JCRC ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL BREAKFAST, SUNDAY, FEB. 13, 2011, in UJA-Federation office on 59th St., NYC - 9AM-noon

Overflow crowd of hundreds of people. Bountiful buffet breakfast - video screens in adjacent rooms for those who couldn't find seats in the main room - Democratic delegation from NY of Senators and Congress people. Only two Republican members of Congress with twelve Democrats.

Shlomi Kofman, Deputy consul General of Israel in NY gave greetings - expressing appreciation for support from American Jews for Israel.

Congressman Gary Ackerman - who had been severely criticized for his support of J Street, until he reversed course, spoke about the wide street or highway on which Jews travel, and on which there must be room for EVERYBODY - but he then excluded those who would de-legitimize Israel. On the subject of Egypt, he expressed the opinion that the Muslim Brotherhood is NOT as popular as some would think and that it WILL be in the political process. He expressed the opinion that young Egyptians admire Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, more than Allah and that America must form an alliance with the young protestors.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey agreed that it is right to praise the protestors and believes that the U.S. should continue funding Egypt. She echoed the strategy of President Bush, calling for "defense, diplomacy, and development." Republican Congresswoman Nan Hayworth was clearly coming from a different viewpoint when she carefully navigated her way through the Democratic party waters. She cited great enterprise as the fuel for our freedoms and the freedoms of the world, and called for a less invasive government into personal freedoms.

Congressman Eliot Engel, who co-chairs the Israel Allies Caucus is a strong supporter of foreign aid for Israel, and cautioned that the U.S. must be a reliable friend and recognize that Israel is America's only ally. While supporting democratic efforts of reform, he warned that the Muslim Brotherhood is linked to Hamas which controls Gaza. In 2004, it was Engel who sponsored the Syria Accountability Act which held Assad in check for a while. Today, Hezbollah has re-armed. The dangers of the Iranians working in South America, was also stressed. He pointed out that Chavez, in Venezuela, has recognized the legitimacy of a PA state, as have other countries.

Senator Charles Schumer also spoke about Egypt. He is hoping for a good outcome, but notes that there is much to worry about. He stressed that a stable Egypt is vital to the cold peace. He cited Iran as a bad model where the people are fundamentally secular and pro-western, but hi-jacked by a theocratic dictatorship which must be guarded against. He presented Indonesia as the good model where Suharto, the dictator, was unseated by the army which stabilized the country and led it to a secular democracy where militant movements have been shut down. He hopes that Egypt will follow that path. Senator Schumer stressed that the greatest danger today is a nuclear Iran. He applauded the creation by Israel and the U.S. of a virus which succeeded in delaying Iran's nuclear development by two years.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand agreed that there are many questions about Egypt, and that despite the effectiveness of sanctions, Iran is a constant threat. She spoke about her work on the Iran Human Rights Sanctions Act, and the need for better transparency and accountability. She cited her participation in many demonstrations at the United Nations, called for the U.S. to withdraw from participating in Durban III, decried the flotilla fiasco, insisted that there be no intermediary in the Israel/Arab peace process, that there be no reduction in funding to Israel, and that terror protection funding for NY be increased, especially to protect religious institutions.

Congressman Steve Israel spoke about the importance of energy independence. He informed us that $650 billion goes to the Defense budget. Of that, $20 million is spent on energy. He calls for a halt to subsidies to the big oil companies.

Congressman Jerrold Nadler said that the administration made a mistake in focusing on the Israeli "settlements" as a big issue. He sees the UN as being anti-Israel, and warned about loose nukes being available on the black market. In order to control importing terror items, he believes shipping containers to the U.S. must be inspected. He also supports a withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney was the first to speak about Gilad Shalit. She addressed the issues of the flotilla, the sanctions on Iran, the upcoming hate Israel Durban Conference, and her support for Congressman Peter King's homeland security efforts which have secured $100 million for NYC.

Congressman Michael Grimm was the second Republican representative to address us. He cited his experience as a former U.S. Marine serving in the Middle East. As co-chair of the House Israeli caucus he has voted against UN allocations with Congressman Peter King. He concluded with a strong statement of support for Israel.

Congressman Anthony Weiner told us that Saudi Arabia is NOT an ally. He likes the covert action taken against Iran and is a strong supporter of homeland security.

Congresswoman Yvette Clark became a strong Israel supporter after traveling to Israel this past August with the JCRC. She described the strong, modern, developed country she saw with people living their lives despite the ongoing threats. She visited Sderot and witnessed the way the people live constantly on the alert for the Red alarm which announces an oncoming missile, driving them into shelters and underground.

Congressman Greg Meeks was the last speaker. He applauded Israel as being our strongest ally. He is hoping that the cold peace America has had with Egypt will be replaced with a warm peace, implemented by the Egyptian youth. He's waiting for Arab leadership to acknowledge Israel's right to exist. As a black man, he said it was important for him to attend the JCRC breakfast in order to affirm the coalition between blacks and Jews which was so evident in the civil rights movement. He finished with a rousing reference to Martin Luther King's call for freedom for all people.

(Congressman Charles Rangel also spoke briefly - but I was out of the room and missed his remarks.)