Congress Enters Twilight Zone

Congress just doesn't get it. Now, after the most recent mid-term election that brought more of Israel's most right-wing supporters into power, Congress has gone from simply not getting it, when it comes to Israel and Palestine, to entering the Twilight Zone.

Only days after the President of the United States criticized the Israeli decision to build more illegal colonial homes in Occupied Palestinian Territory, House Republican leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) met with the Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and promised him that the Republican-led congress would act as "a check" against the administration. The expansions of these colonies, or settlements, is clearly against international law and Israel's obligations.

Today, we get this gem from soon-to-be Chair of the House Foreign Affairs committee Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who criticized the transfer of an additional $150 million dollars to the Palestinian Authority. Here is the excerpt from the Ynet Article; try not to laugh (or cry). Note the emphasized (mine) quote at the end:

Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican who stands to take over in January after her party won the House of Representatives, said she was deeply concerned over what she called the bailout of the Palestinian leadership, which she claims has failed to live up to its commitment to dismantle the Palestinian terror infrastructure, eradicate corruption and recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.

“Sending US tax dollars to the Palestinian Authority to help them cover their budget shortfall is a bailout, plain and simple," she said.

"It is deeply disturbing that the Administration is continuing to bail out the Palestinian leadership when they continue to fail to meet their commitments, under international agreements and requirements outlined in US law, including dismantling the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure, combating corruption, stopping anti-Israel and anti-Semitic incitement, and recognizing Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state."

Ros-Lehtinen, a Cuban-American from Florida, said that as long as the Palestinian leaders receive unconditional aid they have no reason to change their ways and be committed to peace.

"So long as Palestinian leaders keep being financially rewarded by the U.S. unconditionally, they will have zero reason to change their ways and truly commit to peace. It is long past time to hold Ramallah accountable," she said.

I know she claims to represent Florida, but she seems to spend too much time viewing this conflict from another planet.

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