[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             YOM HA'ATZMAUT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 17, 2002

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of 
Israel's Independence Day. Fifty-four years as the sole democracy in 
the Middle East is a huge accomplishment. As a member of Congress, and 
a friend of Israel, I know that she will have 54 more, and counting! 
This is only a beginning.
  Israel has faced many tough times since 1948, like the one now. Over 
the past 18 months, Israel has continued to battle hatred on a daily 
basis. This hatred is terrorism. It is murder. Israel has every right 
to defend herself against terrorism. When innocent civilians are 
murdered, over and over again, Israel has no choice but to take action.
  I don't think it is unreasonable for Israel to root out terrorists. I 
think it's natural, and expected, and it must be done just like 
America's efforts in Afghanistan. But for the past couple of weeks, 
Israel has been criticized by many for her military action against 
terrorism, and lack of compassion for Palestinians. But what other 
choice does Israel have?
  Is Israel supposed to wave suicide bombers through the checkpoints, 
allow wanted terrorists to go without arrest? Are we to expect Israel 
to sit by and watch her country crumble, and her people be murdered in 
groups of 20 while they sip coffee at cafes? No.
  I firmly believe that difficult decisions will be made in order to 
achieve a permanent peace. I also think one of the decisions was 
Israel's resistance to international pressure to end the military 
operation. Israel entered towns in the West Bank with a plan: to root 
out terrorism. Obviously, there was an exit strategy to be used once 
the terrorists were caught.
  Recently, Israel announced her upcoming withdrawal from almost all of 
the towns she entered. I commend Israel's decision to withdraw only 
after the operation is complete. So does the upcoming withdrawal of 
troops bring Israel back to where she was? Can we expect Israel to 
compromise should daily suicide bombings begin again? No.
  Terrorism is not something you can compromise with, it is not 
something to reward. What I know is this. Israel will survive this 
crisis. Israel will continue to do what is necessary to rid the country 
of terrorists. If terrorist attacks end, military action will end, and 
more difficult decisions in the name of peace will be made. What those 
decision are, I can't tell you. No one can.
  But last Sunday, I joined 3,000 of my constituents in a pro-Israel 
rally on Long Island. Many of those constituents were Jewish; others, 
like myself, were Christian. These same people participated the weekend 
before at a rally in New York City. They also traveled with over 
100,000 other Americans to the Capitol on Monday for a national rally. 
Regardless of their religion, they are standing up for their beliefs.
  Terrorism must be destroyed. Not only here, but in Israel, and in 
many other countries. The US firmly believes in this, and I know Israel 
will continue to enjoy broad support as she eliminates terrorist 
threats from her borders. Israel will always have a friend and ally in 
the US government.

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