MARCH 2011

Congresswoman Nita Lowey Speaks on
Defending Israel in the 21st Century

By Stephen E. Lipken

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D) spoke at Temple Israel Center (TIC), White Plains, sponsored by Five Synagogues of White Plains Israel Action Committee, on February 13, moderated by TIC member Dr. Eric Mandel, who presented Ms. Lowey a series of questions regarding the topic “Defending Israel in the 21st Century.” The TIC Sanctuary was filled to capacity.

Mandel began, “There has been a ‘cold peace’ between Israel and Egypt for the past 30 years although Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak allowed their media to demonize Israel. It is apparent that Egyptian military will support the treaty. With the change of government, will we see any American/Egyptian/Israeli relations fallout?’”

“I was invited to the Munich Security Conference on February 4 as part of the United States delegation. I met with George Mitchell, U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,” Lowey replied.

“I read today that many of the press are critical of Clinton and President Barak Obama for not being aggressive enough in foreign policy. Hillary and the President are working behind the scenes for an orderly transfer of power. Who are we to tell Egypt what their policy should be?

“Some Arabs that I talked to expressed fear of nuclear Iran and asked whether Israel or the U.S. should bomb Iran. We have to slow their nuclear progress,” Lowey noted, adding that she advocated holding up $100 million in aid to Lebanon because of undue influence of Hezbollah in their government.

In the final “lightning round” of questions and answers, Lowey stressed that peace cannot occur with Palestinians or Hamas unless they recognize Israel.

 

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