U.S. lawmakers to Obama: Press Israel to ease Gaza siege

We seldom agree. But I agree with the cessation of Islamofascist incitement. I also agree with the cessation of Zionofascist incitement. Such as: Rabbi Tvzi Yehuda Kook, Israels first chief rabbi taught that non-Jews living under Jewish law in Eretz Yisrael must either be enslaved as water carriers and wood hewers or banished or exterminated. The Chairman of the Jewish Rabbinic Council said, there is no such thing as enemy civilians in war time, 1,000 non-Jewish lives are not worth a Jews fingernail. In June 2009 Hasidic Rabbi Manis Friedman called on Israelis to kill Palestinian men, women, children and cattle: destroy their holy sites. Rabbi David Batsri called Arabs, "a blight, a devil, a disaster ...donkeys... we must ask ourselves why God didn't create them to walk on all fours. The answer is, they are needed to build and clean."

It's an even smaller ratio, it's 54 out of 535, just a tad over 10% Ain't worth the gunpowder to blow up that sorry lot

The Israeli blockade of Gaza is the worst violation of human rights taking place in the world today. The collective punishment of a civilian population is a violation of article 33 of the 4th Geneva Convention, and a war crime. And you think equal pressure should be applied to Egypt? For what? Egypt is not violating international law as is Israel. Rifah, the crossing point from Gaza to Egypt, has walls 8 meters high, a 3 kilometer buffer zone and Egypt is bound by treaty with Israel to keep the border closed. Egypt can only open the border upon Israeli agreement. In 2008, Israel kept the border closed 85% of the time. Obviously, in any case, Egypt has no infrastructure available to provide significant support to a population of 1.5 million people, even if international aid were funneled thru Egypt rather than Israel.

It was never intended that Jordan would be part of Palestine, and it never was. In September 1922, a clause in the charter governing the Mandate allowed Great Britain to permanently withhold all of the provisions related to the Jewish National Home on lands that lay to the east of the Jordan River. From that point, Britain administered the part west of the Jordan river, 23% of the entire territory, as "Palestine," and the land east, 77% of the entire territory, as "Transjordan." Technically they remained one mandate, but most official documents referred to them as two separate mandates. Transfer of authority to an Arab government took place gradually in Jordan, starting in 1923, with the transfer of most functions by 1928. In preparing the mandate the Brit Foreign Office made clear it was necessary to make room for Zionist in Palestine, but not that they should turn the whole country into their home. In 1946, Jordan became an independent sovereign nation, two years before Israel.

Smaller percentage than Israel's anti-Israel left. Not worth AIPAC or anyone else's time to respond. Not even OyBummer will listen to the far left at this point. They got him into his current problems.

Israel might chose to lift the blockade if it should develop any sense of human decency, morality, compassion, or a desire to cease conducting the most serious violation of human rights taking place in the world today. If that development never takes place, Israel might want to avoid being in violation of article 33 of the 4th Geneva Convention, which says that collective punishment of a civilian population is a war crime. There may be consequences. If the US ever decides to stop supporting Israel in the UN with its veto, Israel will be hauled before the International Criminal Court in the Hague so fast it will make your head swim.

He has a distorted view of things, let's just say facts aren't his strong point, matter of fact he wouldn't recognize one if it hit him on his noggin BTW- It's less than 10% that signed the petition Anyhow, many of the Dems in Congress will be dumped come this November's Mid-Term elections

You sorely need a lesson in math Fifty Congressmen, of 535, which is less than 10% of Congress don't make a majority, not by any normal form of reasoning, then again, who said you were? In any event, most of the Democrats will be turned out of office comes November mid-term elections It amazes me how you attempt to get away with disinformation, thinking others are sucker enough to believe you

Having lived abroad for almost 20 years, I have never witnessed an entire population so inclined to lie about anything they don't like. You have absolutely no information that the Taliban fund J Street. You simply made it up. In doing so you disparage every Jewish American who is a member of and who supports J Street of being without morals, loyalty, decency, or scruples. You, sir, are a lying, intellectually dishonest Jew. J Street has 4 to 5,000 donors. J Street doesnt know the religions or ethnic background of them all but they are primarily individual Jewish Americans. J Street accepts no funding from foreign governments or foreign organizations. If J Street received funds from the Taliban, it would have to register with the Justice Dep't and the FBI as a foreign agent. J Street raised 844,000 in 2008, an election year, and have raised $111,000 so far (July) in 2009. Some 3% of their donors have Arab or Muslim sounding names. 3% of $111,000 is $3,330. You are a disgrace.

Israel might chose to lift the blockade if it should develop any sense of human decency, morality, compassion, or a desire to cease conducting the most serious violation of human rights taking place in the world today. If that development never takes place, Israel might want to avoid being in violation of article 33 of the 4th Geneva Convention, which says that collective punishment of a civilian population is a war crime. There may be consequences. If the US ever decides to stop supporting Israel in the UN with its veto, Israel will be hauled before the International Criminal Court in the Hague so fast it will make your head swim.

So take it to the Palestine Daily Star or one of the other Arab newspapers ,what,s the problem or are you now afraid of the backlash ?

On the contrary Madame it,s forced Egypt to install a steel wall/barricade to stop smuggling activities and stopped Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood from combining in the territory and csausing even more mayhem against it,s Muslim brethren,it must be all that Al-Jazeera,Al-Manara programming that,s confused you no end .

90% of Americans reckon Hamas is a terrorist organ isation and should be treated as one ,not so Skand arooni ,sorry for you?

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind ,sung by Bob Dylan all those years ago,so which wind do you want ,the 6th century backwards Muslim one or the 21st century progressive secular one of Israel,let,s have your answer pronto before it blows in and then out?

It will also take time for the Swiss to stop the building of minarets or the French to ban the burqa or Hamas to stop it,s smuggling enterprise,any more clever statements from you will be treated with contempt as they deserve ,not so Swiss(Dino)?

Hey Nick, Major Hasan Nidal ,the Fort Hood killer was a CAIR stooge funded by Muslim assassins ,fancy that?

Yeah ,but watch out for the ticking bomb that is CAIR?

Obsever ,the nutcase at it again ,facts,Hamas didn,t produce free and fair elections ,just as Ahmadinejad and Karzai didn,t in other words stolen elections by fanatics and dictators.Fatah/P LO members were thrown off tall buildings ,had there houses blown up and their families assassin ted by Hamas ,and there is no such thing as peaceful West Bank Palestinians as they,re supposed to be in their Palestinian state of Jordan as mandated in May 1948?

Which tunnel are you referring to Chris ,number 100 or maybe 350 in Hanmastan ?

Hey Rick how,s New Orleans doing these days,or is it still recovering from the broken levees ,in other words worry about your own surroundings ,not other peoples ?

Maybe you need a change of politics Jennifer in Miami?

Briliant observation chaver ,so let the games continue .

This question must be put directly to Keith Ellison ,the only Muslim in the Obama circus ?

Time was, it would not have conceivable to call for boycott, divestment and sanctions regardless of how many war crimes Israel committed. Times change.

conscience,but are scared to express their opinion and say NO? Are you equating your country to Iran or you are just overwhelmed by the joy to see what one Muslim managed to do in congress?Imagine dozens Muslim congressmen eric....

they're looking pretty good, as a matter of fact. a few years ago...there wouldn't have been more than a few... and as more and more step forward, the easier it is for others to follow their conscience instead of their political fears by following suit in the future.

Doesn't the 10 % look pitiful?

will create peace when fully armed? The following are excerpts from a speech given by Khaled Abu Hilal, the leader of the Palestinian "Freedom Movement", which aired on Al-Alam TV on January 1, 2010. To view this clip on MEMRI TV, visit http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/2334.htm. Khaled Abu Hilal: "We have a Legislative Council whose members are martyrdom seekers. We have national and Islamic factions, whose leaders are martyrdom seekers. We have martyrdom-seeking women. We raise our children from kindergarten to love martyrdom. We are not afraid of anybody, but..." Crowd: "Allah Akbar. Praise be to Allah. "Allah Akbar. Praise be to Allah. "Allah Akbar. Praise be to Allah." --

and racist hatred and lies will.

fully armed by imperialist Persia ready to fire thousands of Katyushas Grads all over Israel when Iran gives the order? Iran that needs to prevent peace at all costs to continue to push its influence all over the Moslem world.

guard your oil supplies from predators like Sadaam or Iran who invaded an Iraqi oil field recently aqnd the you will have peace except for the usual Shia/Sunni/Wahabi etc etc bloodshed.

A conspiracy theory dressed up as academic analyis. Now everyone can see what a load of antisemitic codswallop it really is.

not a lobby representative. Good for the US and Minnesota !!

Fifty-four members of the US Congress signed onto this codswallop - which may sound impressive at first blush. But the US Congress has 535 members - 100 Senators, 435 Representatives. Which means barely 10% of the Congress wrote to the President. 10% of any large group of people can usually be duped. As Abraham Lincoln once said, 'you can fool some of the people all of the time ...' MV

How about the 7,000 Pals held illegally in the disgraceful Israeli Prison Corporation? Release them, and maybe then Shalit's release deserves a little consideration.

Good for them to have such courage to risk political suicide. Maybe the tide is turning after all: that more and more people will see Israeli actions and war crimes for what they are and cut off the $3-6billion USD per year from the US Treasury

"...what`s criminal is Israel closing the air and sea routes to Gaza... let Gaza re-open its port and airport." [Michael] Sea route into Gaza? Look at Google Earth. The port of Gaza is about enough to unload a shrimp boat. The Gaza airport is fine, except for a couple of holes in the runway. They could patch up the holes, but you know as well as I that all incoming flights would have weapons for cargo. Hamas calls those shots, not the "people".

Why would Israel ever chose to lift a blockade of an entity sworn to use every trick, concession and bit of hardware to destroy Israel. Has Hamas even offered to release Shalit as a gesture of good faith? Or stopped the rockets and mortars as a gesture of good faith?

"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." - Ghandi Went on Gaza Freedom March. Ended up stuck in Cairo corrals, guarded by riot police subsidized by my own tax dollars. Wrote oped on experience & Gaza siege. No SC paper approached will print.

"FREE SHALIT FIRST AND FOREMOST. ONE SOLDIER.....SHOULDNT BE TOO HARD....RIGHT?" Get Israel to shut down operations and leave Asia. Then Islamic Jihad would likely send shalit with them. Not too hard. Right? Right!

He is an American.

Shalit is, alas, still not free, Israel's image abroad is worse than ever, rockets are still being launched, Hamas is still in power. Looks like it's time for a change in policy. Otherwise it could keep in for decades.

just 2 years ago it would have been inconceivable that 1 % of the US congress would sign such a letter, the fact that 15% did is not really good news.

just 2 years ago it would have been inconceivable that 1 % of the US congress would sign such a letter, the fact that 15% did is not really good news.

People are asking to free Shalit first. It would be wonderfull if it could be possible. Somebody could also tell, how..Even IDF tried to do so by the military actions, but not succeeded.

"America has the best politicians money can buy." Stealing lines from one of the best I see. Nothings changed unless you take into account America brought a pro muslim into power for one term and most likely will be voted out in 3 years. So, we had our 'change' and found it lacking. Now, we seek another, better, more pro American President. This one's a dud. A real loser and liar.

We know from the early days of Cast lead I that the cease fire was just a ruse while the IDF prepared. Nothing your government says can be believed. Sorry. The siege on Gaza will only be lifted when the US or Egypt decides. The Israeli government policy is "never." That was true with Sharon, Olmert, and now Netanyahu. It is a multi-party decision.

The Egyptians may only open the border crossing with permission of Israel. At the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs site you can read the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace+Process/Guide+to+the+Peace+Process/Israel-Egypt+Peace+Treaty.htm "Article II: The permanent boundary between Egypt and Israel in the recognized international boundary between Egypt and the former mandated territory of Palestine, as shown on the map at Annex II, without prejudice to the issue of the status of the Gaza Strip. The Parties recognize this boundary as inviolable. Each will respect the territorial integrity of the other, including their territorial waters and airspace."

Dems are running for the hills. Obama is even talking about the reality of being a one term pres. Americans are not happy w/ Obama or his cronies and the elections are showing it. More and more Americans are becoming 'independents' and will not take their marching orders from these same oil sponsored bums.

Then you do not need US dole payments any more!

"And as long as Hamas continues to attack Israel with missiles and other means, Israel will not open the border crossings." - Israeli government During the "tahadiyeh" Hamas desisted from attacking Israel. We did not open the border crossings. We persisted with targeted killings, bombed a tunnel to prevent a grave incident, we were told, thus blowing the tahadiyeh sky-high and then launched Cast Lead. Could someone ask my government for how long the attacks have to stop before the border crossings are opened?

for long time! but the wind is finally bowing in the right direction!

And 90% understands that Hamas is a terrorist group. This is a healthy representation of America; 90% get it and 10% don't.

Period. AIPAC has nothing to do with it. Israel allowed the siege to "happen", with American collusion. It will have to allow it to unhappen, with American and the Gazan leadership's collusion. Education IS a force for moderation.

Most of those 54 will lose their seats in the Midterm elections to republicans anyway, so don't get too excited

I don't know if you caught the news earlier this week. But it's now legal for foreign corporations to spend unlimited amounts on US politics. That is the new definition of Freedom of Speech for corporations. If the Saudis or Iran want to, they can now spend billions just to defeat or support anybody. For that matter, so can Exxon. Next election, we'll have the best government corporate money can but, anywhere in the world. AIPAC's money is soon to be chump change.

Bethlehem uni is a Christian university in the West Bank serving both Muslim and Christian Palestinians - despite the students' difficulties getting to school because of Israeli movement restrictions. I've been to other universities in the West Bank also and they are nothing like you describe.

It is senators and congressmen who give in to blandishments and flattery from lobby groups who prevent 'it' from happening, not AIPAC. But to the flabby-minded, it's easier to blame AIPAC. Jewish slimeballs are a much more credible explanation for lack of moral fibre than one's own, homegrown slimeballs, n'est-ce pas?

To all those with their opinion how Israel must or must not behave. Isn't it easy (far away, with oceans in between) to lecture 'morality? All of you,especially you moralist's in the US, who SHOOT immediately, when somebody just looks at you the wrong way. The rest of you, when your neighbour is shooting at you/your wife/your children day after day, do you open your house to him?......I don't think so. So brave sailors, nobody is waiting for opinions, that YOU YOURSELF wouldn't apply.

You should write the White House and be sure to let them know how much you think they should talk to Hamas. Should we fully recognize them and set up an embassy in Gaza City? Exchange Ambassadors? Maybe if somebody actually talked with them instead of AT them, an accommodation could be arrived at. Clearly, the current Israeli strategy isn't working out.

and from afghanistan jb? it would have had some meaning if they had done ! keep up the knee jerking fun in talkbacks !

I am surprised by this development. More in Congress than ever before seem to be aware of the situation. Those bashing Keith Ellison have no idea who he really is. He is a lot more than a religious label. His district is quite diverse. I have no idea if my Congress critter signed or not. Anybody have a list of who did and did not sign?

....but the real change in the U.S. will only come, when the "mainstream media" (especially the big TV networks) will also be allowed to report stuff like this, or in other words, when the American people will be allowed to hear unfiltered news about Israel/ME from their "mainstream media". That (media) change in the United States will sooner or later come, but it may still take some time....

Even today with the most Democratic congress in a long time- and the most Left wing influence in the Administration six times more members of Congress did not sign this petition than did. Keith Ellison by the way in endorsing wholeheartedly Goldstone's 'blood- libel' report on Israel shows where his heart is.

You can understand why Egypt and Israel don't want Hamas members running around their country, but what's criminal is Israel closing the air and sea routes to Gaza. Then it just becomes a siege and collective punishment of the civilian population. Send Israeli air force leaders and Israeli navy leaders to the Hague for trial and let Gaza re-open its port and airport.

if you don't think that this is significant... then you're just NOT paying attention.

A: "54 out of 535 isn`t much" It is precisely 54 more than anyone would have expected yesterday, and if they can provide a united front against the AIPAC push-back then you can be very certain that it will be many more than 54 the next time, and the time after that, and the time after that. That's the problem with being a bully: once you lose the fear-factor then it all goes downhill very, very fast.

There are 435 members of the House of Representatives and 100 members of the Senate. 54 total basically means nothing; definitelynot worthy of an article, unless the point is to stress how much support Israel has compared to how much support the forces of evil have.

who wrote these letters? Did they even bother doing a quick google search on Palestinian higher education? They are hotbeds of anti-semitism, anti-Christian, anti-Western, and anti-American propaganda. They are tightly controlled by the Palestinian government and enjoy ZERO academic freedom. The only thing these educational facilities are free to do is educate yet another generation to HATE non-muslims and promote jihad. As for the Gaza border, Israel lets in humanitarian aide, they Gazans are not starving, their supermarkets are fully stocked, and they have clean water and fuel. Aside from that, Hamas deliberately wants their people to suffer in order to gain sympathy from the worls, not unlike North Korea's plans. Naive Westerners have NO idea how good the Arabs have become in pulling on the strings of Western morality and sympathy... WAKE UP WORLD! Hamas is a viscious, islamofascist theocracy whose sole purpose is the genocide of non-mulsims in the middle east!

Why is it that AIPAC preaches Israel-first policies and we are now knee deep in jihadist activities against us for supporting Israel? We have been warned that our support is directly implicating us in Israel's war with Arabs. AIPAC plays the Israeli national anthem at every meeting. They have been caught red handed with spies. NO THANKS AIPAC! KUDOS TO J STREET!

Finally some of our representations are stepping up for universal human rights. Bravo.

Since the convicted swindler Madoff is nomore around with his donations for AIPAC, Aipac is a lion without teeths!

They must be making a lot of money from the tunnels.

Arab lobby and Obamistas Attack After Obama had failed to impress the world with Haiti, Axelrod and Rahm have decided to attack Israel. This letter approved and concocted by Hilary, Obama, Axelrod and Rahm shows the degree of desperation by the Obamistas with the abysmal performance of the first year in office of the genius from Chicago. While Obama repeatedly refuses to condemn the Islamic terrorism this is a feeble attempt to distract attention from failures of his administration on all fronts. By the way, I was also denied for two weeks a permit to leave Tel-Aviv for the States to study because of the miluim by Captain George. Don't cry Gaza students, do what I did, and demand from Hamas to release Shalit immediately. For ten days I stood before the second gates on Kaplan 23 with a poster "Let me study, don't take to the army by force."

other useful idiots, and common anti-Semites care about islamo-facists in Arab occupied Gaza. Very commendable ideed...

Have no fear Israel is a strong independent country, which is an ally of the US. The US knows very clearly Gaza is ruled by a terrorist organization. Those Congress people that support Hamas in Gaza they might as well support AlKayda (they wouldn?t dare). Some congress people suffer from a condition called HATERED OF ISRAEL which as no cure unfortunately.

You are always consistent in your anti-israeli mantras....Just imagine if Canada would lobby over 8000rockets into the Bufalo,N.Y. or if Mexico would do the same over Nueva Laredo...Both of them would be levelled down,with their sewage and water treatment plants...If the hamas is so worried about their sewage and their drinking Water,that b.t.w. is supplyed by Israel,they should use their qassams as supositories,instead of lobbyin them against Sderot

J street,US congressmen, growing grassroots support and participation in the international Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement here in the USA. Israel's current path,unless dramatically altered, is inexorably leading it down Apartheid South Africa's path of political isolation and pariah status.

I commend U.S. lawmakers for finally showing some backbone, when it comes to atrocities, committed by Israel on our dime. Israel has been just so brutal, inhumane, towards the Palestinian people since 1948, and our U.S. Congress and Senate, terrified of AIPAC and of suffering Paul Findlay's fate, have caved in time and time again.

AIPAC never controlled Congress. Arab money and petrodollars have always had an abiding power, explaining why the United States executive branch never attempted to stop Hamas rockets in the first place. Moreover the Goldstone Report reports some facts, some quasi-facts, and many lies.

whats right. I see the change in Americas stance towards Israel....loosening the control of AIPAC.

As recently as a week ago Hamas declared that they had no intention of recognizing Israel as anything. Jewish or otherwise. It's sort of like Cuba. Castro still in charge and no cigars for sale over here.

Please stop repeating yourself. You have already received an answer in a previous article.

The guy has a background in the Nation of Islam. What did anyone expect?

End your embargo of Cuba that never threatened the US before you condemn Israel. What would the US do if a neighbour fired over 8000 missisles at its' civilian population and and whose Constitution calls for its'destruction? Guantanamo and Abu Graib would look like heaven compared to what the US would do to that neighbour. Sullivan and all the Jew Haters on Haaretz talkback can go you know where.

... is that majority rules. At the moment, 12% of USA (through their representatives) seem to think that Israel is the cause of the Gazans' problems. The leaves 88% thinking something else. One possibility is that some of the 88% think that Hamas has something to do with the situation. It is possible for someone stupid to be elected to Congress. But it is rare enough that it makes news. Simple fact is, we will need a lot more Al Qaida attacts on us in order to start seeing things the Muslim way.

but that would be too much for the U.S. lawmakers to ask another moslem country to help their brothers and sisters. Israel and the Jews must help those who seek to destroy them.

One is the policy towards Palestine and Israel, which happily seems to be gradually changing among the populace. The other, which unfortunately does not look like will be changed, is healthcare.

Netanyahu is a man with a mission, and easing the Gaza siege is not part of it. If the American government considers dropping all financial and political support of Israel then they will have Israels immediate attention. If they do not place that support at risk, then Israel will continue to do as they like and ignore the hand wringing from America.

AIPAC is a guy handing Israel enough rope to hang itself - at a price.

"We will not end seige of protection over Gaza but we will handle care of occupants with grace." - Rankaroo-Karoon What does that mean? More precise bombing of water and sewage plants? Better control of firepower so that fewer rounds are expended per apartment building destroyed? Only one air strike per hospital? What has happened to Israel and Jews to make them abandon basic precepts and accept sadism as normal? "Maybe a hot chick in a shawl and completely covered with an AK47 on her hip not chanting war." - Rankoo-Karoon Damned if I know, or can understand. But it is depraved - as depraved as any Suicide Bomber.

"The Gaza Seige Works Against Israel" - Jane Too true, but those who hate Arabs think it is a great idea. All they care about is inflicting suffering upon Arabs and they don't give a damn how much damage it does to Israel. "Before you all go criticizing just remember how bad the Gaza seige has been for Israel. It has all but destroyed its reputation and could ultimately lead to more people believing in the one state solution rather than peaceful coexistence." - Jane They believe in a 'one state' solution Jane. One with Israel from the Euphrates to the Nile and no Arabs in between. "It`s just not right to imprison men women and children and deny them access to the most basic needs to live NO MATTER who their leaders are." - Jane You have an understanding of morality. Those who wish to keep the siege on, even though it has failed to overthrow Hamas, have no concept of morality, all they know is the sadistic pleasure of inflicting suffering. We are arguing with evil people Jane.

the Gaza residents were Jews? Remember, the establishment of the Israel was nurtured by Jewish terrorists. Also, what is your opinion of the Jewish settlers' encroachment on peaceful West Bank Palestinians.

For example, J Street supports annexing some of the larger settlement/cities and parts of East Jerusalem. Just go to their website and read their platform. I guess it's easier to spout untruths than do a little research. Where J Street fundamentally differs from AIPAC is that they're not prepared to blindly follow Israel's governments right or wrong. What's so radical about that?

For example, J Street supports annexing some of the larger settlement/cities and parts of East Jerusalem. Just go to their website and read their platform. I guess it's easier to spout untruths than do a little research. Where J Street fundamentally differs from AIPAC is that they're not prepared to blindly follow Israel's governments right or wrong. What's so radical about that?

The first precondition to opening the border from Gaza into Israel must be the release of the kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. Next would be the stopping of rocket attacks on Israel. These rocket attacks are also "collective punishment" as they are aimed indiscriminately at Israeli civilians. Shame on Israel if they allow "pressure" to make them ignore these basic prerequisites.

= 0 (nothing).

Hamas could apply its own pressure on Israel by finalizing the deal for Shalit. Why should Israel quit its sanctions when it is already agreeing to a 1000 for 1 trade?

A chink of light at the end of the tunnel

Are those direct talks you're recommending Mitchell pursue? Are there any parameters you'd like the Obama administration to use. Is it OK is the US promises to open the Port at Gaza and the Airport, permanently in exchange? The US could lift the siege tomorrow if it wanted to and Israel could not stop it. Can the US grant independence to Gaza? e could. But that would upset the Oslo accords.

the first muslim inside congress obama and not this other guy mentioned in article (keith ellison)

I think this letter should have been addressed to both Israel and its partner in the siege, Egypt.

Having lived abroad for almost 20 years, I have never witnessed an entire population so inclined as yours to lie about anything they don't like. You have absolutely no information that the Saudis fund J Street. You simply made it up. You, sir, are a lying, intellectually dishonest Jew. J Street has 4 to 5,000 donors. J Street doesn't know the religions or ethnic background of them all but they are primarily individual Jewish Americans. J Street accepts no funding from foreign governments or foreign organizations. If J Street received funds from Saudi Arabia, it would have to register with the Justice Dep't and the FBI as a foreign agent. J Street raised 844,000 in 2008, an election year, and have raised $111,000 so far (July) in 2009. Some 3% of their donors have Arab or Muslim sounding names. 3% of $111,000 is $3,330.

Look at a map: Egypt is also a neighbor of Gaza. Why is there no outcry that Egypt closed its border with Gaza and is building a wall? Egypt didn't permit the Viva Gaza convoy to cross into Gaza with building supplies that Hamas would grab to build bunkers and tunnels. Maybe it's because Gaza is now bringing in Al Qaeda into Gaza as documented in Foreign Policy http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/25/when_yemen_meets_gaza No mention of Egypt exists in the J Street-drafted letter, why should it when J Street's major goal is to bash Israe and to detract from Israel's sterling accolades it's getting.

I am waiting for other Congress men and women to join them and condemn the atrocities that has been committed and still happening. Enough of Israel support wake up America it's about time now.

from our friends in Washington...

This trend will only grow. As the opinions of the entire world weigh in against the Israeli oppression of the Palestinians and Israels anti-peace attitude, the America congress will follow suit. They may be the last ones in the world to see reality, but they will get there in time.

The biggest issue in the peace process aside from the players is interest. Palestnians want State, Israel wants 100% guarantee on security, seems fair. Both want lots of land. So if we could do business along these lines, with punishments for infringement we could move forward. Punishment, may be equal, even if the crimes are not, as killing civilians is exponentially worse than building houses on disputed lands (Labharas fake court cases). No Settlements, No Siege; but security infringment, however minor, doesn't mean a resumption of settlements or siege, they mean the ceding and withdrawal of claim to land of value. like Jerusalem or Hebron. INTL Community if you have an actual interest than pursue along the lines of an Economist not a Humanitarian, the Humanitarian will give till they have nothing & then what use are they? The Economist will find the assets of value & organize a matrix that reflects this based on the interests of groups involved and hence sureties of value.

President Obama is also a disaster from a liberal Jewish perspective. Israelis have their doubts for their own reasons, but you might wish to be aware of your U.S. cousins' disenchantment. 1. 1st order of business. Reform our election machinery to prevent fraud from "trade secret software" with no trail. Grade F- 2.Bringing Israelis and Arabs together for a comprehensive end to never-ending violence. Grade:F 3.Pulling out of futile middle eastern guerilla wars. C- for Iraq. F- in Afghanistan 4. Health care. Flimsy lifeless effort to bring national health care to the only western democracy without it. Grade D- 5. Using debt to refinance transportation infrastructure changes ( modern rail), now far too wed to the automobile. Oblivousness to peak oil. Instead he used debt to prop up the banksters and auto company losers. Grade:F I voted for this man. The truth is that we are a fake democracy run by corporate plutocrats. The U.S. was built on stolen lands with stolen labor.

I am encouraged that AIPAC does not control 100% of our mid-east policy. We need more representatives and senators (!) to step up, take a risk, and act in the name of common decency.

Sullivan, you are right-on. I will write each Congressman. I will tell each one that, at the same time they think of pressuring Israel, equal pressure should be applied to Egypt, who also shares the border and can equally alleviate the "ills" of Gaza. The Democrats show their true face every day, with their liberal, destructive methods. By next November, they will be a shadow of themselves. We fools in the US wanted change, boy, we got it. But now, a segment of the Democrats in Congress are going after our true friend, Israel, who absorbed 8000 rockets (they conveniently forget) that led to the Gaza action. Forgot about that, heh Sully ??

We will not end seige of protection over Gaza but we will handle care of occupants with grace. Do you know the image of Gaza to the world is hostile teenagers jumping up and down screaming Jihad while holding AK47 in a hormonal chant to see 10 thousand virgins and blown themselves up. Okay I am your Royal and you need to rethink our tourism advantage. We need postcards with happy people and beaches. Maybe a hot chick in a shawl and completely covered with an AK47 on her hip not chanting war.Really tourism without your tourist blowing up with landmines is important.That brings in new people new funds for you to purchase more weaponry killing your own families.Really we need crops, they try and blow us up all the time all over the nation. I need tourism experts in Gaza.I walked it it didn't look like the movie portrayed it.Can we get new images of Gaza out in the world.Really nice people, good families, loving crafts, artisans, intelligent life is there, good restaraunts.Rankoo-Karoon

ONE SOLDIER.....SHOULDNT BE TOO HARD....RIGHT?

Before you all go criticizing just remember how bad the Gaza seige has been for Israel. It has all but destroyed its reputation and could ultimately lead to more people believing in the one state solution rather than peaceful coexistence. It's just not right to imprison men women and children and deny them access to the most basic needs to live NO MATTER who their leaders are. It was a bad idea when Sharon started it and remains a bad idea now.

Indeed the status quo is unsustainable. Collective punishment doesn't work. A lot of innocent people suffer.

Right now the US has an ever worsening deficit and Israel has a surplus and keeps buying US bonds and dollars to support the US. Cut off aid? Thanks to Bibi the Israeli taxpayer could absorb such a burden fairly easily because US aid, even when combined with the Diaspora's donations, equals less than 2 percent of Israel's GDP. Cut off weapon's supplies? That would mean firing the engineers, technicians and blue-collar workers involved in manufacturing what the IDF buys from the US. Can you imagine that at this present time? http://www.ourchangingglobe.com/how-much-does-israel-depend-on-american-aid/

Obama is already expecting defeat in the next election, according to his most recent interview w/ Diane Sawyer.. American's are not happy w/ his policies excluding Israel. I'm afraid this job is above his capabilities, he isn't qualified to be the President and goes counter to the people wishes, including Israel, which angers American's who overwhelmingly support Israel, our most valued ally. His gamble will be limited and shortened by his own failures which are mainly, ignoring the majority of people who voted for him.

which congressmen and women will be ousted this November. Kind of sucks because I'm a diehard democrat but we all know what is coming. Won't be sad to see Ellison go, that's for sure.

Elections are coming. Getting fools out is number one job. Collective punishment for everyone on this shameful for list. The Arabs must suffer because of Hamas..Go the way of Jewkillers / go to hell.

If they want to blockade lifted but do not want to impact on the security of either party, what is suggested to stop the return of suicide bombings.

How is AIPAC going to defeat fifty four Congressmen at once? They haven't got THAT KIND of clout.

They must be commended for taking this moral stand and hopefully this is a postive sign of a growing sentiment in the US Congress.

Yes.They need better education in order to beco me better educated terrorists...Notice that the monsters of 9/11 were all well educated and this nigerian rat that attempted to explode the plane on Christmas da had a degree in engineering or was pretty close to one...YeHa.They need better education,BUT NOT IN ISRAEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He can't say it on the record but with Hamas in control of Gaza it suits him just fine this siege. It gets Hamas out of his hair and he has an excuse to condemn Israel which is going to rally support for himself in Judea & Samaria. It suits Israel because it controls what goes in and out of Gaza which weakens Hamas ability to carry out terror and as it makes Abbas happy then Obama likes it as well. Unless Abbas tells him to or if he thinks its going to cost the Democrats seats in November he will do nothing..... if Obama was unhappy about the siege he would have demanded an end to it long ago.

Of course that is what makes this document worthless.

Time was, this would have been a most improbable headline.

"Bawaak" Obama caved at his first meeting with Netanyahu. Drawing any further attention to his total failure in the Mid-East is pointless.