Seven Republican congressmen to visit Israel

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Seven Republican U.S. congressmen are visiting Israel next month.

Among those who will be making the trip are the co-chairs of the Republican Israel Caucus, Peter Roskam of Illinois and Doug Lamborn of Colorado. They will be joined by Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the chairman of the Republican Study Committee, which advances a conservative social and economic agenda in the House of Representatives.

The congressmen will attend discussions at the Knesset, hold meetings throughout the country and take a helicopter flight over the West Bank, Israel Hayom reported.

Others heading to Israel are Reps. John Flemming of Louisiana, Louie Gohmert of Texas, Randy Forbes of Virginia and John Carter of Texas."

http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/10/13/3089784/seven-republican-congressmen-to-visit-israel

[vminfla]

1. Good to See Our Legislators Building Bridges and Engaging in Open Dialog

with their peers in Israel. In these tough economic times, it is important to keep the dialog open between key trading partners.

[azurnoir]

2. Do you think the trip to Israel will help their re-election chances? n/t

[vminfla]

4. It will certainly be an enriching experience that builds unique character

And, such things like that are key differentiators. After all, who would you hire? Would you hire the man who never left the small town and is lacking any experience outside of his own small community he was raised in? or would you hire the man who has experienced the world, has dealt with cultural issues and international trade matters?

[azurnoir]

5. is that a very wordy yes? n/t

[vminfla]

7. If they come back with trade agreements and new partnerships

Yes. Let's see if this is just a dog and pony, or if their actions will help create jobs in the US and bolster trade between our two countries.

[azurnoir]

8. well okay then

but you do realize the is about Republican Congressmen?

[Donald Ian Rankin]

11. Isn't it rather disingenuous to suggest that this is primarily about US trade interests?

Israel has less than 8 million people - it's not a major US trade partner, and much of that trade is funded by US aid in the first place.

What it *is* is an extremely hot-button issue.

I think it's somewhat disingenuous to suggest that this visit is primarily about trade rather than about a) ideological and military support in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and b) reelection.

[vminfla]

12. Israel is a significant trading partner with the US

Israels contribution to Science and Technology is significant. American trade in goods with Israel was roughly $25 Billion through August of this year alone. In addition to Goods, the service industries is even stronger. Companies work hand-in-hand with Israelis in telecommunications, computing, and biomedicine. Many of the technologies you take for granted today find their origins in Israeli high-tech industries.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. They'll probably demand draconian cuts in something over there.

It's all they know how to do.

[LeftishBrit]

10. +1!

[jwirr]

6. Probably all right wing evangelicals - beware Israel. nt

[LeftishBrit]

9. Surely even the most ardent opponent of Israel couldn't wish THAT on them!

A visitation of 7 Republican members of Congress? Ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh! I'd take a plague of locusts any day!