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Friday, September 29, 2006
Some headlines and summaries from JTA
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Palestinian act fails in Congress
A last-ditch effort to pass the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act failed.
Democrats in Congress and Jewish community leaders told JTA that pro-Israel lobbyists launched a lobbying effort Monday to pass the act, which would prohibit direct funding to the Palestinian Authority until it renounces terrorism.
Negotiations to resolve differences between versions of the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate stalled passage this summer.
This week’s effort focused on getting Republican leaders to include the Senate version — considered more moderate because it grants the president greater flexibility in applying the sanctions — in an omnibus bill before Congress adjourns this weekend. Sources said the effort was shot down by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who called Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), chairman of the Senate’s Rules Committee, and told him the White House opposed it.
Rice reportedly did not want her hands tied before she launches a peace-making tour in the Middle East next week. The act is not likely to come up again until well into 2007.
Bush issues Yom Kippur greetings
In holiday greetings, President Bush said Jewish observance of Yom Kippur makes the world a more peaceful place.
“Yom Kippur is a solemn time to express thanksgiving that the Almighty remembers the names of all His children,” said a White House statement issued in the name of the president and First Lady. “During this blessed Day of Atonement, Jewish people gather in synagogues, consider their deeds and actions and celebrate as the sound of the Shofar proclaims the forgiveness and mercy shown by the Creator of life. As the High Holy Days come to an end, the Jewish people in America and around the world remind us of the gift of religious freedom and the blessings of God’s steadfast love. On Yom Kippur and throughout the year, your deep commitment to faith helps make the world a more hopeful and peaceful place.”
Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean, whose wife and children are Jewish, also issued greetings for the holy day. “My family and I ask all to join with the Jewish people to use this time as the beginning of a new era of peace and security,” he said in a message.
Dems: Iran sanctions act diluted
Democrats complained that the White House significantly watered down the Iran sanctions act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Iran Freedom Support Act passed in a voice vote this week, but Democrats in Congress told JTA that it was presented to them as a fait accompli and that they felt they had no choice but to pass it because the previous act lapses Friday. As of Friday evening, the act was stuck in the Senate, where the Democratic leadership was still debating whether to support it.
The latest version was negotiated this week by the White House, Senate Republicans and House Republicans, and removes key passages from a version the House passed overwhelmingly earlier this year. According to a comparison document circulated by Democrats, the new version removes sanctions on offshore subsidiaries of U.S. companies that deal with Iran.
Abramoff, Rove discussed Israel
A disgraced lobbyist said he discussed Israel with President Bush’s top adviser, newly released e-mails show.
A congressional report released Thursday showed that Jack Abramoff, who has pleaded guilty to bribing senior members of Congress, listed 485 contacts between his office and the White House, including 10 contacts with Karl Rove, Bush’s top political adviser. The White House, which previously said it had very limited contact with Abramoff, responded by suggesting he lied about the extent of his contacts.
One confirmed contact, however, was when Abramoff secured hard-to-get tickets for Rove to a college basketball game. At the game, Abramoff, who is Jewish, discussed Israel with Rove, according to an e-mail account by Abramoff.
http://www.jta.org/
posted by Somebody @ 10:39 PM Permanent Link
 
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