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APN Legislative Round-Up for the Week Ending July 2, 2010

1. Bills and Resolutions
2. President Signs Iran Sanctions into law
3. Some Highly Recommended Reading (shameless plug for stuff we've written)
4. (NOT A JOKE) Gohmert (R-TX) demands world stop illegal Palestinian settlements (and compares Israel policy to Arizona-Mexico border problem)

1.  Bills & Resolutions
 
(Hamas/Gilad Shalit) S. Res. 571: Introduced 6/28/10 by Sen. Gillibrand (D-NY) and with 7 cosponsors, "A resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit held captive by Hamas, and for other purposes. Agreed to 6/28/10 by Unanimous Consent.
 
(IRAN) H. Res. 1497: Introduced 6/30/10 by Reps. Roskam (R-IL) and Quigley (D-IL), "Condemning the inclusion of inflammatory and inaccurate content in Iranian textbooks that is aimed at indoctrinating and radicalizing students with anti-Israeli, anti-Semitic, and anti-Western sentiment and at restricting the rights of women."   Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
 
(Hizballah) H. Con. Res. 295: Introduced 7/1/10 by Rep. Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and having 27 cosponsors, "Condemning the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on July 18, 1994, and for other purposes."  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. [Note: this is a resolution introduced annually by Rep. Ros-Lehtinen.]
 
(Emergency Supplemental - Jordan) HR 4899: Introduced 3/21/10 by Rep. Obey (D-WI), making emergency supplemental appropriations for FY10.  Passed by the House on 3/24/10. Passed by the Senate with an amendment in the nature of a substitute 5/27/10.  Rather than proceeding directly to a House-Senate conference to resolve differences in the versions of the bill, on 7/1/10 the House agreed to take up the bill, as amended by the Senate, and then voted on a number of amendments to it.  When the House finishes, the bill will go back to the Senate, amended, for consideration.  As noted in the Round-Up for the month of May 2010, the Senate amendment includes $100 million in ESF and $50 million in FMF for Jordan.
 
2.  President Signs Iran sanctions into law
 
For Immediate Release
July 01, 2010
 
Remarks by the President at Signing of the Iran Sanctions Act
East Room
 
6:30 P.M. EDT
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Please have a seat, everybody.  Good evening, everybody.  As President, one of my highest national security priorities is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.  That's why my administration has aggressively pursued a comprehensive agenda of non-proliferation and nuclear security.
 
Leading by example, we agreed with Russia to reduce our nuclear arsenals through the New START Treaty --- and I've urged the Senate to move forward with ratification this year.  And with allies and partners, we've strengthened the global non-proliferation regime, including the cornerstone of our efforts ---the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
 
Now, in the entire world, there is only one signatory to the NPT --- only one --- that has been unable to convince the International Atomic Energy Agency that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.  One nation.  And that nation is Iran.  For years, the Iranian government has violated its commitments, defied United Nations Security Council resolutions, and forged ahead with its nuclear program --- all while supporting terrorist groups and suppressing the aspirations of the Iranian people.
 
Since taking office, I've made it clear that the United States was prepared to begin a new chapter of engagement with the Islamic Republic of Iran.  We offered the Iranian government a clear choice.  It could fulfill its international obligations and realize greater security, deeper economic and political integration with the world, and a better future for all Iranians. Or it could continue to flout its responsibilities and face even more pressure and isolation. 
 
To date, Iran has chosen the path of defiance.  That's why we have steadily built a broader and deeper coalition of nations to pressure the Iranian government.  Last month, we joined with our partners at the U.N. Security Council to pass the toughest and most comprehensive multilateral sanctions that the Iranian government has ever faced.  (Applause.)  And I want to specifically single out our tireless -- and I mean tireless -- Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, for her terrific -- (applause.) 
 
As I said last month, we are going to make sure that these sanctions are vigorously enforced.  At the same time, we'll work with our allies and friends to refine and enforce our own sanctions on Iran.  And that's exactly what we've been doing.  Here in the United States --- thanks to the efforts of my Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, and Under Secretary Stuart Levey --- (applause) -- they have been terrific on this effort; Stuart has been just outstanding -- we have imposed sanctions against more institutions, more individuals involved with Iran's nuclear and missile programs.
 
Other nations are now acting alongside us -- nations like Australia, which announced new sanctions, including those against a major Iranian bank and Iran's shipping company.  The European Union is moving ahead with additional strong measures against Iran's financial, banking, insurance, transportation, and energy sectors, as well as Iran's Revolutionary Guard.  Other countries, like Canada, have indicated they will also be taking action.  In other words, we are ratcheting up the pressure on the Iranian government for its failure to meet its obligations.
 
And today, we're taking another step --- a step that demonstrates the broad and bipartisan support for holding Iran accountable.  I'm pleased to sign into law the toughest sanctions against Iran ever passed by the United States Congress --- the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act.  (Applause.)
 
I want to thank all the members of Congress who worked on behalf of this legislation, including another tireless person, but who never seems to break a sweat -- the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.  (Applause.)  I want to thank Representatives Steny Hoyer and Eric Cantor for doing outstanding work.  (Applause.)   Although they weren't able to join us, I want to acknowledge Senators Harry Reid, Jon Kyl and Richard Shelby.  And I want to thank those who led the effort to forge a final bill that received overwhelming bipartisan support --- Senator Chris Dodd and Representative Howard Berman.  Thank you for your good work. (Applause.)
 
Consistent with the Security Council mandate, this legislation strengthens existing sanctions, authorizes new ones and supports our multilateral diplomatic strategy to address Iran's nuclear program.  It makes it harder for the Iranian government to purchase refined petroleum and the goods, services and materials to modernize Iran's oil and natural gas sector.  It makes it harder for the Revolutionary Guards and banks that support Iran's nuclear programs and terrorism to engage in international finance.  It says to companies seeking procurement contracts with the United States government --- if you want to do business with us, you first have to certify that you're not doing prohibited business with Iran.
 
In short, with these sanctions --- along with others --- we are striking at the heart of the Iranian government's ability to fund and develop its nuclear program.  We're showing the Iranian government that its actions have consequences.  And if it persists, the pressure will continue to mount, and its isolation will continue to deepen.  There should be no doubt --- the United States and the international community are determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
 
Finally, even as we increase pressure on the Iranian government, we're sending an unmistakable message that the United States stands with the Iranian people as they seek to exercise their universal rights.  This legislation imposes sanctions on individuals who commit serious human rights abuses.  And it exempts from our trade embargo technologies that allow the Iranian people to access information and communicate freely.  In Iran and around the world, the United States of America will continue to stand with those who seek justice and progress and the human rights and dignity of all people.
 
So, again, this is not a day that we sought --- but it is an outcome that was chosen by the Iranian government when it repeatedly failed to meet its responsibilities.  And the government of Iran still has a choice.  The door to diplomacy remains open.  Iran can prove that its intentions are peaceful.  It can meet its obligations under the NPT and achieve the security and prosperity worthy of a great nation.
 
It can have confidence in the Iranian people and allow their rights to flourish.  For Iranians are heirs to a remarkable history.  They are renowned for their talents and their contributions to humanity.  Here in the United States, Iranian-Americans have thrived.  And within Iran, there's great potential for the Iranian people to forge greater prosperity through deeper integration with the international community, including with the United States.
That's the future we do seek -- one where Iran's leaders do not hold their own people back by failing to live up to Iran's international obligations, and where Iran can reclaim its place in the community of nations and find greater peace and prosperity.
 
That is the Iranian government's choice.  And it remains our hope that they choose this path, even as we are clear-eyed and vigilant about the difficult challenges ahead.
 
So, with that, I will sign this legislation into law.  (Applause.)
 
(The bill is signed.)  (Applause.)
 
END
6:40 P.M. EDT
 
3.  Some Highly Recommended Reading (shameless plug for stuff we've written)
 
This past week saw some controversy over comments that Israel's Ambassador to the US, Michael Oren, allegedly made in a private meeting - to the effect that there is either a tectonic rift, or a tectonic shift, in US-Israel relations.  A few days later, an op-ed as published by the JTA, penned by the president of AIPAC, Lee Rosenberg, and the chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, Alan Solow.  The op-ed argues that Israel is the only party actually working to achieve peace, and the failure to make progress toward peace is 100% the fault of the Palestinians.
 
APN took on Ambassador Oren in our own op-ed published on ForeignPolicy.com's Middle East Channel: Michael Oren's curious understanding of friendship
 
APN President Debra DeLee and J Street's Jeremy Ben-Ami joined forces to offer an alternative perspective to Rosenberg and Solow in their own JTA oped:  Overcome denial in Israel advocacy
 
And APN took on the Rosenberg-Solow's factual flaws and omissions on our blog: Rosenberg and Solow Get it Wrong
 
4. (NOT A JOKE) Gohmert (R-TX) demands world stop illegal Palestinian settlements (and compares Israel policy to Arizona-Mexico border problem)
 
Once again this week, Rep. Gohmert (R-TX) has taken time on the House floor to speak about his support for Israel.  Support that is getting more bizarre every week.
 
Gohmert, 6/30/10
 
"You can't buy friendship. Didn't people learn that on the playground? You can give somebody your sandwich, you can give somebody your lunch money and hope that they leave you alone, but all they do is keep coming back for more sandwiches or more money. You can't buy love and affection because you are looked at as a John, not as a lover. It's tragic, but that's what we're doing: trying to buy love and affection from people that hate us. It doesn't work.
 
"...Of course, we know we are also telling Israel not to--or apparently this administration has been telling Israel, Just lay off. Let them build the illegal Palestinian settlements. Don't try to defend yourself. Get ready to give away more land. We are putting on all this pressure. Don't defend yourself even though Iran is developing--now we know--enough uranium for two bombs. Of course, one would be enough to wipe out much of Israel, but don't defend yourself. We're putting all that pressure on them. That doesn't make sense.
 
"Why would we do that to our best ally in the Middle East, to one of the best friends this country could have in the whole world, to one of the few--maybe sometimes the only one--that truly stands up with us like 95 percent of the time in the U.N. more than most anybody else? Yet we're turning our backs on them, and we're telling them not to protect their own country. Don't stand for what is going to help Israel stand? Why would they do that?
 
"Then we start seeing things that help it make sense, like with this sign. Now, down in Arizona, it turns out we've got a wilderness area down in Arizona that the park police can go in but not with any mechanized vehicles or mechanical equipment that is motorized. Also, the Border Patrol can't go there. The only people who can go there with impunity are people illegally going through, and that is why this warning sign says: Active drug and human smuggling area.
 
"It is like the city that spends more to put up a sign that says there is a bump in the road than it would cost them just to fix the bump. Don't put up a sign. Fix the problem. This is the United States. Why are we just saying, Hey, look. Here is a sign. There is active drug and human smuggling in this area. They are coming through with mechanized vehicles and with all kinds of motorized things they may be using. They are violent. It says visitors may encounter armed criminals and smuggling vehicles traveling at high rates of speed. That is because only the illegals can come through here using vehicles, because we don't let the Border Patrol in there with vehicles, and we know law enforcement gets shot.
 
"Then it starts to make sense. Oh, okay. We're just trying to avoid being hypocrites as a nation. We are telling Israel not to defend itself, to let people overrun them and to let those rockets fly constantly. Don't bother to check the ships that come in, the flotillas that come into the Gaza Strip. Just let the rockets keep flying. We are able to say that without being hypocrites because that's what we're doing. We're not protecting ourselves.
 
"We say, Look, Israel. Get over it. We are letting ourselves be overrun. We're letting people come in illegally armed. We've let them take over part of the United States and we're not doing anything about it, so we're not being hypocritical when we say, Don't protect yourself, Israel. We're doing the same thing, see?
 
"That will make Israel feel better to know that we are not protecting ourselves. We have just turned over part of the United States of America to armed criminals who are illegally in this country.
 
"The truth is neither one of those is a good idea. The truth is Israel should defend itself. They should be able to stop the rockets that are attacking them from coming into areas. They should be able to stop illegal settlements. They should be able to do all of the things that are necessary for a nation to protect and preserve its national integrity."
 
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Past editions of the Round-Up are archived and available online at:
http://peacenow.org/legislative-round-ups
  
Americans for Peace Now promotes Israeli security through the peace process and supports the Israeli Peace Now movement.   For more information, visit the APN web site at www.peacenow.org or contact Lara Friedman, APN Director of Policy and Government Relations, at 202/728-1893, or at lfriedman@peacenow.org.