[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 96 (Thursday, June 26, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONDEMNING TERRORISM INFLICTED ON ISRAEL SINCE AQABA SUMMIT AND 
             EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY WITH THE ISRAELI PEOPLE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 2003

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution 
and join my colleagues in condemning the ongoing Palestinian terrorist 
attacks that threaten to derail the renewed effort to bring Israelis 
and Palestinians back to the peace process.
  Since the Aqaba summit, 22 Israeli civilians have been murdered in 
terrorist attacks even as the Israeli Government has taken measures to 
release Palestinian prisoners, dismantle settlement outposts, allow 
Palestinian workers back into Israel and transfer revenue funds to the 
Palestinian treasury.
  This is not a cycle of violence. This is a cycle of terrorism where 
Hamas and Islamic Jihad bargain for a ``ceasefire'' so they can buy 
time to regroup and rearm.
  I was shocked, therefore, to hear President Bush condemn Israel's 
attack on Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi and Secretary of State Powell 
speak out against Israel's attempt to arrest other Hamas operatives.
  Although the Israelis are willing to take risks for peace, they have 
every right as a sovereign state to defend their vital interests. The 
United States, as a nation engaged in the global war on terrorist 
groups, should stand firmly with Israel on this issue. The same coffers 
that fund Al Qaeda funnel money and weapons to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, 
and the same state sponsors of terrorism that arm Hezbollah and smuggle 
mortars, explosives, and weapons into Gaza.
  I stand with the President's in support of a two state solution that 
will bring security and stability to the region. The reality is, 
however, that the future of the Road Map depends on the direction of 
the Palestinian leadership. Although newly appointed Palestinian Prime 
Minister Mahmood Abbas faces challenges, he has the ability to move in 
the direction of peace by shutting off the constant stream of anti-
Israel hatred and incitement on Palestinian television and newspapers.
  Likewise, it the responsibility of the Arab states, the European 
Union, Russia, and the United Nations to support Prime Minister Abbas 
by joining the United States in isolating Arafat and shutting down the 
financing of terrorist networks that seek to undermine Palestinian 
reform.
  The Road Map for peace requires all parties involved to maintain a 
commitment to these principles and to understand that the cessation of 
terrorism is the first step toward that vision.

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