New Pro-Israel Lobby, New Point of View
By Jonathan Broder, CQ Staff
In January, at the height of Israel’s offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, freshman Democrat Donna Edwards of Maryland angered several Jewish leaders by not voting for a House resolution that affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself.
As punishment for what was deemed her insufficiently pro-Israel stand, these leaders suggested they might support a primary challenge to Edwards in 2010.
In fact, Edwards, a lawyer and longtime community activist, had voted “present” on the resolution as a way to signal her conflicting emotions over the measure. She didn’t vote no, because in her view Israel had a right to respond forcefully to Hamas’ rocket barrages against the cities and towns that border Gaza.
But she was uncomfortable with the timing of the measure — only a day after the U.N. Security Council had called for an immediate cease-fire. Moreover, the administration of President George W. Bush had abstained from the U.N. vote, effectively allowing the cease-fire resolution to pass. In the House, though, the nonbinding statement of support for Israel was adopted by a vote of 390-5; just 21 members joined Edwards in voting “present.”
In the past, when newcomers like Edwards have run afoul of the powerful pro-Israel lobby on such votes, they have often found themselves with nowhere to turn. The enormous clout of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the premier pro-Israel lobby, and political action committees that follow AIPAC’s lead, has led most lawmakers to think twice before casting a less-than-supportive vote on an issue related to Israel.
(More here.)
In January, at the height of Israel’s offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, freshman Democrat Donna Edwards of Maryland angered several Jewish leaders by not voting for a House resolution that affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself.
As punishment for what was deemed her insufficiently pro-Israel stand, these leaders suggested they might support a primary challenge to Edwards in 2010.
In fact, Edwards, a lawyer and longtime community activist, had voted “present” on the resolution as a way to signal her conflicting emotions over the measure. She didn’t vote no, because in her view Israel had a right to respond forcefully to Hamas’ rocket barrages against the cities and towns that border Gaza.
But she was uncomfortable with the timing of the measure — only a day after the U.N. Security Council had called for an immediate cease-fire. Moreover, the administration of President George W. Bush had abstained from the U.N. vote, effectively allowing the cease-fire resolution to pass. In the House, though, the nonbinding statement of support for Israel was adopted by a vote of 390-5; just 21 members joined Edwards in voting “present.”
In the past, when newcomers like Edwards have run afoul of the powerful pro-Israel lobby on such votes, they have often found themselves with nowhere to turn. The enormous clout of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the premier pro-Israel lobby, and political action committees that follow AIPAC’s lead, has led most lawmakers to think twice before casting a less-than-supportive vote on an issue related to Israel.
(More here.)
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1 Comments:
Is Representative Edwards persona non grata for "educational trips" paid for by American Israel Education Foundation, a charitable organization affiliated with the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee ?
The article references "J Street" ... which Minority Whip Eric Cantor does not give a lot of credance. "J Street is clearly outside the mainstream of the American Jewish community. Absolutely. Equally, there is not a monolithic position in any community, much less the American Jewish community, but I would definitely say that J Street is outside the mainstream of the America Jewish community in terms of its positions."
Even if she did not get the invite, Steny Hoyer was scheduled to bring 34 Democrats on a trip this month ... while Cantor brought 24 Republicans earlier ... if you're counting number of paid for trips by Congresswoman Michele Bachmann to Israel, it's now three counting the trip this month.
When 15% of the House of Representatives visits Israel in one month, maybe it's time to ask these Congressmen why they travel to Israel before coming home for Town Hall meetings ... oh yeah, that's right AIPAC is a big time campaign contributor ... including Michelle Bachmann being in the Top Ten of recipients.
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