[Peace-discuss] Fwd: Message From Senator Durbin

[LAURIE SOLOMON]

It didn't make any difference what you wrote; it would all get interpreted
the same way and responded to with the same form letter. J  There is no
right or wrong bin; it is all the same bin - the pro-Israel bin in this
case.

 

From: peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net
[mailto:peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net] On Behalf Of Brussel
Morton K.
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 12:40 PM
To: peace-discuss
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Fwd: Message From Senator Durbin

 

I guess my letter got put into the wrong bin. --mkb

 

Begin forwarded message:





From: Correspondence_Reply at durbin.senate.gov

Date: January 21, 2009 10:23:55 AM CST

To: mkb3 at mac.com

Subject: Message From Senator Durbin

 

 

 

 

 

January 21, 2009

 

 

 

Mr. M. K. Brussel

2003 S George Huff Dr

Urbana, IL 61801

 

 

Dear Mr. Brussel:

 

Thank you for contacting me about U.S. support for Israel. I appreciate
hearing from you and share your concern for Israel's security and the safety
of its citizens.

 

Israel has endured many years of suffering as ordinary citizens, many of
them children, have lost their lives to hatred and terrorist violence. No
cause or grievance can justify the deliberate killing of innocent civilians.

 

Israel has a right to defend itself from rocket attacks by Hamas and other
terrorist threats. I was an original cosponsor of S. Res. 10, which passed
the Senate by unanimous consent on January 8, 2009. This resolution
recognizes the right of Israel to defend itself against attacks from Gaza
and reaffirms the United States' support for Israel in its battle with
Hamas. It also recognizes the importance of United States support for and
involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

 

Israel remains the most important U.S. ally in the Middle East and the only
multi-party democratic state in the region. I am proud to have been a strong
supporter of Israel throughout my service in Congress. The strong and stable
friendship between our two countries, built on a solid foundation of shared
values, mutual assistance, and trust, is in the fundamental interest of the
United States as well as Israel.

 

Since World War II, the United States has given Israel more assistance than
any other country, and Israel was the largest annual recipient of U.S.
foreign assistance from 1976 through 2004. Since 1985, the United States has
provided nearly $3 billion a year to Israel.On August 13, 2007,
representatives of the American and Israeli governments signed a 10-year,
$30 billion aid package. The agreement calls for annual increases in
military assistance to Israel, reaching $3.1 billion a year by Fiscal Year
2018.

 

The Israeli people deserve safety and security. Palestinians should have a
safe and sovereign homeland and a voice in deciding their own destiny. But
these goals for Palestinians cannot be achieved at the expense of Israel's
sovereignty or the safety of its citizens. The establishment of a
Palestinian state must come through peaceful negotiations, not violence.

 

I am pleased that President Obama has repeatedly stated that resolving the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be a top priority for his administration
and I continue to hope that the Israeli and Palestinian governments can
reach a mutual agreement that will bring peace and stability to the region.
In the long run there is no alternative.

 

I am monitoring this situation closely and will continue to stand firm in my
support for Israel. Thank you again for your message. Please feel free to
stay in touch.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Richard J. Durbin

United States Senator

 

RJD/ds

 

 

 

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