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This week, Israel was the key topic of interest across Washington, DC, and across the country. Radicals on the left lied about Israel and Republicans pushed back strongly. The whole situation left Democrats embarrassed and gritting their teeth through a House vote on support of Israel.

The drama started last Saturday, when Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called Israel a "racist state" while addressing pro-Palestinian protesters at the radical Netroots Nation conference in Chicago. Her remarks set off a firestorm, just days before Israeli President Isaac Herzog was scheduled to address a joint session of Congress. All this came on the heels of President Joe Biden saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government has some “of the most extreme members” he’s seen in Israel, and just when several members of the radical left-wing "Squad" in Congress declared that they would boycott Herzog’s address.

In response to Jayapal’s lies about Israel, Representatives August Pfluger (R-TX), David Kustoff (R-TN), and Max Miller (R-OH), along with more than 40 of their colleagues, cosponsored House Concurrent Resolution 57, which states:

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),

That it is the sense of Congress that—

(1) the State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state;

(2) Congress rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia; and

(3) the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel.

The House voted 412 to 9 (with 1 voting present) in favor of this clear and ringing statement of US support for the State of Israel.

The RJC released a strongly worded statement about the resolution and the vote, calling out the Democrats who opposed the resolution:

How could any member of Congress oppose this resolution? Since Democratic leadership refuses to hold these radicals accountable, here are the names of those in opposition:

Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Summer Lee (D-PA), Andre Carson (D-IN), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Betty McCollum (D-MN).

Apologists for the anti-Israel caucus of the Democratic Party frequently claim their actions and rhetoric are in opposition to Netanyahu, but boycotting Herzog, a former Labor Party standard-bearer who represents the State of Israel – not a political party, faction, or policy – shows they really oppose Israel.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed a joint session of Congress yesterday to celebrate the State of Israel’s 75 years of independence. (You can read and watch the full speech online.) President Herzog pointed out Israel’s vibrant democracy, protection of human rights and civil liberties, and its equality of social and political rights for all its inhabitants.

He directly addressed the threat of a nuclear Iran, saying:

… Mr. Speaker, perhaps the greatest challenge Israel and the United States face at this time, is the Iranian nuclear program.

… Israel has no border with Iran. Israel has no resources contested by Iran. Israel has no conflict with the Iranian people. And yet, the Iranian regime – together with its proxies throughout the Middle East – is aiming and working towards destroying the State of Israel, killing the Jews and challenging the entire free world.

Allowing Iran to become a nuclear threshold state – whether by omission or by diplomatic commission – is unacceptable. The world cannot remain indifferent to the Iranian regime’s call to wipe Israel off the map.

Herzog noted the importance of the Abraham Accords, calling them "a true game changer."

He also denounced the terrorism and violence that threaten Israelis every day:

Notwithstanding the deep political differences, and the numerous challenges that surround Israeli-Palestinian relations – and I do not ignore them - but it should be clear that one cannot talk about peace while condoning or legitimizing terror, implicitly or explicitly. True peace cannot be anchored in violence.

Palestinian terror against Israel or Israelis undermines any possibility for a future of peace between our peoples. Israelis are targeted while waiting for busses, while taking a stroll on the promenade, while spending time with their family. At the same time, successful terror attacks are celebrated, terrorists are glorified, and their families are financially rewarded for every Israeli they attack. This is inconceivable. It is a moral disgrace.

Herzog also spoke directly to the anti-Israel and antisemitic comments made by radical members of the House, and others:

Mr. Speaker, I am not oblivious to criticism among friends, including some expressed by respected members of this House. I respect criticism, especially from friends, although one does not always have to accept it. But criticism of Israel must not cross the line into negation of the State of Israel’s right to exist. Questioning the Jewish people’s right to self-determination is not legitimate diplomacy, it is antisemitism. Vilifying and attacking Jews, whether in Israel, in the United States, or anywhere in the world is antisemitism. Antisemitism is a disgrace in every form, and I commend President Joe Biden for laying out the United States’ first ever National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism.

In the end, eight left-wing members of Congress boycotted President Herzog’s speech: Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

Further reading: President Joe Biden finally invites Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a visit to the US, although not necessarily to the White House.

The Amazing Accomplishments of Adam Andrzejewski and Open The Books

Mark Tapscott at PJMedia invites readers to check out OpentheBooks.com, where government spending data is presented and analyzed. Their goal is “Every Dime. Online. In Real Time,” so that American taxpayers know exactly where their hard-earned dollars are going.

Iran’s Terror Proxies on Israel’s Borders

The video recording and transcript are now available from a recent event hosted by Foundation for Defense of Democracies on Iran’s funding, training, and coordinating of terror attacks against Israel by groups like Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah. It is a sobering and informative program with experts on the topic.

RJC offices are open! Contact information for our offices can be found on our website. Please visit us online for the latest RJC news, to see details of upcoming events, and to donate to the RJC. Read past editions of this newsletter here.