Democratic and Republican congressional leaders are rushing to offer unalloyed support for Israel's offensive against Hezbollah fighters, reflecting a bipartisan desire to not only defend a key U.S. ally but also solidify long-term backing of Jewish voters and political donors in the United States, according to officials and strategists in both parties. With Israel intensifying its air and artillery attacks on Lebanon and warning of a protracted war, the Senate yesterday unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution endorsing Israel's military campaign and condemning Hezbollah and its two backers, Iran and Syria. A few hours earlier, Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) delivered his most strident defense of Israel since the conflict erupted a week ago. The House is expected to pass a similarly pro-Israel resolution today. ... Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman punctuated the day with a speech to Christians United for Israel last night, declaring that "today, we are all Israelis." Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, support for Israel has only intensified among politicians and the public, lawmakers say and polls confirm. The Jewish state is frequently praised as a vibrant democracy and trusted U.S. ally, one that has suffered greatly from terrorism. ... Many Democrats, who are among the largest recipients of Jewish votes and money in federal elections, are working with Republicans to pressure President Bush to reject calls to strike a more measured tone and prod Israel to show greater restraint. ... Still, the rising pro-Israel sentiment in Congress has coincided with stepped-up efforts by Democrats and Republicans to increase their support among Jews. On the Republican side, the dynamics have changed considerably in the past decade ... Evangelical Christians, who were once suspected by some of anti-Semitism, have led a Republican effort to forge close ties with Israel. The effort is working, strategists from both parties said. In every presidential election since 1992, Republicans have increased their share of the Jewish vote. In 1992, Bush's father, President George H.W. Bush, won 11 percent. In the 2004 presidential election, the current president captured about 25 percent, according to exit-poll data. Based on a study by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, Republicans are also getting a larger percentage of money from Jewish political committees and self-identified Jewish donors. So far this election cycle, Republicans have received about 42 percent of money from Jewish groups and individuals. If that number holds, it would be the highest percentage since the center started tracking these donations in 1990. The Jewish community remains predominantly Democratic and is considered one of the most influential parts of the party's base. Polls show most Jewish voters agree with Democrats on social issues and many other domestic concerns. While some House Democrats have questioned the wisdom of unconditional support for Israel -- a point pro-Republican Jewish groups frequently make -- party leaders such as Reid are among the biggest defenders of Israel. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/18/AR2006071801415.html
Thats just great that congress is so supportative of Israel. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has had rallies in two of your blue states: NY (NYC) and Cali (San Fran).
Everything bush has done in the region failed, backfired and made matters worse, like it or not but this is undeniable.
One empire supports another... I get a kick out of dddooo's posting about Congress's resolution....the same Congress that gave Bush the authority to wage war with Iraq... "It is the duty of Israeli leaders to explain to public opinion, clearly and courageously, a certain number of facts that are forgotten with time. The first of these is that there is no Zionism, colonialization, or Jewish State without the eviction of the Arabs and the expropriation of their lands." -- Ariel Sharon, Agence France Presse, November 15, 1998
I get a kick out of dddooo's posting about Congress's resolution....the same Congress that gave Bush the authority to wage war with Iraq... 23 senators and 133 congressmen voted against the war resolution in 2002. The vote to pass the resolution in support of Israel will be virtually unanimous. "It is the duty of Israeli leaders to explain to public opinion, clearly and courageously, a certain number of facts that are forgotten with time. The first of these is that there is no Zionism, colonialization, or Jewish State without the eviction of the Arabs and the expropriation of their lands." -- Ariel Sharon, Agence France Presse, November 15, 1998 LOL, you are beginning to more and more remind me of wael, when you lose every point in the debate just like him you're coming back with bogus, out-of-context or made-up quotes plastered all over antisemitic web sites and completely unrelated to the topic of the thread. At least you're finally showing your true colors. Just to refresh your memory Sharon was the leader who initiated the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Please, if you have some evidence that the quote is not accurate, post it. Thanks. virtually unanimous? Oh, I guess that makes it right.
Please, if you have some evidence that the quote is not accurate, post it. LOL, I'll try to do the impossible and prove the negative: According to Al-Jazeerah the quote belongs to an obscure Israeli politician Yoram Bar Porath and dated 1972: http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion ...st Ideology of Israel By Norton Mezvinsky.htm And you made a fool out of yourself together with those idiotic antisemitic websites that are now the source of your information. virtually unanimous? Oh, I guess that makes it right. That surely does not hurt either. Who's right Z10 or 50 senators and 400 congressmen? Hmm, tough choice, Z10 frequents antisemitic websites so he must know what he's talking about.
there was a UN resolution that caused Israel to leave Lebanon in 2000. All parties in Lebanon were to be disarmed but the UN never got around to disarming Hezbullah. How is that Bush's fault? The UN just allowed Iran to screw up southern Lebanon and necessitate an invasion by Israel. What is funny is that the Israeli leaders said that if a soldier were kidnapped it would start a war, now they are saying that if one missle lands in Tel Aviv they will expand the war to the parent states of Hezbullah. They keep daring some idiot to do something stupid, and eventually some idiot does it. How is that Bush's fault? Was the US supposed to go into Southern Lebanon and do the work of the UN? Is the US supposed to try to appeal to the higher reasoning powers of idiots?? What?
Where did I ever say that everything going on in the Middle East is Bush's fault? But his reckless actions in Iraq certainly did not help either and generally speaking worsened the geopolitical situation in the region. Oh and the flowers for liberators, democracy in Iraq and the domino effect of democracy throughout the Middle East - that worked out great, did not it?