Gillibrand: I won’t bend to Bibi
New York's newest senator says she'll support the policy that she believes would be the best for Israel, no matter what Bibi Netanyahu thinks. In an interview with PolitickerNY, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) also says she's not opposed to diplomatic presssure on Israel:
In the Feb. 14 interview, Ms. Gillibrand said that the next prime minister of Israel -- based on the recent close election that has yet to result in the formation of a governing coalition in the Knesset -- would “probably” be the Likud Party’s Benjamin Netanyahu, a hawk who regards a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as naïve and unworkable.
“You never know: as the leader, Mr. Netanyahu may find that when he works with America, he may broaden his view,” said Ms. Gillibrand. “He may decide that in the best interest of peace is a two-state solution. That may well indeed be the path to peace.”
Asked if she would advocate that position in the Senate, Ms. Gillibrand said, “I will certainly offer what I think is the best policy, regardless of what Netanyahu says is what he wants to do. I will always be an advocate for the solutions that I think will be most effective.”
And as for the United States applying diplomatic pressure on its ally, Ms. Gillibrand wasn’t entirely against the idea.
“I think the president will use all the means and all the tools in his toolbox to reach a solution for peace in the Middle East,” she said, adding, “And if he offers positive reinforcement or negative reinforcement, that will be a strategic decision for the administration and our secretary of state.”
Share
Facebook
6 Comments
Comments RSS Feed Reader Comments
Senator Gillibrand has heavy learning to do. And she must not forget that next time it’s not the Governor, but the voter who will decide if she
stays in the Senate. In her shoes I would be a little more cautious.
As an American immigrant to Israel (albeit not from NY), I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Gillibrand. A two-state solution ASAP is in Israel’s best interest and is required in order to remain a Jewish and democratic state. Those American Jewish voices against promoting progress towards a two-state solution must not be seen of as pro-Israel!
Senator Gillibrand is jumping the gun. As a new senator, she needs to learn more information RE: Israel. A young pip squeak should wait and not make premature statements regarding Israel and its relation to the USA. Let her know that an election will be coming and she may not at all garner the votes needed to remain a NY Senator. And if this is her stand, she will be defeated.
Madam, I’ve found that your menu needs supervision.
From now on you’re requested to ask my advise about your food and alhogolik beverages.
It does not matter I do not know a think about you and your health.
Do you know Israely needs better than her population and their voted rep?
to all, especially Avi and similar. How does one make a 2 state solution with those who do not recognize the existence of Israel; only a cease fire with Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iraq since 1948, with a couple of interruptions such as 1967 and 1973, and multiple suicide bombings, and such. And of course there is the PA, whose charter still calls for ‘pushing the Zionist entity into the sea’, and Hamas, and Hezbola wit the same intent.
If someone holds a knife to your throat, how do you shake hands?
Leave a Comment
To leave a comment, you must first be logged in to JTA. If you are not registered, please click here.
Already a JTA member?
Need to know? Get JTA's free e-newsletters!
Jon Dellinger
02/19/09 06:10 PM
It’s so easy for small town politicians to “solve” national issues which concern only the sovereign state of Israel and yet cannot get their own countrys house in order.