Falling In Line on Israel

[IndianaGreen]

Until the progressive community seriously challenges Democratic hawks, there is little hope that the new Democratic majority can be expected to contribute anything to the cause of peace and justice in the Middle East.

Tom Lantos and Joe Biden were strong supporters of our invasion of Iraq. Lantos in particular, has been a strong proponent of military action against Iran and Syria. They are no friends of ours!

Published on Saturday, November 18, 2006 by Foreign Policy in Focus

Falling In Line on Israel
by Stephen Zunes

The election of a Democratic majority in the House and Senate is unlikely to result in any serious challenge to the Bush administration’s support for Israeli attacks against the civilian populations of its Arab neighbors and the Israeli government’s ongoing violations of international humanitarian law.

The principal Democratic Party spokesmen on foreign policy will likely be Tom Lantos in the House of Representatives and Joe Biden in the Senate, both of whom have been longstanding and outspoken supporters of a series of right-wing Israeli governments and opponents of the Israeli peace movement. And, despite claims—even within the progressive press—that future House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is a “consistent supporter of human rights,” such humanitarian concerns have never applied to Arabs, since she is a staunch defender of right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his predecessor Ariel Sharon.

For example, when President George W. Bush defended Israel's assaults on Lebanon's civilian infrastructure this summer and defied the international community by initially blocking United Nations efforts to impose a cease-fire, the Democrats rushed to pass a resolution commending him for “fully supporting Israel .” The resolution, co-authored by Rep. Lantos, claimed that Israel's actions were legitimate self-defense under the UN Charter and challenged the credibility of reputable human rights groups. Although groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch documented widespread attacks by Israeli forces against civilians in areas far from any Hezbollah military activity, the resolution praised “Israel's longstanding commitment to minimizing civilian loss and welcom(ed) Israel's continued efforts to prevent civilian casualties.” All but 15 of the House's 201 Democrats voted in support.

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/1118-20.htm

[The Magistrate]

1. The Real 'Problem' Ma'am, At Least From Mr. Zunes' Point Of View

Is that this proportion of votes cast by Democratic Representatives accords accurately enough with the feeling of the people of the country. This is not going to change, and it will continue to be reflected in the actions of elected officials, Mr. Zunes' wishes to the contrary.

[IndianaGreen]

2. Having a war hawk and torture supporter like Lantos

in a key leadership position only harms America and the Democratic Party.

[The Magistrate]

3. No, Ma'am, It Does Not

He has seniority and expertise both. That makes him widely respected, and hence an asset.