WASHINGTON, May 4 (IslamOnline) – U.S. Muslim leaders and groups urged Arabs, Muslims and all people of conscience, to thank and support U.S. representatives who did not vote for two non-binding pro-Israel resolutions. 

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), in a statement released Friday, pointed out that 88 Senators and elected representatives who refused to support ‘congressional resolutions in support of Israel's brutal invasion of Palestinian territory’.   

In a similar December 5, 2001, vote on a pro-Israel House resolution,
49 representatives did not offer their support. This is an indication that uncritical congressional backing for Israel's actions is beginning to decrease, according to CAIR.

For his part, Democrat Senator Ernest Hollings said on the Senate floor just prior to the vote "I think the resolution is ill-timed and not in the best interests of the United States and not in the best interests of Israel". 

"Where is the humanity on [toward] the Palestinian side here?" he asked, implying that the bill lacks balance. 

Political observers say the resolutions, and recent extreme pro-Israel statements by congressional leaders, are partly an effort by both major parties to out-bid each other in appealing to Jewish voters and campaign contributors.

A total of 84 senators and representatives did not vote in favor of the resolutions, including 82 in the House (21 opposed, 29 present, 32 no vote) and two in the Senate.

CAIR stressed the need to support those U.S. lawmakers to guarantee continuation of their balanced and just stances, citing expected tough pressure on them by the powerful Jewish Lobby in the U.S.

On Thursday, the U.S. Congress voted to formally express its support of Israel in the Middle East conflict despite reservations expressed by the White House. 

Congressional leaders met late Wednesday with White House officials to smooth over language in the lower house bill, a congressional source said, though top lawmakers suggested the White House would not oppose the resolution. 

In its statement, CAIR included a list of names and contacts of the U.S. Congressmen who refused ‘the unconditional support of Israel’, as well as ‘thank you and support’ draft letter, urging Arabs, Muslims and people of conscience worldwide to express their backing for those ‘brave Congressmen’.