[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 25 (Thursday, March 2, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING AN ARTICLE BY RABBI ISRAEL ZOBERMAN, SPIRITUAL LEADER OF 
            CONGREGATION BETH CHAVERIM IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. RANDY FORBES

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 2, 2006

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce an article written 
by Rabbi Israel Zoberman, spiritual leader of Congregation Beth 
Chaverim in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The article by Rabbi Zoberman 
reads as follows:

       I was in Israel on a mission of the ARZA (Association of 
     the Reform Zionists of America) Rabbinical Council during the 
     recent Palestinian elections to its legislative Council. The 
     unexpected, stunning victory of Hamas winning 74 out of a 
     total of 132 seats though only 44 percent of the cast votes, 
     remains a source for analysis and a cause of concern.
       The embarrassing defeat of ruling Fatah whose leader Mahmud 
     Abbas continues to serve as a Palestinian Authority 
     President, was primarily due to the long frustration and 
     mounting anger caused by years of Fatah's inept management 
     and outright corruption. Hamas cleverly ran on a Change and 
     Reform list having already succeeded in establishing an 
     infra-structure of supportive economic and social services to 
     a deprived population. However, the victory took Hamas too by 
     surprise saddling it with critical choices and decisions. Is 
     it ready through to transform its very identity from a 
     terrorist organization to one recognizing the State of Israel 
     and negotiating peace with, is yet to be seen.
       Essential financial support from Israel, the United States 
     and the European Union depend on it. Hamas may likely choose 
     a middle course of not repudiating its very nature while 
     abstaining from military action to allow it to consolidate 
     power, becoming in time even a greater threat to the Jewish 
     state. A nightmarish scenario would be a hostile Hams state 
     bordering on Israel with an extreme Muslim agenda and heavily 
     influenced by Iran who is also behind the Hizballah in 
     Southern Lebanon. That would pause unacceptable risks to the 
     entire Middle East and beyond.
       Our group was most warmly greeted by the new American 
     Ambassador to Israel, Dr. Richard Jones, who reiterated 
     President Bush's policy of fighting terrorism and nonsupport 
     for a Palestinian Authority deviating from the Road Map. We 
     also had the opportunity to meet at the historic King David 
     Hotel with Laura King, Jerusalem Bureau Chief for the Los 
     Angeles Times, who covered the Palestinian elections and 
     conveyed her sense of not being surprised by the outcome.
       Our memorable day visit to Jordan's fascinating Petra via 
     the Yitzhak Rabin border crossing at Israel's most southern 
     city of Eilat, was a reminder to appreciate anew the Israel-
     Jordan peace treaty of 1994. In addition to the natural 
     wonders and rich history of the 1800 year old Nabatean city 
     of Petra carved in Biblical red rock, the past 
     interconnectedness of the entire region through fruitful 
     commerce and cultural exchange should inspire once again its 
     revitalization for benefit of all.
       With hospitalized Ariel Sharon's unchanged medical 
     condition, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's resolve has 
     weathered the evacuation of the illegal outpost of West 
     Bank's Amona in spite of the accompanied violence. Surely it 
     is the first of the post-Gaza disengagement challenges that 
     will test the emerging new leadership and the vibrant Israeli 
     democracy, even as was revealed for the first time by the 
     Israeli Institute for Economic and Social Research the high 
     financial cost of 14 billion dollars investment in the 
     territories since 1967. The centrist Kadima (``Forward'') 
     party created by Sharon and now headed by Olmert continues 
     with only a small drop in its strong showing in the polls 
     toward the March 28 elections. However, the unpredictable 
     nature of erupting Middle East events forestalls the assurity 
     of the elections' outcome at this time. The elections will 
     nonetheless reflect the Israeli voters verdict on Sharon's 
     legacy of sacrificing the vision of a greater Israel for the 
     more realistic one of a smaller Israel yet a Jewish and 
     democratic one; an Israeli society in a far better position 
     to tackle its demanding and urgent agenda of socio-economic 
     dilemmas and gaps that will ultimately determine Israel's 
     character and moral fiber so crucial for its survival.

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