Compiled by Donald H. Harrison
The White House finds itself in another flap over whether it is insensitive to Jewish suffering. Previously, President Obama referred to the shooting of four people in the Hyper Cacher market in Paris as “random,” notwithstanding the fact that the market was a kosher one and all four murdered victims were Jewish. After being challenged about calling it “random,” spokespersons for both the White House and the State Department acknowledged that the shootings were motivated by anti-Semitism.
Now, following the release on Wednesday of President Obama’s official request for Congress to authorize the use of military force against ISIS, U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-New York), the only Jewish Republican in Congress, noted that while the president pointed out that ISIS poses a threat to Christians, Yezidis and Turkmens in the region, he said nothing about Jews also being threatened.
In an interview with CNN, the freshman congressman said: “I see an understanding, a recognition in the resolution with regards to ISIS attacks on Muslims, on Christians and others, and I didn’t see a reference to Jews. And one of the efforts I’ve been involved in is trying to raise awareness for the rising tide of anti-semitism.”
Zeldin said he believes that every word in an important document such as a request for authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) is pored over by the White House. Zeldin questioned whether the omission was purposeful.
The Republican Jewish Coalition promptly jumped on the issue, saying in a news release that the administration should amend its AUMF request to include Jews.
Matt Brooks, the group’s executive director, said: “ISIS threatens all ethnic groups in the Middle East, including Jews. That is why it is so surprising and disturbing that the Obama administration omitted Jews as a threatened ethnic group in their AUMF proposal. Why did the administration omit Jews as a threatened ethnic group? The AUMF needs to be amended to include Jews.”
At the State Department, spokesperson Jen Psaki was asked about the omission. Here is a transcript of that exchange:
QUESTION: I’m just wondering – there’s been some concern – I mean, raised on the Hill about some of the language in here, particularly the – one, two, three, four – fifth paragraph: “Whereas ISIL has threatened genocide and committed vicious acts of violence against religious and ethnic minority groups, including Iraqi Christian, Yezidi, and Turkmen populations.” Is there a reason that those are the – that those specific ethnic and religious minorities were mentioned and others that may have been targeted were not mentioned?
PSAKI: I would certainly, on that particular question – and I may be able to answer others – would point you to my colleagues over at the White House. I think obviously, as we know, there were highly publicized and written about targeting attacks against those populations. It certainly doesn’t eliminate concern for others.
QUESTION: Right. There is at least one member of Congress, I think, who has expressed concern that it doesn’t include Jews in this statement and that somehow, given the conversations that have been had here over the Paris shooting incident, the Administration may not be paying – or may not be as sensitive as it could be or should be to this. Is that —
PSAKI: I certainly don’t think it’s a reflection of that or intended to be any reflection of that. And on the other piece, I think I would just reiterate that both Josh Earnest and I tweeted and came out and made clear what our position is on the targeted anti-Semitic attack in Paris.
On the broader issue of whether Congress should agree to authorize the use of military force against ISIS, it was clear Thursday that the proposal, as submitted by President Obama, does not satisfy many members of Congress.
U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Florida) questioned a panel of military experts Thursday, Feb. 12, on the Administration’s recent request to Authorize the Use of Military Force, or AUMF, and both he and they voiced their same doubts about the unknown limits and scope that Congress is being asked to grant in this attempt to target ISIS. “You just described a blank check, which I’m not willing to give the President, or anybody else,” Grayson said to close his questioning.
U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-California) also expressed reservations: “I applaud the President for coming to Congress for authorization for the continuing operations against ISIS,” he said. “However, I oppose the draft he has put forward. First, the limitation on ground troops is not strong enough – ‘enduring offensive ground operations’ is a highly elastic phrase which the next president may interpret broadly. President Obama has taken a very expansive view of his powers under the War Powers Act of 1973 and the AUMFs dealing with al Qaeda and Iraq. By failing to repeal the 2001 AUMF, his 2015 proposal reaffirms that AUMF and President Obama’s very broad reading of his authority. The 2001 legislation provides virtually unlimited authority for the President to do anything he wants to fight al Qaeda and associated groups, including commit ground troops, without any limits in scope or duration. The President asserts that the 2001 AUMF also authorizes unlimited military actions against ISIS. We should repeal and replace the 2001 AUMF, not reaffirm it.”
U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-New York) said: “The President is now coming to Congress for authorization of force against ISIS. The big question in deciding my vote is whether the strategy will be to actually get the job done with an overwhelming use of force or if the plan is to just give it half an effort. The wording of the Joint Resolution is almost completely barren on strategy. I will absolutely support an authorization for the use of force as long as we are operating on a strategy that will be effectively executed with overwhelming precision. The President still has not detailed a willingness to accept that the current strategy will not be enough to defeat ISIS. I will not endorse anything less that would set up our troops to fail. How many American troops does the President want to use? What kinds of troops? Who is in charge and are they being given the flexibility and resources they need? What does “necessary and appropriate” mean to the President? What limitations does the President plan on implementing on his own? Which nations are our partners and what specifically are their roles? ”
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In another congressional development on Thursday, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) released the following statement regarding the ongoing negotiations involving Iran sanctions:
“A nuclear Iran is a huge threat to the United States and an existential threat to Israel. I agree with Prime Minister Netanyahu that a nuclear Iran is an existential threat to Israel. One nuclear weapon, hurled from Iran to Israel could end the Jewish state and could kill almost as many Jews as did Hitler. A successful deal will not be a middle-of-the-road compromise, but a deal that removes any possibility of Iran being able to use nuclear weapons.
“A nuclear Iran is not only an existential threat to Israel, it is also a huge threat to the U.S. and the rest of the world. A nuclear Iran could send weapons to Saudi oil fields, destroying them and sending the world economy into chaos, and could poison our atmosphere. A nuclear Iran would further destabilize an already-volatile region, and fuel more aggressive support of Iranian-backed terror organizations. To those who say Iran is not going to use a weapon, I say: if there is only a 10% chance Iran uses a nuclear weapon it is vital we prevent it.
“A nuclear Iran is an unacceptable scenario. I believe the only way Iran will voluntarily stop their march for nuclear weapons is if they know that tougher and tougher sanctions will be enacted if they fail to come a strong agreement that prohibits them from obtaining nuclear weapons. The only thing that brought Iran to the table were strong sanctions, not the goodness of their hearts. That it is why I am a co-sponsor of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 (Kirk/Menendez) in the Senate and why I voted the bill out of Committee. I have been one of the leaders in pushing the toughest possible sanctions against Iran. If Iran does not come to an agreement by March 24th I stand ready to vote for additional sanctions.”
In the House of Representatives, meanwhile, Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida) and Ranking Member Ted Deutch (D-Florida) of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee and Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-Florida) of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, made the following joint statement on Feb. 12 after introducing H.R. 907, the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015 which seeks to strengthen military and economic ties between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
As Jordan ramps up its attacks against ISIL terrorists, it is critical that the United States does everything it can to support the Kingdom in our joint effort to combat radical Islamist terrorists. Jordan has been a key partner in the region for years and is on the front lines of the fight against ISIL, sharing a border with both Syria and Iraq. In order to ensure Jordan has the capabilities to defend itself and fight to eradicate this terrorist threat, we must increase our bilateral military cooperation and expedite military sales to the Kingdom.”
H.R. 907 – the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015 would:
• Amend the Arms Export Control Act to include Jordan on a list of trusted allies for which Congress may expedite the process so that we sell Jordan much needed military equipment it needs to defend against and fight ISIL;• Support a Memorandum of Understanding to increase military cooperation between our two countries, including joint military exercises and personnel exchanges;
• Support Jordan in its response to the Syria and Iraq refugee crisis.
In the continuing controversy over Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu’s planned speech March 3 to a Joint Session of Congress, U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Kentucky) issued a detailed explanation about why he plans to boycott the address. He said:
As a Jewish member of Congress, and as someone who proudly supports the State of Israel, I am saddened by the breakdown of the traditionally bipartisan cooperation on issues affecting that nation, precipitated by the impending speech of Prime Minister Netanyahu to Congress on March 3.
The controversy surrounding the invitation to the Prime Minister and his acceptance has unfortunately made the question of attendance at the speech a matter of public interest. It is both sad and ridiculous that attending this speech will be used as a litmus test for support of Israel. In short, roll will be taken, and some outside organizations have even threatened potential absentees with electoral repercussions. Since I do not plan to attend the Prime Minister’s appearance, I now find it necessary to publicly explain my intended absence.
Among the many reasons I will not attend are the following:
We know what he is going to say. Netanyahu’s position on the ongoing negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program is not a secret. Like many other members, I have been visited by the Israeli ambassador and understand what they want and how that differs from what U.S. negotiators are attempting to accomplish.
The Prime Minister has plenty of other places to express his opinions. In fact he has done so many times.
Netanyahu will specifically be arguing against the foreign policy of the administration. Speaker Boehner invited the Prime Minister to address Congress specifically to refute President Obama’s position. I will not contribute to the impression that this body does not support the President of the United States in foreign affairs.
The speech is scheduled less than two weeks before Israeli elections and there is a demonstrable risk that Netanyahu will use the perception of congressional support in his campaign. He did it before. A television ad for his 2013 campaign begins with a shot of the U.S. Capitol, and has footage of rousing applause from members. (House ethics rules prohibit members of Congress from using such footage in political ads.)
It will become a matter of score-keeping as to who stands up and applauds and who doesn’t. Having visited Israel only months after Netanyahu addressed Congress in 2011, I know how much political impact these scenes have in that country. There is pressure to join the applause even if a member does not agree with statements made.
Congress has a broader responsibility than the security interests of Israel. While it certainly is important that we understand the Israeli perspective, the American people will hear only Netanyahu’s perspective, creating a public perception that could undermine a broadly supported resolution to the Iranian nuclear situation.
The Prime Minister’s appearance will be construed by many to infer congressional support for his position as opposed to US policy.
I do not want my respectful attendance to in any way imply support for his position.
Finally, the speech comes at a delicate period in the negotiations with Iran, coming only three weeks before the deadline established for an agreement on a framework for a program to ensure that Iran does not have the capability to build a nuclear weapon.
I sympathize with the Israeli predicament in this situation. They are forced to sit by while six other nations negotiate an agreement that directly affects their national security. They do not have a seat at the table. On the other hand, the only way a potential Iranian nuclear threat can be averted peacefully is if the world powers use the crippling economic sanctions to force a diplomatic solution. All of those countries have an interest in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s position, if adopted by the United States and the other negotiating parties, would make a diplomatic resolution much more difficult, if not impossible.
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The Jewish American Citizen
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U.S. Senate
SCHOOL PRINCIPALS —Democratic U.S. Sens. Al Franken of Minnesota, Michael Bennet pf Colorado and Rep. Susan Davis of California have put forward a key legislative proposal to help struggling schools by making key investments in the recruitment and training of effective principals. TheS chool Principal Recruitment and Training Act would create a new competitive grant program to recruit, support, and prepare aspiring and current principals to lead high-need schools. According to University of Minnesota research, school leadership is second only to teacher quality among school-related factors that impact student learning. “Our schools need great principals to succeed,” said Franken. “But unfortunately, too few principals are prepared to lead high-need schools. This legislation would change that by investing in proven strategies to recruit and train high-caliber principals who take the next step in making our schools the best they can be. As Congress works on a comprehensive reform to our country’s K-12 education policy, I will be pressing to get this measure included.”
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SCHOOL SHOOTINGS — U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, all Connecticut Democrats, issued the following statement regarding the report released on Thursday, Feb. 12, by the Sandy Hook Advisory Commission: “Two years ago, after the horrific tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, families across the nation stood united in demanding action so that not one more community would have to suffer such senseless heartache, fear, and loss. Since then, there have been more than 100 additional school shootings, and Congress has yet to act on commonsense measures, supported by the vast majority of Americans that would help stem this national crisis. We will continue to fight for these commonsense measures that would deprive murderers of the key means of massacre, provide law enforcement the additional tools they have sought to enforce the laws on the books, strengthen school security, and fix our broken mental health system.”
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VACCINATIONS — U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein joined with Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (all D-California) and other colleagues today to introduce the Head Start on Vaccinations Act, legislation that would protect children from preventable diseases by ensuring that all children in Head Start and Early Head Start programs nationwide are fully vaccinated unless they have been exempted for medical reasons. “We must protect the more than one million children who attend Head Start programs nationwide from preventable diseases like measles,” Boxer said. “This legislation is an important first step in the broader effort to strengthen our vaccination policies at all levels of government to help prevent the spread of deadly diseases.” Feinstein added: ” “The recent outbreaks of whooping cough and measles in California serve as a stark reminder that vaccination is a matter of public health, not personal choice. Our goal must be to vaccinate as many children as possible against infectious diseases. That’s the only way to protect children who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons and the best way to prevent the spread of deadly diseases like measles. Ensuring that all children in Head Start programs are vaccinated is an important step toward that goal.”
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GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOOD — Senators Blumenthal and Boxer joined others in introducing the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act, legislation that would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to clearly label genetically engineered (GE) foods so that consumers can make informed choices about what they eat. “Consumers have a right to know what is in the foods they eat and parents have a right to know what they are feeding their families,” Senator Boxer said. “This legislation will direct the Food and Drug Administration to require clear information for food that has been genetically engineered.” Said Senator Blumenthal: “As a consumer and dad, I want to know whether my family is eating food that has been altered artificially in genetics– and the American public wants and deserves to know as well. This measure is about the right to know– disclosure of critical information about the most widely consumed products. Consumers demand disclosure and truth- telling about food, and they’re right.”
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KEYSTONE– U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), a senior member of the Environment and Public Works and Foreign Relations committees, decried passage on Thursday, Feb. 12, of S. 1, a bill that overrides the regulatory process and approves an extension of the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline. “Political theater and false promises should never supersede the rule of law and good science,” Cardin said. “That is exactly what happened today when the House passed legislation approving the expansion of the Keystone Pipeline. At a time when oil prices are plummeting, and an oil company can still generate $6.6 billion in quarterly profit, and $87.3 billion in revenue- what is the rush to make is easier for big oil to export some of the dirtiest fuel on earth? ” Taking a different point of view was the American Jewish Committee (AJC) whose Executive Director David Harris said: “The Keystone XL pipeline is critically important for U.S. energy security, the economy and relations with Canada, our neighbor and ally. President Obama should reconsider his declared intention to veto the legislation approving the pipeline construction.” He added that AJC supports a multifaceted approach to energy security that includes support for enhanced efficiency and conservation standards, promotion of alternative fuels and technologies, and development of domestic and neighboring fossil fuel sources.
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FLOODS AND FIRE–Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) said she is carrying legislation to exempt people who live in flood plains and whose homes are destroyed by fire from a requirement that if their home has to be rebuilt because of disaster, it must be at an elevation 100 feet higher. Said the senator: “Families facing the daunting prospect of rebuilding after a fire should not have to deal with endless red tape and the possibility that they won’t be able to afford rebuilding their home. Communities taking needed steps to strengthen their levee systems need flexibility to help families get back on their feet.”
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PAID SICK LEAVE– Senator Al Franken (D-Minnesota) helped introduce legislation that would allow everyday workers to earn paid leave to use when they are sick, to care for a sick family member, to obtain preventive care, or to address the impacts of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault. He said: “As lead Democrat on the Senate Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, one of my top priorities is to fight for policies that support workplace fairness. The Healthy Families Act, which would give our workers the opportunity to earn paid leave, is essential to protecting the middle class and those aspiring to join the middle class.”
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VETERANS’ SUICIDES– Senator Bernie Sanders (Ind-Vermont) attended the ceremony at the White House on Thursday, Feb. 12, at which President Obama signed the Clay Hunt Suicide of Veterans Prevention Act, named for a former Marine who took his own life. “This bill says loudly and clearly that we understand suicide among veterans is a national tragedy and it begins the process of addressing the problem,” said Sanders, who headed the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee when the panel late last year passed the measure. “Twenty-two veterans a day, on average, take their own lives. The suicide rate, especially among young veterans, is tragically high and we have to do everything we can get these veterans timely access to the quality of care they have earned and deserve.”
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SEQUESTRATION–Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) introduced the Sequestration Relief Act of 2015 which would restore funding for critical domestic and defense programs. Senator Schatz serves on five key Appropriations subcommittees: Defense; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; Transportation, Housing and Urban Development; and Legislative Branch. Senator Durbin serves as Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. “This legislation will help blunt some of the negative impacts sequestration has had on working families and our economy,” said Schatz. “It will provide Congress with an increased ability to restore funding for numerous priorities and needs, such as veterans benefits, medical research, education, infrastructure, and national security.”
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RURAL SCHOOLS–Senators Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) on Thursday, Feb. 12, introduced a bipartisan bill to renew the Secure Rural Schools program, which supports schools, law-enforcement and roads in more than 700 rural counties across the country. “County payments are a lifeline for cash-strapped rural communities that are already facing shortfalls to pave roads, keep teachers in schools and firefighters on call,” Wyden said. “This bipartisan bill keeps up the commitment the government made to support rural counties in Oregon and across the country. I am glad to once again partner with Senator Crapo to get this vital legislation across the finish line.”
House of Representatives
ANIMAL ABUSE–U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee), a Humane Society “Humane Champion,” is leading a delegation of 43 members of Congress in an effort to stop taxpayer-funded animal abuse and inhumane testing at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) in Nebraska. “According to a recent New York Times exposé, MARC’s profit-motivated research programs have caused great suffering to its animals, which have been subjected to illness, pain, and premature death for decades,” Cohen said. “The Meat Animal Research Center in Nebraska has been operated at taxpayer expense for the purpose of increasing production and profits for the meat industry, benefits that have been questionable at best, even by many within the meat industry. Taxpayer dollars have been used in ways most taxpayers would abhor. Animals have needlessly suffered and died in ways that are unspeakable. We cannot as a government, as a nation, stand idly by and allow this to continue. Our humanity is diminished when we not only allow but actively sanction and financially support such abuse.”
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PAKISTAN–U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-California), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-New York), the Committee’s Ranking Member, sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry to express their serious concern about Pakistan’s failure to combat Islamist terrorist groups operating within its territory. “The United States should pursue a different approach with the Pakistani Government,” they wrote. “We urge you to consider implementing travel restrictions, suspending portions of assistance, and sanctioning Pakistani officials that maintain relationships with designated terrorist groups. Such an approach would make clear that the U.S. and Pakistan cannot have a true strategic partnership until Pakistan cuts all ties with terrorist organizations and renounces its use as an instrument of state policy.”
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California Legislature
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION –State Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, saying there were “unethical back-channel communications betwee the California Public Utilities Commission and the utilities it regulates” on Thursday, Feb. 12, announced “significant legislative reforms to help rebuild public trust in this important agency.” He said: “The CPUC’s mission is to protect consumers, but it has lost sight of that goal. Revelations of improper private communications and a lack of transparency and accountability at the Commission undermine public trust, weaken safety and threaten the agency’s legitimacy as the overseer of the state’s utilities. This legislation calls for systemic changes within the Commission so it can move forward with more ethical governance.A lawsuit resulting from the 2010 gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno that killed eight people and destroyed an entire neighborhood forced the CPUC to release about 65,000 communications, some of which appear to show private conversations and decisions between the agency and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). The private communications indicate the Commission advised the utility on handling controversies, discussed selecting a judge for a rate-setting hearing and suggested campaign contributions. In light of these communications and other developments, both the California Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Department of Justice are looking into the agency’s relationship with utilities.”
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PRISON SAFETY–Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) has introduced Assembly Bill 293, to help improve safety in California prisons. This bill will require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to establish statewide guidelines for investigating death threats against California Correctional Peace Officers. “San Quentin houses some of the most dangerous felons in California. It is critical to make sure that the women and men who guard these prisoners are safe,” said Levine. “This bill simply requires that these peace officers are notified when an inmate or a family member of an inmate makes a death threat, and that the threat be investigated.”
Local Government
TAXICABS –San Diego City Councilwoman Marti Emerald hailed a 12-3 vote by which the Metropolitan Transit System Board brought its policies into conformance with the City of San Diego’s regarding taxicab permits. Emerald, who has championed lifting restrictions on the number of licenses available for cab drivers, noted that while the City of San Diego adopts the policy, the MTS administers it. Changes now include: Removing the cap on the number of City of San Diego Taxicab permits; limiting the age of taxicab vehicles in operation to 10 years; prohibiting vehicles with a “salvage” title from operating as taxicabs; and mandating all new vehicles be zero or low emission vehicles. The MTS board includes representatives of various cities and the county government. Emerald is one of the board members. Emerald stated: “These policies will improve working conditions and opportunities for San Diego’s drivers, many of whom have been waiting for decades for the chance to apply for a permit. MTS, drivers, permit holders and policy makers can now all move forward and work together as a team to rebuild and re-energize our taxicab industry.”
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Items dealing with 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 on any of these items may be posted in the space provided below or sent to donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com