[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 93 (Monday, July 17, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H5248-H5249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENSE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized for 5 minutes.

[[Page H5249]]

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support, my strong 
support, for the Nation of Israel as it exercises its right to self-
defense in the face of terrorist attacks.
  I am sure my colleagues are aware that back on June 25th, members of 
the Hamas terrorist organization attacked an Israeli military post 
outside the Gaza Strip. Two Israeli soldiers were killed and another 
was captured. Israel responded to this clear act of war with 
appropriate force, seeking the return of its soldier and an end to 
rocket attacks coming from the Gaza Strip. The violence continued, 
though, with Gaza-based terrorists firing a rocket into a high school 
in the city of Ashkelon.
  Many of Hamas' top leaders have advocated the kidnapping of Israeli 
soldiers, including the Palestinian Foreign Minister, who said in March 
that Hamas should kidnap Israeli soldiers and exchange them for jailed 
Palestinian terrorists.
  Of course, attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip were just the 
beginning. Last week, Hezbollah terrorists attacked Israeli soldiers in 
northern Israel, killing eight and kidnapping two. They also began 
firing rockets on northern Israeli towns, including Haifa, the third-
largest city in the country.
  Israel again responded to this act of war by seeking to defend 
themselves. They entered Lebanon in an attempt both to rescue the 
kidnapped soldiers and prevent Hezbollah terrorists from committing 
further acts against Israel. They also blockaded the country to prevent 
Iran and Syria from sending further supplies, arms, and terrorists into 
Lebanon to support Hezbollah's actions.
  This weekend, however, with increasing attacks from Hezbollah, Israel 
officials are now warning civilians as far south as Tel Aviv to be on 
alert for rocket attacks. There is also word that Iranian Revolutionary 
Guard soldiers are in southern Lebanon, helping to train Hezbollah and 
equip them with new, longer-range missiles and rockets, so they can 
threaten more Israeli citizens.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, world leaders have not solidly backed 
Israel's right to self-defense. While the Bush administration expressed 
support for Israel's actions, support for our ally in the Middle East 
has not come from all corners. In fact, last week the European Union 
criticized Israel's response as ``disproportionate.'' I would like to 
know what the EU would think if one of their member nations were 
attacked by terrorists and the U.S. referred to their response as 
``disproportionate.''
  The EU has also condemned Israel for its air and sea blockade of 
Lebanon. That blockade is necessary, however, because we know that 
otherwise Iran and Syria would continue to funnel more and more weapons 
and personnel into southern Lebanon.
  Mr. Speaker, on Friday I wrote to the current EU president to express 
my strong disapproval of the European Union's comments. I will include 
for the Record that letter.
  The fact is, Mr. Speaker, that Israel has complied with international 
agreements, such as U.N. Security Council Resolution 425, by 
withdrawing from Lebanon. Unfortunately, the Lebanese Government has 
not held up its end of the bargain, failing to control southern 
Lebanon, rein in Hezbollah and support peace and security on their 
southern border, as required by Security Council Resolution 1559 from 
September 2004.
  Hamas, meanwhile, called Hezbollah's actions ``a heroic operation.'' 
Despite what many international observers thought might happen, Hamas 
is not acting like a responsible government. Instead, they are sticking 
to their roots as a terrorist organization, encouraging the sort of 
attacks that flared up in the recent violence.
  Mr. Speaker, the international community needs to stand behind the 
State of Israel and support it as they defend themselves against 
terrorist attacks. I understand that tomorrow we are going to consider 
a resolution on the House floor that would express support for Israel 
and condemn the attacks by Hamas and Hezbollah, and I urge my 
colleagues in the strongest possible terms to vote for this resolution.
  For the sake of the Israeli people and all residents of the region, I 
hope the current violence ends soon. But we must recognize Israel's 
right to defend itself and do what it must to end terrorist attacks 
against their soldiers and their people.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the letter referred to earlier.
                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                    Washington, DC, July 14, 2006.
     Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen,
     President in Office, Council of the European Union, 1000 
         Brussels, Belgium.
       Dear Prime Minister Vanhanen: I am writing to express my 
     strong disapproval of comments made by the European Union 
     (EU) and individual member nations in reaction to Israel's 
     response to terrorist attacks against them.
       As you know, on June 25 members of the Hamas terrorist 
     group attacked an Israeli military post in southern Israel, 
     killing two Israeli soldiers and kidnapping another, Cpl. 
     Galid Shalit. In response, Israel took actions to try to 
     rescue Shalit, end attacks against its citizens, and hold the 
     Palestinian Authority responsible. It is well-known that top 
     Hamas leaders, including Ahmed Jaabari and Jamal Abu 
     Samhadna, helped plan the attack on the Israeli post.
       Later, on July 12, members of the Lebanese-based Hezbollah 
     terrorist group attacked northern Israel, killing eight 
     soldiers and kidnapping two others. These actions came 
     despite the fact that UN Security Council Resolution 425 
     requires Lebanon to reestablish its authority in the southern 
     portion of the country and to work towards international 
     peace and security along its border with Israel. In response, 
     Israel has imposed an air and sea blockade on Lebanon and 
     sought to reduce Hezbollah's ability to attack Haifa and 
     other Israeli population centers.
       Despite the fact that Israel has exercised past restraint 
     and is now acting in clear self-defense to protect its 
     people, the EU issued a statement criticizing Israel for a 
     ``disproportionate use of force''--comments echoed by French 
     President Jacques Chirac and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis 
     Rodriguez Zapatero. The EU also said that ``the imposition of 
     an air and sea blockade on Lebanon cannot be justified.''
       I find those comments to be misguided and unfair to Israel. 
     In order to defend itself and its citizens from attacks on 
     two sides, Israel has responded with the intent of ending the 
     terrorist organizations' capacity to carry out further 
     violence. The blockade is necessary to prevent further arms, 
     military supplies, and terrorists from entering Lebanon and 
     being used against Israel. It is widely known that Hezbollah 
     has long been funded and aided by both Syria and Iran, and 
     that assistance would continue during the violence if Israel 
     were not to impose the blockade.
       The United States has stood behind Israel and supported 
     them as a democratic ally in a troubled region. It is 
     disappointing to see that the EU does not seem to understand 
     the need for Israel to defend itself against terrorist 
     attacks.
       I strongly urge you to reconsider your comments and instead 
     issue a statement in support of Israel's right to defend 
     itself.
           Sincerely,
                                                Frank Pallone, Jr.
     Member of Congress.

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