Intl. lobby supports Israel’s crimes

Former US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney says a strongly-financed lobby throughout the world has helped Israel violate international law.

“The status that Israel enjoys is the result of a very well-financed lobby that protects the interests of Israel,” McKinney said in an interview with Press TV on Tuesday.

The problem of Israel knowing itself exempt from international law has not only affected the United States, but also the international community and the United Nations, she further explained.

“Look at what happened with Judge [Richard] Goldstone when he wrote a report that just told the truth about what Israel did with respect to Operation Cast Lead,” she noted.

The Israeli operation on Gaza in the winter of 2008-2009 resulted in the deaths of more than 1,400 Palestinians, most of them civilians and inflicted over $1.6 billion of damage on the Gaza Strip’s economy.

The UN report, also known as the ‘Goldstone Report,’ said Israel’s crimes included deliberate targeting civilians. It also highlighted the Israeli forces’ “systematically reckless” way of determining the use of white phosphorus in built-up areas, notably in the attack on the UN Relief and Works Agency compound in Gaza City as well as two Gaza-based hospitals.

McKinney also referred to Israel’s attack on the humanitarian aid Flotilla, which took place as the convoy was attempting to bring aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. She emphasized that Tel Aviv, in defiance of the international condemnation of the assault, claims that its actions were legal.

McKinney’s remarks came following former White House correspondent Helen Thomas’ statement that no one in the United States can criticize Israel and survive.

Thomas was forced to resign in June after calling on Israel to “get out of Palestine.”

McKinney reiterated that the Israeli lobby supports Tel Aviv’s interests, “no matter what the political systems is.”

She suggested that a “well-financed and well-organized people’s lobby” be formed in order to counteract the affects of the Israeli lobby in order to safeguard peace and justice.