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AIPAC to lobby Congress for Syria strike

American Israeli Political Activity Committee to attempt to persuade Congress to vote in favor of attack, as constituents urge Congress to vote against intervention

WASHINGTON – Though US Congress is pressured by the American public to vote against a US military intervention in Syria, Israel’s most ardent supporters in AIPAC urge Congress representatives to vote in favor of an intervention.

 

US President Barack Obama said on Friday he will take his case for military action in Syria directly to the American people next week and acknowledged his problems in convincing Congress to back strikes against Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces.

 

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According to a Gallop poll issued Friday, 36% of Americans support a US military action against the Syrian government for its suspected use of chemical weapons, 51% oppose and 13% are unsure.

 

In comparison, though the majority of the American public is against a strike in Syria, most of the American people were in support of a military intervention in Iraq in 2003 – 59% – and in Afghanistan in 2001 – a staggering 82%.

 

Meeting constituents in Arizona, Senator John McCain faced an oppositional crowd, urging him to vote against a strike.

 

At the moment, most congressional representatives are against a US intervention in Syria.

 

Israel has refrained in the past from pushing US into war, and Jerusalem and AIPAC have thus far kept silent regarding Syria, but in recent days Israel decided to voice its support of an attack.

 

After Israel's ambassador to Washington Michael Oren and AIPAC noted that military action would send a message to Assad's supporters – Iran and Hezbollah – that US won't tolerate use of weapons of mass destruction, some 250 Jewish leaders and AIPAC activists, according to the Politico website, intend to storm the halls on Capitol Hill beginning next week to persuade lawmakers that Congress must adopt the resolution authorizing US strikes against Syria.

  

Reuters contributed to this report

 

 

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פרסום ראשון: 09.06.13, 21:16
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