Middle East Violence Scrubs O'Malley Trade Mission

Maryland delegation was set to leave next week on eight-day trip to Israel, Jordan and the West Bank.

By Sebastian Montes
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November 20, 2012

Gov. Martin O'Malley and a delegation of elected officials and business leaders have postponed next week's trip to Israel, Jordan and Ramallah. Associated Press

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Gov. Martin O'Malley and a delegation of elected officials and business leaders have postponed next week's trip to Israel, Jordan and Ramallah.

Credit Associated Press

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The escalating conflict in the Gaza Strip has forced Gov. Martin O’Malley to postpone his eight-day trade mission to the Middle East.

O’Malley (D) and a delegation of elected officials and business leaders were set to leave next week for Israel, Jordan and the West Bank city of Ramallah, The Washington Post reported. He announced his decision today after mounting Hamas rocket strikes and Israeli counter-strikes that have left more than 100 dead in the past week.

“Not wanting to be a distraction from the urgent cause of peace, I look forward to visiting Israel in the months ahead with Maryland business, research and academic leaders,” O’Malley said in a statement. “For now, we join with our Israeli and Palestinian neighbors in praying for a cease-fire and peaceful resolution to the conflict.”

This would have been his third trip to Israel since 2005, according to The Post. O’Malley announced the trade mission in September at the opening of a radar electronics manufacturing facility in Columbia, MD, owned by a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries.

Related Topics: Gaza Strip, Israel, Middle East conflict, and O'Malley

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Captain Cook

3:11 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012

O'Malley Trade Mission???? To where - the Fun House??? This dope can't even speak english without a teleprompter or his wife holding cue cards - and he is spending OUR tax dollars on a trip????????

Joe

3:30 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012

I'll pay for Owe'Malley to go to Gaza? I'l even pay and supply a Yamaka for him to wear while there.

H.R. Pufnstuf

6:44 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012

I think O'Malley should go. He's not that big of a deal so he would not distract from the peace proces in any way. Does he think Maryland's economy is not important?

djp952

1:28 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012

... and the opening of the "Amman Live! Casino" has thusly been delayed until 2014. Sorry Jordanians.

Laurie

9:12 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012

He so wants to be President some day. A sitting Maryland Governor has no business travelling to the Middle East for trade initiatives.

Steve

5:25 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Somehow I don't think the usual suspects were complaining when Bob Ehrlich took a trip to Israel when he was Governor. Here are the facts when it comes to the Maryland/Israel relationship.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/states/MD.html

Eric S.

11:01 am on Monday, November 26, 2012

Is it wrong that I find the spam comments more satisfying than the actual commentary sometimes on here? Wow.

Jeff Hawkins

8:07 am on Friday, November 30, 2012

Been off the site for awhile, came back for a "peek". It appears the level of discussion has seriously deteriorated on most topics with the usual suspects still working "overtime" to see their names in print.....

Yes.....Eric.....the "spam" looks good!!!