What Makes Congress "Skittish"?

"U.S. to Give $900 Million in Gaza Aid, Officials Say"
A7, Tuesday 2/24/09,
By Helene Cooper

Many lawmakers in Congress “are skittish about even appearing to help Hamas until it renounces violence and recognizes Israel’s right to exist.”

In politics, appearance is everything, especially for a Congress in the grips of the powerful Israel lobby. Hence these congressmen being jumpy, lest they do something to anger the lobby and ruin their careers.

Instead of this neither here nor there reference to what politicians may or may not be feeling about aiding a terrorist group committed to destroying a vital and well-liked U.S. ally, Cooper could’ve simply stated that many lawmakers are “reluctant to help Hamas until it…”

While Kershner does a fair job of listing the basic demands of Hamas and Israel in getting the borders open, she does nothing to articulate why over a month has passed with little or no progress.

She states that Israel demands a halt to weapons smuggling, yet doesn’t contrast that with Hamas’ repeated affirmation of its smuggling weapons – regardless of a truce. She states that Israel demands the release of Schalit, yet doesn’t contrast that with Hamas’ repeated affirmation of Schalit being separate from a cease-fire.

Cooper reports Israel's demands, but she should've also reported how they've been publicly mocked.