[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 18, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H3219-H3220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ISRAEL'S COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRATIC VALUES CONTINUES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 19, 1999, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bentsen) is recognized 
during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, yesterday the people of 
Israel demonstrated their commitment to democratic values by electing a 
new Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, a highly respected, decorated soldier 
and former leader of the Israeli Army. Despite the strong differences 
voiced during the campaign, both Mr. Barak and Prime Minister Netanyahu 
deserve our congratulations for articulating thoughtful visions for the 
people of their country.
  As he prepares to leave office, I commend Prime Minister Netanyahu's 
accomplishments. He stood by his commitment to take Israel down a road 
of less reliance on U.S. economic assistance and a greater reliance on 
the powerful forces of capitalism and free markets. I commend him for 
setting his nation on a course of economic independence. Because of his 
willingness to work with his fellow citizens and his demonstrated 
leadership, Israel is a vibrant, strong, self-reliant nation.
  The Prime Minister-elect, Ehud Barak, left the ranks of the military 
just four years ago after a highly distinguished 36-year career as a 
platoon leader, tank battalion chief, senior intelligence analyst and 
head of the Israeli Army. As Israel's most decorated soldier, Ehud 
Barak is perhaps best known as the catalyst of the 1972 storming of a 
Sabena airliner hijacked by guerrillas at Tel Aviv's airport.
  Following his retirement from the military, Mr. Barak served as the 
Army Chief of Staff and Interior Minister under former Prime Minister 
Yitzhak Rabin, then Foreign Minister under Prime Minister Shimon Peres. 
When I traveled to Israel in 1997, I had a chance to meet with Mr. 
Barak, who was serving as the leader then of the Labor Party. I was 
impressed with Mr. Barak's meticulous attention to detail, commitment 
to important issues, and his construction of an aggressive grassroots 
political operation. Throughout the campaign, Barak promised, if 
elected, to continue Yitzhak Rabin's legacy of reviving negotiations 
with the Palestinians and making an impassioned personal commitment to 
the peace effort.
  I am also impressed with Prime Minister-elect Barak's appreciation 
and understanding of the American-Israeli partnership, a partnership 
that goes beyond common political and strategic bonds. Both nations 
share a common set of values: freedom, individual responsibility, hope 
and opportunity. It is no coincidence that the birth of Israel 
coincided with the rise of the United States as the world's preeminent 
power. Our futures, both the United States' and Israel's, are tightly 
intertwined. Our shared traditions, which respect and value human 
rights, democracy, free speech, religious tolerance, are the seeds of a 
lasting peace throughout the world and in the Middle East.
  The elections held yesterday are proof that the people of Israel are 
determined to withstand pressures and maintain a democracy, build a 
vibrant economy and achieve peace and security in the entire region. 
Our Nation has watched and admired a brave, determined and sometimes 
very divided people build a democracy under difficult circumstances 
that often have tested their resolve.
  Throughout the past decade, Israel has lived and thrived through 
especially difficult circumstances: the assassination of Israel's great 
leader Yitzhak Rabin, repeated terrorist attacks, waves of immigrants 
challenging Israel's complex and the very contentious national 
elections. Through it all, the people of Israel stood strong, holding 
to its values and its belief that their country will remain strong and 
at peace.
  I have also been encouraged by Mr. Barak's willingness to return to 
the land-for-peace Israeli commitments under the Wye River Peace 
Agreement brokered by President Clinton last October. As the Israeli 
government now changes hands, I am hopeful that the Middle East peace 
process can take meaningful steps forward.
  It is critical that the United States continue to support Israel's 
commitment to see an end to terrorist aggression and State-sponsored 
attacks against its citizens and cities. We must also support Israel's 
desire to move the peace process by requiring that existing peace 
agreements be respected by

[[Page H3220]]

all sides. We should embrace these conditions, for they have at their 
core the values of any true democracy, the values of personal freedom.
  Now that the citizens of Israel have spoken again, we must work to 
ensure that the Nation of Israel remains on course towards peace. 
Because of the perseverance, ingenuity and faith of its people, Israel 
has overcome the most daunting of challenges and become one of the 
world's great nations. I am confident that the people of the United 
States stand ready to help the people of Israel as they continue moving 
down a road of peace, security and economic self-reliance.

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