[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 169 (Friday, December 7, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY WITH ISRAEL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

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                               speech of

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 5, 2001

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. 
Res. 280. The suicide attacks over the past weekend have triggered the 
worst crisis in the Middle East since the outbreak of the Palestinian 
intifada 14 months ago. These attacks killed 26 Israelis and wounded at 
least 175. On a proportional basis, this is the equivalent of 1,200 
American deaths and 8,000 wounded. The violence needs to stop. Israel 
is our most dependable and only democratic ally in the Middle East, and 
it is important that the United States stand steadfastly by Israel at 
this critical juncture to fight terror.
  The United States is currently engaged militarily in Afghanistan in 
an effort to root out Osama bin Laden's terrorist network, which has 
been protected by the Taliban. In a very real sense, the Palestinian 
Authority is performing a similar role for Hamas and the Palestinian 
Islamic Jihad. Yasser Arafat must take all necessary measures to end 
the ongoing terror campaign. Mr. Arafat must now demonstrate by 
actions, not words, that he stands for peace.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation sends a strong message that the United 
States will stand by Israel to defeat terrorism. It is not about taking 
sides. Too many lives have senselessly been lost on both sides. 
However, Israel has a right to defend itself from terrorist attacks, 
just as the United States does. I hope that Mr. Arafat and the 
Palestinian leadership will immediately arrest, prosecute and jail 
those responsible for these acts while eliminating the infrastructure 
that produced them. Any hope for the peace process depends upon it. I 
urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

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