Days after election victory: 'Tea Party' coming to Israel
Newly elected senator for Florida, republican Marco Rubio will arrive in Israel on Sunday; Pro-Israel AIPAC lobby expresses satisfaction with election results
Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 11.03.10, 20:12 / Israel News
First they took Washington, now they'll take Jerusalem? With victory in the congressional elections less than a day old, Florida Senator Marco Rubio (Rep.) who considers himself a 'Tea Party' member, is set to arrive in Israel on Sunday. Rubio's visit so soon after the election win is a move that strengthens assessments that the congress in its current form will continue where it left off – at least where Israel is concerned.
The pro-Israeli AIPAC lobby applauded the election results, congratulated the winners and said: "It is abundantly clear that the 112th Congress will continue America's long tradition of staunch support for a strong, safe and secure Israel and an abiding friendship between the United States and our most reliable ally in the Middle East."
AIPAC expressed satisfaction over the fact that most pro-Israel senators were reelected and sent messages of congratulations to senators and congress members from both parties.
Comings and goings in Congress
Jewish Senator Russ Feingold (Dem.) lost his Wisconsin seat and ends 18 years in office. Meanwhile, Democratic Connecticut state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal was elected to the Senate. Tuesday night's elections saw five Jewish Democratic representatives lose their seats in the Senate, but the Republican victory in the House means that the only Jew in the party, Eric Cantor of Virginia, is set to become House Majority Leader.
Among the Jewish politicians whose terms came to an end were: Ron Klein and Alan Grayson from Florida, Steve Kagan from Wisconsin and John Adler from New Jersey.
In contrast, David Cicilline, the openly gay and Jewish mayor of Providence, became a congressman and joins another Jewish gay member - Barney Frank – who was reelected and returns to the House of Representatives on behalf of Massachusetts. Another Jewish representative is Nan Hayworth (rep.) from New York.
