On the recordAugust 2, 2012
I rise today out of disbelief with the rhetoric coming from Republicans and their Presidential candidate concerning the U.S. relationship with Israel. Frankly, it pains me to see that a political trip to Israel is carried with a message to scare the Israelis that President Obama and this administration are not as fast and as complete as they are. I have had numerous trips to Israel. One was the 6-day war in 1967, when the Israelis had battled with the Egyptians, and I got there shortly after the guns stopped shooting. I went to the Sinai Desert and watched the Israelis on guard while the Egyptian soldiers were carrying necessary items, such as water and food, for their people. I was reminded then that the Israelis always have to be on guard. They are never free to go about their domestic interests and problems without having one eye open to make certain the rockets that are being aimed at them aren't going to tear their people apart again, as their people have experienced--the worst of human relations, a blight on mankind which can never be forgotten, and the Israelis remember it very clearly. Unfortunately, Republicans want to use our relationship with Israel as a political game, which is terrible for America's national security and bad for Israel. The implication that we are weak in our support for Israel is foul play and encourages Israel's enemies to look and say: Well, maybe America is not as solid on its support of Israel, because Mr.…
