[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 63 (Friday, May 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2005

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, ``It should not be forgotten even for a 
moment that Israel's security problem is quite unlike that of any other 
country. This is no problem of borders or sovereignty, but a problem of 
physical survival, in the literal meaning of the term. And it is a 
question of the survival not only of the people of Israel but of the 
Jewish people the world over.''
  These words were spoken in 1960 by former Prime Minister David Ben-
Gurion, who led the struggle to create Israel.
  More than 4 decades have passed since these words were spoken, but 
they have the same profound impact on us as Jews today as when they 
were first uttered. Today I express my solidarity with Israel as it 
celebrates the 57th anniversary of its founding.
  As a Member of Congress, I stand with Israel and express my 
solidarity and support for the State of Israel during these most 
troubling of times.
  We must remember that any legitimate peace process must insist that 
the Palestinians bring an immediate end to acts of terrorism.
  Israel is fully committed to pursuing negotiated agreements with her 
Arab neighbors so that it may finally live in peace and security. 
Israel reached historic peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan in which 
both sides made serious compromises for the sake of normalized 
relations. Through its democratic system, the Israeli electorate has 
voted out governments they believe have not done enough to pursue 
peace, just as they have voted out governments they believe have not 
done enough to promote their security.
  The Palestinian campaign of terrorism and violence has caused even 
those Israelis most supportive of the peace process to question the 
Palestinian Authority's suitability as a negotiating partner and its 
commitment to peaceful reconciliation with Israel. Israel has 
demonstrated time and again its sincere desire for peace and its 
readiness to make the difficult decisions required for peace, as it 
begins its withdrawal from the Gaza strip and parts of the West Bank.
  I hope that the new Palestinian government elected by the Palestinian 
people will move quickly and make the tough choices necessary for a 
lasting peace.

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