|
|
Friday, July 28, 2006
Some headlines and summaries from JTA
|
Senator: Israel’s reaction ‘excessive’
Israel’s response in Lebanon has been “excessive,” a U.S. senator said.
“The Israeli response has been excessive and the current crisis of escalating violence on both sides must be brought to an end so we can resume efforts at creating a lasting peace,” Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) said in remarks Monday in the Senate, taking care to blame Hezbollah for initiating the violence.
Bingaman called for a cease-fire as soon as possible.
Lawmakers form pro-Israel caucus
A bipartisan slate of lawmakers is forming a pro-Israel caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Reps. Dave Weldon, (R-Fla.), Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) and Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) on Thursday announced the formation of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus.
The caucus’ formation comes in response to a 2004 initiative launched in the Knesset to develop lines of communication between Knesset members and Christian groups and denominations around the world.
The U.S. caucus plans to join with the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus and caucuses in other legislatures to “support Israel’s right to live in peace within safe and secure borders,” a press release from Weldon’s office said.
Proposed resolutions note civilians
A number of congressional resolutions call for immediate U.S. mediation in the Middle East and note civilian casualties caused by Israel.
One resolution initiated by Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) and joined by 12 Democrats and one Republican calls for an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon and notes that “since the commencement of hostilities, over 350 Lebanese civilians, one-third of whom are children” have been killed, as well as 17 Israeli civilians; and that “vital infrastructure, including hospitals, power plants, bridges, roads, and food and milk factories in Lebanon have been destroyed.”
Another, proposed by Rep. Jim Leach (R-Iowa), calls for a presidential envoy and notes that while Hamas launched hostilities in the Gaza Strip, Israeli retaliation resulted in “extensive infrastructure damage and substantial Palestinian casualties.”
Another, by Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.), calls for a cease-fire.
The resolutions, all currently in committee, follow on frustration expressed last week by a number of lawmakers that a resolution supporting Israel failed to call on all sides to protect civilians.
Hezbollah names tied to AMIA bombing
Interpol is issuing arrest warrants for specific Hezbollah members in connection with the 1994 bombing of an Argentine Jewish community center, JTA has learned.
Names have been supplied to the international police organization by the Argentine prosecutor in charge of investigating the 1994 truck attack on the AMIA building, which killed 85 people and injured more than 300.
According to the sources, suspected Hezbollah and Iranian terrorists involved in the attack are believed to be living in South America.
The announcement of the arrest warrants follows a meeting Wednesday in Washington attended by U.S. State Department officials, the Israeli and French ambassadors to the United States and the Organization of American States.
posted by Somebody @ 12:53 AM Permanent Link
 
0 Comments:
<< Home
|
| |
