[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 173 (Monday, November 24, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S15838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ENSIGN (for himself, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Coleman, 
        Mr. Graham of South Carolina, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Reid, Mr. Bayh, 
        Mr. Edwards, Mr. Allard, Mr. Smith, Mr. Allen, and Mrs. Boxer):
  S. 1944. A bill to enhance peace between the Israelis and 
Palestinians; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, a lot has changed in the climate of the 
Middle East since I was there in 1995, but unfortunately not enough has 
changed.
  In 1995, the Oslo Accords were signed and suicide bombers detonated 
themselves on buses around Jerusalem. Eight years later, Israelis 
continue to face the daily threat of terrorism on their buses, in their 
grocery stores, in their restaurants, and in their cafes. For them, 
every single day is September 11. It's hard to imagine that kind of 
reality and the strength it takes to continue each day not knowing 
where the next attack will occur.
  I think about September 11 here in the United States, and the shock 
many Americans felt--not just at the terrible loss of life, but the 
fact that terrorists had targeted our people here in our own country--
where they live and work. I remember one commentator back then said--
today, every American learned what it is like to be an Israeli.
  We came together as a nation to comfort each other, but also to do 
whatever we could to prevent another attack on our soil and to 
eliminate the world of the evil terrorists who had targeted our 
innocent victims. In those moments and days that followed, leaders from 
around the world called to express their condolences. There were no 
calls to the United States to show restraint in responding to the 
terrorists. And it there were, they would have fallen on deaf ears. The 
world knew that President Bush and the United States would do whatever 
it took to keep our citizens safe. The security of our nation would 
always be our priority.
  But when September 11 happens on a daily basis in Israel, the calls 
they get are not to express sympathy, but to urge restraint in 
responding to the attack. Not only is Israel criticized for doing 
exactly what the United States has done--respond to attacks against its 
citizens by going after the terrorists where they hide--Israel is even 
criticized for taking steps to secure its homeland security and prevent 
further attacks.
  So where do we go from here?
  Well, the legislation I am introducing with my colleagues, the junior 
Senator from Florida, focuses on the fact that Israel has a right to 
make the security of their country a priority and that such security is 
a major and enduring national security interest of the United States.
  The bipartisan Israeli-Palestinian Peace Enhancement Act of 2003 
contains strong, unequivocal expressions of the Senate's support for 
the President's June 24, 2002, speech and the vision of two states 
living side-by-side in peace and security.
  However, it expresses the Senate's expectation that the Palestinian 
Authority must meet certain conditions before a Palestinian state is 
recognized, including: a leadership not compromised by terrorism; a 
firm commitment to peace with Israel; the dismantling of terrorist 
infrastructures in the West Bank and Gaza; sustained security 
cooperation with Israel; and an end to anti-Israel incitement.
   It provides concrete, positive incentives for the Palestinians to 
achieve the reforms called for by President Bush and a negotiated peace 
with Israel by authorizing significant United States assistance, and a 
commitment to organize international assistance, to build the new state 
when it comes into being and has been recognized by the United States 
and Israel--conditions that can only occur in the absence of terrorism.
   Ambiguous promises of non-aggression are not enough. Lasting peace 
means the absence of terror. Without legitimate guarantees for the 
security of the state of Israel, there can be no lasting peace in the 
region.
   Words are cheap--and nowhere are they cheaper than in the Middle 
East. Until there is Palestinian leadership that is committed to 
eliminating the terrorist infrastructure, that is serious about making 
peace with Israel, and that envisions two states existing together, 
peace will not be known.
   Who can we trust to support Israel in this hour of crisis?
   Well, I believe we can trust President Bush. Particularly after 
September 11, the President understands thee can be no peace without 
security. He made that clear on June 24, 2002, when he gave an address 
in the Rose Garden that went above and beyond any other official United 
States position on the Middle East. He made clear that unless and until 
Israel has a trustworthy partner on the Palestinian side, there can be 
no lasting peace. And he emphasized that a Palestinian state could 
become a reality only after new leaders--not compromised by terror--
were elected and a practicing democracy, based on tolerance and liberty 
was built.
   That statement should be the road map to peace. That is why we have 
taken the principles the President laid out in his June 24 speech, and 
turned them into legislation.
   In closing, I would like to thank the original cosponsors of the 
Israeli-Palestinian Peace Enhancement Act of 2003, including Senator 
Bill Nelson, Senator Coleman, Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Crapo, 
Senator Reid, Senator Bayh, Senator Edwards, Senator Allard, Senator 
Gordon Smith, Senator Allen, and Senator Boxer for joining me in 
working toward a lasting and true peace in the Middle East.
                                 ______