109 HRES 926 IH: Condemning the kidnapping of Israeli U.S. House of Representatives 2006-07-19 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 109th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 926 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 19, 2006 Mr. Issa submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations RESOLUTION Condemning the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers by Hamas and Hezbollah, affirming the right of Israel to conduct operations to secure the kidnapped soldiers, urging all parties to protect innocent life and civilian infrastructure, and for other purposes.

Whereas on June 25, 2006, Israeli Defense Forces Corporal Gilad Shalit was kidnapped and taken hostage by a Palestinian militant group that included members of the military wing of Hamas; Whereas Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal, in Damascus, Syria, has acknowledged the role of Hamas in holding Corporal Shalit hostage; Whereas on July 12, 2006, operatives of the terrorist group Hezbollah carried out an attack in Israel, killing three Israeli soldiers and taking two others hostage; Whereas Hezbollah Secretary General Hasan Nasrallah has acknowledged Hezbollah’s responsibility for the attack and taking hostages; Whereas Iran, Syria, and elements of the Government of Lebanon have a well-documented history of supporting the terrorist groups responsible for these kidnappings; Whereas President George W. Bush stated on July 13, 2006, [t]he democracy of Lebanon is an important part of laying a foundation of peace, that the government of Lebanese Prime Minister Faoud Sinoria must not be undermined during the current crisis, and that Syria and Iran must be held to account for their shared responsibility in the recent hostage taking; and Whereas Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated on July 12, 2006, All sides must act with restraint to resolve this incident peacefully and to protect innocent life and civilian infrastructure.: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)condemns Hamas and Hezbollah for engaging in the reprehensible terrorist act of taking hostages; (2)affirms the right of Israel to conduct operations, both inside and outside its own borders and in the territory of countries supporting the hostage takers, in pursuit of the release of hostages; (3)notes that all governments that have provided continued support to Hamas or Hezbollah share responsibility for the hostage taking and urges these countries to use all efforts to secure the unconditional release of the hostages; (4)urges all parties to protect innocent life and civilian infrastructure; (5)declares its continued commitment to aiding Israel and the administration of President George W. Bush in battling terrorism and securing the unconditional release of hostages; and (6)expresses its condolences to all innocent victims of recent violence in Israel, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories and their families, including those of the three Israeli hostages.