Israel Matzav

Joel Pollak, Republican candidate for Congress in Illinois' 9th district

Thanks to a Tweet by Martin Solomon to this post, I discovered the web site of Joel Pollak, who is the Republican nominee for Congress in the 9th district of Illinois, which I believe includes Mrs. Carl's former home (she grew up in Skokie).

I would like to remind Rep. Schakowsky of the words of a famous leader, who said:

“[T]here are those would lay all of the problems of the Middle East at the doorstep of Israel and its supporters, as if the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the root of all trouble in the region. These voices blame the Middle East’s only democracy for the region’s extremism. They offer the false promise that abandoning a stalwart ally is somehow the path to strength. It is not, it never has been, and it never will be.”

That leader was Barack Obama, speaking during the 2008 presidential campaign. He has broken his promise to defend Israel’s security, and so has Rep. Schakowsky. Peace for Israelis and Palestinians is only possible if the U.S.-Israel alliance remains strong. And peace cannot be won in the shadow of an Iranian nuclear threat, which will only encourage Iranian-backed terror groups on Israel’s borders to step up their attacks.

And here is Pollak on Israel:

Israel Is Not the Problem

I believe it is both wrong and dangerous to treat Israel as the stumbling block to peace in the Middle East. I will oppose the administration's attempts to put pressure on Israel before Palestinian groups have given up terror and recognized Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state. I will also introduce legislation to withdraw U.S. support from United Nations bodies that do nothing except demonize Israel.

Stand Up to Iran

I will push the administration to adopt a tougher and more principled approach to Iran. The military option, though a last resort, must not be taken off the table. Iran has violated UN Security Council resolutions, and we must apply sanctions immediately. We should also stand up for Iranian dissidents, and make fuel sales to Iran conditional on measurable progress in human rights and democratic reform.

New Diplomatic Ideas

While fighting terrorism, we must remain committed to the goal of peace. I will propose the creation of new bilateral institutions that can form the basis for future cooperation between Israel and her neighbors. I will also take up the cause of Christians and other threatened minority groups throughout the Middle East, as well as for ordinary Muslims—particularly women—whose rights are being trampled.

Hmmm.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:39 AM