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Foreign Affairs

More than 100 Members Join Reps. Israel, Ros-Lehtinen, Deutch and Cole to Call on UN to Condemn Hamas’ Use of Civilians as Human Shields
July 28, 2014
Press Release
Washington, DC—Today, Reps. Steve Israel (D-NY), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ted Deutch (D-FL) and Tom Cole (R-OK) announced that more than 100 bipartisan Members of Congress joined them in sending a letter to Navi Pillay, the U.N.'s top human rights official, calling on the UN to condemn Hamas’ use of civilians as human shields, which is a direct violation of international law.
Issues:Foreign Affairs
Bad Actors Step In When America Pulls Back
July 28, 2014
Weekly Columns

Ever since Russia violated Ukrainian sovereignty by sending troops to invade Crimea back in March, the world has been clearly warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is on the move to conquer and claim neighboring territory. While he started with making Crimea part of Russia, professing that he must do so as protector of the “Russian world,” clearly his goal is to take over huge swaths of the country of Ukraine and then threaten the sovereignty of other countries allied or associated with America.

Issues:Foreign Affairs
Reps. Israel, Ros-Lehtinen, Deutch and Cole to Call on UN Human Rights Council to Condemn Hamas’ Use of Civilians as Human Shields
July 23, 2014
Press Release
Washington, DC — Today, Reps. Steve Israel (D-NY), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ted Deutch (D-FL) and Tom Cole (R-OK) announced that they are sending a letter to Navi Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights for the UN Human Rights Council calling on her to condemn Hamas’ use of civilians as human shields, which is a direct violation of international law.
Issues:Foreign Affairs
Sanctions Alone Will Not Deter Russian Separatists
July 17, 2014
Press Release
Washington, DC – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement after President Barack Obama announced his intention yesterday to impose more sanctions on Russia in response to continued conflict along the Russia-Ukraine border. Today, concerns surrounding the conflict in the region intensified after Malaysia Flight MH17, en route to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam, was shot down and crashed in Ukraine near a pro-Russia separatist stronghold.
Issues:Foreign Affairs
Foreign Policy Magazine: Congress Deeply Skeptical of Funding for Syrian Rebels
July 16, 2014
News Stories

Foreign Policy Magazine - John Hudson

The Obama administration's new plan to break the stalemate in Syria is running into bipartisan opposition in Congress, raising fresh doubts about whether military aid promised to the Syrian rebels will arrive anytime soon, if at all.

Issues:Foreign Affairs
Reps. Israel and Cole Applaud Passage of Resolution Supporting Israel’s Right to Defend Itself Against Rocket Attacks from Hamas
July 11, 2014
Press Release
Washington, DC — Today, Reps. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) and Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) applauded the passage of their bipartisan resolution supporting the State of Israel’s right to defend itself against unprovoked rocket attacks from Hamas, a terrorist organization. The resolution passed with more than 140 cosponsors.
Issues:Foreign Affairs
Fox News: House approves resolution backing Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas
July 11, 2014
News Stories

Fox News - Chad Pergram

The House of Representatives on Friday approved a non-binding resolution backing Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas rocket attacks.

The vote comes as Hamas-fired rockets stream into Israel's airspace, though most are being intercepted by Israel's advanced defense system.

The House adopted the resolution by unanimous consent, and there was no roll call vote.

Issues:Foreign Affairs
Reps. Israel and Cole Introduce Resolution Supporting Israel’s Right to Defend Itself Against Rocket Attacks from Hamas
July 9, 2014
Press Release
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Steve Israel (D-Huntington) and Congressman Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) introduced a resolution supporting the State of Israel’s right to defend itself against unprovoked rockets attacks from Hamas, a terrorist organization. Their bipartisan resolution reaffirms U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorist attacks, condemns the unwarranted attacks and calls on Hamas to immediately cease all rocket attacks against Israel.
Issues:Foreign Affairs
Cole Statement on Release of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl
June 2, 2014
Press Release
Washington, DC – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) made the following statement after the release of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, an American soldier who was captured by the Taliban in 2009. Bergdahl was released by the Taliban on Saturday in exchange for five senior Taliban leaders who were detained by the United States at Guantanamo Bay.
Issues:Defense, National Security & Foreign AffairsForeign Affairs
Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Congress Backs Ukraine Aid and Russian Sanctions
March 30, 2014
News Stories

Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise - Peter Urban

Issues:Foreign Affairs