As Zionist Opponents of Mideast Peace Turn up the Heat, Bush Leaves the Kitchen

By Shirl McArthur

When President George W. Bush announced the release of the "road map" to Middle East peace, many political analysts expressed doubts that Bush would be willing to put pressure on Israel to take the necessary steps to move the peace process forward. To do so, after all, would risk alienating extreme right-wing Christian Zionists, a significant Bush constituency, as well as extreme right-wing Jewish groups, whom some Republican strategists hope to woo away from the Democratic Party. The validity of this analysis was demonstrated after Israel's June 10 attempt to assassinate Hamas political leader Abdelaziz Rantisi. Bush reportedly was furious at Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for authorizing the attack, saying publicly that he was "deeply troubled" by Israel's action.

This relatively mild rebuke, however, caused a firestorm of domestic reaction.In addition to the predictable, pompous pronouncements of outrage from such Jewish groups as the Zionist Organization of America, Israel's members of Congress were quick to criticize Bush and defend Sharon. Reps. Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Tom Lantos (D-CA) seized the occasion of a June 11 hearing on the road map called by House International Relations Committee chairman Henry Hyde (R-IL) to defend Israel against Bush's criticism.On that same day Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) strongly defended Israel's action in House and Senate floor speeches. Engel called Bush's criticism "disheartening" and said that if Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas "is not going to attempt to use force to stop terrorists, then Israel has the right to take matters into her own hands."

Then, also on June 11, Hamas claimed responsibility for a bus bombing in Jerusalem that killed 17 people. The bus bombing gave Bush the excuse to backtrack. That evening he attended a previously scheduled dinner with over 100 hand-picked Jewish leaders and several congressional supporters of Israel to mark a new exhibit at the taxpayer-funded Holocaust Museum. The president got an earful of criticism. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) reportedly told Bush that if he persisted in criticizing Israel, DeLay would promote a congressional resolution supporting Israel's actions. Bush assured those attending the dinner that his criticism of Israel was an exception and that he remained solidly pro-Israel. And by June 15 Bush was placing full responsibility for the renewed violence on Hamas and saying that the world "must deal harshly with Hamas and the killers."

Meanwhile, Rep. Robert Matsui (D-CA) was circulating for signatures a letter to Bush saying that the signers were "deeply dismayed" to hear Bush's criticism of Israel, because Israel's attack on Rantisi "was clearly justified as an application of Israel's right to self defense."The letter, sent on June 13, was signed by 33 House Democrats in addition to Matsui: Reps. Ackerman, Robert Andrews (NJ), Chris Bell (TX), Shelley Berkley (NV), Dennis Cardoza (CA), Joseph Crowley (NY), Artur Davis (AL), Lincoln Davis (TN), Peter Deutsch (FL), Rahm Emanuel (IL), Engel, Martin Frost (TX), Alcee Hastings (FL), Steny Hoyer (MD), Steve Israel (NY), Lantos, John Lewis (GA), Nita Lowey (NY), Jerrold Nadler (NY), Denise Majette (GA), Carolyn Maloney (NY), Carolyn McCarthy (NY), Michael McNulty (NY), Robert Menendez (NJ), Frank Pallone (NJ), Nancy Pelosi (CA), Mike Ross (AR), Max Sandlin (TX), Jan Schakowsky (IL), Adam Schiff (CA), Ike Skelton (MO), Henry Waxman (CA), and Anthony Weiner (NY). (Freshman House members Artur Davis and Majette who, it will be recalled, received thousands of pro-Israel dollars in their successful campaigns against incumbents Earl Hilliard and Cynthia McKinney, respectively, clearly know on which side and by whom their bread was buttered.)

Solidarity With Israel Resolution Passes in One Day

To emphasize the depth of bipartisan congressional support for Israel, on June 24 Lantos introduced H.Res. 294, with Majority Leader DeLay, Minority Leader Pelosi, and International Relations Committee chairman Hyde as co-sponsors, "condemning the terrorism inflicted on Israel since the Aqaba Summit and expressing solidarity with the Israeli people in their fight against terrorism." Lantos then arranged to have it brought to the floor and passed the next day, June 25.As is generally the case with measures of interest to Israel, Lantos demanded a roll call vote so that AIPAC could take names.The vote was 399 in favor, five opposed, and seven answering "present," with 23 not voting.

Those opposed were Reps. John Dingell (D-MI), Gerald Kleczka (D-WI), Ron Paul (R-TX), Nick Rahall (D-WV), and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).Those abstaining were Reps. William Lacy Clay (D-MO), Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-MI), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Maxine Waters (D-CA), and Mel Watt (D-NC).

The non-binding resolution contains no mention of the road map nor of any of the many Israeli attacks on Palestinians.It concludes with 10 statements, mostly condemning terrorist attacks against Israelis and "expressing solidarity with the Israeli people," but also expressing "sympathy to the families of innocent Israelis and Palestinians who have lost their lives" and commending Bush "for his vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security."

"Iran Democracy" Bills Introduced

The war hawks in the Pentagon and conservative "think" tanks apparently have shifted the main focus of their accusations and propaganda from Syria to Iran, with some going so far as to urge pre-emptive strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities. Others are urging more active support for internal Iranian democracy forces.In the latter vein, "Iran Democracy" bills have been introduced in the Senate and the House. The Senate bill, S. 1082, was introduced by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) on May 19. It seeks to direct about $50 million to support democracy and "an internationally-monitored referendum in Iran" primarily by beefing up the U.S. government-funded "Radio Farda." Brownback's bill would require the station to develop programming after consulting with Iranian Americans and other Iranian exiles who support such a referendum and oppose Iran's current regime, as well as with the State Department's Middle East Partnership Initiative and Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.Co-sponsors are Sens. George Allen (R-VA), Jim Bunning (R-KY), Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), Norm Coleman (R-MN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Rick Santorum (R-PA), and Charles Schumer (D-NY).

The House bill, H.R. 2466, was introduced by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) on June 12.It goes further than the Senate bill in that it has three additional sections that would end the U.S. importation of Iranian goods, and require the U.S. to deduct from its share of support for international financial institutions the amount of any funds that institution gives or loans to Iran.In introducing the bill Sherman was joined as co-sponsors by Reps. Berkley, Crowley, Deutsch, Engel, Tim Holden (D-PA), Israel, Peter King (R-NY), Nadler, Chris Smith (R-NJ), Mark Souder (R-IN), Waxman, and Weiner.

There are many in the Iranian-American community, however, as well as in the administration and Congress, who say that for the U.S. to give financial and propaganda support to the opponents of the Iranian regime could be counterproductive, giving the regime an excuse to crack down even harder on the dissidents. Furthermore, these voices point out, the Iranian opposition lacks focus and leadership. Reportedly among this group are such responsible members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as chairman Richard Lugar (R-IN) and ranking Democrat Joseph Biden (D-DE), and it is likely that Brownback's bill will die in committee.

"Syria Accountability" Bill Picking Up Steam

Although the primary focus of the war hawks seems to have shifted from Syria to Iran, the "Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act," which aims to "hold Syria accountable for the serious international security problems it has caused in the Middle East," and which was described in detail in the June issue of this magazine, continues to gain co-sponsors. The House bill, H.R. 1828, has gained 159 new co-sponsors, in addition to the 47 listed in the June issue.The new co-sponsors are named in the box at left.

A companion bill, S. 982, was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) on May 1.It now has 53 co-sponsors, including Boxer.They, too, are named in the box.

Previous Bills Revisited

H.Res. 234, "condemning bigotry and violence against Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, South-Asian Americans and Sikh Americans," has gained 26 new co-sponsors.The Senate version, S.Res. 133, was passed on May 22.Although the resolution contains no enforcement mechanism, it does call upon local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to "work to prevent" and "investigate and prosecute vigorously" bias-motivated crimes against all Americans, including those named in the title.

New co-sponsors in addition to those named in this magazine's previous issue are Reps. Michael Capuano (D-MA), Clay, Jim Davis (D-FL), Michael Doyle (D-PA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Frost, Charles Gonzalez (D-TX), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Kucinich, Lee, Sander Levin (D-MI), Betty McCollum (D-MN), George Miller (D-CA), Dennis Moore (D-KS), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Steve Rothman (D-NJ), Timothy Ryan (D-OH), Schiff, Vic Snyder (D-AR), Hilda Solis (D-CA), Pete Stark (D-CA), John Tierney (D-MA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Woolsey.

S. 1029, the "Israel-Palestinian Peace Enhancement" bill described at length in the previous issue of this magazine, has gained no co-sponsors.The House version, included in H.R. 1950, the State Department authorization bill, continues to make its way through various committees, although it has been reported out by the international relations committee.

Surprisingly, the resolution expressing sympathy for the loss of Rachel Corrie in Rafah, H.Con.Res. 111, has picked up more new co-sponsors than has the Lantos-sponsored competing bill condemning attacks on "U.S. citizens" by Palestinians, H.Con.Res. 119.Both bills were described in the June issue of the Washington Report.H.Con.Res. 111 has 21 new co-sponsors: Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Dave Camp (R-MI), Danny Davis (D-IL), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Grijalva, Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), Kilpatrick, Ron Kind (D-WI), Kucinich, Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), George Miller, Jim Moran (D-VA), Sue Myrick (R-NC), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), James Oberstar (D-MN), John Olver (D-MA), Martin Sabo (D-MN), Mark Udall (D-CO), Watt and Woolsey.H.Con.Res. 119 has seven new co-sponsors: Reps. Gresham Barrett (R-SC), Dan Burton (R-IN), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Sue Kelly (R-NY), Carolyn McCarthy and Jon Porter (R-NV).

Shirl McArthur, a retired foreign service officer, is a consultant in the Washington, DC area.

SIDEBAR

"SYRIA ACCOUNTABILITY" BILLS GAIN CO-SPONSORS IN HOUSE AND SENATE

The 159 new co-sponsors of H.R. 1828 are Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Rodney Alexander (D-LA), Joe Baca (R-CA), Richard Baker (R-LA), Charles Bass (R-NH), Bob Beauprez (R-CO), Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), Tim Bishop (D-NY), Henry Bonilla (R-TX), Jo Bonner (R-AL), Leonard Boswell (D-IA), Jeb Bradley (R-NH), Corrine Brown (D-FL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL), Michal Burgess (R-TX), Max Burns (R-GA), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Brad Carson (D-OK), John Carter (R-TX), Tom Cole (R-OK), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Bud Cramer (D-AL), Ander Crenshaw (R-FL), John Culberson (R-TX), Artur Davis (D-AL), Lincoln Davis (D-TN), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Peter Deutsch (D-FL), Norman Dicks (D-WA), Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), Phil English (R-PA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Bob Etheridge (D-NC), Lane Evans (D-IL), Terry Everett (R-AL), Tom Feeney (R-FL), Mike Ferguson (R-NJ), Harold Ford (D-TN), Vito Fossella (R-NY), Barney Frank (D-MA), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Phil Gingrey (R-GA), Bart Gordon (D-TN), Sam Graves (R-MO), Gene Green (D-TX), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Jane Harman (D-CA), Katherine Harris (R-FL), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Robin Hayes (R-NC), J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ), Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), Wally Herger (R-CA), Tim Holden (D-PA), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Michael Honda (D-CA), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Jay Inslee (D-WA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), William Jefferson (D-LA), Chris John (D-LA), Timothy Johnson (R-IL), Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH), Ric Keller (R-FL), Sue Kelly (R-NY), Mark Kennedy (R-MN), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Steve King (R-IA), John Kline (R-MN), Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Nick Lampson (D-TX), James Langevin (D-RI), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Tom Latham (R-IA), Steve LaTourette (R-OH), Sander Levin (D-MI), John Linder (R-GA), William Lipinski (D-IL), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ken Lucas (D-KY), Denise Majette (D-GA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jim McCrery (R-LA), James McGovern (D-MA), Scott McInnis (R-CO), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Martin Meehan (D-MA), Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Michael Michaud (D-ME), Brad Miller (D-NC), Candice Miller (R-MI), Jeff Miller (R-FL), Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO), Richard Neal (D-MA), Anne Northup (R-KY), Jim Nussle (R-IA), John Olver (D-MA), Doug Ose (R-CA), Butch Otter (R-ID), Major Owens (D-NY), John Peterson (R-PA), Chip Pickering (R-MS), Todd Platts (R-PA), Richard Pombo (R-CA), Jon Porter (R-NV), Adam Putnam (R-FL), Jim Ramstad (R-MN), Ralph Regula (R-OH), Rick Renzi (R-AZ), Silvestre Reyes (D-TX), Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX), Harold Rogers (R-KY), Mike Rogers (R-MI), Mike D. Rogers (R-AL), Steve Rothman (D-NJ), Paul Ryan (R-WI), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), Max Sandlin (D-TX), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Edward Schrock (R-VA), David Scott (D-GA), Pete Sessions (R-TX), John Shadegg (R-AZ), Clay Shaw (R-FL), Christopher Shays (R-CT), John Shimkus (R-IL), Rob Simmons (R-CT), Michael Simpson (R-ID), Ike Skelton (D-MO), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Lamar Smith (R-TX), Mark Souder (R-IN), Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Ted Strickland (D-OH), Bart Stupak (D-MI), John Sullivan (R-OK), John Sweeney (R-NY), Thomas Tancredo (R-CO), Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), Lee Terry (R-NE), Patrick Tiberi (R-OH), Patrick Toomey (R-PA), Mark Udall (D-CO), Fred Upton (R-MI), Zach Wamp (R-TN), Henry Waxman (D-CA), Curt Weldon (R-PA), Dave Weldon (R-FL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), and Albert Wynn (D-MD).

In the Senate, the 53 co-sponsors ofS. 982 are Sens. Wayne Allard (R-CO), George Allen (R-VA), Evan Bayh (D-IN), Robert Bennett (R-UT), Christopher Bond (R-MO), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), John Breaux (D-LA), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Jim Bunning (R-KY), Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kent Conrad (D-ND), John Cornyn (R-TX), Jon Corzine (D-NJ), Michael Crapo (R-ID), Tom Daschle (D-SD), Mark Dayton (D-MN), Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Richard Durbin (D-IL), John Edwards (D-SC), John Ensign (R-NV), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Zell Miller (D-GA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Harry Reid (D-NV), Rick Santorum (R-PA), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Jim Talent (R-MO), George Voinovich (R-OH), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

—S.M.