[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 28, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E695-E696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY AND ISRAEL MEMORIAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ROBERT WEXLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 28, 2004

  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to join you in marking 56 
years of Israel's independence, 56 years of American-Israeli relations, 
and 56 years of Israel's continuing struggle for security and peace. We 
gather here today to deliver a clear message--that in these turbulent 
times--the government of the United States and the American people 
stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel, now and forever.
  Since 1948, Israel has persevered through seemingly insurmountable 
challenges by drawing upon the richness of Jewish tradition and our 
love for life. In just over five decades, Israel has risen from the 
ashes of the Holocaust and developed into one of the most 
technologically advanced nations on earth. Its population has increased 
ten-fold. It has established a vibrant democracy that values freedom, 
justice and human rights. Israel has deepened economic, military and 
diplomatic ties with America and Europe, but most remarkably with 
nations like Turkey, India, Egypt and Jordan. The ingenuity of the 
Israeli people soared during the recent high-tech boom, with more 
Israeli Internet startups and companies on the NASDAQ per capita than 
any other country in the world.
  While Israel celebrates 56 years of freedom, this freedom is 
unquestionably challenged by ongoing incidents of terror and festering 
regional threats. At this difficult time, it is clear that the 
essential counterbalance to these threats is America's steadfast 
partnership with Israel. This sentiment is shared by an overwhelming 
majority of my colleagues in Congress, where Israel is enjoying 
unprecedented friendship and support.
  In this post-9/11 world, the American and Israeli people are forever 
linked. We understand that terror knows no borders and cannot be 
justified, qualified or ignored. We understand that terrorism--in any 
form or supported by any nation--must meet a swift, definitive and 
unequivocal response. We know that incitement and hate pose the most 
significant obstacles to peace, and we know that terrorism incurs 
irreparable pain and loss.
  On this Yom Ha'zikaron, our thoughts and prayers turn to brave 
soldiers who have sacrificed their futures for that of Israel. Yet this 
year, one cannot help but also think of the 960 innocent Israelis who 
have died since September 2000 in hundreds of terrorist attacks. These 
are the victims of Israel's latest war, where civilians--as opposed to 
soldiers--are the prime targets.
  Six years ago at the White House, I stood alongside President Clinton 
and Prime Minister Netanyahu at the signing of the Wye River Accords. I 
hoped then that Israel was embarking upon a new era of peace. 
Unfortunately, since refusing Prime Minister Barak's historic offer in 
January 2001, we have witnessed a complete abdication of responsibility 
on the part of Yasser Arafat, the deterioration of the Palestinian 
Authority and a cynical attempt by the Palestinians to use terror--as 
opposed to negotiations--as a means of achieving their political goals.
  As a result, America must lead efforts with Egypt, Jordan, Europe and 
others in the international community to build the capacity and will of 
Palestinian anti-terror institutions so that Israel is not forced to 
continue to act in self-defense. America must also firmly support 
Israel's construction of a security barrier between Jewish population 
centers and the West Bank. That is why I traveled to the Hague in the 
Netherlands two months ago--to oppose the Palestinian case against 
Israel in the International Court of Justice and voice my unwavering 
support for Israel's right of selfdefense.

[[Page E696]]

  Prime Minister Sharon's recent proposal to withdraw Israeli troops 
and settlements from the Gaza Strip is quite significant. Until now, no 
Israeli Prime Minister was prepared to unilaterally evacuate 
settlements before Israel had been promised comprehensive peace as part 
of a final status agreement. And it is especially remarkable that the 
father of the settlement movement, Ariel Sharon, has led this 
initiative.
  It is undeniable that Palestinians have suffered enormously. We must 
all have rachmanus--compassion--for innocent Palestinians, but 
Palestinians primarily suffer because of their own failed leadership. 
In order to achieve peace, the Palestinian Authority must be 
transformed. Arafat's dictatorship must end. Democracy and the rule of 
law must win out. Palestinian schools must cease their teaching of 
hatred and implement a curriculum of coexistence. Most importantly, a 
new vision of peace and prosperity must be broadcast throughout the 
Arab world, and the likes of Al Jazeera television and Arab newspapers 
must terminate their deranged glorification of martyrdom and Jihad.
  Israel has responsibilities as well. Prime Minister Sharon must 
continue to construct the security barrier in a manner that minimizes 
the hardships of the Palestinian people and stop settlement expansion 
on the Palestinian side of the fence.
  My friends, the largest challenges facing the Jewish people do not 
lie solely in Israel or the Middle East. We are witnessing a dramatic 
rise in anti-Semitic discourse, behavior and sentiment throughout the 
world--especially in Europe. Tomorrow I will join Secretary of State 
Powell and leaders from 55 nations at an international conference on 
European anti-Semitism in Berlin.
  At this conference, I will continue to urge European governments to 
take decisive action against anti-Semitic hate crimes and impose 
stronger measures to punish perpetrators of these heinous acts. 
European leaders must acknowledge that anti-Semitism is not just a 
Jewish problem. It is a social disease that has plagued Europe 
throughout history. It is not a temporary or political phenomenon, and 
it must be met with a zero-tolerance policy, especially in European 
schools.
  Fortunately, there is reason for hope as more European nations are 
finally confronting their complicity in the annihilation of European 
Jewry. Last week--while in Budapest--to mark 60 years since the 
deportation and killing of 600,000 Hungarian Jews, I was overtaken with 
emotion when told that the display of Israeli flags throughout the city 
marked the most prominent display of the Star of David since yellow 
stars were branded on the chests of Jews. Today, Europe has no choice 
but to face the evils of anti-Semitism, so we may fulfill the promise 
of ``never again,'' in memory of those lost and as a promise to 
generations to come.
  Last week, on Yom HaShoah we mourned for those who have passed, and 
today we do so again on Yom Ha'zikaron. It is not a coincidence, 
however, that tomorrow we will celebrate the continuity of life, the 
independence of Israel and the perseverance of the Jewish State. This 
should give us great hope. As Israel marks the beginning of its 56th 
year of independence, it is my most sincere wish that the vision of 
hope embodied in Israel's national anthem--Hatikva--may come to 
fruition and that Israel may soon find a genuine peace that will last 
m'dor v'dor--from one generation to the next.

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