Senate Leaders Express Support for Israel

The Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate on Sunday expressed strong support for Israel in its operations against the terrorist group Hamas, the Associated Press reported. “I think what the Israelis are doing is very important,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). “I think this terrorist organization, Hamas, has got to be put away. They’ve got to come to their senses.” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) echoed his sentiments. “Hamas is a terrorist organization,” he said. “Imagine in this country if somebody from a neighboring country were lobbing shells at our population. We’d do exactly the same thing. I think the Israelis are doing the only think they can possibly do to defend their population.” Click here to read more statements by American leaders supporting Israel’s defensive actions in Gaza.

U.S. Condemns Iran for Detaining American Academic

The United States on Tuesday condemned Iran for wrongly detaining a prominent American academic affiliated with the National Academies of Science, the Associated Press reported. The State Department said Iran’s treatment of Glenn Schweitzer, head of the Academies’ Eurasia program, was “yet another example of the Iranian government’s refusal to abide by international norms.” “We once again urge the government of Iran to stand by its public statements and fully support scientific and academic exchanges that foster greater mutual understanding between the Iranian and American people,” said department spokeswoman Nicole Thompson. “We do no believe that the Iranian people should be further isolated by the irresponsible actions of the government.”

Lawmakers Criticize Export-Import Bank on Iran

Eight members of Congress sent a letter to the U.S. Export-Import Bank criticizing it for its loan guarantees to companies linked to Iran, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported. The bank has underwritten $900 million in loan guarantees to U.S. companies that supply equipment to Reliance Industries, a company that refines gasoline and exports refined petroleum to Iran. “We are deeply concerned about the inadequate attention paid to other vital national interests in the approval of these guarantees,” the letter said. Signatories of the bipartisan letter include Reps. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Howard Berman (D-CA) and Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Ed Royce (R-CA), Steve Israel (D-NY), Steve Rothman (D-NJ) and Ron Klein (D-FL).