Nearly 300 Congress members declare commitment to 'unbreakable' U.S.-Israel bond
Letter to Clinton underscores Biden remarks that there is 'no space' when it comes to Israel's security.
By Natasha Mozgovaya Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu US Barack Obama Israel newsNearly 300 members of Congress have signed on to a declaration reaffirming their commitment to "the unbreakable bond that exists between [U.S.] and the State of Israel", in a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The letter was sent in the wake of the severe recent tensions between Israel and the U.S. over the prior's decision to construct more than 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem, a project it announced during U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's visit to the region.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took advantage of his trip to the United States this week to try to mend the rift with the Obama administration, but he was greeted with cold welcome by the White House.
Netanyahu also met during his visit with members of Congress, who welcomed him with significantly more warmth.
The letter from Congress expresses its "deep concern" over the U.S.-Israel crisis, and emphasizes that lawmakers had received assurances from Netanyahu that the events leading up to the recent tensions would not be repeated.
Letter from members of Congress
Dear Secretary Clinton:
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. In every important relationship, there will be occasional misunderstandings and conflicts.
The announcement during Vice President Biden's visit was, as Israel's Prime Minister said in an apology to the United States, "a regrettable incident that was done in all innocence and was hurtful, and which certainly should not have occurred." We are reassured that Prime Minister Netanyahu's commitment to put in place new procedures will ensure that such surprises, however unintended, will not recur.
The United States and Israel are close allies whose people share a deep and abiding friendship based on a shared commitment to core values including democracy, human rights and freedom of the press and religion. Our two countries are partners in the fight against terrorism and share an important strategic relationship.
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 U.S. 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.
From the moment of Israel's creation, successive U.S. administrations have appreciated the special bond between the U.S. and Israel.
For decades, strong, bipartisan Congressional support for Israel, including security assistance and other important measures, have been eloquent testimony to our commitment to Israel's security, which remains unswerving.
It is the very strength of this relationship that has, in fact, made Arab-Israeli peace agreements possible, 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.
In its declaration of independence 62 years ago, Israel declared: "We extend our hand to all neighboring states and their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighborliness, and appeal to them to establish bonds of cooperation and mutual help with the sovereign Jewish people settled in its own land."
In the decades since, despite constantly having to defend itself from attack, Israel has repeatedly made good on that pledge by offering to undertake painful risks to reach peace with its neighbors.
Our valuable bilateral relationship with Israel needs and deserves constant reinforcement.
As the Vice-President said during his recent visit to Israel: "Progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the U.S. and Israel when it comes to security, none. No space."
Steadfast American backing has helped lead to Israeli peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan. And American involvement continues to be critical to the effort to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
We recognize that, despite the extraordinary closeness between our country and Israel, there will be differences over issues both large and small.
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.
We believe, as President Obama said, that "Israel's security is paramount" in our Middle East policy and that "it is in U.S. national security interests to assure that Israel?s security as an independent Jewish state is maintained."
In that spirit, we look forward to working with you to achieve the common objectives of the U.S. and Israel, especially regional security and peace.
Sincerely,
STENY HOYER ERIC CANTOR
HOWARD L. BERMAN ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN
GARY ACKERMAN DAN BURTON
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
IM IN AGREEMENT 100%
can't find Israel on a map
Another reminder of the fear that grips our nation politicians. It is all unfolding in front of our eyes the undue pressure our politicians fear. They disagree on the welfare of our citizens but all agree on the Israel topic after proding from AIPAC
This vote has more to do with domestic politics than anything else. Mid-term elections are around the corner, and reps need to curry favor. The Palestinian lobby does not get anyone elected here. There's no reason to doubt that the US commitment to Israel is exceptional, but don't look at this stupid vote to judge that. Any who want to consider the relevance of this declaration should be asking... How could it have been anything less than a unanimous declaration? That is the story of this story, if there is any. Anyone looking for fault lines in Obama's power or rifts between Obama and the majority of Congress... you're grasping at straws if you think this declaration shows that Obama's on shaky ground.
Yes, Yes AIPAC technically does not directly give money to American candidates; true. What they do do is give money to political action committees that are in lockstep with their views, who then give the money to the American candidates. If there is an American politician who takes views that are opposed to AIPAC agenda, then AIPAC will target them, like a sniper, by funding the opponent heavily in the next election. This sniping has been amazingly effective for AIPAC; they only spend about $3 million a year which by in large keeps our spineless, money grubbing politicians in line.
If you take off the yarmulke and free your brain from zionist spin, you would ask why ONLY 250 Members signed instead of 95% of them. Perhaps it means that the Aipac's bribing influence is on the vane and that this President is more intent in establishing peace and JUSTICE and less interested in your settlements in Palestine...... Since you and others from day one, called him a one term President, he has proven to you he can stand the pressure and face the opposition to back down.
Let's face it - ultraorthodox israelis are pushing Israel into a corner. They assume that AIPAC and other pressure groups will be able to continuing keeping American politicians and public figures under control by using pressure tactics and fear. Given the fact that Israel lost support in most areas of the world it is imperative for the US to continue supporting Israel. How wise is it to insult the VP and seek confrontation with the President of the only ally?
Treason, in black and white, by US Congress.
No wonder their approval ratings are so high. All they can agree on is Israel and endless war. Nothing for the American people.
You would seem to be off in your calculations about the letter. I haven't seen that 327 number elsewhere, but I'll take your word for it. However, you neglected to count the 100 Senators. There are a total of 536 Congressmen and Senators, not 436. So those who have signed represent 61% -- not 75%. Still nauseating, but nothing like the good old days, huh?
"The United States and Israel are close allies" That's funny I know of no alliances between the US and Israel. Because there are none. Matter of fact all members of congress that vote to give Israel money are in violation of the Logan Act and should impeached and imprisoned.
327 out of the 435 members of Congress have signed their names to the letter. Seeing as how your are mathematically challenged (in addition to writing with the silly hyper-punctuations of a 3rd grader), 327 of 435 represents just over 75% (and growing). Now, go cry in your bigot soup. P.S. Oops. Almost forgot. .....???????:):):):) Is that better?
just empty talk to get jewish money and jewish voices in elections . americans are paying heavily for the sake of israel , most americans are complaining because of this . there are rumors that usa is about to abandon israel and ally with iran .
... your maths and US government 'facts'? It was very close to 300 members of the US House of Representatives who signed and sent the pro-Israel declaration to Mrs Clinton. And there are 435 total voting members in that chamber of the US Congress. Now, read the following slowly and carefully: first divide 300 by 435; then times the result by a hundred to get the percentage of members signing the letter. Answer? That comes out to about 69 percent of the US House of Representatives - that's the way the arithmetic works out ... even in Switzerland! Obviously, the European educational system isn't what it used to be. MV
Before you mouth off, do some research.
And I am sure that there are quite a few more who reject them but do not want to do it publicly.
1.250, 200, 150, etc. no problem. 2.As foretold and as beautifully foretold, the small boy with the Moshiachs Meal of FIVE LOAVES and TWO FISH will arrive on time and in time. 3.The Five Loaves will provide that much needed EXIT Strategy from all disputes, statelmates, deadlocks, quagmires and deep holes. 4.With plenty of leftovers for future generations living in peace, unity and harmony. 5.ETA of the small boy: 7-Sep-2010.
With all the mess that the U.S is in, congressmens are concerned whether the US Israeli bond is breakable or shackable or !! Israel Is strong and healthy. Wake up and smill the coffee people, Americans need jobs, they need income and health care. I strongly believe that people in capital hill should focus on serving Americans intrest first. Do not worry so much about Isreal now. they average Israeli's quality of life is better than the average American's quality of life and they are livinig off Americans' tax payers money. When Israelis do not work, they can afford it but Americans can not because they have no body to rely on but her self. Time to get back to work and work for Americans whom you represent and whom elected you to those offices !! Enough giving the money and the support of U.S government for supporting occupation and killing of women and children. Shame on you!
250 congressmen signed a letter that says nothing. This is all political mumbo-jumbo. The letter could be summed up as: 1. Israel is a good friend of the US 2. Israel's security is in the interest of the USA. 3. Please don't fight so much in public. Does anything of that look controversial to anyone? Notice the lack of any voiced support for, for example, continued construction in Eastern Jerusalem... The letter is made so that it doesn't contain anything that not every politician in Washington could agree with. The only purpose of this letter is to get a lot of signatures and to put something in the paper. This does not mean that Israel has 250 congressmen in its pocket...
You know very well that most Americans don't know much about Israel (thanks to our biased media) that's why Congress can waste time signing meaningless letters like this. However, if Israel provokes war with Iran, the American voters will throw all 250 bums out like we did after the Iraq war became a mess. McCain and Palin were pro-Israel to the max and they lost bigtime! I hope that Israel becomes a local issue soon, then we can prevent these Israel-firsters from serving in Congress from the get go and finally have American-firsters in our people's House.
Bibi is going to weaken it even further by lashing it against the administration, as he already did to Israel itself.
Friendly letter (this time) signed by half of the US Congress expressing concern to Obama over his questionable conduct, escalating tensions with Israel - a reminder to Obama that in our system, under our Constitution, he makes foreign policy "with the advice and consent of the Congress". His current direction, they are telling him, does not have "consent of Congress". Obama has been placed on notice that he has gone as far down this road as Congress will allow. If they have to jerk his chain again, things will get ugly. Many Congress Democrats are facing tough reelection situations in November, many voters see Obama, poll numbers crashing like no new President's in US history, as wrecking the country, and his party is telling him to not make waves for them. Obama now has to be seen by Congress to either 1) back off Israel or 2)lean equally hard on Abbas and the PLO, or 3)expect a firestorm in Congress that will end his presidency after 1 term, or sooner, if that's the way he wants it.
Exactly what I've been saying right along. But the young and inexperienced American president blew this disagreement up into a media circus, to the point where he carries at least as much blame as Netanyahu for the hurt caused to bilateral ties, and the comfort given to mutual enemies. Mr Obama, let's hope you'll accept this counsel of cooler heads in Congress, so that such damage may not happen again. MV
All this sounds good, but has no practical meaning. It has no practical effect, and commits them to nothing.
Congress should look out for the number one priority - AMERICANS! Israel is the last responsibility!
2 years ago, you would easily have gotten 450 + signatures.... ....and to be honest, the text is actually quite moderate, the guys who organised the whole thing, were obviously worried, that with a more hawkish text, they would even get much less signatures. Only a little bit more critical of Israel, and I could have signed this thing...:)
Impeachment Now!!!
Where is the list of signators? Did any democrats sign?
AIPAC's getting only 170 out of 535 (32%) members is a huge drop in support for Israel. Also, Iran going nuclear was not discussed during Bibi's trip to DC, only at AIPAC's conference, but not with senior officials. And Arab governments are less likely to support sanctions against Iran because Israel continues to expand settlements in occupied Jerusalem.