Yesterday I joined about 65 fellow members of the Hudson Valley PAC(HUVPAC), in Washington for a day of briefings and meetings with members of the Senate and House.We have been conducting these missions since 1982 .Unless you experience it firsthand you cannot understand the thrill ,but more importantly the power of citizen activism.It is participatory democracy at its finest.
While the mood in Washington is definately pro-Israel,especially in light of Iranian belligerence I am concerned that the approach to the Iranian problem is less than effective.On the other hand American attitudes at present vis-a- vis Hamas are more thought out , and less partisan.
If we really wanted to bring Iran to her knees, we could;
1. lead an effort to suspend her membership in the UN for seeking to dismember a member state.
2.We should start putting the same sanctions on International banks that do business in Iran as we are doing with banks that are involved with Hamas. The fear of International banks that they could not operate in the US if they do business with Iran, would be a powerful tool.
3.The Iran Freedom Support Act which was passed yesterday by the House 397-21 needs additional Senate sponsors.It should be passed, signed by the President without any waivers.
4.The partisanship on the Hill is palpable, especially on energy issues.I believe our country is tired of such nonsense.We are at war and the people demand an intelligent and bipartisan enlightened leadership on energy,Iraq, terrorism and so on.WE ARE NOT GETTING IT!
The Congress is considering the Palestine anti-terror Act, which grants an exclusion for " humanitarian aid ".While this sounds humane,the fact is, that money is fungible and only economic collapse will bring Hamas down without war. The Palestinians knew full well the consequences of voting for Hamas.Then again what is the definition of "humanitarian aid".Does it include anti-semitic textbooks?
The Iran freedom Support Act passed the House International Relations Committee 37-3 on March 14.It calls for American divestment from foreign companies investing in Iran's petroleum sector.The Senate bill is S.333.and it has 49 co-sponsors.
Sadly many Democrats Senators including the NY-_NJ quartet have not signed on over "language" difficulties.To me it looks like an attempt to deny a legislative victory to the chief Republican sponsor Sen Santorum (Pa) who is involved in a tough re-election race. (the democratic prime sponsor is Sen Evan Bayh D-In)One mid-western Democratic Senator confirmed this impression.
It is time for the US to insist on the reform and cleaning out of UNWRA .This UN agency is adminitered on the ground by Hamas elements. They perpetuate the squalor of the Palestinians living in the camps, and make no effort to find them permanent homes or jobs in the Arab world. Sadly,it is our money that supplies and supports this travesty.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Saturday, April 22, 2006
The new cabinet 4/21/06
The big winner in the announcement of Cabinet positions in Israel is the Volvo Corporation.With the largest cabinet in history (27) a record number of cars will be distributed .Along with each of course are the offices, staff,security detail and the other priviledges of cabinet rank including a travel budget.
Sadly as rumored Amir Peretz the Labor Party leader,will serve as Defense Minister.His military experience is nil,and his main claim to fame aside from rebuilding Labor was as head of Histadrut.M.K. Ephraim Sneh, a former General with service in the Defense Ministry under Rabin and Barak will be the deputy to Peretz.
Politics is a tough game and current Defense Minister Mofaz who hesitated before joining Kadimah,was left out in the cold.
The major issues facing Israel include the daily rocket attacks from Gaza,the everpresent Hamas threat and the nuclearization of Iran.All of these fall under the responsibility of the Defense Ministry.Not only does Peretz have no experience in these matters, he does not speak english.Nor does he have a relationship with the Pentagon including the civilian leadership therein.
Politically from the point of view of Olmert,this is the best deal he can make.Assigning the Finance Ministry to Peretz would have bankrupted the system.From a security point of view it is a frightening choice.The day to day decisions regarding the IDF response to terror must meet the approval of the Defense Minister.Is Peretz up to it? As we have said previously stay tuned.
Sadly as rumored Amir Peretz the Labor Party leader,will serve as Defense Minister.His military experience is nil,and his main claim to fame aside from rebuilding Labor was as head of Histadrut.M.K. Ephraim Sneh, a former General with service in the Defense Ministry under Rabin and Barak will be the deputy to Peretz.
Politics is a tough game and current Defense Minister Mofaz who hesitated before joining Kadimah,was left out in the cold.
The major issues facing Israel include the daily rocket attacks from Gaza,the everpresent Hamas threat and the nuclearization of Iran.All of these fall under the responsibility of the Defense Ministry.Not only does Peretz have no experience in these matters, he does not speak english.Nor does he have a relationship with the Pentagon including the civilian leadership therein.
Politically from the point of view of Olmert,this is the best deal he can make.Assigning the Finance Ministry to Peretz would have bankrupted the system.From a security point of view it is a frightening choice.The day to day decisions regarding the IDF response to terror must meet the approval of the Defense Minister.Is Peretz up to it? As we have said previously stay tuned.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
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