Tag Archive for US Senate

| August 12, 2018
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US Senate bipartisan bill condemns Hamas, Hezbollah’s use of human shields

12 Republican and 3 Democrat senators are currently sponsoring a bill would impose concrete penalties against Hamas, Hezbollah and any group that exploits the use of human shields.

By i24NEWS

 

A bill introduced in the United States Senate last week would “impose concrete penalties” on terrorist groups that set up “their terrorist infrastructure among civilian populations,” singling out Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon as the main perpetrators of the use of human shields.

Senators Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Joe Donnelly, D-Indiana, and 15 other lawmakers have sponsored the bill.

The Anti-Defamation League and AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, are lobbying Democrats and Republicans alike to sponsor what they are claiming is bipartisan legislation. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| August 3, 2017
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US Senate Foreign Relations Committee votes on Taylor Force Act

 

With this revised legislation against ‘Pay for Slay’, more Democratic support is expected from the committee beyond Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, currently the only Democratic co-sponsor.
– AIPAC announces its support, advises bipartisan backing.

BY MICHAEL WILNER

 

WASHINGTON – The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee will vote on Thursday morning to proceed with the Taylor Force Act, after its leadership made significant revisions to the legislation in consultation with the Trump administration, Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

The bill – which threatens to cut aid to the PA should it continue with its program of paying staying stipends to Palestinians convicted of terrorist acts by Israel, and to the families of slain terrorists – was originally drafted exclusively by Republican lawmakers.

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Category: The Diaspora | Tags: , ,
| September 30, 2016
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Republican senators introduce legislation to block all financial aid to Palestinians

 

view videoWATCH: Republican bill would terminate US foreign aid to Abbas’ PA as long as Palestinians pays terrorists monthly stipends. Senator Lindsey Graham: “The Palestinians need to decide – do they condemn these horrible acts or do they reward them? You can’t be a partner in peace when you are paying people to commit terrorist acts.”

JTA

 

Republican senators introduced legislation that would withhold funds from the Palestinian Authority until the US Secretary of State certifies that the P.A. has stopped rewarding terrorists or their families for attacks on Israelis and Americans.

The legislation introduced Wednesday by Senators Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| September 12, 2016
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Largest military aid package to Israel in US history delayed by White House

 

Whereas US Ambassador Dan Shapiro said the US aid package demonstrates US commitment to Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region, President Obama is delaying the signing of the agreement due to a conflict with the US Senate, that thinks it’s inadequate.

By Itamar Eichner

 

US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro said that the US will be singing its largest ever aid package to Israel, and that the aid package will cover all of Israel’s security needs until 2029.

He was speaking at the opening of the 15th World Summit of International Institute for Counter Terrorism at the Herzeliya Interdisciplinary Center on Sunday. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| June 30, 2016
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Outraged Congress acts to shut loophole on stipends paid to jailed Palestinian murders

 

US Congress outraged that for decades, PA President Abbas has continued to pay millions of dollars each month, in regular monthly stipends, to the families of men & women convicted of murder or terrorism.

By MICHAEL WILNER

 

WASHINGTON — The Senate is acting to fully shut a loophole that allows Palestinian leadership to provide monthly stipends to individuals convicted of murder or terrorism by Israel with US aid dollars, US Sen. Dan Coats (R-Indiana) told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.

Palestinian prisoners who were released from Israeli prisons as part of a prisoners exchange deal between Israel and Hamas wave from a bus.

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Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| June 25, 2016
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Senator seeks to end Palestinian aid used as stipends for convicted murderers

 

US Senator outraged that for decades, PA President Abbas has continued to pay millions of dollars each month, in regular monthly stipends, to the families of men & women convicted of murder or terrorism.

By MICHAEL WILNER

 

WASHINGTON — US Senator Dan Coats, Republican of Indiana, called for an end to US aid to the Palestinian Authority this week until the body ceases its program of providing stipends to convicted murderers.

Price list for terrorism

Delivering remarks from the Senate floor, the senator said he is increasingly concerned that US taxpayer dollars go to funding programs that incite further Palestinian violence against Israeli civilians. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| April 15, 2015
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Senate Video: Obama Founders to Senate Bill Based on Netanyahu’s Speech to Congress

Israel’s Intelligence Minister Steinitz, “This achievement is an achievement for Israel’s diplomacy, which was brought about by the Prime Minister’s speech in Congress in early March.”

By Gil Ronen

 

Israel is pleased with the compromise reached Tuesday between Congress and the White House regarding congressional review of the deal that is being worked out with Iran regarding its nuclear weapons program, said Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz Wednesday.

According to Israel Hayom, Steinitz sees Israeli diplomacy as being responsible for Obama’s “folding” in the face of congressional pressure on the matter.

“We are certainly pleased this morning,” said the minister, who is one of the people closest to Netanyahu. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| January 8, 2015
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US Senator Rand Paul introduced bill to stop Palestinian aid

Republican Sen. Rand Paul files motion to cut all American assistance to Abbas’ Palestinian Authority until PA ends efforts to join International Criminal Court.

By The Associated Press

 

Republican Senator Rand Paul introduced a bill on Wednesday that would immediately halt US aid to the Palestinians until they halt their effort to join the International Criminal Court to pursue war-crimes charges against Israel.

Senator Rand Paul – Photo: AP

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ recent turn to the international court at The Hague marked a major policy shift and transformed his relations with Israel from strained to openly hostile.

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Category: The Diaspora | Tags: , ,
| December 28, 2014
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Ranking US Senator: American Congress may cease funds to UN if it ‘takes over’ peace process

 

Video icon JPEGSenator Lindsey Graham says Congress will ensure sanctions on Iran can be returned at a ‘drop of the hat’.

PM Netanyahu ridicules Erekat’s comparison of the Islamic State and Israel.

By HERB KEINON

 

There will be a “violent backlash” by Congress against the UN, including suspended funding, if it tries to “take over the peace process,” visiting US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) said Saturday night alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) & Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. - GPO Screenshot

US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) & Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. – GPO Screenshot

Graham, a staunchly pro- Israel senator whose name has been bandied about as a possible 2016 presidential contender, said there would be a violent pushback in the new Republican-controlled Congress “if there’s any effort by the UN Security Council to set the terms of peace negotiations, avoiding direct talks. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| December 11, 2014
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CIA Based Israeli Court Decisions to Justify U.S. Torture Practices

 

CIA report says Israeli Supreme Court decision allows torture on terrorist prisoners for imminent, ‘ticking bomb’ scenarios, citing an ‘Israeli example’ that ‘torture was necessary to prevent imminent harm where there is no other available means’ [in preventing mass-murder].

By Linda Gradstein of The Media Line

 

The newly-released report by the US Senate Intelligence Committee on the CIA’s use of torture says that CIA lawyers used Israel as a justification for building a legal case for torture of Al-Qa’ida suspects after the 9/11 attacks.

Photo: Shutterstock

Illustrative Photo: Shutterstock

Most of the 6000 page-report remains classified. But according to the 528 pages that were released, in November 2001 CIA officers said they wanted legal justification for the interrogation methods they had begun using.

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Category: The Diaspora | Tags: , ,
| December 20, 2013
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US Senate committee passes bipartisan US-Israel Energy Cooperation Enhancement Bill

 

The new Cooperation Enhancement Bill designed to foster partnership on developing natural gas, alternative fuels on academic, business & governmental levels.

Sen. Mary Landrieu, The US is “uniquely qualified to lead the effort to help Israel develop” its new-found hydrocarbon resources.

By SHARON UDASIN

 

 

The United States Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday passed a bipartisan bill that aims to bolster collaborations between Israel and the US on energy issues.

A natural gas rig west of Haifa, Israel. - Photo: Albatross Aerial Perspective/AP

The Tamar gas rig off the coast of Israel – Photo: Albatross Aerial Perspective/AP

Led by Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana), alongside Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Enhancement Bill hopes to foster partnerships on developing resources such as natural gas and alternative fuels, on academic, business and governmental levels. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| December 20, 2013
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White House Promises Veto as Senate Promotes New Iran Sanctions

Barack Obama threatened to use his veto  against any new legislation that would impose additional sanctions on Iran.

By Elad Benari

 

The White House on Thursday threatened to use its veto power against legislation that would impose new sanctions on Iran, as senators continued to promote such legislation in defiance of President Barack Obama.

Barack Obama – AFP photo

The threat came hours after a bipartisan group of senators filed a new Iran sanctions measure, according to the Washington Free Beacon.

The bill, sponsored by Sens. Mark Kirk (R., Ill.) and Robert Menendez (D., N.J.), would impose tougher sanctions on Tehran if it refuses to dismantle its contested nuclear program after the end of a six-month negotiating period. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| November 22, 2013
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14 US senators promise new legislation imposing stricter Iranian sanctions

 

14 Democratic and Republican US senators vow to work together on additional legislation imposing new tougher sanctions on Iran over upcoming weeks.

Republican proposes bill mapping out final agreement, seeking to restrict Obama’s capacity to offer sanctions relief & to pass it as quickly as possible.

By Bradley Klapper

 

A group of 14 Democratic and Republican US senators said on Thursday they would work together on legislation to impose new sanctions on Iran over the coming weeks, and work to pass it as quickly as possible.

US Senate

US Senate

“A nuclear weapons capable Iran presents a grave threat to the national security of the United States and its allies and we are committed to preventing Iran from acquiring this capability,” they said. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| July 17, 2013
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Obama’s Ambassador nominee to UN, Power sees ‘unacceptable bias’ against Israel at UN

Power said at her Senate confirmation hearing that she would work to eliminate the unacceptable bias and attacks, which she believes is the product of “disproportionate” attention given to Israel.

By MICHAEL WILNER, REUTERS

 

 

 

WASHINGTON — Facing a Senate hearing Monday on her nomination to be US ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power vowed to provide a full-throated defense of Israel at the international body, calling for an end to the “unacceptable bias and attacks” often leveled toward the Jewish state.

Samantha Power testifies on Capitol Hill, July 17, 2013

Samantha Power testifies on Capitol Hill, July 17, 2013 – Photo: Reuters

Power said she would work to eliminate such bias, which she believes is the product of “disproportionate” attention given to Israel.

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Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| May 23, 2013
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Senate vote unanimously passed calls US to back Israel in case of Iranian strike

Senate Vote passes 99-0 on resolution favoring US support to Israel if it were forced to defend itself from an Iranian nuclear threat.

By REUTERS

 

 

WASHINGTON – The Democratic-led Senate voted 99-0 – with one senator not present – on Wednesday night, on a resolution that the United States should support Israel if it were forced to defend itself from an Iranian nuclear threat. The measure also urged Obama to strengthen enforcement of existing sanctions on Iran.

US Senate

Earlier Wednesday, a US House of Representatives committee approved legislation seeking to impose tighter sanctions on Iran, the latest congressional effort to slow development of the Islamic Republic’s disputed nuclear program.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
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