[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 23, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 23, 2002

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in support of Israel and its right to defend itself and its people 
from terrorism. The struggle between the Israelis and the Palestinians 
is one of the most longstanding and explosive of all the world's 
conflicts. It has its roots in the historic claim to the land which 
lies between the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan 
River. Both peoples have suffered greatly as they struggle to coexist 
and maintain their cultural and political identities.
  However, the continued suicide attacks over the past six months have 
triggered the worst crisis in the Middle East since the outbreak of the 
Palestinian intifada 18 months ago. The terror and violence must be 
stopped. The Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat, has 
not consistently opposed or confronted terrorists or renounced terror. 
The situation in which he finds himself today is largely of his own 
making. Given his inability to stop terrorist attacks, the Israeli 
government feels it must defend itself against the terrorist networks 
that are killing its innocent citizens. Israel is our most dependable 
and only democratic ally in the Middle East, and it is important that 
the United States steadfastly stand by Israel at this critical juncture 
to fight terror. The United States and Israel have suffered terrible 
losses and stand shoulder to shoulder in the war on terrorism. For 
these reasons, I support Israel and urge my colleagues to join me.

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