The United States and Israel remain united (by Eric Cantor)

Ha'aretz ^ | 10:48 03/08/2009 | By Eric Cantor

[Cinnamon Girl]

As relations between Washington and Jerusalem veer onto unusually rocky terrain, two separate delegations of Congressional Democrats and Republicans will visit Israel in the next couple of weeks bearing a crucial message to the Israeli people: Congress' commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship remains steadfast.

America stands with Israel for both moral and strategic reasons. Israel is not only a democratic ally and our only true friend in the Middle East; it is also a vital pillar of U.S. national security strategy. When it is strong - its borders secure, its people free from the threat of Iran and its terrorist proxies - the Middle East is a much more stable and peaceful place.

On the other hand, if Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah are allowed to grow stronger at Israel's expense, the resulting victory for radical forces would deal a blow to U.S. anti-terrorism efforts. Terrorism gains legitimacy and momentum when it is shown to work.

Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle are on their way to Israel to affirm that she does not stand alone on the front lines of the ideological battle against extremism. We come to get an up-close view of the geostrategic threats facing our two nations and to discuss solutions with our Israeli counterparts.

But this year the public disagreement between the governments of the United States and Israel over "natural growth" in neighborhoods of Jerusalem and the West Bank has given renewed urgency to our mission. Rumors of a potential aid cutoff or the imposition of other sanctions from the U.S. Defense Department and State Department may not even be true, but they have succeeded in rattling the Israeli people.

[Cinnamon Girl]

We need more Eric.

Some of my colleagues in Congress do not agree with me that Israel has a right to accommodate the natural growth of its population in its settlements.

[theDentist]

Eric, it's good that you are working to keep Israel as our friend, but 0bama has the reins, and frankly, Israel should trust him as much as they'd trust Hamas.