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Kucinich objects to resolution defending Israel's actions in Gaza
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) on Tuesday disputed statements that the U.S. House of Representative unanimously endorsed Israel's “right to act in self-defense” in Gaza before leaving for Thanksgiving break last week.
The retiring liberal firebrand said he would have objected to the resolution, which passed by voice vote Friday afternoon, calling it “unfortunately and unnecessarily one-sided.” He criticized House leadership for offering what he characterized as knee-jerk support for a military operation without any debate.
“There was no notice, no committee hearing, no discussion and no debate,” Kucinich said in a statement. “In such a fashion, we achieve unanimity on great matters related to the Middle East.”
“The root of this latest flare-up in hostilities is deep. Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians on a two-state solution have been virtually non-existent. Innocent people in Gaza continue to suffer under a blockade that has deprived them of everything from food and clean water to educational opportunities. Illegal settlements continue to be built in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, further diminishing prospects for a negotiated two-state solution.
“The hastily written and even more hastily passed resolution fails to mention any of that. In its deficiencies are writ the failures of our own Middle East policies.”
