[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 23, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E937-E938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PALESTINIAN ANTI-TERRORISM ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 22, 2006

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, the January victory 
of Hamas in parliamentary elections in the Palestinian territories was 
a shock to observers worldwide and to the many of us in the United 
States and abroad who have repudiated violence between the Palestinians 
and the Jews and have repudiated attacks on the state of Israel.
  The election was a shock to the peace efforts in the Middle East 
because its outcome resulted in the Palestinian government being 
controlled by a party that was legitimately elected by the voters of 
the Palestinian territories but that also is a party that sponsors 
terrorist acts against the Israeli-people and whose doctrine is based 
upon the notion that the existence of Israel is an affront to Islam.
  For there to be any progress towards peace under a Hamas-led 
Palestinian government, Hamas must immediately acknowledge Israel's 
right to exist; uphold all previous agreements including the Roadmap 
for Peace; rid itself of all terrorist ties and dismantle its terrorist 
infrastructure; ensure the continuation of democratic institutions; and 
how fiscal transparency. If they do not, Hamas cannot expect the 
support and recognition of the United States and other governments.
  However, any actions carried out by the U.S. Government against Hamas 
must address Hamas specifically and not the Palestinian people 
generally and must not undermine our goals in the Middle East. The bill 
being voted on today by the House would undermine the U.S. Government's 
ability to further the peace process and it would clearly hurt the 
Palestinian people. It could also lead to chaos in the Palestinian 
territories, which would be counter to both American and Israeli 
interests.
  I am not alone in saying that denying all aid, except in the most 
isolated of instances, to the Palestinian people runs counter to both 
American and Israeli security interests. If we provoke a humanitarian 
crisis there, it may very well lead to the collapse of the Hamas 
government but not without potentially severe costs to both law abiding 
Palestinians and the peace process at the same time. And it could also 
erode civil order.
  We do not and must not ever support terrorists in the Palestinian 
government. However, the United States must continue to support 
programs providing the Palestinian people's basic needs such as food, 
water and medicine; programs supporting democracy, human rights, 
freedom of the press and non-violence; as well as peaceful co-existence 
with Israel.
  That is why I voted against H.R. 4681. The United States has already 
cut off direct aid to the Hamas government. This bill would not have 
brought additional penalties directly to Hamas. That objective has 
already been achieved. But it would penalize the Palestinian people and 
greatly limit the Administration's diplomatic options in pursuing peace 
between Israel and the Palestinians.
  I hope that a conference committee with the Senate might produce 
legislation that addresses my concerns and the concerns of my other 
colleagues and of many well-regarded organizations and individuals who 
are deeply pro-Israel and who are great supporters of humanitarian 
efforts in the Middle East. I look forward to being able to support a 
revised bill that will send the proper message to Hamas that its 
violence toward Israel will never be supported and to the Palestinian 
people that the United States stands ready to work with them to resolve 
this most difficult and important conflict in peace.

[[Page E938]]



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