Israel
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRO-ISRAEL COMMUNITY
REGARDING DAN SEALS AND MARK KIRK
Dear Friends,
For those of us who care deeply about Israel and who understand the importance of strong Congressional support for this important ally, these are troubling times. Hamas has fired over 5,000 rockets into Israel since they took power in Gaza. Hezbollah is re-arming in Lebanon. And most troubling, Iran--whose president has called for Israel’s destruction--is moving toward acquisition of nuclear weapons.
As a Member of Congress and a Jewish woman, I find it deeply troubling that supporters of Mark Kirk are attempting to turn what in fact is strong, bi-partisan support for Israel into an election issue. This is the last thing anyone who truly cares about Israel should want. I serve in Congress. I know how Congress operates. Don’t let anyone fool you into believing that Israel should be an issue in the contest between Dan Seals and Mark Kirk.
Dan Seals has been unwavering in his support for Israel. During the Lebanon War of 2006, Seals argued that Israel was “doing the right thing by defending herself against terrorism. She has the inherent right and responsibility to protect her borders and to defend against attacks by terrorists that threaten the security of Israeli citizens.” When 164 Republicans voted against foreign aid to Israel in 2007, Seals condemned GOP Leadership for urging the “no” vote. Dan Seals strongly supports Israel’s right to self-defense in Gaza, and he has consistently backed tough action against Iran, urging the Administration to do more to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Mark Kirk is the classic example of a Congressman who strikes a moderate tone in his district, but votes with the Republican leadership 87% of the time. We need a Member of Congress from the 10th Congressional District in Illinois who shares ALL of our values, not just some of them. I can guarantee you that the outcome of this race will have no impact on Israel or Congressional support for Israel, but it will have a significant impact on the wide range of issues that are important to the Jewish community.
We are all concerned about Israel’s safety and security. Please don’t let anyone manipulate those legitimate concerns for partisan gain.
Sincerely,
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Howard Berman Endorses Dan Seals for Congress
September 15, 2008
DEERFIELD—Yesterday, Congressman Howard Berman (CA-28), the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, endorsed Dan Seals over Mark Kirk. Berman, who recently told the Jerusalem Post that “Israel's security and the US-Israeli relationship is for [him] an issue that shapes [his] whole agenda [in] Congress” released the following statement:
“As one who has made strong support for Israel a top priority for my entire career in public service, I urge a vote for Dan Seals. Dan will be an effective leader and a reliable vote in defense of Israel's safety and security and in support of a strong US-Israel relationship."
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Seals Urges Stronger Sanctions Against Iran
July 10, 2008
DEERFIELD—Today, Democratic Congressional Candidate Dan Seals urged President Bush to take stronger action against Iran. Just one day after missile tests from Iran, which threaten the security and stability of Israel and the entire Middle Eastern region, Seals emphasized the need for the United States to lead the effort to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons.
Seals Condemns Latest Terrorist Attack Against Israel
July 2 , 2008
DEERFIELD--Dan Seals today offered his condolences to the victims of a terrorist attack in Jerusalem that killed three people and wounded 66. “This terrorist attack re-affirms the need for the U.S. to stand strongly with Israel and to remember that Israel's struggles are our struggles. Our hearts go out to the victims of this latest act of terrorism.”
The Jerusalem Post reported that the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, the Quds Brigades, praised the attack. In a press release, the group echoed Hamas in saying that the attack was a "natural reaction to the crimes of the occupation."
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Seals Urges House to Pass Resolution Honoring Israel on 60th Anniversary Year
April 22, 2008
DEERFIELD—Today, Congressional Candidate Dan Seals urged the House to pass H.Con.Res. 322, a bi-partisan resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the re-establishment of the State of Israel. Seals noted that despite being under attack since its re-birth, Israel’s accomplishments have been a source of pride to everyone who values freedom and democracy, as Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East, has a higher ratio of university degrees to
its population than any country in the world, and has been a global leader in technological innovation.
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Seals Denounces Carter's Meeting with Hamas
April 15, 2008
DEERFIELD—Today, Democratic Congressional Candidate Dan Seals released the following statement condemning former President Jimmy Carter’s meeting with Hamas leadership:
“America must isolate Hamas and make it clear to them that they will be international pariahs until they change their stated goals and activities. We must force Hamas to choose between terrorism and the welfare of the Palestinian people.
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Seals Condemns Jerusalem Seminary Attack, Urges Solidarity With Israel
March 7, 2008
Deerfield, IL —Today, Congressional Candidate Dan Seals released the following statement on the Jerusalem seminary attack, which claimed the lives of 8 Israelis in the worst terrorist attack since May 2006:
"I condemn this act of terror in the strongest terms, and send my deepest condolences to the victims and their families. I am equally disturbed by the public celebrations by some Palestinians in favor of this attack. To celebrate the loss of innocent life is both reprehensible and inexcusable. It is also an awful reminder of why Israel's security must never be up for negotiation."
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Seals Urges Congress to Support Israel’s Right to Self-Defense in Gaza
March 5, 2008
Deerfield, IL —Today, Congressional Candidate Dan Seals urged the House of Representatives to support HR 951, which condemns the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks from Gaza, and called on all Americans to stand with Israel as Israel undertakes difficult but necessary operations in Gaza to fight terrorism.
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What They Are Not Saying
By Dan Seals
October 4, 2007
In recent months we have been treated to a litany of attacks on the legitimacy of the pro-Israel lobby from the likes of academics like Mearsheimer and Walt and politicians like Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) and former president Jimmy Carter. The gist of their attacks is basically that the pro-Israel lobby not only controls U.S. foreign policy towards Israel, but does so in such a way as to harm U.S. interests. Others have already pointed out the flaws in these attacks and the dangerous implications of them. I would like to point out another danger from this debate: it is obstructing our view of what is really going on in Israel.
To some that might seem ironic. After all, one of the charges from Mearsheimer et al is that the pro-Israel lobby is the one that is obstructing debate about Israel. But these days I am finding that people are more knowledgeable about the attacks than they are about the facts. This debate is getting in the way. Let’s remember:
Hamas now controls a “state” on Israel’s border – After war broke out with the Fatah faction Hamas took control of Gaza. Hamas believes that 1) Israel has no right exist, 2) violence is a legitimate means to achieve that end, and 3) any previous agreements between the Palestinian and Israeli governments are null and void. Try to imagine the Al Qaeda running Mexico and you have a good idea of what Israelis must be feeling.
Fatah is Corrupt – The whole reason that the Hamas government was able to win power is that the Fatah government was riddled with corruption and incompetence. The basic needs of the Palestinian people were not being met so they voted for a terrorist government instead. That should tell you a lot about the quality of the Fatah government.
Ahmadinejad Wants Nukes – Whether you believe that he is the biggest danger in the world or just the biggest joke in the world, the fact is that he and his government are moving closer to having nuclear weaponry and have a well documented and oft-repeated desire to see Israel destroyed. Believe what you will about him, but know that the Ayatollah that holds true power in the country must be dealt with seriously.
Hizballah is More Powerful – Hizballah emerged from the fighting with Israel last summer unbowed and in some ways more powerful. Indeed, they not only claim to have fully rearmed, but they now wield immense power in Lebanese politics. If they are successful in their efforts to control the Lebanese government you can count on more attacks in the future.
Years of War in Iraq have Radicalized Thousands – Don’t get me wrong, nobody here or in Israel will miss Saddam Hussein. But the fact that the U.S. war in Iraq created a terrorist threat rather than eliminate one shouldn’t be lost on any of us. The U.S. presence has attracted thousands of radicals to the region, and created thousands more. The ensuing instability has sent millions of refugees from Iraq, creating untold tragedies for the Iraqis—and making it easier for radicals to travel unseen throughout the region. None of this is good for Israel.
And that’s the short list. So when hundreds of missiles began falling on Israel earlier this year in around the town of Sderot—and continue to fall today—you could reasonably expect a strong response from Israel. But what did she do? Well this week she is releasing about a hundred Palestinians from Israeli jails in an effort to prop up the Fatah government. All things considered, that’s an incredible gesture, and exactly the sort of thing that gets overlooked because of the debate here in the United States. Israel has taken tremendous risks for peace and continues to take them. Israel deserves credit for that. Even if you don’t think that Israel is perfect in all aspects (and by the way, we aren’t either) the facts represented above are indisputable and deserving of consideration. I just wonder why Mearsheimer, Moran, and their cronies aren’t talking about it.
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