House Adopts Measure Backing Israel on ‘Durable’ Gaza Truce
By Adam Graham-Silverman, CQ Staff
The House overwhelmingly adopted a resolution Friday to express solidarity with Israel and condemn the Islamist group Hamas for its role in the conflict in Gaza and southern Israel.
The non-binding measure (H Res 34), adopted 390-5, calls for a “durable and sustainable” cease-fire.
During floor debate, some supporters of the resolution sought to balance Israel’s right to self-defense with the loss of life on both sides.
“I have no trouble justifying the war Israel has undertaken. I am deeply troubled, however, by the suffering, destruction, and loss of innocent life that war inevitably entails,” said Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard L. Berman , D-Calif. “It is imperative that a way be found to stop the killing on both sides – but in a manner that will ensure that this round will be the last round.”
Others were less measured.
“While Israel seeks to lie aside a Palestinian state, Hamas seeks to kill or expel every Jew in the Middle East,” said Rep. Brad Sherman , D-Calif., chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Nonproliferation, Terrorism and Trade. “Hamas proudly holds the flag of ethnic cleansing.”
Democrats Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio and Lois Capps of California, and Texas Republican Ron Paul spoke against the measure. Paul, the lone GOP “no” vote, said the resolution was not in U.S. or Israeli interests and arming Israel leaves the United States with a moral responsibility for Palestinian deaths.
“There’s a political liability which I think is something that we fail to look at because too often there’s so much blowback from our intervention in areas that we shouldn’t be involved in,” Paul said.
Twenty-two members voted present, including Keith Ellison , D-Minn., one of two Muslim members. Ellison said he supported Israel’s rights but the measure did not do enough to encourage peace.
“Hopefully we can urge this Congress to not simply declare its support of its ally but . . . actually move its ally and the rest of the region toward a more durable, sustainable, final solution to this conflict,” he said.
In March 2008, the House voted 401-1 to condemn rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza. In that case, Paul was the only vote against, while four Democrats voted present.
Friday’s measure calls for a “durable and sustainable” cease-fire, which American and Israeli officials say must prevent Hamas from rearming and continuing attacks.
The resolution calls on Hamas to end its rocket attacks, but makes no mention of Israel’s bombing or ground attacks. It says the humanitarian situation in Gaza is “becoming more acute” and humanitarian needs should be addressed “promptly and responsibly.” It offers condolences to all victims and says “the lives of innocent civilians must be protected to the maximum extent possible.”
It also calls on countries to place blame on Hamas for ending a six-month cease-fire and for the resulting casualties, and to condemn the group for embedding itself among civilians. It urges Egypt to stop the smuggling of arms and other goods across its border into Gaza.
The Senate adopted a similar measure (S Res 10) by voice vote Thursday.
The language is a sort of mirror image of a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire. That measure, approved 14-0 Thursday with the United States abstaining, emphasizes humanitarian issues and makes no direct mention of Hamas.
“As the ancient rabbi stated, those who are merciful to the cruel, as the U.N. has been, will end up being cruel to the merciful — in this case, Israel,” commented Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, the ranking Republican on the Foreign Affairs panel.
