This is so predictable, but it nevertheless is dispiriting, disheartening, discouraging, and plain dishonorable.
WASHINGTON (JTA) — Top Democrats are planning to introduce a non-binding congressional resolution supporting Israel’s goal in its Gaza Strip operation.
U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), the U.S. House of Representatives majority leader, told JTA he was looking at such a resolution, which is being drafted in the office of Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
“Certainly it would not demand a cease-fire,” Hoyer said. “It would speak to the conditions that would justify a cease-fire. A cease-fire is not a just cease-fire when it’s just Israel” holding fire.
The best thing to do in a situation like this is to refrain from empty non-binding resolutions of any type. In this case, there is no other reason to do a resolution than to try to identify the ‘enemies of Israel’ and mark them for punishment. Many members will feel pressured to support Israel even though they object to what they are doing. Since there is nothing to be gained by opposing the resolution and much to be lost, it is assured that the vote tally will be nothing less than a distortion of the true opinion of the Congress.
This, then, creates the false impression that there us near unanimity of support for whatever it is that Israel wants to do. And let me frank about this…sending such a message does more to put Americans at risk than it does it protect Israelis.
