AIPAC Embraces Biden Statement

The pro-Israel lobby AIPAC, which had so far avoided either criticism or praise of the Administration's stance on the Gaza flotilla incident, thanked Vice President Joe Biden and Congressional leaders of both parties for their statements today -- a mark of how Biden's words of support for Israel and understanding for its blockade tipped the balance of the Administration's rhetoric toward sympathy with Israel.

"We appreciate the many strong statements of support for Israel from members of Congress and the Vice President today," said AIPAC spokesman Josh Block. "Vice President Joe Biden, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and GOP Whip Eric Cantor have it right. The United States stands shoulder to shoulder with Israel and simply will not allow Israel to be isolated and falsely accused. As the Vice President said, "I think Israel has an absolute right to deal with its security interest...Israel has a right to know — they're at war with Hamas — has a right to know whether or not arms are being smuggled in."

President Obama and his aides had sought a carefully modulated line before Biden's interview with Charlie Rose, matching muted support for Israel with some criticism of the blockade.

But Biden was more full-throated, backing the Israeli right to turn back the ship and suggesting the flotilla organizers should simply have dropped off their humanitarian supplies nearby for Israeli inspection.

more...

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0610/AIPAC_embraces_Biden_statement.html

him to drop or ease the blockade. I doubt anything works with Bibi but hey, it is worth a try. The US and UK are discussing the blockade as well:

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain and the United States have discussed what can be done to ease the Israeli blockade on Gaza after Israel's deadly raid on a Gaza aid flotilla, Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Wednesday.

Hague told parliament that the incident, in which nine civilians died, arose "from the unacceptable and unsustainable situation in Gaza."

"We will ... continue to press the Israeli government to lift the closure of Gaza, and plan early discussions with Israel as well as our other international partners about what more can be done to ensure an unfettered flow of aid while ensuring that aid reaches those who need it and is not abused," he said.

"I discussed this with (U.S.) Secretary (of State Hillary) Clinton last night and we will be taking forward discussions on this subject urgently," said Hague, a senior member of Britain's new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition.http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6515TT20100602

Unless we took away their money. Dems and Rethugs in Congress would never allow it.

is proof of how fucking useless they are, and how damaging their influence is on THIS country.

It's where the new left meets the old right!

The US has been in their pocket for decades. We are not only their defender, we also have to take crap when they pull stunts like this.

34 U.S. troops killed... NOTHING HAPPENED.

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/6/4/43_years_after_surviving_israeli_attack

WHY is this insanity continuing?

:shrug:

Why indeed...

nt

Three plus decades inside the beltway, Joe has supported AIPAC many times. He's good on many things, but this isn't one of them.

best for THIS country.

I'm tired of our politicians kow-towing to these apartheid supporting fucks.

There has been but a few major politicians (D/R) that have consistently worked only for the interests of the USA people for the last 40-45 years, and it is obvious based upon the economic outcome and downfall of our nation.

Much of it has been because our national interests are no longer in our national interests, and these foreign lobbies such as AIPAC are part and parcel of it.