WASHINGTON (CNN) – Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, called Wednesday on President Barack Obama "to call Israel to an accounting" for its attack Monday on a Turkish ship that was traveling in international waters laden with humanitarian goods for Gaza.
Israel's conduct "constitutes an act of belligerence against Turkey, which at one time Israel considered an important ally," the Ohio Democrat wrote. "It also undermines United States' troops efforts in Iraq, since your administration's efforts to achieve stability in the region and to withdraw troops from Iraq has depended upon Turkey's cooperation through use of its air bases."
He called for the United States to "begin to redefine its relationship" with Israel and for Israel to face diplomatic and financial consequences for the attack, which killed nine people.
"If our nation fails to act in any substantive way, the United States licenses the violence and we are complicit in it and our own citizens will be forced to pay the consequences," he wrote.
From CNN Politics
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Finally someone who is not afraid to tell the truth and not worry about the strong Israel can do no wrong lobbist and repugs who don't want to give the appearence that they are not strong jewish supporters. Our solders who are in arms way and their security are consistenly being jeopardized by Israel actions,yet we continue to overlook their human rights violation and now they have alienate the only other friend they had in the world Turkey. We need to wake up and call them out because if we don't as in the past, their bullying will continue.
thanks for being courageous Dennis. It'd be nice if Israel joined us in trying to improve the world.
There is no room for civil discussion anymore. If Israel feels backed into a corner and stikes Iran and Hezbolla (and hopefully Syria too), I don't want to hear anything these purveyors of shades of gray have to say. If Israel does, I say strike hard and strike hard again. There are those among us that are tired of the leftist, rationalizing doublespeak and hypocrisy and will make hard decisions too. And oh, by the way, if these Islamic facists set of a nuclear device or mount a biological attack here in the US...leave about 20 black marks where Mecca and Medina once were and let them figure out which smudge to pray toward.
Hey Mike, just to let you know; I'm not a left wing loon as you say, but I am one of your troops fighting on the front line. I'm here in Turkey right now at an air base and the community and turkish people have been nothing but respectful and courteous. The mood has changed and its partially because isreal continues to hold up the mideast peace process and its causing negative outlooks on America becasue we do indeed back isreal 100%. The point I'm making is that maybe Americans do need to look at how other countries that we align with behave and let them be accountable for their own actions. My last statement, I put on my uniform everyday and fight for my country. I don't agree with you because you sound to be a republican and I'm far from that; but you have the right to voice your opinion because of left wing loons and those who agree with them fighting for you. Thank you and GOD bless you and GOD bless my beloved America!
What else can be expected from somone who had claimed seen UFO.
I bet that he hasn't seen the videos. It is the same as Mr. Holder who wanted to sue AZ but hadn't read the AZ law. Incredible!
The US reaction to the capture and killing of the Turkish ship by the Israelis is similar to the Chinese reaction to the sinking of the South Korean ship by the North Korean. I agree with Dennis Kucinich. Unless the US demonstrates transparency regarding these events, we cannot expect the Chinese to do the same. With an ally like Israel, the US certainly does not need an enemy in the middle east.
Just wants to get a little attention by the media.The nights are so lonely.
Finally someone has gotten it right, Israel abuses its relationship with US and we pay the price in blood and treasure.
There needs to be a thorough and impartial investigation of this incident. I am a strong supporter of Israel and know the country is under constant threat from its enemies.
I also know that that kind of pressure can cause people to react in unpredictable, paranoid ways. This may or may not be the case regarding this incident.
Former US Ambassador Edward Peck was a part of this flotilla and his report and that of others who were on the scene need to be heard and objectively evaluated.
Now is the time for cool, clear heads to quickly get to the bottom of this incident so that tensions can be reduced.
This is outrageous. Kucinich and others would have had Israel's soldiers lay down their arms to be bludgeoned to death and pitched into the sea. These "activists'" only aim was to provoke violent confrontation with Israeli troops so that they could turn around and claim that they were dealt with heavy-handedly. As if Israel wasn't aware of what was at stake in terms of international perception...
Egypt has agreed with Israeli policy regarding Hamas-controlled Gaza and helped to enforce the blockade for years – where is all the seething hatred for Egypt? Oh, right...
There are a lot of God fearing people who won't like this one bit... I am one of them.
Mr. Kucinich is a wacko but in this case he is a completely and entirely correct wacko. Israel is comitting terrorism plain and simple and we, the American people are condoning it.
We need a complete investigation of Kucinich's activities if he was in fact a member of the Hitler Youth. The Justice Dept. needs to get on this right away.
Shut up he a hamas support
Kucinich: the mother ship is calling u. Phone home and shut up.
Hooray for Rep. Dennis Kucinich – finally a US politician that does bend over to the Jewish $$ lobby. While we are at it - why not tell Israel that if thay continue their settlement development, the UsSwill cut off all aid and military sales -- it is time the US woke up to this troubling so called ally - who is good for nothing other than causing friction in the Mideast and contributing millions to US politicians to keep them on board.
Perhaps we should begin by helping the Turks upgrade their educational system, especially the part that says "don't be surprised if, when you attack soldiers with iron pipes, you get shot." Just a thought.
Get off the stage Dennis, your fifteen minutes of fame ran out a long time ago...shoulda stayed with the aliens.
yep
here's beck's take in defending israel .. That's how we got Israel. And it only took a day before the fighting began. On May 15, 1948, the Arab states issued their response statement and Arab armies invaded Israel and the fighting has gone on ever since. And so have the lies, distortion, propaganda and deception with every country.
forgetting that the 1947 boundaries are a bit different than the isreal land grab since, oh but thats the arabs fault
It is high time somebody called out Israel. They are the root casue for tenion in the Mideast - the root casue for much of the hatred against the US. The US does not need Israel as an ally - they are useless. The US ought to cut ties with Israel so long as they continue to defy the US and the UN and continue to build settlements. No more settlements or No more aid --
aAd to all that would lable as anti semetic anyone who speaks out against Israel - why don;t you leave this country and shut your pie hole/
this loon is so far superior to what the GOP is putting out there
If Obama won't help Isreal, then let's not complain when Isreal defends itself. Naval blockade is an acceptable form of self presevation.
Im glad someone is saying it.
If you divided the amount of money American Taxpayers send to Israel, Every single Israeli would receive over 7,000.00 per year. Every single year.
With over 7,500,000 people in Israel thats Billions that could be used right here in America.
We give more money to Israel than the entire continent of Africa combined.
How is it that Israel and AIPAC have so much more control over our government officials than the people who pay taxes and vote?
It is time that Israel is held accountable.... Why are we giving them a blank check?
"Left wing loon" "Right Wing Extremists" Why dont we start holding the INDIVIDUAL accountable. Im sick of it all being along party lines.
He might be crazy, be he also might be right. I have no stake in the middle east, so looking at it objectively, i DO believe we shouldnt be there and that the Israelis SHOULD be held accountable for their rhetoric and actions. We've cut them checks, funded their armies, and given them green lights to use military force while expanding their borders. I dont care for the Palestinians either.
But I do care about how our tax dollars are being spent, and I'd rather that money go towards helping inner city schools, or helping small business, or Americans trying to keep their homes, then funding an Israeli army smack in the middle of a territory they are utterly hated for being in. Dont send my money overseas, send it to American families in true need of it.