|
|
Friday, January 05, 2007
Some headlines and summaries from JTA
|
House reforms travel provisions
The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved ethics reforms that ban lobbyists from traveling with lawmakers.
Approved by a 430-1 vote Thursday, the 110th Congress’ first day, the reform was a high priority for Democrats, who campaigned on an anti-corruption platform and won back the house in November after 12 years of Republican rule. Jewish groups were concerned that the travel reform would crimp Israel trips, but were assuaged by reassurances that such trips were certain to continue, albeit run by non-profit groups and not lobbies.
Americans “demand to be closer to their elected representatives than corporate lobbyists,” said Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), one of six Jews newly elected to the House. “It is appropriate that the first votes of the 110th Congress concern honesty, openness and accountability.” The sole vote against was cast by Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.).
AIPAC welcomes Khalilzad
AIPAC welcomed the prospect of working with Zalmay Khalilzad, President Bush’s reported nominee as America’s U.N. ambassador.
“We’re looking forward to working with him,” said Jennifer Cannata, a spokeswoman for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The New York Times reported Friday that Khalilzad, currently Bush’s ambassador to Baghdad, is his nominee to replace John Bolton, whose ambassadorship at the United Nations was killed because of congressional opposition.
Bolton was very close to the pro-Israel community. Khalilzad is considered a loyal Bush staffer and is unlikely to deviate from administration policies of strong support for Israel and confrontation with Iran. However, the Afghan-born envoy also was an architect of cooperation with Iran in the aftermath of the Taliban ouster from Afghanistan, and of the close relationship with Iraqi Shi’ites, who also are backed by Iran.
APN chides Bush on Middle East
Americans for Peace Now accused President Bush of neglecting Arab-Israeli peace and urged him not to obstruct Israel-Syria talks.
In an open letter to Bush sent this week, the dovish pro-Israel group said 2006 “will go down in history as a year where the U.S. decided to stay on the sidelines of Israeli-Arab relations. The tragic and dangerous results speak for themselves. Mr. President, for the sake of Israel, we urge you to follow a very different course in 2007.”
The Bush administration claims to be actively engaged in the Middle East, but will not deal with groups or nations that back terrorism. The APN letter addressed claims by some Israeli leaders that Bush is keeping Israel from reacting to Syrian overtures. “The U.S. should support such an effort, or at a minimum make it clear that it does not oppose it,” it said.
Many Israeli leaders, however, believe Syria is merely paying lip service to peace talks to lessen international criticism of its support for terrorist groups and its meddling in Lebanese politics.
http://www.jta.org/
posted by Somebody @ 11:47 PM Permanent Link
 
0 Comments:
<< Home
|
| |
