In this week’s edition of the Action Update, we’ll discuss the latest events out of the region, as well looking at the next few weeks in Washington. But first, let’s talk about weapons.
The Far Left Goes Further
In recent days, the fringe left has twice managed to blatantly display its anti-Israel bias and antisemitism for all the world to see.
We start with the Senate where no less than three anti-Israel Joint Resolutions of Disapproval, backed by the stodgy Senate version of “The Squad,” will be debated this week.
The simple truth is that the Senate is voting on an arms embargo against Israel . But don’t worry, these resolutions will fail. Moreover, that they are being given consideration is a commentary on the Senators advancing this dribble and on the institution for defiling itself with such absurdity; in stark contrast, the amendments are most assuredly not a commentary on Israel.
Speaking of absurd commentaries, over in the House, one of the OG Squad members has, yet again, gone full antisemite with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes recently blaming the Democrats’ election losses on our friends at AIPAC. Couple things… first, turning the Jews into a political scapegoat is not as novel as the distinguished gentlelady/bigot from New York’s 14th District seems to think.
We thought about offering our own response to AOC’s hate-speech, but we couldn’t have put it better than Democratic Georgia State Representative Esther Panitch, “If you [AOC] are calling being pro-Israel a ‘wildly unpopular agenda,’ you have learned nothing from this last election loss. The American people REJECTED the far left’s bs claims against Israel.”
Yes, they did.
Actions not Words
Despite both Hamas and Hezbollah being mere shadows of their former selves, the IDF is engaged in heavy fighting in northern Gaza and southern Lebanon.
In Gaza, Palestinian terrorists have regrouped in certain areas and are able to conduct guerrilla style attacks on Israeli troops. They have also, in recent days, managed to fire rockets at Sderot. The war in Gaza would be over instantly if the hostages were released, and not only because the Israelis have crippled Hamas as a military organization, but also because if ordinary Palestinians actually turn over the innocent hostages, that would be the first tangible indication that Gaza is ready for the war to end.
To this point, many words have been spoken by innumerable international officials and Arab leaders, but Hamas has not made a single tangible move to end this conflict. And they really only need to make the one: give Israel back the people you kidnapped over a year ago.
Likewise, Hezbollah went from terrorist-army to terrorist-militia in a matter of weeks. But this does not mean that they are weakened to the point of irrelevance. The Iranian proxy group continues to fire projectiles into Israel with lethal effect. Likewise, clashes continue on the ground in southern Lebanon.
The U.S. has offered a proposal to the Lebanese caretaker government (which, in this case, is Washington-speak for barely a government) that would largely mimic previous efforts to remove Hezbollah from southern Lebanon. We will support whatever decisions Jerusalem makes (as we always have), including the decision to once again attack Hezbollah when they inevitably try to retrench themselves along Israel’s border.
The Next Few Weeks Matter
Israel has been in a full-scale war for more than a year. Its economy has suffered, and its military has utilized immense resources. Likewise, from Amsterdam to America we’ve witnessed antisemitism on a global scale not seen in decades. Neither Israel nor the U.S. can afford to wait months prior to acting on these issues.
There are several important priorities for the forthcoming Lame Duck session of Congress. First and foremost, Congress must pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). American security and global stability rely on the strength and long-term health of the U.S. Armed Forces.
In addition to the defense bill, CUFI is eager to see the Antisemitism Awareness Act (AAA), which passed the House in April with overwhelming bipartisan support, advance to the President’s desk. After delaying the bill’s advancement through the Senate, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has finally agreed to allow the bill to advance as part of the NDAA.
We think the AAA deserves an up or down vote in the Senate, but we know the policy is far too important to be held up over procedural principle. As such, we would be comfortable with the legislation advancing as part of the NDAA.
We hope and pray this legislation advances – even as part of the NDAA—and stand at the ready to do what we can to ensure that this becomes the law of the land. It is the least we can do for America’s Jewish students, and those who stand with them, on our college campuses.
In the meantime, it’s going to be a busy winter, and we are ever so grateful that you have chosen to stand alongside 10 million Christians across the country in defense of Israel.
Sincerely,
The CUFI Action Fund
|
