Kesher Talk

Most of the U.S. Congress is on-side: The Los Angeles Times reports this morning, "As President Bush comes under growing international pressure to rein in Israel's military offensive against Palestinians, he faces countervailing pressure from an overwhelmingly pro-Israeli Congress where some members are pushing for new statements of support for the country. As lawmakers returned to work Tuesday after a recess that spanned two weeks of rapidly escalating violence in the Middle East, Rep. Tom Lantos (D-San Mateo) prepared to introduce a resolution expressing U.S. 'solidarity with Israel in its fight against terrorism.' Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said she would reintroduce legislation to cut US ties to the Palestinian Authority if Secretary of State Colin L. Powell's mission in the region does not produce results." And "Vice President Dick Cheney, meanwhile, traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with Senate Republicans at a time when some conservatives have questioned the Bush administration's willingness to continue negotiating with Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat." While "some congressional leaders are struggling to balance their desire to show support for Israel against fears that legislative meddling could upset diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region. Still, the unflagging congressional support for Israel -- even as Israeli leaders have been slow to respond to Bush's personal pleas to end the incursion into Palestinian-governed territory -- is a strong reminder of the tremendous influence wielded by the Jewish community and the pro-Israeli lobby in US politics." Lantos's resolution "would put Congress on record as backing Israel 'as it takes necessary steps to provide security to its people by dismantling the terrorist infrastructure in the Palestinian areas.'" But "House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas) said Tuesday that he did not think it was appropriate for Congress to act while the situation is in such flux."

posted by Howard @ 4/10/2002 10:27:14 AM