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 iN