Congress Backs Israel/ Sharon/Bush 407-9

Israel National News ^ | 6/24/04 | Staff

[abu afak]

Congressional Resolution Backs Israel 18:33 Jun 24, '04 / 5 Tammuz 5764

A bipartisan effort in the United States House of Representatives produced a resolution yesterday (Wednesday) that lends Congressional backing to the core principles of President George Bush's April 14 letter to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Passing with an overwhelming majority of 407-9, the resolution recognizes "new realities on the ground, including already existing major Israeli population centers" and rejects any Arab "right of return" to Israel. While not referring to an Israeli withdrawal by name, the resolution does reference a "Palestinian state" more than once. The wording was negotiated and agreed upon by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), primary cosponsors of the resolution.

Commenting on the purpose of the resolution, Rep. DeLay said, "The people of Israel are at war with terror, and it is our responsibility to help them win it." The congressman added, "Peace cannot be negotiated with unpeaceful men. Peace must be won. We must stand with Israel as they work everyday toward its winning."

A Senate vote on a similar resolution is expected later this week.

In official reaction to the Congressional vote, Israeli Ambassador to the US Daniel Ayalon stated: "By strongly endorsing the principles set forth in President Bush's April 14 letter, in response to Prime Minister Sharon's proposed disengagement plan, the US Congress took an important step in promoting peace and stability in our region."

Senior Sharon aide Dov Weisglass called the vote a watershed, one that he classified as "one of the most important in US-Israel relations."

[Mo1]

Who were the 9 that voted ?

[31R1O]

Gotta go to school. Will you let me know when you find out?

[abu afak]

The 9 Voting against were....

Democratic Reps. John Conyers (Mich.), Carolyn Kilpatrick (Mich.), Dennis Kucinich (Ohio), Pete Stark (Calif.), Maxine Waters (Calif.), Lynn Woolsey (Calif.) and Barbara Lee (Calif.) opposed the resolution.


Three Democrats, Reps. Donald Payne (NJ), Diane Watson (Calif.) and Mel Watt (N.C.), voted “present.”

Rep. Ron Paul (Texas) was the only Republican who opposed it.

[Mo1]

Thanks for the info

[mware]

Want to bet Fritz Hollings was one of them???

[sonsofliberty2000]

Hmm, why did Ron Paul oppose it?

---

Patriot Paradox

[No Blue States]

"Rep. Ron Paul (Texas) was the only Republican who opposed it."

TINO.

Texan in name only.

[sonsofliberty2000]

Very good. Supporting Israel is part of the War on Terror.

---

Patriot Paradox

[Tree of Liberty]

Hollings is in the Senate. This was a House vote.

[Southack]

c#4

[adam_az]

"A Senate vote on a similar resolution is expected later this week."

Will Kerry show up for it?

[we_will_prevail]

Kucinich voted against it, huh? Now THERE'S a surprise (sarcasm).

[SJackson]

Nay: Conyers (D), Dingell(D), Kilpatrick(D), Kucinich(D), Lee(D), Paul (R), Stark(D), Waters(D), Woolsey(D)

Present: Payne(D), Watson(D), Watt(D)

-------------

108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 460

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas the United States is hopeful that a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be achieved;

Whereas the United States is strongly committed to the security of Israel and its well-being as a Jewish state;

Whereas Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has proposed an initiative intended to enhance the security of Israel and further the cause of peace in the Middle East;

Whereas President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Sharon have subsequently engaged in a dialogue with respect to this initiative;

Whereas President Bush, as part of that dialogue, expressed the support of the United States for Prime Minister Sharon's initiative in a letter dated April 14, 2004;

Whereas in the April 14, 2004, letter the President stated that in light of new realities on the ground in Israel , including already existing major Israeli population centers, it is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of final status negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians will be a full and complete return to the armistice lines of 1949, but realistic to expect that any final status agreement will only be achieved on the basis of mutually agreed changes that reflect these realities;

Whereas the President acknowledged that any agreed, just, fair, and realistic framework for a solution to the Palestinian refugee issue as part of any final status agreement will need to be found through the establishment of a permanent alternative and the settling of Palestinian refugees there rather than in Israel ;

Whereas the principles expressed in President Bush's letter will enhance the security of Israel and advance the cause of peace in the Middle East;

Whereas there will be no security for Israelis or Palestinians until Israel and the Palestinians, and all countries in the region and throughout the world, join together to fight terrorism and dismantle terrorist organizations;

Whereas the United States remains committed to the security of Israel , including secure, recognized, and defensible borders, and to preserving and strengthening the capability of Israel to deter enemies and defend itself against any threat;

Whereas Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism, including the right to take actions against terrorist organizations that threaten the citizens of Israel ;

Whereas the President stated on June 24, 2002, his vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security and that vision can only be fully realized when terrorism is defeated, so that a new state may be created based on rule of law and respect for human rights; and

Whereas President Bush announced on March 14, 2003, that in order to promote a lasting peace, all Arab states must oppose terrorism, support the emergence of a peaceful and democratic Palestine, and state clearly that they will live in peace with Israel : Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--
(1) strongly endorses the principles articulated by President Bush in his letter dated April 14, 2004, to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon which will strengthen the security and well-being of the State of Israel ; and
(2) supports continuing efforts with others in the international community to build the capacity and will of Palestinian institutions to fight terrorism, dismantle terrorist organizations, and prevent the areas from which Israel has withdrawn from posing a threat to the security of Israel .

Passed the House of Representatives June 23, 2004.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

[IamConservative]

Bet we all could have gotten 6 of these right blinfolded...

[Damocles]

... Reps. John Conyers (Mich.), Carolyn Kilpatrick (Mich.)...

Sometimes I am ashamed to be from this state...

[bassmaner]

Rep. Ron Paul (Texas) was the only Republican who opposed it.

I'm interested to see what constitutional basis Ron Paul used to oppose this bill. The CommieRats' reason is obvious, but I can't see how simply how simply voicing support for another nation's (essentially) internal affairs policy violates any libertarian tenet.

[savedbygrace]

I'm just guessing that he's taking the position that the USA shouldn't be meddling in any other nation's affairs. But I could be wrong. BTW, that was President Washington's position as well. It's too late for that position now, but if we had followed Washington's advice from the beginning . . . .

I'm jest trolling, so talk amongst yourselves. ;-)

[rintense]

The two from Michigan are a given.