[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 97 (Friday, July 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1491]
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. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 19, 2006

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Res. 921, which, among other things, condemns the recent 
attacks against the State of Israel, expresses the House of 
Representatives' condolences to all families of innocent victims of 
recent violence, and holds terrorists and their state-sponsors 
accountable for such attacks.
  On June 25, 2006, the terrorist group Hezbollah disrupted peaceful 
relations between Israel and Lebanon by crossing Israel's 
internationally recognized borders and abducting two Israeli soldiers. 
Let me say upfront that I know from meeting with Lebanese Prime 
Minister Fuad Siniora that the Lebanese government is not able to 
control Hezbollah. However, this incursion provoked Israel to take 
action to retrieve its two nationals, a response U.S. citizens would 
fully expect of their own government were it in the same situation. 
Unfortunately, escalating violence has led to the death of innocent 
civilians in both Israel and Lebanon.
  While pundits have voiced concerns over how ``measured'' Israel's 
response was in this case, we must remember that this situation just 
scratches the surface of a deeply rooted conflict between Israel and a 
number of terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, etc. Since Israel 
withdrew from Southern Lebanon back in 2000, Hezbollah has terrorized 
and ravaged Israel's northern border.
  Many have also called for a cease-fire. Rest assured, I welcome the 
cessation of all hostility, but am concerned about whether a 
conventional ``cease-fire'' is appropriate when dealing with a 
terrorist group that openly fires upon civilian populations. I believe 
that Israel, on the other hand, exercised due diligence in specifically 
targeting Hezbollah. However, even though many civilians have died in 
Lebanon, we must remember this task is extremely difficult to execute 
because Hezbollah hides among Lebanon's civilian population. Hezbollah 
is cleverly aware that this makes it extremely difficult for Israel to 
target it. Moreover, at the bitter cost of innocent Lebanese lives, it 
rejoices at the public torment that Israel receives.
  There is no easy solution to this situation. However, our primary 
concern at this point ought to be to evacuate all U.S. citizens who 
wish to leave Lebanon as quickly and safely as possible. I have been 
personally working with a number of my constituents who have family in 
Lebanon to ensure their safe return back home. I ask the American 
people to stand in solidarity with all the families who have lost loved 
ones in this conflict.
  Madam Speaker, in closing it is truly sad that in this day and age a 
terrorist group like Hezbollah does not hesitate to point their weapons 
at innocent civilians. We must continue to support the return of 
Israel's kidnapped soldiers and push for a cessation of all hostility 
in any way that we can. I urge for an aye vote on H. Res. 921.

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