Pro-Israel, Pro-Peace Groups Claim Small Victories in Congress

by Charles Lenchner · 2009-01-12 18:24:00 UTC
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An email from Brit Tzedek lays out what changed in DC last week in the run up to resolutions addressing the Gaza crisis:

Typically AIPAC is the initiating force on Israel-related legislation.  In this case Congressional staffers initiated and wrote the resolutions, seeking input from AIPAC and the pro-Israel, pro-peace community.

Both resolutions placed all the blame on Hamas for the current situation and did not mention Israel's blockade as having created a humanitarian crisis.  Nevertheless, the demands of the pro-Israel, pro-peace camp were heard and taken seriously.

Brit Tzedek called on Congress to demand an immediate ceasefire, to acknowledge the suffering on both sides, and to demand U.S. leadership in reinvigorating the peace process.  All three points were alluded to in both the House and Senate resolutions.

Not exactly earth shattering, but progress is being made. The overwhelmingly pro-Israel Congress is becoming slightly more willing to embrace the views of supporters of Israel who are less extreme than AIPAC. Question: how close are we to a Congress that takes the views of unabashed supporters of Palestine seriously?

Here's more: 24 Democrats signed a letter asking Bush to ask Israel to allow for more humanitarian aid to pass through to Gaza. This flurry of activity was in response to a visit from representatives of two Israeli human rights organizations visiting DC. Are there no Palestinian groups engaged in lobbying? Must everything, good or bad, bombs and sympathy, flow from the US to Gaza courtesy of Israeli activity?

I'm not being critical of the good work being done by the pro-Israel peace camp, or of the wonderful Israeli human rights organizations. I just wish we had a little more balance.

Here's the rest of BT's behind the scenes report:

Initially, both Sen. Harry Reid (Senate Majority Leader) and Rep. Steny Hoyer (House Majority Leader) had opposed calling for an immediate ceasefire.  Nevertheless, the final version calls for "a durable, enforceable, and sustainable ceasefire as soon as possible," as Brit Tzedek requested.  Considering the strong resistance to any call for a ceasefire, the final wording is a reflection of a positive development in Congress.

Secondly, we asked Congress to acknowledge the suffering on both sides. And the final resolution texts included not only a condemnation of the attacks Israel is suffering, but also call for the long-term improvement of daily living conditions for the ordinary people of Gaza and recognizing the humanitarian needs of the residents of Gaza.

Finally, the resolutions recognize the need for "United States Government efforts to promote a just resolutions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a serious and sustained peace process that leads to the creation of a viable and independent Palestinian state living in peace alongside a secure State of Israel."  The inclusion of this statement is highly significant because it highlights the only path forward after a ceasefire is reached to reach a sustainable peace resolution.

Read more at www.btvshalom.org.

Charles Lenchner
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