorist missile attacks against Israel, which risk causing civilian casualties in both Israel and Gaza….”
Lies and the lying liars who tell them… what a bunch of morally bankrupt degenerates our “leaders” are
The US Senate and House are 100% bought and paid for by the US Israel lobby. They know they can’t hold office without the lobby’s support and are subject to continual propaganda and handouts from it. There’s no hope of any progress being made through our legislature. It seems to me the only hope is through grassroots efforts that may eventually give Obama the courage to defy the lobby and take on Congressional pressure.
Disgusting jackasses.
Depressing as hell.
I’m so glad we went out on a limb and elected Al Franken to the Senate. just think — a resolution like this would never have been introduced without a rebel like Franken!
Are you fucking retarded?
Your sarcasm-radar must be broken.