IN Thoughts
A MONTHLY MIX OF IDEAS
George Cantor's Reality Check column will return next week
Ninth Congressional District Battleground
Knollenberg Strong On Israel Peters Stands With Israel
T
S
he need for rock-solid U.S. con-
eign policy to meet with Khaled Meshaal
ixty years ago on May 14, 1948,
Gary has always been a good friend
gressional support for Israel
and other Hamas terrorist leaders. Joe —
the sovereign and indepen-
to Israel and I know he will continue
has never been greater. Iran
realizing the hazards of empowering lead-
dent State of Israel was for-
to stand strongly behind Israel and the
— vowing to wipe "the stinking corpse"
ers whose bottom line is the destruction
mally established. With the odds stacked
Jewish people in Congress. Gary is com-
of Israel off the map — is speeding to the
of the Jewish state — was the very first
against them, and with few resources,
mitted to preserving the longstanding
nuclear finish line; its Palestinian
tell Jimmy Carter not to meet
the people of Israel overcame
U.S–Israel relationship. He will
and Lebanese terrorist proxies,
with terrorists. He rallied the
seemingly insurmountable
be a strong voice in support of
Hamas and Hezbollah, are devel-
House around legislation to
obstacles to build a thriv-
continued foreign aid and assis-
oping deadlier and more sophis-
stop your tax dollars from
ing, prosperous and vibrant
tance. Gary firmly believes in the
ticated weaponry to kill innocent
funding the Carter Center.
democracy in the heart of the
right of Israel to defend herself
Israelis.
• He delivered when Jews
Middle East.
against foreign aggression, he
Meanwhile, the U.S.-Israel alli-
from around the world wanted
This anniversary is also an
rejects negotiating with terrorist
ance has come under sustained
to migrate to Israel by spear-
occasion to remember her tri-
organizations like Hamas and
attack right here in America.
heading efforts to fund the
umphs and accomplishments.
he will unequivocally support
Foes of a strong Israel claim U.S.
Israel Resettlement Program.
In just 60 years, Israel has
Israel's efforts for peace and
support hurts our national inter-
Since 1994, Joe has helped
made significant worldwide
security.
est.
Rep. Eric
Israel absorb newcomers from contributions in science, med-
Gary Peters understands
Rep. Debbie
Against such a disquieting
Ethiopia and elsewhere.
Cantor
icine and technology; eight
Wasserman
that, as one of America's clos-
backdrop, we should be corn-
• He delivered when Hamas Israelis have been awarded the
Special to the
Schultz
est friends and strongest allies,
forted to know that the U.S.-
Jewish News
won election to Palestinian
Nobel Prize.
Special to the
Israel is not only a critical part-
Israel relationship has unrelent-
government, saying "no" to
Here in the United States,
Jewish News
ner in the fight against terror,
ing advocates in Washington
direct funding until Hamas
the Jewish people also have
but also is a cultural partner
like Congressman Joe
swears off terrorism and rec-
made an invaluable impact
with whom we share many of
Knollenberg. Joe's track record reflects
ognizes Israel.
on American life and culture, from tech-
our most deeply-held values — free-
his passion for the security of Israel and
• He delivered when he called for Iran,
nology and literature, to entertainment,
dom, human rights and the rule of law.
a safe America. I hope
Syria and Libya to be
politics and medi-
As the only foothold
you continue to vote for held accountable for
cine. However, as
of democracy in the
him and send him back their support of ter-
Jews comprise up
Middle East, Israel's
to Congress.
rorists.
only 2 percent of our continued security is
On the Middle East,
•And he delivers
Democrat Gary Peters,
nation's population,
essential to America's
Joe is both a thinker
year after year on
former state senator
many Americans
own security as well as
and a problem solver.
critical projects for the
and Michigan Lottery
have had only lim-
the long-term stability
He knows in his gut
Jewish community in
commissioner, is
ited interactions
of the region.
that ceding ground on
Metro
Detroit,
includ-
challenging
Republican
with Jews and our
With much of the
Joe
Israel's safety to the likes ing funding for the
Gary
Joe Knollenberg,
traditions, a situation Middle East in a state
Knollenberg,
of Iran, Syria, Hezbollah
Peters,
Holocaust
Memorial
first
elected
in
1992,
that has contributed
of uncertainty and
incumbent
challenger
and Hamas is dangerous Center, Friendship
in Michigan's Ninth
to ignorance and, at
political turmoil, the
for the United States because it strength-
Circle and JARC, along
Congressional District.
times, anti-Semitism. role of the United States
ens those radical forces in the region. He
with many other
The general election is
To help foster
in supporting Israel will be even more
knows that foreign aid to Israel is a net
important groups.
Nov. 4. Both commentary
awareness and
important in the years ahead. Congress
benefit for America, considering the intel-
Joe Knollenberg is
writers are Jewish
understanding,
will be asked to address serious questions
ligence sharing, arms development, coun-
a tested and proven
members of Congress.
and to reduce
of funding, foreign aid, military support
ter-terrorism expertise and stability we
veteran of Congress
intolerance and
and broader policy impacting both Israel
have gained in return.
with a strong record
bigotry, I sponsored
and her neighbors. I look forward to work-
But it's not just Joe's support and clear
of accomplishment.
a Congressional
ing alongside Gary Peters in the House to
thinking that tell the story — it's his lead- Both Congress and the state of Michigan
Resolution in 2005, adopted unanimously
ensure that our commitment to Israel's
ership. When he talks, people listen. As a
are fortunate to have him. Everyone who
by both chambers of Congress, to formally security remains absolute, and continuing
member of the Republican leadership in
values the strong ties between the United
designate a month of the year to honor
to nourish and develop the strong friend-
Congress, I know that if you want some-
States and Israel should wholeheartedly
the contribution of American Jews to our
ship that we have shared over the past 60
thing done, you go to Joe. He doesn't just
support Joe continuing his great work on
society. This May is now the third annual
years. ❑
vote; he uses his senior position to advo-
behalf of Michigan and America. ❑
Jewish American Heritage Month.
cate for issues critical to the U.S.-Israel
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit
Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz repre-
relationship.
Republican Eric Cantor represents Virginia's
Michigan and speak with members of the
sents Florida's 20th Congressional District
Joe has been there 100 percent of the
Seventh Congressional District and is the
Jewish community in Oakland County
and is the Chief Deputy Whip of the House
time. Consider some of his contribu-
Chief Deputy Whip of the House Republican
alongside my friend, Gary Peters, who is
Democratic Caucus. In 2005, her first year
tions:
Caucus. The fourth-term congressman chairs
running to represent Michigan's Ninth
in Congress, she introduced the resolution
• He delivered when Jimmy Carter
the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and
Congressional District in the House of
formally creating Jewish American Heritage
recently took his calamitous one-man for-
Unconventional Warfare.
Representatives.
Month.
A26
May 29 • 2008
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