[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 136 (Thursday, October 26, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONCERNING VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 2000

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, as a co-sponsor of this resolution, I rise 
in strong support of its passage today. This important measure, 
introduced by my colleagues International Relations Committee Chairman 
Benjamin Gilman and Ranking Member Sam Gejdenson, expresses the United 
States' solidarity with the State of Israel and condemns the recent 
acts of Palestinian violence in the Middle East.
  H. Con. Res. 426 calls upon the Palestinian leadership to honor its 
obligations under the Oslo Accords, to resolve its concerns peacefully 
at the negotiating table, and to cease inciting its people to violence. 
This resolution also calls for the Palestinian Authority to vigorously 
employ its security forces to restore order and to safeguard holy 
places of all faiths. Without Chairman Arafat's adherence to these 
basic obligations under Oslo, efforts to salvage the peace process and 
improve the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians will surely fail.
  This resolution was offered in response to weeks of tension in the 
Middle East and sends a clear message condemning Palestinian violence. 
This resolution will not only signal to Chairman Arafat that America 
abhors his calculated use of violence, it will also signal to nations 
across the Middle East and around the world that the American people 
stand by Israel--our democratic ally and closest partner in Middle East 
peace. At a time when Hezbollah leaders are broadcasting appeals for 
the murder of Israelis, and when the rogue states of Iraq and Iran are 
renewing calls for Israel's destruction, the United States must 
transmit a clear, unmistakable message of support for Israel.
  This legislation compliments another measure--H.R. 5522--which I 
recently offered with my colleagues Anthony Weiner, Matt Salmon, and 
Peter Deutsch, to cut funding for the Palestinian Authority pending a 
peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Middle East and full 
renunciation of violence. H.R. 5522 would immediately cut approximately 
$33 million in non-humanitarian U.S. aid directed to the Palestinian 
Authority projected to be included in the Fiscal Year 2001 budget. The 
bill contains a provision allowing the President to waive the proposed 
sanctions upon certifying that the Palestinian Authority has renounced 
violence as a means of political expression, and that the violence has 
actually subsided. I believe this bill, in conjunction with the 
resolution we are considering today, appropriately signifies the 
breadth and scope of U.S. resolve.
  The acts of violence committed by the Palestinian Authority has again 
plunged the Middle East into a deep crisis. The progress realized 
through years of difficult negotiations in the Middle East offered hope 
to all Israeli's who desire a final peace with true security, while 
offering Palestinians the hope of greater sovereignty. This progress 
was achieved because both sides negotiated in good faith, and developed 
trust and understanding. The Israeli government demonstrated its 
commitment to peace at Camp David, when it offered unprecedented 
compromises to end the conflict. At this time of great peril, the U.S. 
must state its strong commitment and support for the State of Israel.
  I urge my colleagues to support Israel and vote for this passage of 
this resolution.

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