[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TERRORISM IN ISRAEL MUST BE STOPPED

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 1997

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call for an end to the 
terror in Israel and to condemn those who seek to end the peace process 
by striking at innocent civilians.
  Over the past month and half, the citizens of Israel have been the 
victims of several ruthless and cowardly acts of terrorism. On July 30, 
two suicide bombers killed 15 Israelis and wounded over 170 others in a 
popular marketplace. On September 4, bombers struck again at a busy 
pedestrian shopping mall, killing 5 people and wounding more than 150. 
The extremist Muslin group, Hamas, has claimed responsibility for both 
attacks, with the goal of derailing the Middle East peace process and 
destroying Israel.
  While I believe that the peace process should continue to move 
forward, it cannot do so unless Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, 
Yasir Arafat, and other Arab leaders, begin to take seriously their 
role in stamping out acts of terror throughout the region.
  A main tenet of the Oslo Accords is that Israel will give land to the 
Palestinian people only if they can demonstrate their commitment to 
peace by taking an active role in putting an end to violence and 
terrorism. It is clear from recent events that Chairman Arafat and the 
Palestinian Authority are not living up to this commitment.
  While the Israeli government has taken active steps to adhere to the 
Oslo Accords, the Palestinian Authority has cut off negotiations with 
Israel and violated the Oslo agreement by terminating security 
cooperation with Israel that was intended to crack down on terrorism. 
And in an act that says a great deal about Palestinian leaders' 
attitude about terrorism, within days of the July bombing that killed 
15 Israelis, Arafat publicly embraced an extremist Hamas leader. These 
are hardly the actions of a man who is committed to ending terrorism 
and forging a lasting partnership with Israel.
  I am encouraged by the fact that Madeleine Albright has undertaken 
her first visit to the Middle East since becoming U.S. Secretary of 
State. I call on Secretary Albright to tell Chairman Arafat and other 
Arab leaders that the United States is fully committed to pursuing a 
lasting peace in the Middle East, but will not back down in the face of 
those who would use terrorism as a weapon against peace.
  Secretary Albright should also make it clear to Arafat that he cannot 
continue to inflame passions in this situation by blaming the Israelis 
themselves for these acts of terror. Following the bombing in July, and 
again this month, Arafat claimed that the Israeli government should be 
held partially responsible for these atrocities because it has created 
a hostile environment for Arabs living in the region. This type of 
irresponsible scapegoating only encourages further acts of terrorism 
and undermines the entire peace process.
  Mr. Speaker, the Middle East peace process is at a genuine 
crossroads. At this tenuous time, the United States must recommit 
itself to moving the process forward while helping to protect Israel 
against those who are waging a war of terror against the Israeli 
people. I call on all of my colleagues to assist in this effort, and I 
offer whatever encouragement I can to the Israeli people at this 
difficult time.

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