Ron Paul on H Res 34, Recognizing Israel's right to defend itself

[grassfed]

Statement of Congressman Ron Paul

United States House of Representatives

Statement on H Res 34, Recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, Reaffirming the United States strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process

January 9, 2008

Madame Speaker, I strongly oppose H. Res. 34, which was rushed to the floor with almost no prior notice and without consideration by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The resolution clearly takes one side in a conflict that has nothing to do with the United States or US interests. I am concerned that the weapons currently being used by Israel against the Palestinians in Gaza are made in America and paid for by American taxpayers. What will adopting this resolution do to the perception of the United States in the Muslim and Arab world? What kind of blowback might we see from this? What moral responsibility do we have for the violence in Israel and Gaza after having provided so much military support to one side?

As an opponent of all violence, I am appalled by the practice of lobbing homemade rockets into Israel from Gaza. I am only grateful that, because of the primitive nature of these weapons, there have been so few casualties among innocent Israelis. But I am also appalled by the longstanding Israeli blockade of Gaza -- a cruel act of war -- and the tremendous loss of life that has resulted from the latest Israeli attack that started last month.

There are now an estimated 700 dead Palestinians, most of whom are civilians. Many innocent children are among the dead. While the shooting of rockets into Israel is inexcusable, the violent actions of some people in Gaza does not justify killing Palestinians on this scale. Such collective punishment is immoral. At the very least, the US Congress should not be loudly proclaiming its support for the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza.

Madame Speaker, this resolution will do nothing to reduce the fighting and bloodshed in the Middle East. The resolution in fact will lead the US to become further involved in this conflict, promising “vigorous support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.” Is it really in the interest of the United States to guarantee the survival of any foreign country? I believe it would be better to focus on the security and survival of the United States, the Constitution of which my colleagues and I swore to defend just this week at the beginning of the 111th Congress. I urge my colleagues to reject this resolution.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/tx14_paul/Statement_on_Gaza.shtml

[cbc5g]

1. Ron Paul is right on many issues IMO

This resolution was a waste of time.

[FLAprogressive]

14. not really. on foreign policy issues he's correct but domestically he's a wingnut.

[spanone]

2. k&r

[11 Bravo]

3. You said Israel! I'm telling!

In other words, this, like so many other well-written posts, will be shitcanned to the I/P dungeon in 3...2...1

[rcrush]

4. I dont what anyone says about Ron Paul

He speaks the truth. A lot.

[Fozzledick]

5. Easy to see why Stormfront supports him

[grassfed]

18. German neo-Nazis: We're pro-Israel, condemn anti-Semitism

German neo-Nazis: We're pro-Israel, condemn anti-Semitism

By Ofer Aderet, Haaretz Correspondent

Nazis against anti-Semitism? As bizarre as that sounds, a group of Germans which calls itself "National Socialists For Israel" launched its Web site in support of Israel.

"Stop the hatred of the Jewish people," the Web site reads. "The Jews are a healthy, strong nation."

The organization - whose members have yet to reveal themselves to the public - claims that Israel's right to exist is anchored in the principles of social Darwinism, the same principles which the Nazis adopted prior to the Second World War.

"Israel earned the right to live among the nations from unending wars," the group writes on the site. "Israel also has a right to exist. This nation also has culture... The nation of Israel is appreciated... It is our duty, as neo-Nazis, to defend this supreme success. Not just for the German people and the European cultural sphere, but also, especially, for Israel."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/990228.html

[FLAprogressive]

19. Oooh they're like "New Democrats"...."New Nazis"

"New Nazis": As Neo-Nazis, we must protect Jews.

"New Dems": As New Dems, we must protect big corporations.

[PM Martin]

6. Peace is a two way street.

Though I am not suprised to see the US side with Israel time and time again.

[Douglas Carpenter]

7. kick and recommended for the truth - even if I disagree with almost everything else this Congressman

says.

[JCMach1]

8. I agree with Paul on this... This resolution sends the WRONG signal to the world and the Israelis

when we should be working for a cease-fire.

[Barack_America]

9. The funny is that so many in Congress KNOW Paul is right....

And that Kucinich is right as well.

But they went ahead and voted for this to keep that AIPAC money coming.

Disgusting.

[slipslidingaway]

10. While we were busy with elections back in March...

http://cnifoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=42


"Rep. Ron Paul Stands Alone in Voting Against Gaza Bill
Friday, 07 March 2008

"On Wednesday, March 5, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 951, which condemns the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, holding both Iran and Syria responsible for “sponsoring terror attacks.” Additionally, the resolution claims that “those responsible for launching rocket attacks against Israel routinely embed their production facilities and launch sites amongst the Palestinian civilian population, utilizing them as human shields …”. For the full text of House Resolution 951, please click here...


...Below is Rep. Paul's statement he gave to the House before the vote:

Mr. Speaker I rise in opposition to H. Res. 951, a resolution to condemn Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians. As one who is consistently against war and violence, I obviously do not support the firing of rockets indiscriminately into civilian populations. I believe it is appalling that Palestinians are firing rockets that harm innocent Israelis, just as I believe it is appalling that Israel fires missiles into Palestinian areas where children and other non-combatants are killed and injured.

Unfortunately, legislation such as this is more likely to perpetuate violence in the Middle East than contribute to its abatement. It is our continued involvement and intervention – particularly when it appears to be one-sided – that reduces the incentive for opposing sides to reach a lasting peace agreement..."


FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 93

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll093.xml

H RES 951 2/3 YEA-AND-NAY 5-Mar-2008 12:26 PM

Yeas 404

Nays 1

QUESTION: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended
BILL TITLE: Condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, and for other purposes

[Sherman A1]

11. Thanks for posting

:thumbsup:

[sellitman]

12. His history made this a no brainer

Storm Front loves this guy for a reason.

[Mojorabbit]

21. I disagree

I find a lot of his views beyond the pale but as a defender of our constitution he has been great. He is right about this too. We have two wars going on, we have troops in a Muslim country. Any congressperson with half a brain would not want to be proclaiming to the world that we are cool with what is going on for the safety of our troops. They should be decrying the violence on both sides and calling for a ceasefire.

[varelse]

13. Good for him

"As an opponent of all violence, I am appalled by the practice of lobbing homemade rockets into Israel from Gaza. I am only grateful that, because of the primitive nature of these weapons, there have been so few casualties among innocent Israelis. But I am also appalled by the longstanding Israeli blockade of Gaza -- a cruel act of war -- and the tremendous loss of life that has resulted from the latest Israeli attack that started last month."

[Warren DeMontague]

15. Someone should tell DU's Ron Paul fan brigade that he has -shhh!- "libertarian" tendencies.

Wow. On most days around here, if you suggest that we should end the drug war, that citizens should have a fundamental right to control their own lives and bodies, or even question whether we really ought to make pictures of consenting adults fucking illegal for other consenting adults to look at, and the Helping Phrendly Nanny State Brigade™ will wave the "l" word at you like it's dog doo on a stick.

For some reason, though, Ron Paul gets a pass. Maybe because he's an anti-choice, racist dickwad? :shrug:

[FLAprogressive]

16. he's DU's favorite John Bircher. Really, there's very little difference between him and Pat Buchanan

[Warren DeMontague]

17. Hey! Pat Buchanan hates Israel, too.

What a forward thinker! :crazy:

[tbyg52]

20. Like a stopped clock, I guess

I still remember listening to him, in a radio interview, argues for legalization of drugs and against a woman's right to choose almost in the same breath.