Friday, August 12, 2011

One-Fifth of U.S. House leaves for Israel amidst economic crisis

PressTV - One-Fifth of U.S. House leaves for Israel amidst economic crisis:

Fri Aug 12, 2011 1:29AM GMT
Marjan Asi, Press TV, Washington

"Amidst a financial and economic crisis, Congress has reached its summer recess and many representatives are going to Israel.

Altogether, 81 Congressmen and women have announced their one-week trips, paid for by the American Israel Education Fund, a non-profit affiliate of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Although AIPAC refused to give Press TV an interview or even comment, Representative Steny Hoyer, who will be leading the Democratic delegation, said in a statement that the purpose of the trip is to learn about “the evolving security situation in the Middle East, the deep challenges facing Israel, and the role the United States can play in the region during this time of uncertainty.”

But Executive Director of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs Delinda Hanley argues the reason why so many American politicians are going to Israel is for the purposes of supporting Israeli policies, particularly in regards to the upcoming UN Palestinian statehood resolution.

Many American taxpayers had their own opinions on their Congressional representatives' holiday away from home.

Over half of the representatives going to Israel are freshmen, which Hanley says makes their political careers more fragile and susceptible to being cut short by America's powerful Israel lobby.

The pro-Israel funded trip will include meetings with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.



One-Fifth of U.S. House leaves for Israel amidst economic crisis:

"PressTVGlobalNews on Aug 12, 2011

Amidst a financial and economic crisis, Congress has reached its summer recess and many representatives are going to Israel.

Press TV's Marjan Asi reports from Washington.


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