by Askia Muhammad
White House Correspondent

WASHINGTON (FinalCall.com)�By lopsided votes of 94-2 in the Senate and 352-21 with 29 abstentions in the House, Congress May 2 endorsed Israel�s military campaign to dismantle the Palestinian "terrorist infrastructure" despite warnings from Bush administration officials that the vote could interfere in Middle East peace efforts.

Often citing appreciation for the support of Jews in this country for the Civil Rights movement a generation ago, CBC members took pains in their remarks opposing the resolution to indicate their support for Israel, even when they condemn the current crackdown there.

"I have continued to feel strongly with the Jews," Rep. Clayton said, quoting a recent article by South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu. "What is not so understandable however, not justified, is what (Israel) did to another people to guarantee its existence."

What the Israelis have done to the Palestinians, she continued reading from the article by Bishop Tutu, has left him "very deeply distressed. � (it) reminds me much of what has happened to us as Black people in South Africa," the article continued.

"This resolution blindly supports Israel�s actions against the Palestinians and wholly denies generations of suffering of the Palestinian people," warned Rep. David Bonior (D-Mich.), during the debate.

Mr. Bonior�s remarks coincided with reservations expressed by White House officials, who argued that in foreign affairs, the U.S. should speak with one voice, rather than with the voices of "535 different secretaries of state" who are members of the House and Senate.

Voting for such a measure would be "wrong at any time," said Mr. Bonior, former Democratic Whip, "but in light of what has happened at Jenin and Bethlehem, Ramallah, Haifa, Jerusalem, and Netanya, and what continues to happen today, this resolution is dangerous."

Pro-Israeli sentiment was running so high on Capitol Hill that two House Republican leaders declared that they reject the peace process altogether, one of them literally calling for ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians.

"I�m content to have Israel grab the entire West Bank," House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Tex.) said in a broadcast interview. "I happen to believe that the Palestinians should leave," Mr. Armey told MSNBC�s Chris Matthews, when he was reminded that his opinion is at odds with current U.S. policy and with the position of every U.S. president, going back to 1948.

"It is truly disturbing to see American-elected officials falling over themselves in an unseemly attempt to �pledge allegiance� to a foreign government and its domestic lobby," Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), said in a statement. House and Senate members "undercut" the President and Secretary of State by "engaging in crass political maneuvering that promotes their own prospects of re-election over America�s national and security interests," said Mr. Awad.

While even those who opposed the pro-Israel resolutions usually also condemned Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, very few House members balanced their critiques with comments pointing out the dangerous behavior engaged in by the Israeli Prime Minister.

"When (Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon engaged in (a) provocative foray to the Temple Mount to foster his political ambitions, he provided the spark that ignited the fuel of (Mr.) Arafat and the current violence. And his actions since then have only fanned the flames," said Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) on the House Floor.

Mr. Sharon arrived in Washington at Final Call press time, for meetings with Secretary of State Colin Powell, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and for meetings scheduled with the President and Congressional leaders.

Jordanian King Abdullah also arrived in Washington for meetings with administration officials following Mr. Sharon�s departure.