Republicans in the House of Representatives have introduced H. Res. 1553, which states, as the National Iranian American Council explains, “that Congress supports Israel’s use of ‘all means necessary’ against Iran ‘including the use of military force’. … Nearly a third of House Republicans have signed onto the resolution . . . circulated by its lead sponsor, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX).”
As usual with a resolution, once it dispenses with the “whereas’s,” it gets to the “resolved” part.
“That the House of Representatives —
(1) condemns the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for its threats of ‘annihilating’ the United States and the State of Israel . …
(2) supports using all means of persuading the Government of Iran to stop building and acquiring nuclear weapons;
(3) reaffirms the United States bond with Israel and . . . expresses support for Israel’s right to use all means necessary to confront and eliminate nuclear threats posed by Iran, defend Israeli sovereignty, and protect the lives and safety of the Israeli people, including the use of military force if no other peaceful solution can be found within a reasonable time.”
NIAC adds:
“Hawkish former Bush Administration official John Bolton recently laid out the game plan to prod Israel into attacking Iran . . . by framing it as an issue of Israel’s right to self defense. … Congress can ‘make it clear’ that it supports [preemptive] strikes and that ‘having visible congressional support in place at the outset will reassure the Israeli government, which is legitimately concerned about Mr. Obama’s likely negative reaction to such an attack.'”
Yeah, we don’t want Israel’s feelings hurt if the attack incurs the anger of the Obama administration. In fact, it’s up to the U.S. Congress to hold its hand throughout the attack.
NIAC composed a letter to House Republican leader John Bohener denouncing the resolution and calling on him, as NIAC writes, to “make clear whether a vote for House Republicans” in 2012 “is a vote for another disastrous war in the Middle East.” In the letter, the council addresses points that hawks seem to forget:
“The dangers of war. … would put so much at risk:
The lives of innocent Americans, Israelis, and Iranians
The Pro-Democracy Movement in Iran
U.S. National Security and the stability of Iraq and Afghanistan
The global economy, which relies on oil flowing through the Persian Gulf”
But you know how hawks and neocons think: The deaths of a few Americans and Israelis, not to mention a crashing world economy pale beside a nuclear attack by Iran. Besides, only the wimpy liberal-left worries about that stuff.
Consider taking a moment to sign NIAC’s letter:
Don’t Let Congress Green-Light Attack on Iran