US House of Representatives Votes Unwavering Support for Israel

After weeks of inaction, US Lawmakers voted Friday on a resolution supporting Israel's war on Gaza.  390 members of the us house voted for it, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi.  Another 20 voted "present," including California's Barbara Lee and Lynn Woolsey; Minnesota's Keith Ellison, and New York's Maurice Hinchey.  Only five opposed it, including Ohio Congressmember Dennis Kucinich, California's Maxine Waters and Texas Republican Ron Paul.
The US Senate unanimously approved a similar non-binding resolution last Thursday.
Meanwhile, President Elect Barack Obama continues to refuse to take a position on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.  He appeared Sunday on "This Week," with George Stephanopolis, and said, "a basic principle of any country is that they've got to protect their citizens."  Although the President-Elect has in recent days pushed his economic agenda, he added that he didn't want "two administrations at the same time simultaneously sending signals in a volatile situation."
Some Americans remain in Gaza.  Today, the State Department said it was taking steps to evacuate some 150 US Citizens and their family members.  On January 2, the State Department had previously arranged for 16 Americans and 11 family members to travel by convoy to Amman, Jordan.

Click here for the full newscast for Monday, January 12, 2009