CONGRESSMAN
SHERMAN JOINS THOUSANDS AT LARGEST PRO-ISRAEL DEMONSTRATION IN U.S.
HISTORY
April 17th, 2002
[Washington, DC]
-Congressman Brad Sherman joined leading Israeli and American political
leaders, victims of terror, and tens of thousands of people standing
in solidarity with the government and people of Israel at a rally on
Monday at the United States Capitol. Sherman serves on the House International
Relations Committee’s Subcommittee on the Mideast.
"We live in
a world which, inexplicably, categorizes Arafat differently than Mullah
Omar. There is no difference in their behavior," said Sherman.
"Israel continues to live under the threat of terrorism, and terrorism
as apolitical tactic is unacceptable. No alleged grievance can justify
intentionally blowing up men, women and children in restaurants, in
shopping malls and on public buses," said Sherman.
Proportional to
population, far more Israelis have fallen victim to terrorism in the
past year and a half than the United States lost in the September 11th
attacks. Yet, only after being contained by Israel’s military and pressured
by the United States did Yasir Arafat make any effort to condemn terrorist
activities by the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade – the primary agents of violence
against Israel- and others in areas under his control. For her part,
Israel has had no alternative but to attempt to dismantle the infrastructure
sheltered and supported by the Palestinian Authority, intent on wiping
out Israel.
While the mainstream
media has been more attentive lately to the situation in Israel, Sherman
continues to urge a renewed focus on Iraq and on the compelling need
to dismantle Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction program, calling
attention to the clear and present danger posed by the Iraqi dictator.
"Americans,
since September 11th, have a heightened sense of empathy toward the
Israeli people. We are united with Israel in our mutual effort to root
out global terrorism," said Sherman. "And while Americans
focus on the grisly scenes at Israel’s pizzerias and cafes, and shares
Israel’s pain and suffering, Europe’s focus, for the most part, seems
misguided. Ultimately, it is essential that the international community
not allow Ramallah to distract us from Bagdad. Because as terrible as
these incidents are, if we allow Saddam Hussein to develop nuclear weapons,
the death toll could be staggering."