[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONDEMNING ABBAS'S REMARKS AGAINST ISRAEL

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                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2007

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, at a Fatah party rally 
on January 11, 2007, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas 
reportedly said that Palestinians ``have a legitimate right to direct 
our guns against the occupation [Israel]'' and that Fatah's 
``fighting'' stance is a ``model for liberation.''
  I find it disheartening and deeply troubling that Abbas would 
sanction violence against Israel instead of calling upon his people to 
support peaceful compromise with Israel.
  Palestinian leaders must understand that they can no longer support 
peace when speaking to Western audiences while advocating violence 
against Israel when addressing their people. Abbas' statements suggest 
that he is not the ``moderate'' Palestinian leader that many claim he 
is. Unless he renounces violence once and for all and takes steps to 
disarm terrorists, Abbas may not deserve additional U.S. aid.

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