As reported in Israel News Network
Wahsington DC Lawmakers to Turkey: Israel? What about Armenia?
by Hana Levi Julian
Washington lawmakers are warning they might formally recognize the Armenian genocide to punish Turkey for its treatment of Israel.
A Congressional resolution recognizing the 1915-1923 massive slaughter of Armenians in eastern Anatolia by the Ottoman Turks passed the Foreign Affairs Committee by a lone vote in March.
It will soon be brought before the full House of Representatives for a vote -- and lawmakers who previously have said they would not support the resolution are now hinting they might change their minds.
Indiana's Republican Congressman Mike Pence told reporters on Wednesday there would be “a cost if Turkey stays on its present heading of growing closer to Iran and more antagonistic to the State of Israel. It will bear upon my view, and I believe of many members of Congress.”
New York Republican Congressman Peter King backed him up, adding that he and “many” other lawmakers who previously were unwilling to support a resolution on Armenian genocide due to the U.S. relationship with Turkey are now reconsidering. “I think that's about to change,” he said.
Nevada Democrat Shelley Berkley and New York Democrat Eliot Engel both agreed in interviews with Fox News. “Turkey is on a charm offensive this week,” said Berkley after getting a call from a PR firm gunning on behalf of Turkey following the flotilla clash with Israeli Naval commandos. “They will not be welcome in my office until I see a change in policy.”
Engel went further, saying Turkey's government was growing too close to the Muslim sector. “It has a strong Islamic bent,” he said.
Two other lawmakers have drafted a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to “thwart international condemnation and focus the international community on the crimes of the Iran-backed Hamas leadership against Israel.” Close to 130 U.S. Representatives have signed the document, including lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum. Among them are House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH).
Turkey, a member of NATO and a long-term ally of both the United States and Israel, defied the U.S. and voted with Brazil to oppose increased United Nations Security Council sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
The U.S., Israel and other Western nations have been pushing for the sanctions for more than a year, hoping the pressure will persuade Iran to abandon its accelerated nuclear development program.
In addition, the Turkish government actively supported the terror-linked IHH organization's recent sponsorship of a six-ship flotilla sent in hopes of breaking the maritime blockade of Hamas-ruled Gaza.
One of the six ships was manned by dozens of armed terrorists who attacked the Israeli naval commandos when they boarded the vessel after it refused to change course and head for Ashdod.
Nine Turkish terrorists died and many people were wounded in the clash, including seven Israeli commandos.
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