TOM LANTOS IS A FRIEND OF ISRAEL, BUT...: Tom Lantos, who received the Friend of Israel Award in 2003, has made comments in the wake of Pelosi's Mideast tour such as "we have an alternative Democratic foreign policy. I view my job as beginning with restoring overseas credibility and respect for the United States" and "this is only the beginning of our constructive dialogue with Syria, and we hope to build on it."

The latter comment is troubling, not only in view of how Pelosi so badly botched the alleged message she claims to have been told to give to Assad on Israel's behalf, but also in her obvious lack of credentials for the job.

It is especially troubling to see Lantos enthusiastically advocating a policy espoused by James Baker with one of Israel's intractable enemies.

The Washington Post notes that Pelosi's performance in Syria

offered an excellent demonstration yesterday of why members of Congress should not attempt to supplant the secretary of state when traveling abroad.

While Pelosi doesn't know any better, it is disturbing that Tom Lantos doesn't either.

Update: Claudia Rosett writes in "Pelosi was nuts to visit with Assad" for those who may have forgotten:

The long litany of Syrian depredations includes the long and brutal occupation of Lebanon, Syrian involvement in the brazen car-bombing assassination two years ago of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al- Hariri, and likely Syrian involvement in the continuing series of murders of Lebanese reformers. Syria has been a highway for Hezbollah terrorists trucking weapons from Iran into Lebanon, leading to the war launched by Hezbollah last summer against Israel. Syria provides safety and support for the terrorists of Hamas. Since the fall of Saddam Hussein, Syria has become a conduit of terrorists inflicting mayhem and murder in Iraq. [Hat tip: Instapundit]

Technorati Tag: Israel and Syria and Nancy Pelosi and Tom Lantos.