Pete McCloskey, longtime supporter of Palestinians and USS Liberty veterans, has passed away
If Americans Knew: Former Congressman Paul N. “Pete” McCloskey, a longtime supporter of
Palestinian rights and USS Liberty veterans, died of congestive heart
failure peacefully at his home in Winters, California, on May 8th in the
care of his wife of forty-two years, Helen, and their five dogs. He was
96.
McCloskey was a rarity in American politics. His actions were guided
by his sense of justice, not by political ideology. He hated inequity
and did not hesitate to take on members of his own political party.
“He stood for everyone without a voice, and was especially passionate
about our environment — he was afraid of nothing or anyone who sought
to take advantage of another,” said Joe Cotchett, his law partner since
2004. “He was the epitome of a leader, as demonstrated throughout his
entire life.”
Palestine and USS Liberty
Following trips to the Middle East in the late 1970s, Pete McCloskey,
like two other Republicans, Senators Charles Percy, Congressman Paul
Findley, and independent of one another, returned with the strong
conviction that American foreign policy in the region was unbalanced and
would prove over the long run to be disastrous for US interests and for
the Palestinian people.