Now here is one US Congressman seemingly in thrall and in the pocket of AIPAC and singularly outrageous in his support of Israel. Stand up Congressman Kirk. And don't forget to read some of his utterly breathtaking quotes.
"Senator Mark Kirk (R, IL) has distinguished himself amongst his fellow Members of Congress by promoting the most extreme positions in opposition to Middle East peace. This may come as a shock to many of his constituents, who see him as a “moderate” Republican, occasionally breaking ranks with his party on some Senate votes.
A little closer look at his history, statements, and policies should set that illusion to rest. And it should raise fundamental questions about whether Senator Kirk represents the aspirations of his constituents or the narrow interests of a lobby that seeks to undermine a just and lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis.
Despite our nation’s dire economic situation, this lobby has obtained an unconditional commitment to $30 billion in military aid to Israel from 2009 to 2018. [1] This amounts to $1.5 billion from Illinois taxpayers over that 10-year period. [2]
According to former AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) staffer – now critic – MJ Rosenberg, Mark Kirk cultivated a relationship with AIPAC since he was a Congressional aide. According to Rosenberg, between 2000 and 2010 – Representative Mark Kirk received $1,025,437 from “pro-Israel” PACs, making him #7 out of all members of Congress and #1 of all House members. [3]
According to Rosenberg: It is not because Kirk is pro-Israel. Virtually every member of the House and Senate supports our special relationship with and aid to Israel. It is because no one is more reliable than Mark Kirk when it comes to supporting the status quo. His idea of supporting Israel is simply to keep things just as they are, which, not coincidentally, is also the way the lobby sees it…
The lobby and its PACs will be going all out for Kirk this year [2010]. In fact, his election will surely be their #1 priority. If he wins, the lobby will have a stalwart enforcer of the status quo who can be expected to pressure his colleagues to fall in line. [4]
During Israel’s attack on Gaza, Operation Cast Lead, in 2008 – 2009, almost 1400 Palestinians (mostly civilians) and 13 Israelis were killed [5]. At that time, then U.S. Representative Mark Kirk made the following public statement, “To misquote Shakespeare, something is rotten in Gaza and now it’s time to take out the trash.” [6]
Kirk’s cheerleading for the slaughter of hundreds of innocents and the destruction of vital water, medical, housing, and educational facilities has to earn him a special place on some “Wall of Shame.” Few supporters of Israel’s actions have so clearly enunciated disdain for the destruction of Palestinian life and vital human services – which are still, to this day, largely unrepaired because of the inhumane blockade of Gaza and U.S. support for it.
"Senator Mark Kirk (R, IL) has distinguished himself amongst his fellow Members of Congress by promoting the most extreme positions in opposition to Middle East peace. This may come as a shock to many of his constituents, who see him as a “moderate” Republican, occasionally breaking ranks with his party on some Senate votes.
A little closer look at his history, statements, and policies should set that illusion to rest. And it should raise fundamental questions about whether Senator Kirk represents the aspirations of his constituents or the narrow interests of a lobby that seeks to undermine a just and lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis.
Despite our nation’s dire economic situation, this lobby has obtained an unconditional commitment to $30 billion in military aid to Israel from 2009 to 2018. [1] This amounts to $1.5 billion from Illinois taxpayers over that 10-year period. [2]
According to former AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) staffer – now critic – MJ Rosenberg, Mark Kirk cultivated a relationship with AIPAC since he was a Congressional aide. According to Rosenberg, between 2000 and 2010 – Representative Mark Kirk received $1,025,437 from “pro-Israel” PACs, making him #7 out of all members of Congress and #1 of all House members. [3]
According to Rosenberg: It is not because Kirk is pro-Israel. Virtually every member of the House and Senate supports our special relationship with and aid to Israel. It is because no one is more reliable than Mark Kirk when it comes to supporting the status quo. His idea of supporting Israel is simply to keep things just as they are, which, not coincidentally, is also the way the lobby sees it…
The lobby and its PACs will be going all out for Kirk this year [2010]. In fact, his election will surely be their #1 priority. If he wins, the lobby will have a stalwart enforcer of the status quo who can be expected to pressure his colleagues to fall in line. [4]
During Israel’s attack on Gaza, Operation Cast Lead, in 2008 – 2009, almost 1400 Palestinians (mostly civilians) and 13 Israelis were killed [5]. At that time, then U.S. Representative Mark Kirk made the following public statement, “To misquote Shakespeare, something is rotten in Gaza and now it’s time to take out the trash.” [6]
Kirk’s cheerleading for the slaughter of hundreds of innocents and the destruction of vital water, medical, housing, and educational facilities has to earn him a special place on some “Wall of Shame.” Few supporters of Israel’s actions have so clearly enunciated disdain for the destruction of Palestinian life and vital human services – which are still, to this day, largely unrepaired because of the inhumane blockade of Gaza and U.S. support for it.
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