40 U.S. senators supported Israel’s assassination of Hamas’ leader

03/28/04 "Virtual Jerusalem" -- More than 40 senators said they supported Israel’s assassination of Hamas’ leader, a Jewish official said. The senators met Thursday with officials from the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. While some senators voiced concern about the consequences of killing Sheik Ahmed Yassin, the lawmakers — including Senate majority leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), minority leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) — “supported Israel’s right to take whatever measures are necessary to defend itself,” according to Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Presidents Conference. 

The group also discussed the U.S. war on terrorism, Iran’s nuclear aspirations, U.S. sanctions against Syria and homeland security funding for U.S. Jewish institutions. 

© 2001 Virtual Jerusalem Holdings