[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8512-S8513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONDEMNATION OF JERUSALEM BOMBING

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, yesterday, while thousands of innocent men, 
women and children shopped in Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem, the 
peace of that sunny afternoon was shattered when two bombs filled with 
screws and nails detonated. Fifteen people were killed, close to 200 
persons

[[Page S8513]]

were injured. Later that day, the Israeli Cabinet voted to break off 
all contact with the Palestinian Authority, jeopardizing hopes that had 
soared just days ago when Israelis and Palestinians had agreed to 
resume peace talks for the first time since March.
  I have always been a strong supporter of the peace process, and there 
is no doubt in anyone's mind that this is a complicated issue and peace 
will only be secured after prolonged negotiations and compromises on 
both sides. No one expects it to be easy.
  However, the first step simply must be to end the violence. Terrorist 
acts such as yesterday's bombing simply cannot be tolerated. There is 
no reason, no excuse, no possible justification for killing innocent 
civilians shopping in a street market. It is an act of terrorism, 
nothing more, nothing less.
  Peace cannot be secured until the citizens of the Middle East are 
certain that they are safe. They will not feel safe until they trust 
each other, and they will not trust each other until their actions 
match their words and deeds. Yasser Arafat said he condemns these 
terrorists. He said it is an act against the peace process. Yet, it is 
more than likely that a known terrorist group detonated those bombs in 
the market. These terrorist groups have never had to account for their 
violent deeds.
  The Palestinian Authority must match its words of condemnation with 
acts. It must take tangible steps to increase security activity and 
security cooperation. It must be committed to bringing those who are 
responsible for this unconscionable act of terrorism to justice. Only 
when it is clear that these acts of terrorism will no longer be 
tolerated will they cease. Only when they cease can we take another 
step down that very long road to peace.
  I extend my condolences to the families of those who were killed. It 
is my sincere hope it is the last time that the people of Israel and 
the people of Palestine will endure the suffering and fear that 
terrorist acts bring.
  I yield back the remainder of my time.
  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sessions). The Senator from Illinois.

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