Democrats turning against Israel?

21% of Democrats did not support pro-Israel House resolution on Goldstone report


Washington, D.C. (November 4, 2009) -- Yesterday, 33 Democrats voted "no" and 20 Democrats voted "present" on House Resolution 867, which condemned the "Goldstone report" on Israel's conduct in Gaza last winter. The final roll call vote on the House floor was 344 for, 36 against, and 22 present.

H. Res. 867, introduced by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, calls on the Obama administration to oppose efforts by the Arab states in the UN General Assembly and other international forums to use the Goldstone report as a propaganda tool and a diplomatic weapon to attack Israel. In all, 21 percent of the Democratic caucus did not support this pro-Israel measure.

Republican Jewish Coalition Executive Director Matt Brooks said:


The Goldstone report was an egregious example of the United Nations Human Rights Council at work. At the instigation of the UN's powerful Organization of the Islamic Conference, UNHRC commissioned a report on Israel's Operation Cast Lead in Gaza last winter that was intended to portray Israel as the aggressor, as intentionally causing Palestinian civilian casualties, and as a violator of human rights. The resulting report was biased and inaccurate.

We are very concerned that 21 percent of the Democrats in the U.S. House (53 of 256) refused to support H.Res. 867, including many top Democratic leaders and important and influential House committee and subcommittee chairmen.

Democrats continue to campaign in the Jewish community as unwavering friends of Israel, but when it comes to acting on those promises, leading Democrats fall short.