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: Introduced6/28/10 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: Introduced7/1/10 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 withRussia 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 isIran . 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 theUnited 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 onIran . 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 likeAustralia , 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 holdingIran 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 addressIran '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 --- theUnited 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 theUnited 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 ofIran 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 theUnited 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 thatIsrael '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
AndAPN 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 comparesIsrael 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 forIsrael .
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 tellingIsrael 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 theMiddle 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 inArizona , 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 theUnited 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 tellingIsrael 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 makeIsrael 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 isIsrael 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."
========================================
Don't forget to check the APN blog for breaking news and analysis about issues related toIsrael , the Middle East , and the Hill.
========================================
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 theAPN 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.
(Hamas/Gilad Shalit) S. Res. 571: Introduced
(
(Hizballah) H. Con. Res. 295: Introduced
(Emergency Supplemental -
2. President Signs Iran sanctions into law
For Immediate Release
Remarks by the President at Signing of the Iran Sanctions Act
East Room
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
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
Since taking office, I've made it clear that the
To date,
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
Other nations are now acting alongside us -- nations like
And today, we're taking another step --- a step that demonstrates the broad and bipartisan support for holding
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
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
Finally, even as we increase pressure on the Iranian government, we're sending an unmistakable message that the
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
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
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
3. Some Highly Recommended Reading (shameless plug for stuff we've written)
This past week saw some controversy over comments that
And
4. (NOT A JOKE) Gohmert (R-TX) demands world stop illegal Palestinian settlements (and compares
Once again this week, Rep. Gohmert (R-TX) has taken time on the House floor to speak about his support for
Gohmert,
"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
"Why would we do that to our best ally in the
"Then we start seeing things that help it make sense, like with this sign. Now, down in
"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
"Then it starts to make sense. Oh, okay. We're just trying to avoid being hypocrites as a nation. We are telling
"We say, Look,
"That will make
"The truth is neither one of those is a good idea. The truth is
========================================
Don't forget to check the APN blog for breaking news and analysis about issues related to
========================================
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