U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman bitterly condemned Hizbullah’s recent attack on Israel as “unambiguous aggression and a malicious terrorist provocation.” Ackerman, the senior Democrat on the House International Relations Subcommittee on the Middle East, noted that Hizbullah functions as a terrorist proxy for Syria, and that it could not have attacked Israel without coordinating with Damascus.
“Israel completed its withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000,” Ackerman said. “It's about time for Lebanon to meet its obligations under UN Security Council resolution 1559 and police its own borders and disarm all the militias. Lebanon should be run by the Lebanese and not a pack of religious fanatics in the service of Syria's despot or Iran’s mullahs.”
Ackerman added, “Hizbullah is a terrorist organization and the international community needs to recognize these thugs and killers for what they are: bloody-thirsty zealots who use their base in Lebanon to do Syria and Iran's dirty work. If the world is serious about peace in the Middle East, then it can’t continue to tolerate Tehran and Damascus feeding, fostering, and occasionally unleashing, this rabid, blood-spattered pit-bull. The flow of finance and weapons from Iran and Syria to Hizbullah doesn't happen by magic. The world can stop it, if it wants to.”
Ackerman argued that “this cross-border attack on Israel should result in tough international sanctions on Syria and Iran, and the UN Security Council should immediately pursue this option. In the mean time, I have complete confidence that Israel's leaders and Israel’s army are more than up to the task of protecting the country. Israel has an absolute right to defend itself and the IDF has shown it knows how to do this.”
Jewish Singles Dance
There's a casual place for Jewish singles to meet right here in Queens. Join in on dancing with a professional DJ, hot hors d'oeuvres, conversation, and a chance to meet nice people. There's no need to go into Manhattan when there's a relaxed location close to home.
The dance, for ages 35 and up, will be held at the Bay Terrace Jewish Center on Sunday, December 11 from 7 to 11 p.m. Admission is just $12. Casual dress preferred.
The Bay Terrace Jewish Center is located at 109th Street and the Cross Island Parkway in Bayside.
