[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 30 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        THE PLO MUST TAKE ACTION

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 7, 1996

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, as a country, we can express nothing but 
outrage at the recent events in Israel. The cowardice of the Hamas 
terrorists, who attack children dressed in costume for the Purim 
holiday, is hard for any sane individual to grasp. The United States 
cannot let such blatantly evil acts against humanity go unanswered.
  During Purim, Jews throughout the world celebrate freedom from the 
tyranny and oppression imposed by Haman, a villain of the worst 
magnitude. Jewish tradition suggests that joyous holidays be celebrated 
even during difficult and trying times. These are indeed trying times 
for the people of Israel, and people who support freedom and democracy 
throughout the world. While Jews celebrate ancient freedom from Haman's 
oppression, they know that such terror lives on in the form of Hamas.
  Under the Gaza-Jericho agreement of 1994, signed by the late Prime 
Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO chairman Yasser Arafat, Israel and the 
PLO must take all measures necessary in order to prevent acts of 
terrorism, crime, and hostilities directed against each other, and 
shall take legal measures against offenders. However, while Yasser 
Arafat has promised to outlaw Hamas, he has failed to shut down their 
training camps or confiscate their weapons. His lack of action raise 
serious questions about Mr. Arafat's commitment to peace.
  It is unrealistic to expect the peace efforts to go forward, or for 
the United States to continue with its support, without Yasser Arafat 
and the PLO taking concrete steps toward bringing the perpetrators of 
these crimes to justice. The United States has a vital interest in 
stability in the Mideast, as well as in the protection of Americans in 
the area. Last year Alisa Flatow, a student from New Jersey was killed 
in a terrorist attack. In the past week, Matt Eisenfeld from New Jersey 
and his fiancee, Sara Duker, were also killed. We must use every 
available resource and avenue of influence to protect our citizens and 
ensure that the killing stops. Likewise, the Israeli Government must 
use any necessary force to stop and prevent any future attacks. No 
peace will ever be achieved until both sides are committed to it. The 
PLO must eliminate Hamas, and turn over the perpetrators of these 
crimes, if they are to live up to that commitment.

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