Democracy? Pshaw. The U.S. national interest? Surely you jest. A resolution condemning illegal Israeli settlement and confiscation of the west bank, and its continued flouting of U.S. restrictions on aid? Ha! Ha! Ha!
No, the House, as is its wont, heeded its master's voice when it comes to middle east policy. It voted to punish the Palestinian people because they had the gall to elect representatives of Hamas to form their government. This was a resolution that AIPAC demanded despite even the Bush Administration's oppostion. Once again, the power of AIPAC is plain for all to see.
"The House of Representatives voted Tuesday to further choke off the flow of US aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority, drawing the displeasure of the Bush administration and dividing the pro-Israel lobbying community.
The measure, approved 361-37, would cut off aid to non-governmental groups working in the West Bank and Gaza except for health programs and would deny visas to members of the Palestinian Authority. It also would ban contacts with Hamas because of its classification as a terrorist organization and limit the president's authority to waive the aid bans.
. . . .
""Today, Congress made it clear that Hamas' decision to continue its support for terrorism has direct and immediate consequences," AIPAC said after the vote.
Other groups, including the Israel Policy Forum and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, have come out against it.
"We believe that this legislation will damage America's interests and Israel's as well by undermining the US Ability to advance peace and democracy in the region," the Israel Policy Forum said in a statement."
http://www.ynetnews.com/...