On July 22, 2010, Texas Republican Congressman Louie Gohmert introduced House Resolution 1553 which supports the right of Israel to “use all means necessary to confront and eliminate nuclear threats posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran…” The resolution is co-sponsored by 46 Congressmen, all Republicans. The resolution was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and will probably not be brought before the full House as long as the Democrats control that legislative body.
Intent of H. Res. 1553
Resolutions are not acts of Congress. Rather, they express the sentiment of Congress. H. Res. 1553 asserts in the preamble the right of Israel to use whatever force is necessary to repel any threats from Iran, including military force. The tone of the preamble does not preclude a unilateral, preemptive strike by Israel.
Clause one of the resolution links the United States and Israel, condemning Iran “for its continued support of international terrorism, and for its incitement of genocide of the Israeli people…” It should be noted that the recently publicized documents on the war in Afghanistan, posted on the internet by Wikileaks on July 25, 2010, corroborate the charge of Iranian support of terrorism.
At least one of the leaks publicized by media sources notes that heat-seeking missiles used to bring down coalition helicopters originated in Iran. If more such connections are made as analysts sift through the voluminous material, H. Res. 1553 may become more appealing.
Goals of the Republican Sponsors of the Resolution
Over a month before the resolution was introduced, Jim Lobe, writing in Asia Times (June 13, 2010) commented that once the mid-term election is under way after Labor Day, “…Republican candidates are expected to make the charge that Democrats and President Barack Obama are ‘soft on Iran.’” Historically, this tactic worked well for political parties during the Cold War.
Muriel Mirak-Weissbach, however, views the resolution in more dangerous terms: “It would be foolhardy to think these are only a bunch of arch-conservative Republicans trying to boost re-election perspectives by courting the Zionist faction among U.S. voters.” (Centre for Research on Globalization, July 26, 2010) Mirak-Weissbach points to a July 13, 2010 item in the Wall Street Journal written by John Bolton who has long advocated a strike against Iran. In June 2008 he predicted such as strike after the November presidential election.
Jamal Abdi, Policy Director of the National Iranian American Council, also warns against the resolution for similar reasons: “The introduction of the measure coincides with a pattern of renewed calls for military strikes…” (Huffington Post, July 23, 2010) His organization’s website warns, “However distant or unrealistic a war with Iran may appear right now, the advocates of war are moving forward with their agenda…”
Israeli Capabilities and Regional Support for a Preemptive Strike Against Iran
Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have expressed public concerns regarding the possibility of a nuclear Iran. Saudi Arabia has opened its air space to Israel. (The Sunday Times, June 12, 2010) On May 30, 2010, The Sunday Times revealed that Israel has three German-built submarines ready for deployment in the Gulf, each equipped with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles.
The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) advises that Israel probably has at least 100 but no more than 200 nuclear weapons. Israel has never admitted this. In a May 24, 2010 article, The Guardian corroborated Israel’s possession of nuclear weapons through South African documents. The Israeli Defense Forces also possess 80 nuclear-tipped cruise missiles.
House Resolution 1553 and Support for Israel
Support for Israel in the Congress has always been strong. The resolution states that, “the United States and Israel have a special friendship based on shared values…” Rep. Gohmert, the sponsor of the resolution, approved of the May 31, 2010 Israeli flotilla attack and has visited Israel twice in August 2007 and August 2009. Both trips were sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation. (Legistorm)
Even if the resolution is not brought to a full vote in this Congressional session, its message of reaffirming “the United States bond with Israel” will continue. According to the third clause, this includes economic and military assistance, notably “missile defense capabilities needed to address the threat of Iran…” The final clause reiterates Israel’s “right to use all means necessary to confront and eliminate nuclear threats posed by Iran…”
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