charrob
06-08-2010, 03:15 PM
Jewish Dem group criticizes Kucinich letter on flotilla
YouTube - American tax dollars contribute to Palestinian deaths (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfC7D9gmHKY)
By Jordan Fabian - 06/07/10 03:45 PM ET
Jewish Democrats on Monday criticized a letter circulated by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) accusing Israel of committing an "act of belligerence" against Turkey by boarding a flotilla bound for Gaza.
The National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) called Kunicinch's letter "reckless" because it is "factually incorrect and unfortunately dismissive of those who would contest his analysis."
NJDC CEO Ira N. Forman urged Democrats in Congress to "avoid signing on to this letter."
Kucinich is an anti-war lawmaker who has objected to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and questioned the U.S.'s close alliance with Israel. He circulated his letter last week.
Nine passengers were killed last week when Israeli soldiers boarded a vessel in a Turkish-based flotilla that sought to break its blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Several European nations and Turkey have condemned Israel while a number of lawmakers from both parties have defended its right to uphold the blockade of the Hamas-controlled territory. The White House has reserved judgment until an investigation is complete.
Kucinich, a liberal who ran for the presidency in 2008, wrote that the incident should cause the U.S. to "redefine its relationship and to establish such boundaries and conditions which are sufficient for mutual respect and cooperation."
Forman said that the congressman ignores the role the flotilla played in provoking the Israelis.
"Kucinich is blind to the serious responsibility of both so-called 'peace activists' and the state of Turkey in provoking this incident and ignores the historical reality that Israel has a proven track record of fair and impartial review of its own military's actions," he said.
Two members of the Congressional Black Caucus last week circulated their own letter that reaffirmed their friendship with Israel but called on President Barack Obama to urge the Jewish state to lift the blockade.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/101801-jewish-dem-group-urges-lawmakers-not-to-sign-kucinich-letter-on-flotilla
YouTube - American tax dollars contribute to Palestinian deaths (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfC7D9gmHKY)
By Jordan Fabian - 06/07/10 03:45 PM ET
Jewish Democrats on Monday criticized a letter circulated by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) accusing Israel of committing an "act of belligerence" against Turkey by boarding a flotilla bound for Gaza.
The National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) called Kunicinch's letter "reckless" because it is "factually incorrect and unfortunately dismissive of those who would contest his analysis."
NJDC CEO Ira N. Forman urged Democrats in Congress to "avoid signing on to this letter."
Kucinich is an anti-war lawmaker who has objected to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and questioned the U.S.'s close alliance with Israel. He circulated his letter last week.
Nine passengers were killed last week when Israeli soldiers boarded a vessel in a Turkish-based flotilla that sought to break its blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Several European nations and Turkey have condemned Israel while a number of lawmakers from both parties have defended its right to uphold the blockade of the Hamas-controlled territory. The White House has reserved judgment until an investigation is complete.
Kucinich, a liberal who ran for the presidency in 2008, wrote that the incident should cause the U.S. to "redefine its relationship and to establish such boundaries and conditions which are sufficient for mutual respect and cooperation."
Forman said that the congressman ignores the role the flotilla played in provoking the Israelis.
"Kucinich is blind to the serious responsibility of both so-called 'peace activists' and the state of Turkey in provoking this incident and ignores the historical reality that Israel has a proven track record of fair and impartial review of its own military's actions," he said.
Two members of the Congressional Black Caucus last week circulated their own letter that reaffirmed their friendship with Israel but called on President Barack Obama to urge the Jewish state to lift the blockade.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/101801-jewish-dem-group-urges-lawmakers-not-to-sign-kucinich-letter-on-flotilla