[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 97 (Friday, July 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1481]
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. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 19, 2006

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a strong and consistent 
supporter of Israel to urge my colleagues to pass H. Res. 921.
  This important resolution condemns the recent attacks on Israel by 
the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist groups and expresses continued U.S. 
support for the right of Israel to defend itself.
  The State of Israel was created in 1948, and the United States was 
the first country to formally recognize its right to exist. Since that 
time, Israel has been one of our strongest allies in the world and a 
glimmer of hope in the Middle East as the only developed democracy in a 
region that has known too much war, too much terror and too much 
violence.
  Israel consistently stands shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. in 
countering the most dangerous threats we face today, including the use 
of terror by groups attempting to destabilize moderate regimes and 
disrupt various peacemaking efforts.
  In August 2005, Israel began its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and 
gave the Palestinian Authority (PA) the opportunity to prove themselves 
capable of exercising just and rightful authority over their own 
people. Since that time, the PA has proven to be ineffective at 
immobilizing terrorist activities, as shown by Hamas' frequent rocket 
attacks on Israeli cities and the cross-border ambush that took place 
only a few weeks ago, which resulted in the deaths of two Israeli 
soldiers and the kidnapping of another.
  In addition, Iran's public declarations calling for both the 
destruction of the state of Israel and greater development of nuclear 
arms have produced a dangerous and volatile situation both regionally 
and globally. As Iran continues to provide weapons and supplies to 
terrorist groups like Hezbollah, we must allow Israel to continue to 
take necessary action to protect itself.
  This is a critical time for Israel. We must allow Israel to continue 
its self defense efforts and attempts to prevent terrorist 
organizations from destroying the Middle East. As Prime Minister Olmert 
stated in his address to Congress, ``[We must] replace the `Culture of 
Hate' with an `Outlook of Hope.' '' Hezbollah and Hamas are 
organizations that have proven to be committed to this ``Culture of 
Hate.'' Consequently, their removal from the Middle East is essential 
to instill hope into a region that has seen far too much destruction of 
innocent life.
  Once again, I urge my colleagues to support this important 
resolution.

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