1. Bills and Resolutions
 
(Jerusalem) H. Res. 1191:  Introduced 3/18/10 by Rep. Lamborn (R-CO) and 18 cosponsors, "Urging the expedient relocation of the United States Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem." Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.  Given current events, it was inevitable that some members of Congress would elect to pour fuel on the fire and try to score political points with yet another Jerusalem resolution.  Stay tuned for likely further efforts related to this issue, including probable efforts to strip away the President's waiver of the Jerusalem Embassy Act (which, as noted previously in the Round-Up, Republicans have tried to do repeatedly since President Obama took office, after not attempting to do so in any serious way during the entire eight years of the Bush presidency).
 
(IRAN) H. Res. 1181: Introduced 3/12/10 by Rep. McCotter (R-MI) and 1 cosponsor, "Calling on the United Nations General Assembly to reject the Islamic Republic of Iran's bid to join the United Nations Human Rights Council."  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs
 
(Resolution Approving Israeli military Attack on Iran):  On 3/18/10 Rep. Gohmert (R-TX) began circulating a draft resolution (and seeking original cosponsors on that resolution), "Expressing support for the State of Israel's right to defend Israeli sovereignty, to protect the lives and safety of the Israeli people, and to use all means necessary to confront and eliminate nuclear threats posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the use of military force if no other peaceful solution can be found within reasonable time to protect against such an immediate and existential threat to the State of Israel."
 
2.  Congress and the Jerusalem Settlements Dust-Up
 
The issue of Congressional reaction to the Jerusalem settlements dust-up between the Netanyahu government and the Obama Administration has been covered pretty comprehensively, though not always accurately, in the mainstream and Jewish press.  For a few excellent pieces, see here and here. 
 
Representative Shelley Berkley (D-NV), who is generally viewed as the furthest right-wing member of Congress when it comes to Israel, was one of the first out of the box with a press release that was harshly critical of the Obama Administration.  She was gleefully joined in this view by House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), who issued a press release entitled "Administration's Stance on Israel Irresponsible and Dangerous." 
 
House Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA) subsequently weighed in with a more pragmatic approach, in a press release entitled: Let's Put the Situation in Perspective. 
 
Other members inserted statements into the record or spoke on the floor of the House or Senate, primarily by Republicans who appear to be in a clear point-scoring mode.  These were: Rep. Jordan (R-OH) - with a statement entitled "No Truer Friend than Israel"; Rep. Moran (R-KS), with a statement entitled "No Closer Friend than Israel"; Rep. Burton (R-IN), with a statement entitled "Support Israel," Rep. McClintock (R-CA), with a statement entitled "Path to Conflict"; Rep. Engel (D-NY), with a statement entitled "The U.S.-Israel Relationship" and Rep. Quigley (D-IL), with a statement entitled "Reaffirm Bonds with Israel".   In addition, there was the McCain (R-AZ)-Lieberman (I-CT) colloquy on the Senate floor last week (it should be recalled that long before this happened McCain and Lieberman traveled together to the Middle East where they publicly criticized President Obama's Middle East policy). 
 
3.  AIPAC on the Hill Next Week
 
As noted in last week's Round-Up, AIPAC's annual Washington Policy Conference kicks off this weekend, with thousands of AIPAC supporters heading to the Hill next Tuesday.  On the Hill they will reportedly lobby for the swift passage of new Iran sanctions legislation that includes the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act and for enhanced enforcement and accountability regarding enforcement of existing sanctions, as well as urge members to add their names to sign-on letters (not yet circulating) promoting strong US-Israel relations (given recent events, it seems like that the message will be an updated version of last year's Bayh-Risch letter). 
 
4.  Dear Colleague Bashing PA
 
While there have been no initiatives in Congress to in any way censure the government of Israel for the very public slap in the face/kick in the groin delivered to the Obama Administration last week - in the form of announcing the approval of new settlement plans the day after the announcement of indirect peace talks, and the day Vice President Biden arrived in Israel - Congress has been quick to respond to a rare (but no doubt troubling) incident of "bad behavior" by the Palestinian Authority. 
 
On March 11th, students from a youth group associated with Fatah held a memorial in an al Bireh square for a female Palestinian terrorist, Dalal Mughrabi, unofficially dedicating the square in her name on the 32nd anniversary of her death. Reportedly a senior Fatah leader and a PA security official were present. 
 
On March 16th, Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO) began circulating a Dear Colleague letter asking members to join him in sending a letter to PA President Mahmoud Abbas "expressing anger over the recent recognition and glorification of a terrorist" and "urging PA President Abbas to rescind the naming of the circle for Mughrabi and work to ensure an end to incitement and glorification of terrorism."  The letter notes that "Media reports indicate that at the dedication of the circle, representatives of Fatah described Mughrabi as a courageous fighter who held a proud place in Palestinian history.  This makes us question the Palestinian Authority's commitment to peace and reconciliation.  We also note that the 'road map,' which you personally agreed to in 2003, makes clear that your government is obligated to end such incitement."  The letter goes on to imply that this incident threatens US assistance to the Palestinians, noting "As you know, the United States is the largest single bilateral contributor to the Palestinians.  The significant increase in our assistance in recent years became possible only because your government has taken a position squarely on the side of non-violence.  This dedication runs counter to these past government actions."
 
It is worth noting that this dedication stands out - and is thus being condemned - because the PA has been doing such a good job clamping down on the sort of incitement and glorification of terrorism that has in the past been a very real problem.  The fact that this case is the exception that proves the rule, however, has apparently in no way insulated the PA from censure.
 
It is also worth noting that:
 
- Israel permits annual memorials for Meir Kahane (whose party was outlawed for its racists policies, and the two groups associated with him - Kach and Kahane Chai - are both US-designated FTOs). 
 
- Israel has also permitted settlers in Kiryat Arba to turn the grave of Baruch Goldstein - the Israeli-American settler who on Purim in 1994 massacred 29 Palestinians at prayer in the Tomb of the Patriarchs/Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron - into a memorial shrine that has become a pilgrimage site for right-wing extremists where they celebrate Goldstein's actions and his legacy.  The grave is located in a park in Kiryat Arba - a park named for the man who inspired Goldstein and inspires many Jewish extremists today, Meir Kahane (the same Meir Kahane discussed above).  The 16-year anniversary of that attack was celebrated last month.  Goldstein's gravestone reads "Here lies the saint, Dr. Baruch Kappel Goldstein, blessed be the memory of the righteous and holy man, may The Lord avenge his blood, who devoted his soul to The Jews, Jewish religion and Jewish land. His hands are innocent and his heart is pure. He was killed as a martyr of God on the 14th of Adar, Purim, in the year 5754."
 
- the week before the el-Bireh dedication, the Israeli Knesset held a special commemorative session in honor of a dozen pre-1948 Jewish underground fighters know as the "Olei HaGardom" who were executed by the British  - members of the Lehi (aka Stern Gang) and Etzel (aka the Irgun) - for attacking both British military officers and British and Arab civilians.  Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered an address during the session lauding the fighters and rejecting any comparison to their actions and terrorism.  As noted in the settlers' news outlet "The two most famous Olei HaGardom were Shlomo Ben-Yosef and Dov Gruner. Ben-Yosef was executed on June 29, 1938 (Sivan 30) after he shot at an Arab bus carrying near Tzfat in response to frequent Arab attacks against Jews in the country's north. Gruner was executed on April 16, 1947 (Nissan 26) after attacking a British police station in Ramat Gan."  Countless streets, neighborhoods, museums, public squares in Israel are named this group or the individuals associated with it.  The state has also issued postage stamps commemorating them and their deeds.
 
5.  APN on Iran Sanctions, Jerusalem Settlement Issue
 
There have been a number of recent APN articles dealing with issues that are prominent these days in Congress:
 
APN on Iran sanctions (in ForeignPolicy.com): Getting Over the Sanctions Delusion
APN analysis on Biden Incident: Ending the "business-as-usual" settlements era in East Jerusalem?
APN on the ADL's criticism of General Petraeus: Foxman should stop crying wolf
APN on AIPAC criticism of President Obama:  AIPAC doesn't speak for me

 
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Don't forget to check the APN blog for breaking news and analysis about issues related to Israel, the Middle East, and the Hill.
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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.