By Shirl McArthur

WHILE THERE may be a new Congress and a new administration promising “change,” the 111th Congress wasted no time, even while faced with pressing domestic economic issues, in showing that congressional blind support for Israeli actions, regardless of how egregious, has not wavered. Within a week of convening, and in the middle of Israel’s onslaught against Palestinians in Gaza, both the Senate and the House managed to find time to pass similar resolutions expressing their “vigorous support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the state of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders and recognizes its right to act in self-defense to protect its citizens…” The Senate version, S.Res. 10, passed Jan. 8 with 34 co-sponsors, concludes that sentence with “…against acts of terrorism.” But the harsher House version, H.Res. 34, passed Jan. 9 with 117 co-sponsors, concludes the sentence with “…against Hamas’s unceasing aggression.”

Both resolutions place exclusive blame for the crisis on Hamas, faithfully following the “talking points” distributed by the legions of Israeli propagandists who fanned out across the U.S. and Europe. Several “whereas” clauses describe Hamas’s transgressions, but make no mention of such Israeli actions as its blockade of Gaza, depriving 1.5 million people of food, fuel, and medicines.

Some U.S. pro-peace groups have cited some positive, constructive elements in the resolutions that may not have been in previous such resolutions. Americans for Peace Now’s Legislative Roundup for Jan. 9, citing Hill sources, points out that, while previous such resolutions likely would have been drafted by “an outside group” (AIPAC, per chance?), these resolutions were drafted by congressional staff. One positive example cited by the groups is the “whereas” clause stating that the humanitarian situation in Gaza “is becoming more acute.” However, that clause is immediately followed by one claiming that “Israel has facilitated humanitarian aid to Gaza with hundreds of trucks and numerous ambulances entering the Gaza Strip” since the fighting began.

There is also the “resolved” clause (in the Senate version) that “the lives of innocent civilians must be protected and all appropriate measures should be taken to diminish civilian casualties and that all involved should continue to work to address humanitarian needs in Gaza.” But the House version says that “the lives of innocent civilians must be protected to the maximum extent possible, expresses condolences to innocent Palestinian and Israeli victims and their families, and reiterates that humanitarian needs in Gaza should be addressed promptly and responsibly.”

Previous such resolutions likely would have been drafted by “an outside group.”

Another positive feature cited is the support for the “peace process,” beginning with the resolutions’ title, “Recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirming the U.S.’s strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.” However, while that title was in H.Res. 34 as introduced, the version that passed the House omitted the title. The Senate’s final “resolved” clause succinctly “reiterates its strong support for U.S. government efforts to promote a just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a serious and sustained peace process that leads to the creation of a viable and independent Palestinian state living in peace alongside a secure State of Israel.” But the House version of that clause pointedly avoids referring to the peace process, saying instead it “reiterates its strong support for a just and sustainable resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict achieved through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in order to ensure the welfare, security, and survival of the state of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders, and a viable, independent, and democratic Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with the state of Israel.”

S.Res. 10 passed unanimously by voice vote. H.Res. 34 passed on a roll call vote of 390-5 with 22 voting “present” (abstaining) and 16 not voting. For the complete list of those voting “no” or “present,” see the March 2009 Washington Report, p. 5.

Meanwhile, for good measure, on Jan. 6 Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), with no co-sponsors, introduced S.Res. 6 “expressing solidarity with Israel in Israel’s defense against terrorism in the Gaza strip.” And for sheer gall, on Jan. 9 Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), with two co-sponsors, introduced H.Res. 37 “condemning Hamas for the recent attacks against Israel.”