GAZA CRISIS Causes Some To Question US Israeli Policy

peaceandlove · 01-13-2009, 12:12 AM

Gaza Crisis Causes Some To Question US Israeli Policy

By Joe Murray, The Bulletin 'Philadelphia's Family Newspaper'
http://thebulletin.us/articles/2009/...f885797547.txt
Published: Monday, January 12, 2009

The deteriorating situation between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has some lawmakers in Washington

hoping the crisis combined with the incoming Obama administration will permit the U.S. to chart a new course with regard to his foreign policy toward Israel.

At the center of the debate was H. Res. 34, a House resolution titled, “Recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirming the United States’ strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.”

The measure was rushed to the floor without practically no prior notice or consideration by the House Foreign Relations Committee. It sparked an intense debate on Capitol Hill as a handful of Republicans and Democrats balked at the notion of blindly supporting Israel in a crisis in which over 800 Palestinians have died amid the Israeli offensive.

“In Gaza, the United Nations gave the Israeli army the coordinates of a U.N. school, and the school was then hit by Israeli tank fire, killing about 40,” U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, said in his statement opposing H. Res. 34.

“The U.N. put flags on emergency vehicles, coordinating the movements of those vehicles with the Israeli military, and the vehicles came under attack, killing emergency workers. The Israeli army evacuated 100 Palestinians to shelter, and then bombed the shelter, killing 30 people.”

The resolution itself focuses solely on the alleged infractions of Hamas and concludes Israel is justified in her response to the rocket attacks that began late last month. The resolution also notes Israel “has facilitated humanitarian aid to Gaza with hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian assistance and numerous ambulances entering the Gaza Strip since the current round of fighting began on Dec. 27, 2008.”

But while some lawmakers recognize Israel’s right to defend itself, they also question the severity of the Israeli response to the Hamas rockets, they worry about the Israeli treatment of Palestinian civilians. They content H. Res 34 fails to take into account the humanitarian crisis created by what they view as Israel’s overreaction.

“As an opponent of all violence, I am appalled by the practice of lobbing homemade rockets into Israel from Gaza,” U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, said in opposing H. Res 34. “I am only grateful that, because of the primitive nature of these weapons, there have been so few casualties among innocent Israelis. But I am also appalled by the long-standing Israeli blockade of Gaza — a cruel act of war – and the tremendous loss of life that has resulted from the latest Israeli attack that started last month.”

Article Continues Here: http://thebulletin.us/articles/2009/...f885797547.txt

peaceandlove · 01-13-2009, 12:30 AM

CONGRESSMAN RON PAUL ~ Only Republican to vote NO!

See List of Who Voted YEA or NAY, Who was PRESent and Who did Not Vote.

List here: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/wire.php?view=1660

I

Dr. NO

peaceandlove · 01-15-2009, 11:42 AM

How Much Power Does Israel Have Over the US?

Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was speaking in Ashkelon on Monday, in which he claimed he had the ability to control US foreign policy and summarily over-rule the Secretary of State.

Video: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=397_1231894744

blastawaycas · 01-15-2009, 12:25 PM

ISRAELI MILITARY HAVE HIT A UN BUILDING IN GAZA THATS IT NOW SOMEONE WELL (I FOR ONE) SHOULD BE SCREAMING "THATS IT YOU'VE REALLY GONE AND DONE IT NOW", AND THERE MILITARY SHOULD BE GETTING SURGICAL STRIKES FROM A UN AIR FORCE ..... BUT TO THE SHAME OF THE WEST IT WILL NOT HAPPEN IT WILL BE PLAYED DOWN.... THIS HAS ONLY GONE ON TO MAKE MORE AND MORE UP AND COMING HAMAS FIGHTERS HELL IF I WAS LIVING IN GAZA I WOULD BE VERY TEMPTED WHAT A DISGRACEFULL SHOCKING STATE OF AFFAIRS

Noela · 01-16-2009, 08:55 AM

Blastawaycas - There was someone who screamed "you've done it". It was Jon Snow from Channel 4 interviewing an Israeli minister. He was very skilful and professional in his questioning, but also very aggressive, and you could see that it hit its mark, as the minister was very uncomfortable and scarcely able to may any reply.

It may help if Israel can see how others view their actions, although the usual response is "that's just Britain".

There are several lawyers in Britain who are looking into whether Israel could be indicted for war crimes, although others feel this would be difficult- due mainly to the likelihood of a veto from the U.S. in the Security Council.

I do feel that this shelling of the U.N. centre in Gaza City has put the whole situation on a different footing. Since the previous hit on a U.N. school the witnesses have been the head of U.N. affairs in Gaza and the head of the Red Cross in the area - and these are voices that Israel cannot deny.

I am not suggesting that this will make any lasting difference, but it does bring more "muscle" to those "at the top", and hopefully an increased sense of a cry for justice for those of us who could be considered "at the bottom" in terms of influence, but in a sufficient groundswell can make a difference.

01-13-2009, 12:12 AM	#1
peaceandlove Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Turtle Island Posts: 2,776	GAZA CRISIS Causes Some To Question US Israeli Policy Gaza Crisis Causes Some To Question US Israeli Policy By Joe Murray, The Bulletin 'Philadelphia's Family Newspaper' http://thebulletin.us/articles/2009/...f885797547.txt Published: Monday, January 12, 2009 The deteriorating situation between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has some lawmakers in Washington hoping the crisis combined with the incoming Obama administration will permit the U.S. to chart a new course with regard to his foreign policy toward Israel. At the center of the debate was H. Res. 34, a House resolution titled, “Recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirming the United States’ strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.” The measure was rushed to the floor without practically no prior notice or consideration by the House Foreign Relations Committee. It sparked an intense debate on Capitol Hill as a handful of Republicans and Democrats balked at the notion of blindly supporting Israel in a crisis in which over 800 Palestinians have died amid the Israeli offensive. “In Gaza, the United Nations gave the Israeli army the coordinates of a U.N. school, and the school was then hit by Israeli tank fire, killing about 40,” U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, said in his statement opposing H. Res. 34. “The U.N. put flags on emergency vehicles, coordinating the movements of those vehicles with the Israeli military, and the vehicles came under attack, killing emergency workers. The Israeli army evacuated 100 Palestinians to shelter, and then bombed the shelter, killing 30 people.” The resolution itself focuses solely on the alleged infractions of Hamas and concludes Israel is justified in her response to the rocket attacks that began late last month. The resolution also notes Israel “has facilitated humanitarian aid to Gaza with hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian assistance and numerous ambulances entering the Gaza Strip since the current round of fighting began on Dec. 27, 2008.” But while some lawmakers recognize Israel’s right to defend itself, they also question the severity of the Israeli response to the Hamas rockets, they worry about the Israeli treatment of Palestinian civilians. They content H. Res 34 fails to take into account the humanitarian crisis created by what they view as Israel’s overreaction. “As an opponent of all violence, I am appalled by the practice of lobbing homemade rockets into Israel from Gaza,” U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, said in opposing H. Res 34. “I am only grateful that, because of the primitive nature of these weapons, there have been so few casualties among innocent Israelis. But I am also appalled by the long-standing Israeli blockade of Gaza — a cruel act of war – and the tremendous loss of life that has resulted from the latest Israeli attack that started last month.” Article Continues Here: http://thebulletin.us/articles/2009/...f885797547.txt

01-13-2009, 12:30 AM	#2
peaceandlove Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Turtle Island Posts: 2,776	Re: GAZA CRISIS Causes Some To Question US Israeli Policy CONGRESSMAN RON PAUL ~ Only Republican to vote NO! See List of Who Voted YEA or NAY, Who was PRESent and Who did Not Vote. List here: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/wire.php?view=1660 I Dr. NO Last edited by peaceandlove; 01-17-2009 at 10:35 AM.

01-15-2009, 11:42 AM	#3
peaceandlove Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Turtle Island Posts: 2,776	Re: GAZA CRISIS Causes Some To Question US Israeli Policy How Much Power Does Israel Have Over the US? Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was speaking in Ashkelon on Monday, in which he claimed he had the ability to control US foreign policy and summarily over-rule the Secretary of State. Video: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=397_1231894744 Last edited by peaceandlove; 01-15-2009 at 02:10 PM.

01-15-2009, 12:25 PM	#4
blastawaycas Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Middlesbrough United Kingdom Posts: 229	Re: GAZA CRISIS Causes Some To Question US Israeli Policy ISRAELI MILITARY HAVE HIT A UN BUILDING IN GAZA THATS IT NOW SOMEONE WELL (I FOR ONE) SHOULD BE SCREAMING "THATS IT YOU'VE REALLY GONE AND DONE IT NOW", AND THERE MILITARY SHOULD BE GETTING SURGICAL STRIKES FROM A UN AIR FORCE ..... BUT TO THE SHAME OF THE WEST IT WILL NOT HAPPEN IT WILL BE PLAYED DOWN.... THIS HAS ONLY GONE ON TO MAKE MORE AND MORE UP AND COMING HAMAS FIGHTERS HELL IF I WAS LIVING IN GAZA I WOULD BE VERY TEMPTED WHAT A DISGRACEFULL SHOCKING STATE OF AFFAIRS

01-16-2009, 08:55 AM	#5
Noela Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 205	Re: GAZA CRISIS Causes Some To Question US Israeli Policy Blastawaycas - There was someone who screamed "you've done it". It was Jon Snow from Channel 4 interviewing an Israeli minister. He was very skilful and professional in his questioning, but also very aggressive, and you could see that it hit its mark, as the minister was very uncomfortable and scarcely able to may any reply. It may help if Israel can see how others view their actions, although the usual response is "that's just Britain". There are several lawyers in Britain who are looking into whether Israel could be indicted for war crimes, although others feel this would be difficult- due mainly to the likelihood of a veto from the U.S. in the Security Council. I do feel that this shelling of the U.N. centre in Gaza City has put the whole situation on a different footing. Since the previous hit on a U.N. school the witnesses have been the head of U.N. affairs in Gaza and the head of the Red Cross in the area - and these are voices that Israel cannot deny. I am not suggesting that this will make any lasting difference, but it does bring more "muscle" to those "at the top", and hopefully an increased sense of a cry for justice for those of us who could be considered "at the bottom" in terms of influence, but in a sufficient groundswell can make a difference.