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———- Forwarded message ———-
Date: Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 6:07 PM
Subject: FW: ForeignAffairs: Dear Colleague: Invite P.M. Netanyahu to Address a Joint Session of Congress
From: e-Dear Colleague
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 4:23 PM
To: E-DEARCOLL_ISSUES_A-F_0000@ls2.house.gov
Subject: ForeignAffairs: Dear Colleague: Invite P.M. Netanyahu to Address a Joint Session of Congress
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Invite P.M. Netanyahu to Address a Joint Session of Congress
From: The Honorable Louie Gohmert
Date: 6/10/2010
Dear Colleague:
The United States and Israel have a special friendship based on shared values, and together share the common goal of peace and security in the Middle East. Unfortunately, our bond with Israel has shown very public cracks at a crucial time for our close ally.
As Members of Congress, we must provide the world an IMMEDIATE visual image that we still firmly stand with Israel by inviting Prime Minister Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress. The symbolism of both sides of the aisle standing together applauding the Israeli Prime Minister would be powerful enough to send the message that friends may have disagreements, but they will still stand strongly with each other.
Please join me in sending a letter to our Speaker requesting that Prime Minister Netanyahu be invited. Israel is a sovereign nation that has the right to defend itself, its borders and its ports in the interests of its national security. Reports coming out of Israel indicate that the Gaza flotilla passengers were anything but peace activists.
They ignored the attempts of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to peacefully resolve the situation and then brutally assaulted the Israeli commandos that tried to board one of the flotilla ships. This incident was clearly designed to provoke Israel and drive a wedge between Israel and the rest of the world, including its strongest ally. It is, therefore, even more critical during this difficult time that Congress show support for Israel.
The U.S. needs to stand by Israel as it faces existential threats from Iran, Hamas, and others. Inviting Prime Minister Netanyahu to address Congress would publicly reaffirm our alliance with Israel. If you would like to join in the simple act of extending an invitation, please contact [staffer] or x53035 to be a signatory on this letter.
Sincerely,
Louie Gohmert
Member of Congress
Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader Reid:
This letter is to simply state the obvious need for the Prime Minister of our dear friend, Israel, to address a Joint Session of Congress. He has been here in Washington on numerous occasions, but has not addressed a joint session of Congress since 1996.
In our nation’s history, we have invited over 100 leaders of fifty different countries to speak before Joint Sessions of Congress. At this time with the enemies of America and Israel looking for weaknesses in our close relationship, we can show them that Israel is our friend and will be our friend, and we want to hear from its leader, Prime Minister Netanyahu. With the magnitude of international events and tension swirling in recent years and the threat of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, it is desperately important that we show the world the importance of our relationship with Israel by inviting Prime Minister Netanyahu to come address this body. The sooner we extend such invitation, the more stabilizing it will be.
We, the undersigned, urge you to extend the invitation to Prime Minister Netanyahu to speak to a Joint Session of Congress as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Louie Gohmert