"Israel has many well-wishers in Congress, and on some matters — such as how best to pressure Iran not to develop nuclear weapons — those U.S. legislators are closer to Israel’s position than to the Obama administration’s.
Another example: Congress passed a law ordering the State Department to allow U.S. citizens born in Israel to list their birthplace on their passports as “Jerusalem, Israel,” even though successive U.S. presidents have refused to recognize Jerusalem as part of Israel, believing that the status of the city must be decided in negotiations. Last year, a federal appeals court ruled that the law unconstitutionally infringed on the president’s authority to recognize foreign states.
Congress was pushing the constitutional envelope with the passport bill, but no one would dispute that it has some say over foreign affairs. But where did the Georgia state Senate get the idea that it could pronounce on issues of Middle East diplomacy? That body recently adopted Resolution 739, subtitled: “To commend the Nation of Israel for its cordial and mutually beneficial relationship with the United States and with the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.”
The “other purposes” include the declaration of a Georgia foreign policy that is at odds with that of the United States. The Georgia Senate declares that “Israel is neither an attacking force nor an occupier of the lands of others, and that peace can be afforded the region only through a whole and united Israel.” For good measure, the resolution makes it clear that a “whole and united Israel” includes Jerusalem and the West Bank. So much for the two-state solution the Obama administration is promoting." (thanks Electronic Ali)
Another example: Congress passed a law ordering the State Department to allow U.S. citizens born in Israel to list their birthplace on their passports as “Jerusalem, Israel,” even though successive U.S. presidents have refused to recognize Jerusalem as part of Israel, believing that the status of the city must be decided in negotiations. Last year, a federal appeals court ruled that the law unconstitutionally infringed on the president’s authority to recognize foreign states.
Congress was pushing the constitutional envelope with the passport bill, but no one would dispute that it has some say over foreign affairs. But where did the Georgia state Senate get the idea that it could pronounce on issues of Middle East diplomacy? That body recently adopted Resolution 739, subtitled: “To commend the Nation of Israel for its cordial and mutually beneficial relationship with the United States and with the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.”
The “other purposes” include the declaration of a Georgia foreign policy that is at odds with that of the United States. The Georgia Senate declares that “Israel is neither an attacking force nor an occupier of the lands of others, and that peace can be afforded the region only through a whole and united Israel.” For good measure, the resolution makes it clear that a “whole and united Israel” includes Jerusalem and the West Bank. So much for the two-state solution the Obama administration is promoting." (thanks Electronic Ali)
