Rep. Baird: Israel and Gaza Deserve Better than a Misguided Resolution

[stephinrome]

http://www.baird.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1041&Itemid=99

Israel and Gaza Deserve Better than a Misguided Resolution

Before House Members vote on H.Res. 867, regarding the U.N. Goldstone report on the Gaza conflict, there are a few questions worth asking.

First, why are we bringing this resolution to the floor without ever giving former South African Constitutional Court Justice Richard Goldstone a hearing to explain his findings? Have those who will vote on H.Res. 867 actually read the resolution? Have they read the Goldstone report? Are they aware that Justice Goldstone has issued a paragraph by paragraph response, available on my Web site at http://www.baird.house.gov, to H.Res. 867 pointing out that many of its assertions are factually inaccurate or deeply misleading?

Since scarcely a dozen House Members have actually been to Gaza, what actual first-hand knowledge do the rest of the Members of Congress possess on which to base their judgment of the merits of H.Res. 867 or the Goldstone report?

What will it say about this Congress and our country if we so readily seek to block "any further consideration" of a human rights investigation produced by one of the most respected jurists in the world today, a man who led the investigations of abuses in South Africa, the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Kosovo and worked to identify and prosecute Nazi war criminals as a member of the Panel of the Commission of Enquiry into the Activities of Nazism in Argentina?

As one of the first two American officials, along with Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), to enter Gaza shortly after the conclusion of major bombing from "Operation Cast Lead," then again several months later, I have seen firsthand the devastating destruction of hospitals, schools, homes, industries and infrastructure. Much of that devastation was wrought using U.S. manufactured and paid for weaponry. I have also spoken with health workers, average Gazans, NGO relief workers and many others.

In addition, I have been to the Israeli town of Sderot, which has been the target of repeated rocket attacks, and to a number of Palestinian towns and Israel settlements in the West bank. Colleagues who have not been to the region may wish to view some of the images and interviews from these visits on my Web site.

With the information from these personal visits and on the ground knowledge, I read with care and interest the Goldstone report in its entirety and my firm conclusion is that, although the findings may be unpleasant and troubling, they are, unfortunately, consistent with the facts and evidence. In my judgment, far from meriting the obstruction called for in H.Res. 867, the Goldstone report is without question worthy of further investigation.

I know this conclusion is not easily accepted and I know it raises serious charges against entities and individuals on both sides of this conflict, Israel and Hamas. But if our own country is truly to stand for human rights and the rule of law, and if facts matter, how can we do other than insist that legitimate questions and evidence are followed by further investigation and, if necessary and warranted, appropriate consequences?

H.Res. 867 is very serious business. If, as Goldstone asserts and the evidence I have seen supports, there were in fact gross violations of international law and human rights on all sides, we cannot in good conscience support H.Res. 867.

This is about much more than just another imposed political litmus test that we are all too often asked to perform. This is about whether we as individuals and this Congress as an institution find it acceptable to drop white phosphorous on civilian targets, to rocket civilian communities, to destroy hospitals and schools, to use civilians as human shields, to deliberately destroy non-military factories, industries and basic water, electrical and sanitation infrastructure. This is about whether it is acceptable to restrict the movement, opportunities and hopes of more than a million people every single day.

At the end of the day, this is also about our own domestic security. If we are seen internationally as condoning violations of human rights and international law, if our money and our weaponry play a leading role in those violations, and if we reflexively obstruct the findings of someone with the credentials, history and integrity of Justice Goldstone, it can only diminish our international standing and our own security.

Rep. Brian Baird (D) represents Washington's 3rd district.

[Braulio]

1. They'll vote for it because they're afraid of the Israel Lobby

Very few US Congressmen and/or Senators, or even the US president, dare stand up to the Israel Lobby. It controls American foreign policy.

[JohnyCanuck]

4. But you are not allowed to say that in polite society,

or you'll be labeled a "you know what."

It's so obvious the way most US politicians run to Israel's side to show their loyalty to Israel no matter what Israel might have done. They look just like doting parents blocking their ears to complaints from neighbors that their spoiled rotten, little Johny went on a rampage through the neighborhood breaking windows and writing graffiti on garage doors. Instead, like typical parents of badly behaved, spoiled brats, they protect little Johny from suffering any consequences to his misdeeds and continue to hand over to Johny his generous weekly allowance, no matter what damage he might have caused to the neighbors' property.

[LeftishBrit]

5. Um, countries usually defend their allies from criticism.

And Israel does not 'control America's foreign policy'. That concept reminds me of the old American rhyme:

Way down south where bananas grow,
The grasshopper stepped on the elephant's toe.
The elephant said with tears in his eyes,
'Pick on somebody your own size!'


It would be closer to say that America controlled Britain's foreign policy; but even that would not be true. Except in cases of actual colonization/occupation/invasion, leaders have choices. Blair chose to follow Bush; Chirac and Schroeder did not.

[IndianaGreen]

6. Israel controls US foreign policy. This resolution is another proof of that.

And Israel is not our friend. Israel has spied on us and has murdered our sailors.

[LeftishBrit]

7. America has spied on the UK..

and has killed British troops with friendly fire in quite recent years. Should we regard America as our enemy? (N.b. I'm sure that the UK has also spied on America if it comes to that! Everybody spies on everybody - and sadly, usually most of all on their own citizens these days.)

There is a lot to criticize in Britain's, America's, Israel's, etc. military actions and alliances, but it's not a question of one country 'controlling' the other's foreign policy.

[IndianaGreen]

8. We haven't strafed a British ship for 4 hours on end

Have we?

As to our Congress, it is for sale to the highest bidder. This is why it sides with the health corporations, and with the Israel Lobby. They are bought and paid for, and the public be damned!

[LeftishBrit]

9. Not British; but the Americans did cause a major disaster to the Iranians...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_Air_Flight_655

The British have of course been pretty good at inflicting friendly fire on *each other* in various wars.

At any rate, that's not the real point. The point is that if Congress is 'bought and paid for' by the lobbyists, THAT is the real problem, and can't be blamed on another country.

Britain (and Europaean countries) have enough trouble with bribery and lobbying; but we have many more restrictions on it than the Americans do - perhaps that is the root problem in the American system - not Israel.

[shaayecanaan]

10. Troll (nt)

[BanzaiBonnie]

2. I am so pleased to have Brian Baird as my Congressman

He stands up for what he believes.

And I wish the rest of the Congress would grow a pair.

[shira]

3. Howard Berman shreds Goldstone easily in response

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=124x288006#292363