On Tuesday, a one-sided bipartisan non-binding House resolution with 71 co-sponsors was adopted by voice vote, no opposition registered.
The entire process on an issue this sensitive took 30 minutes, no debate needed. Rubber-stamp approval sufficed, more proof showing Palestinians are on their own, sustained resistance their only recourse. Changing the deplorable status quo is impossible any other way.
Neocon Republican House Foreign Affairs chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen introduced the measure.
AIPAC applauded the resolution, (e)xpressing concern over anti-Israel and anti-Semitic incitement within the Palestinian Authority.” Its statement “condemning the recent wave of Palestinian terrorism in Israel.”
Ros-Lehtinen’s hate-filled comments were quoted, saying “(t)he House has sent a clear message to Palestinian leadership that its anti-Israel incitement causing so much of the recent tension, violence, and terror will no longer be tolerated.”
There should be no doubt that the Palestinian Authority sets the tone with its incitement, resulting in the recent wave of attacks that we’re seeing against innocent Israeli civilians.
Other House members voiced similar sentiments – ignoring longstanding Israeli state terror, wars at its discretion, brutalizing occupation harshness, persecuting an entire population ruthlessly, holding it hostage, stealing its land, murdering its people.
Congress near unanimously supports Israel’s right to commit the highest of high crimes. When Palestinians defend their rights, they’re called “terrorists.”
According to AIPAC, “a wave of Palestinian incitement and terror (is ongoing) throughout the state of Israel. (A)t least a dozen Israelis have been killed and scores more wounded.”
Eight Jews were killed since October 1 in Occupied Palestine, not Israel, only two by stabbings. AIPAC’s silence was deafening, ignoring 75 Palestinians murdered by Israeli soldiers and police over the same time period, thousands injured, many hundreds arrested and brutalized in confinement.
Things aren’t entirely hopeless. Activist Josh Ruebner points out similar pro-Israeli resolutions usually get 200 – 300 co-sponsors.
This measure was first introduced in June. House members took months bringing it to the floor for a vote. Only two Democrats spoke in support of the measure.
When a voice vote was called, many members weren’t on the floor. Most pro-Israeli resolutions show recorded votes so representatives can show their allegiance on the public record.
Still it goes without saying. Virtually the entire Congress one-sidedly supports Israel. Palestinian rights don’t matter. Not a single profile in courage in Washington speaks out on their behalf. No one condemns decades of Israeli high crimes.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at[email protected].
His new book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.”
http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html
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