[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 97 (Friday, July 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1477-E1478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONDEMNING THE RECENT ATTACKS AGAINST THE STATE OF ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 19, 2006

  Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with very 
strong and mixed feelings on H. Res, 921, This resolution condemns the 
recent attacks against the State of Israel. The State of Israel has two 
intractable enemies, Hamas and Hezbollah. Presently, Israel is engaged 
in military operations in Gaza and Lebanon. I cannot over-emphasize 
that I am vehemently and unalterably opposed to the attacks undertaken 
by Hezbollah against Israel. At the same time, I cannot and will not 
support other language in the resolution which I consider to be harmful 
to the interests of peace, diplomacy, security, and the protection of 
civilians in Lebanon and Israel.

[[Page E1478]]

  Let me say at the outset, I support the right of Israel to exist and 
to defend itself from attack. I cannot support the level of retaliation 
it is using against the civilian population that did not provoke the 
attack. Hezbollah is the guilty party, and their attacks were 
egregious, without merit, and provocative. Israel must direct its 
campaign against confirmed Hezbollah strongholds. Given the 
sophistication of current surveillance technology and intelligence-
gathering, I am convinced those strongholds can be effectively 
eradicated, without the current and ongoing loss of life and casualties 
to innocent civilians.
  This resolution on first glance would appear to be easy to support, 
but on further review, it poses serious philosophical problems for me. 
Hezbollah provoked the attacks by capturing and killing Israeli 
soldiers. Indeed, in some instances, Hezbollah is using Lebanese 
civilians as shields.
  The resolution declares that the House affirms its support for 
Israel. I believe that offering unconditional support to Israel's 
response sends the signal that the House supports the continuing and 
increasing carnage that is taking place in Lebanon. I fully recognize 
that lives have been lost in Israel too. All of these deaths are tragic 
and deplorable. This resolution does not even offer counsel to Israel 
to aggressively pursue the course of minimizing civilian loss of life. 
Furthermore, the resolution recognizes Israel's commitment to 
minimizing civilian loss of life. To date, Israeli military operations 
have resulted in excess of 300 civilians killed, with an estimated one-
third of them being children. I do not see Israel's actions being 
consistent with a commitment to minimizing the loss of life.
  The resolution also cites Israel's right to take appropriate action 
to defend itself, including conducting operations in both Israel and in 
the territory of nations which pose a threat to it. At the present 
time, Israeli military bombing operations are completely dismantling 
the infrastructure of Lebanon. Bridges, roads and buildings are being 
destroyed. Once the campaign wanes, the country will consist of rubble.

  I am also concerned by the language that commends the President for 
fully supporting Israel. The language and the message state explicitly 
that the House supports the way he has handled the current crisis. I 
strongly disagree with this premise and statement.
  I want to state that I am mindful that although the focus of our 
current attention is on the plight of the citizens affected in Israel 
and Lebanon, we must not forget the other component of the equation--
the situation in Gaza involving the Palestinians.
  In Gaza, a cordon has been set up by the Israelis, and Palestinians 
are suffering under unbearable conditions. My concern rests with the 
humanitarian plight of civilians in Gaza and Lebanon that are pawns in 
a struggle by terrorist organizations. Both organizations, Hamas--
Sunni--and Hezbollah--Shia--provide vital social services such as 
education and medical care to civilian populations, while 
simultaneously engaging in terrorist activities. In fact, their efforts 
and ideologies have created desperate political and military scenarios. 
In the case of Hezbollah, their efforts are contributing to instability 
in the region.
  I fully recognize the gravity of the situation that is presented by 
the unconscionable and provocative behavior of Hezbollah. I also have 
grave reservations about the level of the response by Israel to 
Hezbollah's actions. The competing complexities and mixed messages 
presented by the language in the resolution preclude me from offering 
my support to H. Res. 921. Therefore, I will cast a vote of ``nay'' on 
this resolution.

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