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Israel and the Middle East Conflict (Also video)
nd security of the State of Israel is unwavering, regardless of which party is in power. However, the war in Iraq has made both America and Israel less safe." Pelosi's voting record shows she has consistently supported Israel. Prior to 2006 elections in the Palestinian Authority, she voted in favor of a Congress initiative to disapprove of Hamas and other organizations', defined as terrorist by the legislation, participation in the elections. She agrees with the current U.S. stance in support of a land-for-peace arrangement. She has applauded Israeli "hopeful signs" of offering land, while criticizing Palestinian "threats" of not demonstrating peace in turn. She states, "If the Palestinians agree to coordinate with Israel on the evacuation, establish the rule of law, and demonstrate a capacity to govern, the world may be convinced that finally there is a real partner for peace." Pelosi supports the Syria Accountability Act and Iran Freedom and Support Act. In a speech given at the AIPAC 2005 annual conference, Pelosi said that "for too long, leaders from both parties haven't done enough" to put pressure on Russia and China who are providing Iran with technological information on nuclear issues and missiles. "If evidence of participation by other nations in Iran's nuclear program is discovered, I will insist that the Administration use, rather than ignore, the evidence in determining how the US deals with that nation or nations on other issues."
During the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, Pelosi voted in favor of Resolution 921 on the count that "the seizure of Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah terrorists was an unprovoked attack and Israel has the right, and indeed the obligation, to respond." She argues organizations and political bodies in the Mideast like Hamas and Hezbollah "have a greater interest in maintaining a state of hostility with Israel than in improving the lives of the people they claim to represent." Pelosi asserts that civilians on both sides of the border "have been put at risk by the aggression of Hamas and Hezbollah" in part for their use of "civilians as shields by concealing weapons in civilian areas."[16]