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Are Senators Schumer and Gillibrand Missing in Action?

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Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) (left) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) are both the senior and junior US senators who represent New York. The Jewish Voice poses the following questions: Why has Schumer taken the passenger seat while New Jersey Senator, Bob Menendez acts as the lead rebel driver in the Democrat ranks to stand up for Israel and the imposition of harsh Iranian sanctions? Why did Schumer cave last year in support of the Kirk-Menendez bill that would have penalized Iran for violating any agreement to limit its achievement of nuclear weaponry?
Republican Senator from Tennessee Bob Corker (left) speaks with Democratic Senator from New Jersey Bob Menendez (right). The two legislators have sponsored the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act which is passed would allow for congress to accept or reject any agreement struck with Iran over the future of their nuclear program. President Obama has promised to veto this bill is passed by Congress.

With all of the flak flying about concerning Prime Minister Neyanyahu’s invitation, his talk to congress and the president’s overt negative response to Bibi’s party’s overwhelming election victory, we’ve noticed more than an ominous silence from two local politicians who depend heavily on the Jewish vote: Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.

Both of these highly partisan New York senators are straddling the fence. While both attended the talk after murmuring to the press in muted tones that they were unhappy with the invitation to the PM, they appear to be paralyzed in speaking out to the threat posed to Israel and the Middle East by a flawed agreement with Iran. Criticism of the still secret deal is just not in their game plan. They appear to be wary of Obama’s wrath.

Let’s focus on the all powerful, strongman senator from New York who hopes to capture the seat as Senate Minority leader when Harry Reid steps down. Here’s what Schumer said right after the “notorious” speech by Bibi:

“While the final details of the Iranian deal have not been disclosed, we must do everything we can to prevent a nuclear Iran, which would be a disaster for Israel, the Middle East and potentially extremely harmful to the United States”

Which is exactly what? Just what suggestions does Senator Schumer offer that could have been noted in his statement to give some insight as to what “we must do.” Here we have a sophisticated, capable politician who has been on the public payroll since his election to the New York State Assembly at the age of 23. With all his experience in government is he not embarrassed that all he can come up with is the above statement, completely devoid of substance and ideas?

Schumer has served in D.C. since 1981 and has vast connections to the makers and shakers in government. He holds a sure lifetime Senate seat and yet he cannot stand up tall and state that he is aghast at President Obama’s six plus years of denigration of Netanyahu and the disastrous agreement John Kerry is about to sign with Iran? He must know the intelligence level of his constituents.

Schumer owes his supporters the honesty and integrity that his seat in the Senate demands. He should be the voice for Israel and Jewry. He should be outspoken in his stance on the Jewish state’s security and future. After all, we all are cognizant of the fact that the history of the Democratic Party is replete with examples of intrepid figures; who did not flinch when it came to standing up for what is right.

Why has Schumer taken the passenger seat while New Jersey Senator, Bob Menendez acts as the lead rebel driver in the Democrat ranks to stand up for Israel and the imposition of harsh Iranian sanctions? Why did Schumer cave last year in support of the Kirk-Menendez bill that would have penalized Iran for violating any agreement to limit its achievement of nuclear weaponry?

The wishy-washy stance of Schumer in Iranian sanctions is evident. He changes positions on Iran as frequently as he changes ties. Here is his statement to the OHEL group back in November, 2013:

Democrats and Republicans are going to work together to see that we don’t let up on these sanctions until Iran gives up not only its nuclear weapons, but all nuclear weapon capability and all enriched uranium. The one existential threat to Israel’s existence is a nuclear Iran.”

The junior New York senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, following Netanyahu’s talk gave the following meaningless, empty of ideas statement:

“I share the Prime Minister’s legitimate concerns about Iran’s intentions and I passionately share President Obama’s commitment that Iran never obtains nuclear weapons. I have always believed that the best solution is a strong and verifiable diplomatic deal.”

Together, both NY senators offer their Israel supporting Jewish and Christian constituents little hope that they will be forceful, outspoken critics of the obvious sweetheart deal the Obama team is prepared to finalize with Iran. With the deadline approaching in a few days, they are taking a back seat to the militant Democrats and Republicans who seem to be wearing the blue and white colors of our firm ally, the only free, democratic nation in the Middle East: Israel.

So The Jewish Voice asks you: Which type of Democrat are you? Are you in the same league with such high integrity personalities as the late President Harry Truman, the late New York City Mayor Edward I Koch and the late Henry (Scoop) Jackson, or are you a yellow, dog Democrat?

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