[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 99 (Friday, July 16, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 DEPLORING MISUSE OF INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE BY UNITED NATIONS 
                 GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR POLITICAL PURPOSE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 13, 2004

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the 
men and women of the 4th Congressional District of New York in support 
of this Resolution condemning the July 9th advisory opinion from the 
International Court of Justice (ICJ), which denounces Israel's security 
fence.
  I have long been an ardent and proud supporter of Israel. In recent 
years, the volatile and unstable history that has underscored Israel's 
history has become even more bloody and pronounced. We can understand 
as Americans that Israel has a responsibility to protect its citizens 
from the grave threat posed against the country from those terrorists 
that seek to harm it.
  The security fence has drastically enhanced Israel's ability to 
protect itself from terrorists by significantly limiting the ability of 
terrorists to access Israeli cities. For example, since its 
construction, suicide bombings along the northern West Bank have 
decreased by 90 percent. Contention and criticism to the wall lies with 
the proposed plans to have the wall run through the area of northern 
Jerusalem. Prior to the ICJ's opinion, efforts were made to change 
certain aspects of the designated route to limit the impact it could 
have on localities near and around the wall's course.
  Local Palestinian communities, those most directly affected by the 
wall's construction, have worked with Israel to redirect the wall in 
certain areas to lessen the impact. The wall's construction is 
condemned by the Court of Justice because of claims that it violates 
certain boundary laws. However, the wall is a protection for both 
Israelis and Palestinians. Their joint effort has not only lessened any 
undesirable impact for both parties, but proven the possibility for 
compromise between both areas.
  I have long felt that America should not attempt to dictate decisions 
for Israel. With this resolution, we are simply showing that we are 
supporting Israel's step toward safeguarding its people. We as 
Americans must sympathize with the fact that the Israelis are 
attempting to confront terrorism by erecting a wall to stand as its 
physical and metaphorical barrier. In condemning the opinion of the 
International Court of Justice and supporting this resolution, we as a 
body align ourselves with the best interests of the Israeli people, 
progress and peace in the Middle East, and in the best interests of all 
Americans who wish to one day see calm in a section of the world so 
long divided.
  Thank you.

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