[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 30, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8383-S8384]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        THE PLAGUE OF TERRORISM

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, only hours ago, in a market in 
Jerusalem, the plague of terrorism once again struck the people of the 
Middle East. Simple people shopping for their goods and wares were 
struck down by a terrorist bomb. People who do not have

[[Page S8384]]

the courage to stand on the battlefield or the wisdom to sit across a 
conference table with diplomats have, once again, sought to impose 
their own will on the people of Israel.
  I rise on the floor of the Senate to express all of our sympathies 
for the families of the victims, the people of Israel, and to Prime 
Minister Netanyahu.
  I know in all of us, there is not only a prayerful sorrow, but also a 
great anger. The sacrifices and the works and the hopes of so many 
might be dashed by these few who would impose their will. The best 
message may not simply be our prayers or our condolences. Perhaps, Mr. 
President, as Americans, we are best to respond to this tragedy as 
Americans have always responded to those who act in violence and with 
such irresponsible actions. Our best message may be our uncompromising 
determination to pursue peace.
  It is, after all, the interruption of the peace process that 
terrorists desire the most. If they had a coherent argument that had 
intellectual weight, they would have sought an entry into the peace 
process to make their arguments to diplomats. If they could make a 
coherent case to either the electorate in Israel or the people of the 
Palestinian Authority, they would have taken their case through a 
democratic process to those peoples. Their terrorist actions are the 
best evidence that they have no such arguments. They can make no such 
case. They, indeed, do not have confidence themselves in the strength 
of their own positions.
  In responding to this terrorist action, President Clinton made clear 
that the United States will not be dissuaded, that we are not led away 
or apart from our current policy of seeking a peaceful resolution to 
events in the Middle East. I believe that President Clinton, when he 
speaks these words, represents all of us.
  It is, therefore, only right and proper that, when the mourning ends 
and the dead are buried, our diplomats return to the Middle East with 
all dispatch. If it was the intention of the administration that they 
were to return in several days, the best message to the terrorists is 
that they return sooner. If it was their intention to remain a month, 
it is the best message to the terrorists that they should remain 2 
months. If it was the intention of this Congress to continue American 
assistance to Israel for several years, the best message to these 
terrorists is, it shall continue for more years.
  There are those through the years who do not understand the United 
States. They think that because we are a patient and a reasonable 
people, inclined towards peace and willing to talk, that we lack 
strength or resolve. Those who know our history, watched our actions, 
or understand us and our culture the best know that, in fact, nothing 
could be further from the truth. We are a people of enormous resolve. 
That resolve will best be demonstrated in the coming days when this 
administration sends our diplomats back to the negotiating table, this 
Congress continues with our commitments to Israel, and we make clear we 
will not be separated from our ambition of a strong and free Israel, 
with a Middle East with a lasting peace.
  To the Palestinian Authority and its leader, Yasser Arafat, we are 
all grateful that Mr. Arafat has expressed to Prime Minister Netanyahu 
and to the families of the victims his condolences. It is, however, on 
this occasion, not enough. The best expression of condolence to the 
victims and to the people of Israel is for Mr. Arafat to renew his 
commitment to the peace process without condition. It is not enough 
simply to express regret at the suffering of those who are victims or 
for Mr. Arafat to express his commitment to find those responsible and 
to cooperate with the Israeli authorities.

  It is also not enough to cooperate because of the deeds of this day, 
but to assure that tomorrow, and in all days that follow, the 
Palestinian Authority security forces will cooperate with Israeli law 
enforcement to share intelligence information, to open her borders and 
her files to ensure that this deed that has been suffered upon the 
people of Israel is not repeated.
  Mr. President, the people of Israel have suffered on many such days. 
Terrorism has not become the exception, but sometimes it seems the rule 
of the politics of the Middle East.
  In Israel, like in America, we are misunderstood. This much should be 
clear: There is no terrorist action so great, no number of victims so 
large, that the people of Israel will be convinced to compromise on the 
needs of their basic security, their determination that they and their 
children will live in an undivided Jerusalem. At times we seem so close 
to peace and yet more victims, more sacrifice is asked.
  Wherever these terrorists might be hiding tonight, whatever cave may 
conceal their cowardice, let this much be clear: Israel will remain 
free, Jerusalem will remain Israeli, the future will be secured. And if 
the sacrifice of the people of Israel through all these years has not 
convinced these terrorists, or those who would follow them, of that 
fact, then add this to the equation: The U.S. Congress, this Senate in 
representation of all the people of the United States, are determined 
to make it so as well.
  Mr. President, our prayers, our heartfelt sorrow go to the families 
of the victims of all the people of Israel. May the future at long last 
be different than the past.
  I yield the floor.

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