Senate Resolution Backing Israel Introduced
Mon Apr 22, 6:38 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a move to put the Congress on record backing Israel in the Middle East conflict, two senators on Monday introduced a bipartisan resolution expressing solidarity with Israel and saying it shares a common struggle with the United States against terrorism.
The measure, sponsored by Connecticut Democrat Joseph Lieberman and Oregon Republican Gordon Smith, is similar to a resolution introduced last week in the House of Representatives.
The Senate resolution also was co-sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, a South Dakota Democrat.
The resolution condemns suicide bombings by Palestinians, and says the Senate is "committed to Israel's right to self-defense."
"Ultimately, in supporting Israel's right to protect itself, we are supporting our own war on terrorism," Lieberman, a former Democratic vice presidential candidate, said in a statement.
The resolution urges all Arab states, particularly U.S. allies Egypt and Saudi Arabia, "to declare their unqualified opposition to all forms of terrorism, particularly suicide bombing."
It urges "all parties in the region to pursue vigorously efforts to establish a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East."
The times for votes on the House and Senate resolutions were not yet scheduled.
Despite widespread international criticism of Israel's military offensive in response to a rash of suicide bombings, many U.S. lawmakers have been anxious to put the United States on record supporting Israel and some have disputed President Bush (news - web sites)'s call for Jewish forces end the incursion onto Palestinian lands.
Arab states have denounced the incursions and U.S. support for Israel. Bush's Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) returned from the region last week but with no cease-fire in hand.
At least 1,297 Palestinians and 454 Israelis have been killed during the 18-month Palestinian uprising.
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