[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 91 (Thursday, July 13, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7505-S7506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONDEMNING THE ACTS OF WAR PERPETRATED AGAINST ISRAEL BY HEZBOLLAH
FORCES
Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I rise because of the recent attacks on
Israel. The most recently breaking news: rocket attacks on the city of
Haifa in Israel, which clearly represents an escalation of the attack
from Lebanon. Therefore, I do rise to condemn the acts of war
perpetrated against the nation of Israel by Hezbollah forces operating
in southern Lebanon.
Dozens of Katyusha rockets were fired at northern Israel on Wednesday
and Thursday, and additional salvos have continued to rain down.
Israeli soldiers were attacked as they attempted to respond to this
unprovoked assault across an internationally recognized border. As a
result of this aggression, eight Israeli soldiers are dead, two more
are prisoners of Hezbollah, and the citizens of northern Israel are
living in fear.
I call on the international community to support Israel in its
attempts to end terrorist operations in southern Lebanon, free the
captive soldiers, and restore its territorial security.
In the name of peace, Israeli forces withdrew from all Lebanese
territory in the year 2000. The United Nations recognized this
withdrawal as fully compliant with all relative Security Council
resolutions. Unfortunately, the government in Beirut has not done its
part to ensure that this disengagement enhanced the security of both
nations.
It is not surprising since 14 members of Lebanon's parliament and two
cabinet ministers are members of Hezbollah. The Lebanese Government,
which refuses to crack down on these terrorists, must be held
accountable. In addition, Syria and Iran, whose governments sponsor
Hezbollah's activities, must be condemned and, if they do not cease
this support, sanctioned harshly.
I regret to say we will probably witness more violence in the days
and weeks ahead. Many innocent people on both sides of the border will
likely suffer. It is incumbent on the United States and the
international community to stand by Israel as she fights foreign-
sponsored aggression on her borders, aggression that no sovereign
nation could possibly be expected to tolerate
Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I was dismayed to hear of the recent
reprehensible actions taken by the terrorist group Hezbollah, in
kidnapping two Israeli soldiers. This is an act of cowardice and also
grimly unsurprising. Supported by both Syria and Iran, Hezbollah has,
for almost a quarter of a century, targeted freedom; whether that be
U.S. marines in 1983 in Beirut, U.S. airmen in the Khobar Towers
tragedy, or repeated deadly attacks against innocent Israelis and
ongoing weapons' stockpiling. Besides regularly supplying weapons to
Hezbollah, Iran and Syria are also responsible for donating an
estimated $100 million per year to Hezbollah. The Lebanese government,
of which Hezbollah is an active part, bears a full measure of
responsibility for this act of war against Israel, and Israel has a
right, under international law, to take actions necessary to rescue her
sons. Israel fully withdrew from southern Lebanon in May 2000. This
move by Israel was certified by the U.N. Security Council as having met
the requirements of U.N. Security Council Resolution 425, which called
for an Israeli withdrawal and for Lebanon to assert control over the
area vacated by Israel.
The appropriate, reasonable and legal response to the brutality and
dishonor of terrorism is proactive self-defense. We would do no
different were these young men our own. Israel continues to be a force
for freedom and democracy and as a friend and ally to the United
States, deserves our full backing during this difficult time.
Furthermore, as this body has reaffirmed time and again, we fully
reject and denounce the terrorist activities fomented by both Iran and
Syria. It is my fervent hope that those who dictate the activities of
Hezbollah, both inside Lebanon and outside its borders, will quickly
see the futility of this course of action, and make a move for peace
and stability rather than chaos and war
Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I rise today to talk briefly about the
[[Page S7506]]
current events in Israel and the Middle East.
I strongly condemn the ongoing murderous attacks by Hezbollah on
Israel and its soldiers. Several days ago, eight Israeli soldiers were
killed and two were kidnapped following an unprovoked attack on
northern Israel. Hezbollah must immediately and unconditionally release
all Israeli soldiers. Hezbollah has refused United Nations demands to
disarm and has been responsible for terrible acts of violence for many
years. No country should provide support for Hezbollah, which is a
U.S.-designated terrorist group. Hezbollah's actions are contrary to
the interests of the Lebanese people and hurt the region.
The Hezbollah attack follows a June 25 attack by Hamas on a southern
Israeli military post that resulted in the kidnapping of an Israeli
solider and the killing of several others. Hamas must also immediately
and unconditionally release the soldier it is holding and end attacks
on Israel.
The United States will stand by our longtime ally and friend. The
Israeli people have the right to live in peace and security. Israel has
the right to protect its citizens. I strongly condemn the ongoing
murderous attacks by Hezbollah and Hamas on Israel and its soldiers and
believe that restraint is needed in the region to stop the escalation
of violence and protect innocent lives.
I yield the floor
Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, today I condemn Hamas's and
Hezbollah's unprovoked acts of war against Israel and to express strong
support for Israel's right to defend itself.
On July 12, Hezbollah attacked an Israeli military unit patrolling
the Israeli border south of Lebanon, and two Israeli soldiers were
taken hostage. Hezbollah's leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, has
admitted that this was a calculated act, which Hezbollah had planned
for 5 months. Analysts agree that this act is a sign of support for the
Hamas kidnapping of another Israeli soldier on June 25. It is also a
sign that two of the regions most recalcitrant terrorist organizations
have no interest in the peace and security of the people they
supposedly now represent in elected governments in Lebanon and the
Palestinian Territories.
Both of these attacks were clear acts of war--attacks on Israeli
soldiers guarding undisputed Israeli territory. The Hezbollah attack
was also a blatant breach of Security Council resolutions 1559, 1655,
and 1680, which certified Israel's full withdrawal from Lebanese
territory, called for the disarmament of all militias in Lebanon, and
called for an end to attacks across the Israel-Lebanon border.
Despite these resolutions, Hezbollah remains an armed militia group
with unrestrained activity in Lebanon and has not been pressured by the
Lebanese Government to disarm. In fact, Hezbollah is a part of the
Lebanese Government now with 23 seats in the Lebanese parliament and
two ministers in the Government. According to the Department of State,
Hezbollah receives $30-40 million a month in cash, aid, and arms
support from Iran. Additionally, Syria is still a strong partner with
Iran in supporting, sheltering, and funding Hezbollah to the detriment
of the people of Lebanon
Mr. President, I believe it is critical that the Senate recognize
Israel's right to defend itself, and call on the Government of Lebanon
to immediately and unconditionally release the abducted Israeli
soldiers. The same holds true for the soldier held by Hamas in Gaza. At
the same time, we must insist that Iran and Syria immediately cease
interfering in the internal affairs of Lebanon and the Palestinian
Territories by ending all support for Hezbollah and Hamas.
I will shortly be introducing legislation to increase pressure on the
Government of Lebanon to do the right thing and disarm Hezbollah. The
Lebanese people surely deserve better than to have their fate
determined by this terrorist organization. But for now, Israel deserves
our unwavering support as it aims to protect its people from these
unprovoked attacks.
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