US President Barak Obama is neutering America’s space program…

New Show/Podcast!!!

Listen to the show…

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NASA head Charles Bolden has been charged by the US President with new priorities for the American Space Agency…From a leading innovator of science, technology and “going where no man has dared to go”…

NASA's New Mission?

To a watered down social welfare agency charged with, among other things, Muslim Outreach…

The new priorities outlined for NASA by Obama are nothing short of absurd…They are destined to accelerate America’s descent into “normalcy”…They are rapidly realizing the US President’s vision of his country as no better than any other nation…at anything…unfortunately…

Just Say No

Obama says he sees NASA as “not only a space exploration agency, but an Earth Improvement Agency”…Really????

Bye-Bye

I guess we can say goodbye to American pride in still another area…not to mention the very real threats presented by these crazy policies to America’s security and economic interests…

Nuclear Iran

Also…It’s official…Iran goes nuclear this September…that’s just 2 months from now…

And the UAE ambassador to the US publicly states, “We are not willing to live with a nuclear Iran…Bomb Iran…A pre-emptive strike is the only alternative”

All this and more on “The Marty Roberts Show”…

Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu is Off to Meet US President Obama…

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Bibi can expect to be fed a lot of dangling carrots on sticks, instead of answers about stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions…

Obama will most likely continue Arafat’s game of slicing Israel’s salami, feeding it, piece by piece to the palestinians, unless Netanyahu does something to stop him…

I guess eating a bunch of baloney for dinner is better for Bibi than sitting in the US prez’s office while Obama dines alone with his family…

And, BTW, what is that bright, shiny new Iranian bought Syrian radar installation doing sitting on a mountaintop in Lebanon, peering into all of israel and protecting the skies of Iran from attack?


Also…Is Pope Benedict REALLY dumb enough to schedule his address to the British parliament on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar…Yom Kippur?

And…Talk about chutzpah…The GERMAN parliament is telling the Jewish State how to conduct its affairs???…What next?

Finally…”Gowngate” in Jordan…”Made in Israel” tags cause the devil to break loose at a Jordanian university graduation…

All this and more on “The Marty Roberts Show”…

Let’s look at the facts here…

The Municipal government of Jerusalem has made a decision regarding building permits…and the United States of America feels it has a right to interfere!!! How ridiculous is this? Doesn’t Obama and Co. have anything better to do than supervise Jerusalem’s building Commission? (Like clean up a bunch of oil that is destroying the East Coast of America) Apparently the government of the United States feels that it is FAR more important to become involved in the day-to-day decisions of Jerusalem, like what building were built WITH permits and which were built WITHOUT permits…I think that Jerusalem’s building inspectors can probably do a much better job of it…

But here’s the thing…

Jerusalem is going to build a National Archeological Park on this biblical historic site. A park that will also include hotels, restaurants and other tourist attractions. There happens to be about 88 Arab homes built on the site…homes BUILT WITHOUT BUILDING PERMITS, therefore, ILLEGAL!..So what is the Municipality of Jerusalem doing? They say that 22 of these illegal buildings must be destroyed…the Park cannot be built with them standing there, BUT…They have retroactively APPROVED the other 66 ILLEGAL ARAB HOMES!!!

Why isn’t Abbas THANKING Israel instead of whining to Big-Daddy America?

Abbas appeals to US over Silwan construction plan

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat says Palestinian president contacted Washington to urge US to take action to cancel King’s Garden construction plan in east Jerusalem. ‘US must take swift action against this provocation,’ Abbas’ spokesman says

Reprinted from YNetNews.com

While Washington has already stated that the construction plan that entails the demolition of 22 Arab homes in Silwan damages trust between Israel and the Palestinians, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is not making do with statements, and is looking for action.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told AFP on Tuesday that Abbas asked the United States to take action to cancel the King’s Garden project in east Jerusalem, part of which includes the demolition of Arab homes.

“I sent a notice this morning from the Palestinian president to the US in which he asked the American administration to intervene directly so that the Israeli project is canceled,” said Erekat.

Erekat also said, “We vehemently denounce the decision, which will result in the demolition of 22 houses in Silwan.”

According to him, “Israel continues its settlements policy in east Jerusalem and threatens to harm US efforts to promote proximity talks.” Erekat added that this will be the main topic of discussion in the meeting between Jordanian King Abdullah and Abbas that is slated to be held later Tuesday.

Abbas’ spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said that the decision to destroy the homes in east Jerusalem “is a return to the Israeli policy that tries to place obstacles that will damage American efforts to promote negotiations. The US must take swift action against this provocation.”

On the other hand, the Prime Minister’s Office on Sunday night clarified that the demolition and development plan in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan was in a “very initial stage” and that its final approval would require many discussions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his hope that all sides would reach “an acceptable solution guaranteeing that the law will be honored.”

The plan’s approval by the Jerusalem District Planning and Construction Committee on Sunday sparked a row, just two weeks before Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with US President Barack Obama.

This is a very initial procedure,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. “The plan will face discussions and objections both at the municipality’s local committee and at the Interior Ministry’s district committee, where the residents’ stand will be presented.”

I hope that Obama and Co. are paying attention (even if they DO NOT watch “24″)…You might want to think about this before letting terrorists free…And don’t even THINK about closing Gitmo, OK?

Same holds true for Israel… KEEP THE TERRORISTS IN JAIL!!!

Reprinted from Reuters

RIYADH – Around 25 former detainees from Guantanamo Bay camp
returned to militancy after going through a rehabilitation program for
Al-Qaeda members in Saudi Arabia, a security official said Saturday(19
June).
The United States has sent back around 120 Saudis from the detention camp at
the US naval base in Cuba. Saudi Arabia has put the returned prisoners along
with other Al-Qaeda suspects through a rehabilitation program which includes
religious re-education by clerics and financial help to start a new life.
The scheme, which some 300 extremists have attended, is part of
anti-terrorism efforts after Al-Qaeda staged attacks inside the Kingdom from
2003-06.
Around 11 Saudis from Guantanamo have gone to Yemen, an operating base for
Al-Qaeda, while others have been jailed again or killed after attending the
program, said Abdulrahman Al-Hadlaq, Director General of the General
Administration for Intellectual Security overseeing the rehabilitation.
He pinpointed strong personal ties among former prisoners but also tough US
tactics as the reason why some 20 percent of the returned Saudis relapsed
into militancy compared to 9.5 percent of other participants in the
rehabilitation program.
“Those guys from other groups didn’t suffer torture before, the
non-Guantanamos (participants). Torturing is the most dangerous thing in
radicalization. You have more extremist people if you have more torture,”
Hadlaq told reporters in a rare briefing about Saudi anti-terrorism efforts.
Despite the setback with Guantanamo prisoners, Saudi Arabia regards the
rehabilitation scheme, which kicks in after militants have served a prison
term, as a success. “There is no doubt that there is an effect,” Hadlaq
said.

The world is so anxious to come out strongly against Israel, they don’t even listen to the so-called “good guys” amongst the palestinians (they are NOT really)…Abbas and his Fatah party. Even the leader of the “moderate” wing of the ruling parties of the Palestinian Authority are STRONGLY AGAINST Israel removing the sea blockade of Gaza. Even THEY realize that it is in NOBODY’S interest except the terrorists in Hamas to allow massive weapons shipments to arrive via the sea into the hands of the Hamas murderers. Even THEY realize that the only way to minimize this massive weapons aquisition from Iran and Co. is through Israel (and Egypt)’s sea blockade of Gaza.

“Peace” Activists and “Humanitarians”…please pay attention…Israel’s sea blockade of Gaza is a GOOD thing…It IS humanitarian, in that it prevents lethal weaponry from falling into the hands of murderous terrorists…It SUPPORTS the interests of peace, in that it supports the more moderate leaders of the palestinians while denying power to the more extreme…

Abbas to Obama: I’m against lifting the Gaza naval blockade

The Palestinian president reportedly told Obama that lifting the naval blockade of Gaza would bolster Hamas, a move that shouldn’t be done at this stage

Reprinted from Haaretz.com

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is opposed to lifting the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip because this would bolster Hamas, according to what he told United States President Barack Obama during their meeting at the White House Wednesday. Egypt also supports this position.

The issue of the Gaza flotilla and lifting the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip was the main topic of discussion between Obama and Abbas last Wednesday night.

European diplomats updated by the White House on the talks said that Abbas had stressed to Obama the need of opening the border crossings into the Gaza Strip and the easing of the siege, but only in ways that do not bolster Hamas.

One of the points that Abbas raised is that the naval blockade imposed by Israel on the Strip should not be lifted at this stage. The European diplomats said Egypt has made it clear to Israel, the U.S and the European Union that it is also opposes the lifting of the naval blockade because of the difficulty in inspecting the ships that would enter and leave the Gaza port.

Abbas told Obama that actions easing the blockage should be done with care and undertaken gradually so it will not be construed as a victory for Hamas. The Palestinian leader also stressed that the population in the Gaza Strip must be supported, and that pressure should be brought to bear on Israel to allow more goods, humanitarian assistance and building materials for reconstruction. Abbas, however, said this added aid can be done by opening land crossings and other steps that do not include the lifting of the naval blockade.

More…

It took the U.S making promises to the palestinians about the outcome of the so-called “negotiations” with Israel to get them to agree to negotiate. What is the purpose of negotiating if the outcome is pre-determined? Obviously, the U.S. is powerful enough to impose it’s own will on the negotiating parties, so if they promise one side in advance that they will receive what they want, even before talks start, what is the purpose of talking?

Of course, now that Israel knows that the outcome of the “peace talks” are a foregone conclusion as far as the U.S. and the palestinians are concerned, Israel would have to be insane to bother to go through the motions of negotiating issues which have already been decided in advance…but if Israel takes THAT stance, she will be universally condemned as the obstacle to peace in the Middle East and labeled by the world as the ultimate cause of the destruction of the entire universe…

Talk about a no-win situation for Israel…

I would NOT want to be in Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s shoes…Although, given that his son just won third place in the Israel National Bible contest, papa Bibi PROBABLY knows that the Bible repeatedly assures Israel of G-d’s protection…even when the Americans join the anti-Israel gang-bang…

Time for some strength, bolstered by faith, Mr. Prime Minister…

Letter spells out US assurances

The Obama administration’s private assurances encouraging the Palestinians to join indirect negotiations with Israel came in writing, Ma’an has learned

Reprinted from Ma’an News Agency

In a letter delivered by Mideast envoy George Mitchell, Obama informed President Abbas of the US stance on the peace process – including its rejection of Israel’s settlement enterprise.

A top PLO official confirmed the letter’s existence a day after The Guardian of Britain reported that the Americans had presented an offer to allow the UN to condemn any significant Israeli settlement activity. The US has historically used its veto to thwart international resolutions concerning Israel’s conduct.

Chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat refused to disclose details of the letter, but said that the message “clarified the US stance on the peace process and Israel’s intransigence on the issue of settlements.”

Erekat added that it was “too early to discuss the issue in detail,” before the Arab League meeting on Saturday in Cairo as well as PLO talks scheduled for Ramallah next week, “when we’ll make a decision.”

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the peace process should get back on track next week.

“Ultimately, we want to see the parties in direct negotiations and working out all the difficult issues that they must,” Clinton told reporters in Washington after meeting with Kuwait’s foreign minister on Friday.

“The Middle East will never realize its full potential, Israel will never be truly secure, the Palestinians will never have their legitimate aspiration for a state unless we create the circumstances in which positive negotiations can occur,” Clinton was quoted as saying by The Associated Press.

If predictions of an Obama-enforced settlement on Israel turn out to be true, we could be headed for a VERY rocky road ahead, indeed. This would amount to an almost complete about-face by America towards Israel and a total abrogation of previous promises and assurances given to Israel by US presidents since the Jewish State was founded, Republican and Democrat alike.
End-of-days scenarios predicted by the Jewish prophets speak of a time when ALL of the nations of the world will line up against Israel…ALL, meaning, ALL, including her former friends, such as the United States. The scenes are not pretty ones, but we know the outcome is ultimately good, with the nations of the world recognizing the True Creator and most everybody (those still alive, anyway) living happily ever after in the Messianic Age.
Israel cannot be expected to lay down and accept a US-imposed settlement that cannot possibly be good for the future existence and security of the state, therefore, the only way that Obama’s plan could be put into action would be via the use of force…hence the ugly end-of-days scenarios prophesied thousands of years ago.
Sooooo…the story can end in a limited number of ways…either, Heaven forbid, America is successful in crushing Israel under her heels, she gives in to the overwhelming force of the US military and the ultimate downfall of Israel as a sovereign Jewish State begins, ending the way of every other country throughout history…they come, and they go…as, indeed will happen to the United States of America, less than 500 years of age, a blip on the timeline of history.
Or…we will see the fulfillment of the biblical prophecies, and in the end, Israel arises strong and proud as the Jewish State, the State of the One True G-d, and the rest of the world falls in line behind her. It would seem to be a matter of belief…which scenario do you believe will happen? Are we witnessing the beginning of the end of Israel?, or is it the relatively quick rise and fall of the American Empire that Barak Obama is accelerating?
I have often said that I would have to have been a complete idiot to have left my home in America…my family, my life of leisure and luxury…for the unpredictable and often more difficult existence in the Land of Israel, if I did not truly believe in the Torah and its prophecies. If all that stuff were not true, one would be hard-pressed to find a reason to pick up house and home in California and head for the volatile Middle East.
So the headlines would indicate that we are heading towards crunch time…you either believe or you don’t…the Torah is either true, or it isn’t…
I, for one, am betting the whole farm and family that Moses had it right…Obama or no Obama…
(a side note…Sages of the Jewish Talmud are quoted as saying that some of them would prefer NOT to have the experience of witnessing the events of the end-of-days and the ensuing Messianic Age…they would rather wait until AFTER the tumult of the historical end-game before arising to join the festivities…There might just be something to that view…)

Israel fears Obama heading for imposed Mideast settlement


U.S. President Barack Obama’s demands during his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Tuesday point to an intention to impose a permanent settlement on Israel and the Palestinians in less than two years, political sources in Jerusalem say.

Reprinted from Haaretz.com Ari Shavit

Israeli officials view the demands that Obama made at the White House as the tip of the iceberg under which lies a dramatic change in U.S. policy toward Israel.

Of 10 demands posed by Obama, four deal with Jerusalem: opening a Palestinian commercial interests office in East Jerusalem, an end to the razing of structures in Palestinian neighborhoods in the capital, stopping construction in Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, and not building the neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo.

But another key demand – to discuss the dispute’s core issues during the indirect talks that are planned – is perceived in Jerusalem as problematic because it implies that direct negotiations would be bypassed. This would set up a framework through which the Americans would be able to impose a final settlement.

It is not just Obama’s demands that are perceived as problematic, but also the new modus operandi of American diplomacy. The fact that the White House and State Department have been in contact with Israel’s European allies, first and foremost Germany, is seen as part of an effort to isolate Israel and put enormous political pressure on it.

Israeli officials say that the Obama administration’s new policy contradicts commitments made by previous administrations, as well as a letter from George W. Bush in 2004 to the prime minister at the time, Ariel Sharon. According to this view, the new policy is also incongruous with the framework posed by Bill Clinton in 2000.

Senior Israeli sources say that as a result of the U.S. administration’s policies, the Palestinians will toughen their stance and seriously undermine the peace process’ chances of success.

Moreover, sources in Jerusalem say that the new American positions undermine the principle of credibility that has guided U.S. foreign policy since the end of World War II. Ignoring specific promises made to its Israeli ally would make other American allies lose trust in its commitments to them.

Israeli officials warn that if the United States shirks its past commitments, the willingness of the Israeli public to put its trust in future American guarantees will be undermined – as will the superpower’s regional and international standing.

The Hamas terrorist palestinians are feeling their oats in light of recent developments out of Washington. They are jumping on the opportunity presented by Obama-Clinton and Co.’s outrageous attacks on Israel…and Israel is paying the price of their increasingly brazen attacks in blood…
Last night’s deaths raise the toll to three young Israeli soldiers killed in the past week. The coming re-clash in Gaza seems to be inevitable, in spite of Goldstone and the rest of the world’s attempts to usurp Israel’s right to self defense. But we must not be stopped. The evil growing and prospering on all sides of Israel must be wiped out once and for all. The safety of the innocent citizens of Israel must be guaranteed…not by US promises, but by the IDF, Israel’s proud army.
The UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has good reason to be concerned, and he’d best not try to interfere with Israel’s right to peaceful borders.
And how tragic is it that, instead of Israel’s defense minister Barak worrying more about wiping out the evil threatening Israel, he’s busy worrying about satisfying the American president by using Israel’s army to destroy Jewish homes…the so-called “illegal outposts”, which are neither illegal nor outposts…Shame on you, Ehud Barak…destroy Israel’s enemies, NOT her citizens’ homes…

UN chief ‘concerned’ about Gaza violence


Ban Ki-moon laments incident in which two IDF soldiers were killed, calls for ‘maximum restraint’

Reprinted from Reuters

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday he was concerned about a clash in the Gaza Strip in which two Israeli soldiers were killed.

“I am very concerned at the escalation of violence and loss of life yesterday in the vicinity of the Gaza border,” Ban told a news conference on the sidelines of an Arab League summit in the Libyan town of Sirte.

“I reiterate my appeals made during my recent visit for maximum restraint and an end to all violence, in particular at this critical time when we are engaged in efforts to revive peace talks.”

Ban was referring to Friday’s incident, in which 32-year-old Major Eliraz Peretz and 21-year-old Staff Sergeant Ilan Sviatkovsky were killed in an exchange of fire with terrorists on the Gaza border. Two Palestinians were killed while trying to plant an explosive device near the border fence.

Two hours later, two more Palestinians were killed in another incident in the area. They were spotted by an IDF force trying to plant an explosive device near the border fence and shot.

The commander of this force was the officer involved in an incident of friendly fire that occurred in Gaza earlier this week, in which a soldier was killed. He led his soldiers into a gun battle in which they were mistaken for terrorists and opened fire upon by Golani soldiers.

On Saturday morning the violence continued when a Qassam was fired towards Shaar HaNegev Regional Council. Meanwhile IDF bulldozers are accompanying IDF tanks in scanning the area on the Palestinian side of the border fence in order to locate other explosive devices. Bushes have been removed in order to improve intelligence.

Mother of fallen soldier: God loves Golani


Miriam Peretz, mother of major killed in gunfight in Gaza, says her son died so Israelis can ‘walk proud’, meanwhile Ynet learns demolition orders have been issued on his home, located in West Bank outpost

Reprinted from Ynetnews.com

The mother of 32-year-old Major Eliraz Peretz, who was killed in a gunfight with Palestinian terrorists in Gaza Friday, gave an interview Saturday in which she called her son “the salt of the earth”.

Twelve years ago Miriam lost another son, Uriel, in Lebanon. Her four sons served in the Golani Brigade.

“I know God loves the Peretz family’s Golani, loves these warriors, loves Eliraz who I will say simply was a hero,” she told her family and guests at the Peretz household.

“My sons are always at the front because officers go in front. He provided a personal example and he was alerted to give aid, so of course he was the first to do so. He didn’t go to die, but went so that I and the people of Israel could live well. My sons died for us all, so that we can walk proud.”

Miriam Peretz added, “In Morocco I went around with my head bowed and I had no freedom. Here in Israel I see my boys in uniform and I’m proud to be Jewish. Eliraz had a gentle soul and a pure soul. He was righteous and pure and a mother could be proud to have such a son.”

The mother read a letter from her son thanking her and his father for signing a form allowing him to serve in combat.

“There are no mothers, on our side or the other side, who want their children dead. I don’t want my children to die. I don’t imagine scenarios of death but rather of life. I teach my children to live in this country heroically.”

Demolition orders issued on Peretz home

Meanwhile Ynet learned Saturday evening that demolition orders have been issued for Peretz’s home in the West Bank outpost of Givat Hayovel, near the settlement of Eli, where his wife and four children reside. The home is an illegal structure.

One of Peretz’s neighbors was Major Roi Klein, who was killed during the Second Lebanon War by jumping on a hand grenade to save his fellow soldiers.

Some of the residents of Eli and Givat Hayovel told Ynet that Peretz took Klein’s family in after his death, inviting them to dinner and teaching the children the Torah.

Hillary and the US show their true colors…
With friends like these, who needs enemies? Ramp up pressure on your best friend and ally? This is supposed to achieve a real and lasting peace? With the enemies of Israel that are launching missiles, rockets and bullets at Israeli citizens on a daily basis?
Thanks to the “Obama Intifada”, the Arabs have felt free to riot and attack Jewish civilians, soldiers and policemen every day for weeks now. They can taste blood, drawn by, of all people, the American administration. US actions and statements have forced the Israeli security forces to fight back against the Arab insurgency, which has led to the death of those same rioting Arabs.
It would not be inappropriate for the true supporters of Israel, who I hope are the attendees at the AIPAC meeting right now in America, to all stand up and walk out as Hillary begins to address the gathering.
Judging by her recent statements and actions, at the present time, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her boss, President Obama are NOT friends of Israel. They have no business addressing AIPAC…

Clinton: Decision to escalate row with Israel ‘is paying off’


U.S. Secretary of State says pressure over East Jerusalem construction could restart negotiations.

Reprinted from Haaretz.com

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday that the Obama administration’s decision to ramp up pressure on Israel over construction of Jewish homes in East Jerusalem was bringing results.

In an interview with BBC television, Clinton was asked whether escalating the tone with Israel had paid off.

She said: “I think we’re going to see the resumption of the negotiation track and that means that it is paying off because that’s our goal.”

Over the past two weeks Israel has sought to cool American ire over plans for 1,600 new homes in Ramat Shlomo, a Jewish neighborhood that lies beyond the Green Line in East Jerusalem.

Clinton had described the announcement, which coincided with a visit to Israel by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and led Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to pull out of scheduled U.S.-mediated peace talks, as an “insult”.

It was now the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s duty to overcome opposition within his coalition government and ensure that the stalled negotiations moved forward, Clinton told the BBC.

“I think what the prime minister has said repeatedly is that his government and he personally are committed to pursuing these negotiations and he just has to make sure that he brings in everyone else,” she said.

“That’s his responsibility and it’s not something that the United States can or is interested in doing.”

Over the past few days the U.S has signaled its desire to move beyond the row over Ramat Shlomo and focus on restarting so-called the ‘proximity talks’ between Israel and the Palestinians.

Palestinian officials told The Associated Press on Friday that it appeared unlikely Abbas would defy mounting international pressure for a return negotiations.

Israel also seems willing to return to the negotiating table.

At a news conference later Friday following a meeting of the Quartet of Middle East peace mediators in Moscow, Clinton indicated that Netanyahu is ready to address U.S. concerns.

“What I heard from the prime minister in response to the requests we made was useful and productive,” she said.

In a telephone call to Netanyahu last week, Clinton laid out U.S. expectations from Israel including a rollback to the housing plan, a gesture of good faith to the Palestinians and an express statement that all issues dividing Israel and the Palestinians, including the fate of divided Jerusalem, remain part of the negotiations.

Clinton said she expects to see Netanyahu in Washington next week, where both are to address the annual gathering of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

President Obama had planned to be out of town during Netanyahu’s visit but canceled his trip to remain in Washington for a vote on his health care overhaul.

According to reports on Friday, the president has scheduled a last-minute meeting with Netanyahu.

Hmmmm…Maybe Israel ought to be pressuring the United States to open up HER southern border. After all, the Mexicans trying to get in to the U.S. aren’t really trying to blow too many things up, are they? I think that they mostly want to work menial jobs that most Americans don’t want, and take care of their families.

Unlike Israel’s not-so-friendly neighbors to the south (Gaza), who continue to assault Southern Israel with rockets, mortars, missiles and suicide bombers…

What’s good for the goose, eh?


U.S. President Obama

Congressmen press Obama on Gaza blockade

Fifty-four members of Congress send letter to US president urging him to pressure Israel into ending ‘collective punishment of Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip’

Yitzhak Benhorin

WASHINGTON – Fifty-four congressmen sent a letter to US President Barack Obama last week urging him to pressure Israel into alleviating the blockade on the Gaza Strip. The letter’s signatories are from the left of the political spectrum.

The initiators are Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota, the only Muslim representative in Congress, and Jim McDermott of Washington, who are both democrats.

The letter reads: “We recognize that the Israeli government has imposed restrictions on Gaza out of a legitimate and keenly felt fear of continued terrorist action by Hamas and other militant groups. This concern must be addressed without resulting in the de facto collective punishment of the Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip.”

Besieged Residents
Rights group urges Israel to end Gaza blockade / Associated Press
Amnesty International says Jewish state ‘suffocating’ 1.4 million Palestinians living in Strip
Full Story

They implored Obama to demand Israel relieve the residents of the Strip as part of his efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.

“We ask you to press for immediate relief for the citizens of Gaza as an urgent component of your broader Middle East peace efforts,” the letter said.

The initiative is not slated to develop into legislation in Congress, nor is it expected to make waves beyond receiving a headline in the Minnesota Independent newspaper and support of the Peace Now and J-Street organizations in the US.

The US administration’s current public stance is that the US is committed to the welfare of the residents of the Gaza Strip and that Israel must enable the transfer of humanitarian goods into Gaza.

However, in recent months the US has been satisfied with Israeli mitigations in the area. The Obama administration would like to see more easements, but is understanding towards the Israeli position that until the matter of captive soldier Gilad Shalit Israel resolved, there will be no more easements.

The US opposes the Fatah-Hamas Palestinian unity government and is assisting Egypt in the construction of the underground barrier between Egypt and Gaza, which will block the entrance of vital goods into the Strip.

Has AIPAC crossed the line?…Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has enough problems dealing with the Obama administration and the Iranian nuclear threat…The last thing he needs is an American-Israel lobby supporting positions contrary to the current Israeli government…Are there rough waters ahead for US/Israel relations?…Official American policy statements by Vice President Biden, Secretary of State Clinton and others are sending up warning flags…Will Washington wake up in time?…All this and more on “The Marty Roberts Show”…