[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 98 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1495]
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. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 19, 2006

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Res. 921, condemning the provocations by terrorist 
organizations on Israel's northern and southern borders.
  The actions of the terrorist organizations, Hezbollah, in Lebanon, 
and Hamas, in Gaza, against Israel are unconscionable. Instead of 
working towards peace, these terrorist organizations have chosen to 
perpetuate the violence. Unprovoked attacks on Israel's borders, 
murdering Israeli soldiers, taking Israeli hostages and showering 
rockets targeting and killing Israeli civilians are not furthering any 
legitimate goal.
  I am pleased to see that many of the world's leaders have publicly 
recognized that the crisis in the Middle East was deliberately incited 
by terrorist organizations. I applaud the leaders of the world's top 
industrial nations' collaborative statement on July 16 condemning the 
terrorists: ``These extremist elements and those that support them 
cannot be allowed to plunge the Middle East into chaos and provoke a 
wider conflict. The extremists must immediately halt their attacks.''
  I also congratulate the Arab nations, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan 
for their willingness to openly criticize Hezbollah's attacks on 
Israel's northern border. I am in full support of their efforts to 
speak out against Hezbollah's recent assaults against Israel.
  Israel's actions over the past week must be viewed in a broader 
context. It should be recognized that in response to Israel's 
unilateral withdrawal from Southern Lebanon in 2000 and from Gaza in 
2005, as well as its committed plan to pull out completely from the 
West Bank, Israel has met only violence. Since 2000, Hezbollah has 
fired hundreds of rockets at civilian areas and kidnapped and murdered 
Israeli soldiers. Since September 2005, terrorist groups in Gaza have 
launched over 1,000 rocket attacks at Israeli cities. Previously, 
Israel exhibited restraint and refused to respond to these aggressions 
with any significant counterattack. Now, in light of the current 
unprovoked kidnappings by Hamas and Hezbollah, Israel is warranted to 
act appropriately to free the captured soldiers and to defend her 
citizens.
  Now is the time for the Lebanese Government to abide by the U.N.'s 
rules. In refusing to disarm Hezbollah as required by U.N. Resolution 
1559, the Lebanese Government is choosing to openly ignore the decree 
of the international community. Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora 
should accept responsibility and take immediate action against the 
terrorist group which Lebanon harbors. I support the resolutions that 
call on the United Nations to help the Prime Minister and his 
government to achieve these goals.
  Now is also the time for the Hamas government to accept 
accountability for the actions of its terrorist organization. As the 
elected government of the Palestinian people, they have a duty to tell 
the terrorists to release the soldier they captured, halt the 
relentless rocket fire aimed at Israeli civilians and end their 
encouragement of terrorist acts against Israel.
  But neither the Palestinian nor the Lebanese Government are wholly 
responsible for these recent provocations against Israel. There is a 
much greater strategic dimension to the Hamas-Hezbollah offensive. The 
terrorist organizations, Hezbollah and Hamas, are unquestionably 
sponsored and guided by the Iranian and Syrian Governments.
  Iranian and Syrian support of these attacks will not be rewarded. The 
current bloodshed of innocent Israeli and Lebanese civilians will not 
strengthen their governments' positions. As sponsors of terror they 
will be condemned and held accountable for their actions.
  Israel must have the right to defend her civilians from ongoing 
missile attacks, whether they arise from Lebanon or the Gaza Strip. 
Like the United States and other sovereign nations, Israel is justified 
in reestablishing its deterrent posture.

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