By Norman Levin, , Seattle
Adkins and Freedman mislead the readers when they state, �Like McDermott, many members of Congress expressed reservations about H. R. 921� (�Rep. McDermott�s smart support for Israel,� Oct. 27). The �many members of Congress� voting against the non-binding resolution totaled eight, including Rep. McDermott. The number of members of Congress voting in favor of H. R. 921 was 410.
In the name of fairness, JTNews readers should know the full resolution to enable them to decide for themselves whether or not Representative McDermott is a supporter of Israel:
Resolved, That the House of Representatives �
(1) reaffirms its steadfast support for the State of Israel;
(2) condemns Hamas and Hezbollah for engaging in unprovoked and reprehensible armed attacks against Israel on undisputed Israeli territory, for taking hostages, for killing Israeli soldiers, and for continuing to indiscriminately target Israeli civilian populations with their rockets and missiles;
(3) further condemns Hamas and Hezbollah for cynically exploiting civilian populations as shields, locating their equipment and bases of operation, including their rockets and other armaments, amidst civilian populations, including in homes and mosques;
(4) recognizes Israel�s longstanding commitment to minimizing civilian loss and welcomes Israel�s continued efforts to prevent civilian casualties;
(5) demands the governments of Iran and Syria to direct Hamas and Hezbollah to immediately and unconditionally release Israeli soldiers which they hold captive;
(6) affirms that all governments that have provided continued support to Hamas or Hezbollah share responsibility for the hostage-taking and attacks against Israel and, as such, should be held accountable for their actions;
(7) condemns the governments of Iran and Syria for their continued support for Hezbollah and Hamas in their armed attacks against Israelis and their other terrorist activities;
(8) supports Israel�s right to take appropriate action to defend itself, including to conduct operations both in Israel and in the territory of nations which pose a threat to it, which is in accordance with international law, including Article 51 of the United Nations Charter;
(9) commends the President of the United States for fully supporting Israel as it responds to these armed attacks by terrorist organizations and their state sponsors;
(10) urges the President of the United States to bring the full force of political, diplomatic, and economic sanctions available to the government of the United States against the governments of Syria and Iran;
(11) demands the government of Lebanon to do everything in its power to find and free the kidnapped Israeli soldiers being held in the territory of Lebanon;
(12) calls on the United Nations Security Council to condemn these unprovoked acts and to take action to ensure full and immediate implementation of United Nations Security Council 1559 (2004), which requires Hezbollah to be dismantled and the departure of all Syrian personnel and Iranian Revolutionary Guards from Lebanon;
(13) expresses its condolences to all families of innocent victims of recent violence; and
(14) declares its continued commitment to working with Israel and other United States allies in combating terrorism worldwide.
By voting �no� on H. R. 921, Is Jim McDermott really a supporter of Israel? I don�t think so.
Norman Levin
Seattle