"AIPAC to push against 9/11 trial"
Politico
March 18, 2010
Josh Gerstein
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is planning to urge Congress to block funding for a civilian trial of the alleged 9/11 plotters, an AIPAC official said Thursday.
The issue is on the agenda for AIPAC’s annual policy conference Sunday through Tuesday, and attendees will be urged to ask their representatives to support legislation cutting off funds for such trials, the official said.
The move, which injects AIPAC into one of the most heated national security debates of the Obama administration, puts the powerful pro-Israel lobby squarely on one side of a contentious issue.
AIPAC’s decision to take a stand follows Attorney General Eric Holder’s announcement in November that five detainees, including self-professed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, would be tried in federal court in New York City.
The plan has run into fierce opposition from Republicans, some Democrats and New York City officials, who have complained about the cost and security risks of a trial a few blocks from the site of the World Trade Center attacks.
President Barack Obama’s administration has defended the decision, arguing that federal courts are well-equipped to handle terrorism cases and that a successful trial would demonstrate the strength of the American justice system.
An AIPAC spokesman declined to comment on the lobbying push, which was first reported by The Washington Post.
The group’s decision to weigh in on the issue could complicate the political calculus for some lawmakers, particularly Democrats who are strong supporters of Israel but have been hesitant to challenge the administration on the detainee issue.
Legislation to block funding for civilian trials of Guantanamo detainees has been introduced in both the House and Senate, but has yet to receive a vote.