[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 91 (Thursday, July 13, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVE WELDON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 13, 2006

  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, last month Israel was provoked 
when Hamas terrorists kidnapped CPL. Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier, 
manning and checkpoint. This was an unprovoked act of terror--act of 
war--against Israel by Hamas--which also controls the Palestinian 
Authority government.
  As long as Hamas embraces terrorism and refuses to acknowledge the 
right of Israel to exist, terrorists will persist in the Palestinian 
lands.
  Earlier this week, Hizballah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers in 
Northern Israel. Israel has responded in an effort to rescue these 
soldiers and diminish the ability to Hizballah to launch missiles into 
Israeli population centers.
  I rise to express support for our ally, Israel, as it deals with yet 
more terrorist acts . . . the kidnapping of its soldiers during late 
June and the continuing barrage of rockets launched at Israeli citizens 
from Gaza and Lebanon.
  The kidnapping of the Israeli soldiers can certainly be considered a 
provocation of war.
  Unfortunately, Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza strip has not led to 
a positive transformation of Palestinian politics or more security for 
the Israeli people.
  Likewise, Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000--which 
was certified by the United Nations--has failed to provide peace for 
Israelis living in northern Israel. Since Israel's 2000 withdrawal, 
Hizballah has fired hundreds of rockets targeting Israeli civilians. 
Over the past year, Hizballah has carried out four major attacks into 
Israel in an effort to harm Israeli citizens.
  Israel exhausted all non-military means to get its soldier released 
by Hamas before it called for these military actions.
  The Hamas-led Palestinian Authority is failing the Palestinian people 
by giving comfort to terrorists.
  It is imperative that we provide Israel with continued and broad-
based support since an even greater destabilizing force is developing 
in the region--a nuclear-armed Iran with terrorist allies in Hizballah 
and Hamas.

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