[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 132 (Wednesday, September 24, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H8494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   STANDING SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH ISRAEL

  (Mr. CARDOZA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I recently had the opportunity to travel to 
Israel with the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Crowley) and over 20 of my Democratic colleagues.
  As timing would have it, our visit preceded the departure of 
Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen by 1 week. We met with the Prime 
Minister, who told us that he was trying to implement important reforms 
within the Palestinian Authority. But during the Prime Minister's 4-
month tenure, Mr. Arafat consistently opposed his reform efforts and 
took steps to maintain his hold on power and erode support for Mr. 
Abbas among the Palestinian people.
  As these events have demonstrated, measurable progress will not be 
realized as long as Mr. Arafat remains in power.
  If the Palestinian Authority will not or cannot destroy Palestinian 
terrorist groups, the Israeli Government has every right to defend its 
citizens against further violence. The Israeli Government has started 
building a security fence for exactly that purpose. I believe the 
United States should support Israel's efforts, which is a reasonable 
measure of self-defense against suicide bombers.
  Further, I believe it would be a terrible mistake for the U.S. to 
reduce its loan guarantees to the State of Israel. At this time of 
great peril, we must stand side by side with Israel and its citizens in 
the fight against terrorism.

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