[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 97 (Friday, July 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONDEMNING THE RECENT ATTACKS AGAINST THE STATE OF ISRAEL

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                               speech of

                           HON. ROBERT WEXLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 19, 2006

  Mr. WEXLER. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
resolution to express unwavering support for Israel as it faces a 
campaign of violence perpetrated by Hezbollah; express strong support 
for the Israeli government, which has evoked its unequivocal right to 
self-defense; and express support for the Israeli people, who are not 
alone. America stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel in its ongoing, 
58-year struggle for security and peace.
  Israel has been victimized by attacks on its sovereign land, and the 
international community must join us in decrying these horrific acts. 
Make no mistake--Hezbollah is not Israel's problem alone. In the past 
few years, Hezbollah has acquired advanced weaponry from Iran and Syria 
that threatens the security of Israel, the stability of the region, and 
American interests in the Middle East. The world cannot afford to 
remain on the sidelines as Israel fights to eradicate this global 
threat.
  Two years ago, the United States and France joined together in 
passing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559, which asserted the 
sovereignty of Lebanon and demanded the disarmament of Hezbollah. While 
Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon, the Lebanese government was 
negligent in failing to disarm Hezbollah. During this time, Hezbollah 
strengthened its arsenal while continuing to serve as a terrorist proxy 
for Syria and Iran.
  Today, I call on the international community to assist the Lebanese 
government in fulfilling its obligations outlined in U.N. Security 
Council Resolution 1559. I call on the European Union to add Hezbollah 
to its terrorist list. I call on the United Nations to hold Iran and 
Syria responsible for arming, financing, and supporting Hezbollah. And 
I respectfully call on President Bush to implement the full range of 
U.S. sanctions against Syria and renew U.S. sanctions against Iran. As 
Israel's strongest ally and friend, the United States must exhaust 
every effort to restore stability and security to the Middle East.
  As we reflect on the violence unfolding as we speak, we are reminded 
of the resilience and perseverance of the Israeli people, who have 
never sacrificed the dream of peace. It is my wish that the vision of 
hope embodied in Israel's national anthem--Hatikva--may come to 
fruition, and that Israel will succeed in defeating Hezbollah and 
creating a lasting peace.

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