[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 163 (Saturday, December 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2571-E2572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   PROVIDING THAT HAMAS AND OTHER TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD NOT 
         PARTICIPATE IN ELECTIONS HELD BY PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2005

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, on December 14, 2005, the House voted on H. 
Res. 575, a resolution stating that Hamas should not be permitted to 
participate in Palestinian elections. I voted ``no'' because this 
resolution is based on a faulty premise; that democracies should limit 
who participates in elections.
  First, I want to be clear: I unequivocally denounce and condemn any 
and all terrorist acts, whether committed by Hamas or any other 
terrorist group. I believe that the United States should do everything 
within its power to strengthen President Abbas's ability to establish 
and ensure respect for the rule of law, to demand that all individuals 
renounce violence, and to successfully disarm all militant groups.
  Participation of Hamas in elections and integration of Hamas into 
mainstream Palestinian politics is a risky strategy. However, demanding 
that President Abbas exclude Hamas from participation--and threatening 
consequences if he does not meet this demand--also involves risks, 
including undermining the nascent Palestinian democracy and sparking 
more bloodshed and possibly even civil war.
  There is no question that Hamas can and must be disarmed. However, I 
do not believe the best way to achieve this is necessarily through 
ultimatums. I believe that the administration and Congress should be 
working with President Abbas to strengthen his authority, bolster 
moderates, and ensure that his own strategy for taking on militants--
from Hamas and from other parties, including his own Fatah--succeeds. 
Our shared vision is for a stable and democratic Palestinian state 
where views are expressed through legitimate political channels rather 
than violence--a state where there is, as President Abbas has 
repeatedly stated, one authority and one gun. Our goal must be to find 
ways to make this happen.
  As the former military governor of the West Bank and Israeli Deputy 
Defense Minister,

[[Page E2572]]

Ephraim Sneh, wrote in the Washington Post on October 19, 2005: 
``Attempts to postpone the elections yet again, or to prevent Hamas's 
participation, or Israeli disruption of the elections as `punishment' 
for the participation of Hamas, will strengthen Hamas in the 
Palestinian street instead of weakening it. The short time left before 
the elections must be used to empower all who oppose Hamas, first and 
foremost the supporters of the elected Palestinian president, Mahmoud 
Abbas.''
  Mr. Speaker, I am committed to doing all we can to support the 
fragile peace in the Mideast. Sabre-rattling resolutions like this are 
only counterproductive.

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