News
July 09, 2011

Support representatives who voted ‘no’ on bill calling for sanctions against Palestinians

Statements

By American Muslims for Palestine

(CHICAGO 07/09/2011) – The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution calling for sanctions on Palestinians if the Palestinian National Authority continues to press for statehood in the United Nations. House Resolution 268 passed by an overwhelming majority vote of 407 out of 435 Thursday night, Haaretz reported. The Senate passed a similar bill a few days earlier.

“The resolution states that ‘Palestinian efforts to gain recognition of a state outside direct negotiations demonstrates absence of a good faith commitment to peace negotiations, and will have implications for continued United States aid,’” Haaretz reported.

But Dr. Hatem Bazian, chairman of the American Muslims for Palestine, refutes the allegations levied against Palestinians in the resolution. “The resolution as it is written is advocating Israeli principles and making them America's position,” Dr. Bazian said. “This bill and the one already passed by the Senate seek to penalize Palestinians simply for demanding their legal rights.”

Overall, five congressmen did not cast votes; six voted ‘no’ and 13 voted ‘present,’ which means they did not take a stance on the issue.  Former presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, D-OH, voted against the bill. The other ‘no’ votes came from Nick Rahall, D-WV; Ron Pau, R-TX; Earl Blumenauer, D-OR; Walter Jones, R-NC; and Justin Amash, R-MI. To see the complete list, click here.

The American Muslims for Palestine urge you to contact the representatives who voted against the resolution as well as those who voted ‘present’ to thank them for their positions. Encourage them to continue to stand steadfastly in the face of Zionist lobbyist and to continue to vote for human rights and liberty for Palestinians.

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