[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 40 (Tuesday, April 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E578]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       NATIONAL UNITY COALITION FOR ISRAEL RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT

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                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 8, 1997

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had the opportunity to address a 
coalition of Jewish and Christian groups who convened a national unity 
conference in support of Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu was the 
keynote speaker at this important event. The National Unity Coalition 
consists of more than 200 American Christian and Jewish organizations 
which collectively represent more than 40 million citizens. Attendance 
at this event was filled to beyond capacity. Two ballrooms at an area 
hotel were needed to accommodate all the attendees.
  At the conference a resolution of solidarity with Israel was 
unanimously adopted. Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this opportunity to 
share with my colleagues the text of this excellent resolution, and to 
thank those in attendance of their ongoing and dedicated commitment to 
the people of Israel. We wish the National Unity Conference for Israel 
much success in their future endeavors on behalf of a strong United 
States-Israel relationship, and look forward to working with them in 
the months and years to come.

     Resolution of Solidarity--National Unity Conference for Israel

       We, the members and friends of the National Unity Coalition 
     for Israel, give unanimous congratulations and commendation 
     to the people of the State of Israel in their tenacious 
     struggle to survive and flourish in their God-given homeland, 
     Eretz Israel.
       We are firmly committed to Jerusalem as the legitimate, 
     undivided capital of the Jewish state. The 3000 year union 
     between the Jewish people and their holy city is a 
     relationship unique in human history. We commend the U.S. 
     Congress for passage of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 and 
     urge immediate implementation of the move of the U.S. Embassy 
     from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
       While respecting the legitimate rights of all people in the 
     region to live in peace, we call on responsible parties, 
     particularly Israel and the United States, to halt further 
     negotiations with the Palestinian Authority until Chairman 
     Arafat and the Palestinian Authority take concrete steps to 
     implement basic promises made but thus far blatantly 
     disregarded.
       Namely:
       1. Amend the PLO charter, which calls for the annihilation 
     of Israel.
       2. Close illegal offices in Jerusalem operated in violation 
     of previous agreements.
       3. Effectively stop terrorist violence and cease giving the 
     ``green light'' to violence when contentious issues arise 
     between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
       4. Reduce the Palestinian ``Police Force'' to the size 
     agreed to in the interim agreement.
       5. Comply with legal obligations, including transfer of 
     terrorist suspects.
       6. Confiscate illegal arms.
       7. Demonstrate a commitment to peace as opposed to 
     continual threats to foment a state of war against Israel 
     among Arab states.
       We strongly urge that any funding for the Palestinian 
     Authority, planned or in process, be withheld until 
     compliance is guaranteed.
       With due respect and regard for the rights of the 
     Palestinian people and legitimate Arab states in the region, 
     we insist that the basic issue affecting affairs in the 
     Middle East is the survival of the modern State of Israel. 
     Since its rebirth as a nation in 1948, Israel has never posed 
     a threat to any neighbor nation. Israel has only responded to 
     aggressors. It has contributed enormously to the social and 
     economic welfare of the residents of the region. Israel 
     stands as the single bastion of democracy in the Middle East 
     and therefore remains an invaluable ally to the United States 
     and democracies the world over. Israel holds the key to the 
     future prosperity and social development of the region.
       Beyond these obvious indispensible benefits, no people in 
     the history of humanity has a more legitimate right to a 
     place in the ancient land of their fathers. We hold that 
     Israel's biblical, historical, and moral right to the land is 
     inviolable, and, as a body representing more than 200 
     organizations of Zionist Christians and Jews, we stand 
     unanimously with the people of Israel and their right, in the 
     words of ``Hatikvah,'' to live freedom in the land of Zion 
     and Jerusalem.
     
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