Garrett No Friend to Israel, Opponent Gussen Says

The following is a letter to the editor from Adam Gussen: 

Over his years in Congress, Scott Garrett has voted to support the State of Israel on several occasions.  He's voted to recognize the Israel on her anniversary.  He's recognized her right to defend herself.  He's voted to urge Mahmoud Abbas to remove the 10 articles in the Fatah Constitution that call for Israel's destruction and terrorism against Israel.  In short, Scott Garrett has stood with Israel on many occasions.  However, when Israel's security was actually being threatened, Scott Garrett put partisan politics ahead of the safety of every Israeli man woman and child.  

In October of last year, Scott Garrett voted against an amendment designed to stop US land from being awarded to a multinational mining corporation whose subsidiary, Rio Tinto operates the largest uranium mine in the world.  The mine - the Rossing mine is located in Namibia.  Rio Tinto's second largest partner in this uranium mine is the government of Iran. Iran has spent years attempting to avoid United States sanctions.  Make no mistake about; if Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons, Scott Garrett is making their job easier. 

The last thing in the world we should be doing is enriching a company that flaunts international sanctions by providing the Iranian government profits from uranium.  Further, we should not trust a company that's been sanctioned by the United Nations 6 times for violating international sanctions against Iran to keep uranium out of the hands of the Iranians.  The proposed amendment would have prevented any company doing business with Iran from profiting from mining on US lands.  Geologists estimate that the copper mines on these US lands should yield between $2 and $7 billion. 

Scott Garrett is certainly willing to show his support for Israel when that support comes in the form of empty words.  But when Israel really needed a friend to stand up to Iran against those like President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who say that “Israel must be wiped off the map”, Scott Garrett was nowhere to be found.  Anyone can claim to be your friend.  But as always, actions speak louder than words.  When Israel needed a friend, Scott Garrett played politics and left his "friends" in Israel to fend for themselves.  That's not my definition of friendship.   

When elected I will be a true friend to Israel, not a fair-weather friend.  I know the value of Israel’s friendship and will ensure that every vote will protect the people of the state of Israel and not the special interests.

- Adam Gussen 

Adam Gussen is the deputy mayor of Teaneck and a Democratic candidate for congress in the 5th Congressional District.