US Congress Votes to Back Israel

The US House of Representatives has voted to endorse a resolution backing Israel in its offensive in Gaza, in which at least 780 Palestinians have been killed.

The body passed Friday's resolution "recognising Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza" by 390 votes to five.

Twenty-two members of the House voted "present", which means that they voted neither in favour or against the resolution.

The measure also noted that the humanitarian situation in Gaza "is becoming more acute" but did not rebuke Israel.

Dennis Kucinich, a Democratic congressman for Ohio who voted against the bill said before the vote: "I'm hopeful that we do not support the inhumanity that has been repeatedly expressed by the Israeli army."

"We must take a new direction in the Middle East, and that new direction must be mindful of the inhumane conditions in Gaza".

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/01/20091920212870205.html