Compiled by Donald H. Harrison
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California) has written to Secretary of State John Kerry that the United States “must speak out against unilateral moves by Palestinian leaders” such as the effort by P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas to join the International Criminal Court on April 1.
In other Israel-related developments, Abe Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, described as “inflammatory and repugnant” a campaign by J Street to mobilize American Jews against Israel’s Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu. Meanwhile, the Republican Jewish Coalition launched a “Stand With Bibi” petition drive.
Boxer said in her letter to Kerry that the “misguided” Palestinian move to join the International Criminal Court “has only served to inflame tensions with Israel and call into question the Palestinian Authority’s willingness to negotiate an end to this conflict that results in two states living side-by-side in peace and security.
“It is clear that the Palestinians intend to use the ICC as a tool to attack Israel’s legitimate right to defend its citizens and territory against terrorist attacks,” Boxer continued. “This is simply unacceptable, particularly in light of Hamas’ indiscriminate and deliberate rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and its use of Palestinian civilians as human shields.”
Foxman, in his criticism of J Street, said: “At the height of the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled speech to Congress, J Street’s petition campaign that attempts to distance itself and American Jews from Israel’s duly elected prime minister is inflammatory and repugnant and exacerbates an already heated and politicized moment for U.S. Israel relations at a critical juncture in the West’s negotiations with Iran.
“Let us remember what is at stake: Preventing extremist Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon that could threaten Israel’s very existence,” said Foxman. “In that goal, Mr. Netanyahu surely does represent not only Israelis but American Jews as well.”
Meanwhile, the Republican Jewish Coalition has announced a “Stand With Bibi” petition drive “to show your support for the Prime Minister and Israel.”
Explaining the drive, Matt Brooks, the RJC’s executive director, said:
The White House has repeatedly sought to undermine and embarrass Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before his scheduled address to Congress on March 3rd. Democrats and the Obama administration have tried shaming Netanyahu into canceling his visit – citing everything from it being too close to the elections in Israel to the invitation not following diplomatic protocol.
All of this is just a distraction from the only thing that matters – a nuclear Iran. And before Obama makes a bad deal with the mullahs in Tehran, Bibi wants to make his case to the American public and the world one final time. The United States – as Israel’s strongest ally – and our elected officials in Washington should welcome the opportunity to hear from Netanyahu.
The choice is clear for Members of Congress – attend Bibi’s address to Congress and stand with Israel against a nuclear Iran or decide not to attend, thereby putting partisan politics ahead of principle. We hope Members of Congress will choose principle and refuse to stand with President Obama, J Street and the liberal base of their party.
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The American Jewish Citizen
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U.S. Senate
VETERANS– U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) and Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) have introduced legislation to permit veterans to keep their TRICARE health insurance benefits, even if they opt to participate in a subsequent employer’s group health plan. “This legislation will help ensure that military retirees have access to affordable, quality health care and the opportunity to select the best plan from a wide range of options,” Blumenthal said. “Military retirees should not be required to forfeit TRICARE benefits they earned while serving our nation just so they can receive benefits that best fit their family’s needs.”
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COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS — U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) announced he has accepted the following committee assignments in the U.S. Senate. Foreign Relations Committee — ranking member on subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy; member of subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy and subcommittee on near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (also known as the Helsinki Commission): Senior Senate Democratic member. Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee – Ranking Member. Finance Committee — Cochair, Business Income Tax Working Group, and member of the subcommittee on health care and the subcommittee on taxation and IRS oversight. Environment and Public Works Committee. Member of the subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Water, subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and subcommittee on clean air and nuclear safety.
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CHILD PORNOGRAPHY — U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and Orin Hatch (R-Utah) on Wednesday, Feb. 11, hailed Senate passage of their “Amy and Vicky Act” to assure timely compensation for victims of child pornography. “In the wake of the Supreme Court decision in Paroline, the victims of child pornography were placed in an unfair and tragic predicament: the more photos and offenders there are in a given place, the more difficult it is for the victim to recover from the trauma and to seek damages. Victims of child pornography experience significant trauma, our laws shouldn’t add to that pain by making it more difficult to get the restitution that they deserve. Each victim deserves full and fair restitution, and this legislation will help them achieve exactly that.” A one-page summary of the legislation can be found here, and the bill text can be found here.
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U.S House of Representatives
JUROR DISCRIMINATION – U.S. Rep. Susan Davis (D-California) has introduced legislation to prohibit a person from being removed from a jury because of sexual orientation or gender identity. U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) is carrying companion legislation in the Senate. “Serving on a jury is one of America’s most cherished civic duties,” said Davis. “It is unjust to exclude a particular group of people from participating in civil society because of whom they love. The federal government already prohibits juror discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and economic status. As we pursue greater equality for all Americans, I believe LGBT Americans should also be free from juror discrimination.”
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CURRENCY MANIPULATION–Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-Michigan) joined Tuesday, Feb. 10, in introducing legislation to hold currency manipulators accountable. The Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act “takes aim at currency manipulators by enabling the Department of Commerce to impose countervailing duties to offset the impact of currency manipulation on a U.S. industry,” he said. “The legislation is identical to the House bill that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in 2010.”
California Legislature
WILLS–State Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) has introduced a State Bar-sponsored plan to streamline certain court proceedings when addressing disposition of the assets of someone who has died. “Full probate court proceedings can be a long and arduous process that runs up a family’s attorney fees, incurs unnecessary court costs and prolongs how and when a family can reach closure,” Hertzberg, said. “Even simple wills often are forced to go through long probate proceedings that are an unnecessary burden on California families.”As introduced, SB 155 would simplify required legal procedures for the types of wills referred to as ‘pour-over wills,’ where assets to be transferred, as well as beneficiaries, are specified within well-defined legal parameters.
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Items pertaining to Jewish women in Congress are sponsored by Laura Galinson in memory of her father, Murray Galinson.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. Your comment may be posted in the space provided below or sent to donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com