[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 5, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H1701-H1702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONDEMNING VIOLENCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Bentsen] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, for the fourth time in 9 days, a savage 
suicide bomber has attacked the people and the state of Israel, seeking 
to terrorize its people and destabilize the Middle East peace process. 
The latest bombing, outside Tel Aviv's largest shopping mall, struck a 
crowded center filled with families and many children dressed in 
costume for the Jewish holiday festival of Purim. At least 12 were 
killed and 120 wounded in yesterday's bombing, only 1 day after a bus 
bombing in Jerusalem killed 18 people. The latest terrorist attacks 
bring the death toll of this 9-day siege to 59.
  The United States and the world must stand with Israel in this time 
of crisis. The actions of Hamas, the militant Moslem group which has 
claimed responsibility for these bombings, should not be tolerated. We 
cannot allow these terrorists to undermine the peace process and 
reverse the tremendous progress that has been made. More importantly, 
we must do all we can to stop these terrorist attacks and all who would 
support them militarily and financially.
  Israeli President Shimon Peres reiterated yesterday that Israel would 
not surrender to terrorists, and I have no doubt he will bring the 
nation's full weight to bear on Hamas and their allies who would 
threaten the very existence of Israel.
  I am pleased that President Clinton has moved swiftly to assist 
Israel in its efforts to battle this deadly wave of terrorism. The 
highly sophisticated bomb detection equipment and technical experts the 
United States sent to Israel today will support Israel's efforts to 
bring the killers to justice and to prevent future bombings.
  While these attacks have been portrayed as acts of revenge for 
Israel's killing of a Hamas terrorist leader, there can be no doubt 
today that these attacks are designed to undermine the peace process 
between Israel and the Palestinian authority led by Yasser Arafat. The 
actions of Hamas should not be tolerated nor should they be allowed to 
sway our commitment to peace.
  We here in the U.S. Congress must not waiver on our own commitment to 
this effort. Domestically, we must do everything within the law to 
ensure that Hamas and other terrorist groups do not receive financial 
support from within the United States. Internationally, we must lead 
the world in taking strong action against any nation that harbors or 
supports terrorists.
  We must also demand that Chairman Arafat and Palestinian Authority 
use the police powers granted under the peace process to bring these 
terrorists to justice. Finally, we must endorse the Israeli Cabinet's 
position of troop deployment as an allowable exception to the Peace 
accords to address an inexcusable action on the part of a terrorist 
organization.
  Today, all Israel mourns the loss of its friends and family, and the 
entire world grieves with them. We can best honor the victims of these 
bombings by recommitting ourselves to a comprehensive peace for Israel 
and the entire Middle East. But we must also recognize there can be no 
true peace until the terrorists behind these attacks are

[[Page H1702]]

brought to justice. They must not succeed.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in condemning this senseless campaign 
of terror against the people of Israel and in sending our condolences 
to the families of the victims of these horrible attacks. America 
stands with you and will support you throughout your fight against 
terrorism and for peace.

                              {time}  1600

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Fox of Pennsylvania). Under a previous 
order of the House, the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. McIntosh] is 
recognized for 5 minutes.

  [Mr. McINTOSH addressed the House. His remarks will appear hereafter 
in the Extensions of Remarks.]

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