US Senators Urge Obama To Stand By Israel
By Ma'an News
25 June, 2010
Ma'an News
Bethlehem – Ma’an – In a letter, 87 American senators told President Barack Obama that the US "must continue" to stand with Israel. In a senate of 100 members, the group of 87 represents a strong majority.
Declaring that Israel "faces multiple threats from Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the current regime in Iran," the senators outlined the importance of Israel as an ally to the US.
The letter commended the Obama administration for preventing the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution calling for an international probe into Israel’s deadly raid on an aid boat last month which left nine civilians, including a US citizen, dead.
The senators cited the aid mission as one of the "clever diplomatic and tactical ploys" employed by "Israel’s opponents."
The group suggested the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation, which was involved in the attempt to send aid to Gaza, should be listed as a terrorist organization, and said it has "additional questions about Turkey and any connections to Hamas."
Further, the senators declared their opposition to the UN's main human rights organ, stating, "We also deplore the actions of the United Nations Human Rights Council which, once again, singled out Israel."