[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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