[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 61 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                     February 11, 2003.
Whereas the United States and Israel are close allies whose people share a deep 
        and abiding friendship based on a shared commitment to democratic 
        values;
Whereas since its establishment in 1948, Israel has fulfilled the dreams of its 
        founders who envisioned a vigorous, open, and stable democracy;
Whereas an essential feature of Israeli democracy is its system of competitive, 
        free, and open elections;
Whereas on January 28, 2003, the people of Israel elected Israel's 16th Knesset, 
        or Parliament, which in turn will choose the Prime Minister of Israel; 
        and
Whereas the election on January 28, 2003, is the most recent example of the 
        commitment of Israel to the democratic ideals of freedom and pluralism, 
        ideals that Israel shares with the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends the people of Israel for reaffirming their dedication 
        to democratic ideals as expressed in the election on January 28, 2003;
            (2) expresses both its respect for the freely expressed will of the 
        people of Israel, and its intention to engage in constructive relations 
        with the new Government of Israel, and urges the international community 
        to do so as well;
            (3) reaffirms the close bonds of friendship that have bound the 
        people of the United States and the people of Israel together through 
        turbulent times for more than half a century;
            (4) urges the Palestinian leadership to abide by its commitments 
        made to the United States and to Israel and urges the Palestinian people 
        to act on President Bush's call of June 24, 2002, to dismantle the 
        terrorist infrastructure, end incitement to violence in official media, 
        elect new leaders not compromised by terror, and embrace democracy; and
            (5) restates the commitment of the United States to a secure peace 
        for Israel.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.