[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 13, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H2445-H2447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1230
CALLING FOR RELEASE OF ISRAELI SOLDIERS HELD CAPTIVE BY HAMAS AND
HEZBOLLAH
Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 107) calling for the immediate and
unconditional release of Israeli soldiers held captive by Hamas and
Hezbollah, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 107
Whereas Israel completed its withdrawal from southern
Lebanon on May 24, 2000;
Whereas Congress previously expressed its concern for
Israeli soldiers missing in Lebanon and Syrian-controlled
territory of Lebanon in Public Law 106-89 (113 Stat. 1305;
November 8, 1999), which required the Secretary of State to
raise the status of missing Israeli soldiers with appropriate
government officials of Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian
Authority, and other governments in the region, and to submit
to Congress reports on those efforts and any subsequent
discovery of relevant information;
Whereas on June 18, 2000, the United Nations Security
Council welcomed and endorsed United Nations Secretary-
General Kofi Annan's report that Israel had withdrawn
completely from Lebanon under the terms of United Nations
Security Council Resolution 425 (1978);
Whereas Israel completed its withdrawal from Gaza on
September 12, 2005;
Whereas on June 25, 2006, Hamas and allied terrorists
crossed into Israel to attack a military post, killing two
soldiers and wounding a third, Gilad Shalit, who was
kidnapped;
Whereas on July 12, 2006, Hezbollah terrorists crossed into
Israel to attack Israeli troops patrolling the Israeli side
of the border with Lebanon, killing three, wounding two, and
kidnapping Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev;
Whereas Gilad Shalit has been held in captivity by Hamas
for more than 7 months;
Whereas Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev have been held in
captivity by Hezbollah for more than 6 months;
Whereas Hamas and Hezbollah have withheld all information
on the health and welfare of the men they have kidnapped; and
Whereas, contrary to the most basic standards of
humanitarian conduct, Hamas and Hezbollah have prevented
access to the Israeli captives by competent medical personnel
and representatives of the International Committee of the Red
Cross: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) demands that--
(A) Hamas immediately and unconditionally release Israeli
soldier Gilad Shalit;
(B) Hezbollah accept the mandate of United Nations Security
Council Resolution 1701 (2006) by immediately and
unconditionally releasing Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser
and Eldad Regev; and
(C) Hezbollah and Hamas accede to the most basic standards
of humanitarian conduct and allow prompt access to the
Israeli captives by competent medical personnel and
representatives of the International Committee of the Red
Cross;
(2) expresses--
(A) its vigorous support and unwavering commitment to the
welfare and survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and
democratic state with secure borders;
(B) its strong support and deep interest in achieving a
resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the
creation of a viable and independent Palestinian state living
in peace alongside of the State of Israel;
(C) its ongoing concern and sympathy for the families of
Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser, and Eldad Regev and all other
missing Israeli soldiers; and
(D) its full commitment to seek the immediate and
unconditional release of the Israeli captives; and
(3) condemns--
(A) Hamas and Hezbollah for the cross border attacks and
kidnappings which precipitated weeks of intensive armed
conflict between Israel, Hezbollah, and armed Palestinian
groups; and
(B) Iran and Syria, the primary state sponsors of global
terrorism and the patrons of Hezbollah and Hamas, for their
ongoing support for international terrorism.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Ackerman) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous materials on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to first thank Chairman Tom Lantos and
ranking minority member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, as well as the ranking
minority member on the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia,
Mike Pence. These Members joined with me at the very outset of the
Congress to introduce H. Res. 107. The resolution is an exercise in
compassion and it expresses the sense of the House regarding the three
Israeli soldiers who were kidnapped last summer.
As of today, Gilad Shalit has been a captive for 261 days, roughly
8\1/2\ months; Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev have been captives for
244 days. That is a day more than 8 months. To date, there has been no
access to these men by medical personnel or the Red Cross or Red
Crescent.
They have not been permitted to send mail to their loved ones. We
don't know if they are ill, we don't know if
[[Page H2446]]
they are wounded, we don't know for certain that they are still alive.
Mr. Speaker, their captors have sought to turn these three men into
something they are not: Bargaining chips, pawns, a kind of political
chattel, things that can be swapped for favors or sacrificed at whim.
These three men are not things. They are human beings. They have names
and families. They have rights as captured soldiers, and they have
rights as individuals. And they also have rights under international
law.
The organizations that have taken these men captive have shown their
true character. Withholding doctors and medicine, withholding the Red
Cross and Red Crescent visits, withholding basic communications with
their families, even just the information that they are still alive,
these choices and these acts show what kind of men run Hamas and
Hezbollah: They are religious, but they are deeply immoral. They are
self-righteous, but they are profoundly cruel. They are blustery and
proud, but they are sneaky and manipulative. Decent human beings do not
behave this way.
Mr. Speaker, decency doesn't depend on international law or
multilateral agreements, nor does it depend on nationality. And I am
not aware that withholding medical care or basic contact with the
outside world is a requirement of either Shia or Sunni Islam, or any of
the world's great religions.
This kind of brutality and malice is, unfortunately, typical of these
organizations and their state sponsors, Syria and Iran. Syria is a
thuggish dictatorship which believes its appetite for the Golan Heights
legitimizes any crime or cruelty.
And Iran's repressive theocracy is both the world's leading sponsor
of terrorism and its most dangerous proliferation threat. Viciousness
is standard operating procedure for both regimes.
We cannot compel such parties to release Gilad, Ehud, and Eldad any
more than we can force them to understand the difference between right
and wrong. You cannot disgrace someone who is incapable of shame.
But we can and we must stand by our ally, the State of Israel.
America has had painfully similar experiences at the hands of the same
culprits.
Out of our own bitter experience, we can express our sympathy and our
concern for the captives and for their families. We can let the
perpetrators of this barbarism know that we have not forgotten what
they have done, and what they are continuing to do. We can bear
witness, and we can add our voices to all those who are saying,
``Enough, enough. Let these men go home.''
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, last July Israel's sovereign border was violated by
terrorists linked to Hamas who shot and killed two Israeli soldiers and
kidnapped Corporal Gilad Shalit.
Days later, terrorists linked to Hezbollah crossed into Israel and
killed three and wounded two, and kidnapped soldiers Ehud Goldwasser
and Eldad Regev. All three have been held captive since without medical
attention from humanitarian groups like the Red Cross. No information
is known on the fate of these soldiers.
As proxies of the Iranian and Syrian regimes, Hezbollah and Hamas
have continued to attack Israel despite Israel's withdrawal from
southern Lebanon in 2000 and Gaza in 2005.
Rather than view Israel's withdrawal as an act of good faith to
further the cause of peace, Hezbollah and Hamas viewed these measures
as signs of weaknesses to exploit. Hamas and Hezbollah, which have
representatives in the Palestinian and Lebanese cabinets, believe that
terrorism, murder and kidnapping are appropriate means of achieving
political objectives, and have proposed negotiations to exchange these
hostages for convicted terrorists now serving time in Israeli jails.
I am proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution which declares that
the House of Representatives stands with the State of Israel and its
right to self-defense and against the barbarity perpetrated by
Hezbollah, Hamas and other terrorist groups, and the rogue regimes that
sponsor them.
This resolution demands that Hamas and Hezbollah immediately and
unconditionally release Mr. Shalit, Mr. Goldwasser and Mr. Regev, and
that they provide all three with access to medical attention.
The resolution also holds Iran and Syria accountable for making
terrorist acts like these possible. We cannot afford to be complacent
about those Islamist extremists who would seek to kill three people,
violate borders with impunity and threaten the security of the Middle
East and the world.
As Dr. Martin Luther King noted, ``Injustice anywhere is a threat to
justice everywhere.''
I thank Chairman Ackerman for introducing this resolution, his
leadership in this area, and doing so much to advance the cause of the
kidnapped Israeli soldiers. This resolution is about seeking what is
needed most: Justice for the innocent and accountability for the
guilty. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers. If the
gentleman will yield back his time, we are prepared to do so.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Yes. Again, I reiterate how important to my colleagues
it is that we pass this resolution and support it wholeheartedly, and I
thank the gentleman for his leadership in this area.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arkansas for
his leadership and helping shepherd this on the floor today.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 107,
which calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli
soldiers held captive by Hamas and Hezbollah.
On July 19, 2006, I and the three Members of Lebanese ancestry joined
together to introduce H. Res. 926 in response to the unprovoked attack
and kidnapping by Hezbollah. This resolution condemned Hamas and
Hezbollah for engaging in the reprehensible terrorist act of taking
hostages, affirmed Israel's right to conduct operations to secure the
release of hostages, and urging the protection of innocent life and
civilian infrastructure.
H. Res. 107 sends an important message that the terrorist leaders of
Hamas and Hezbollah must recognize. The United States has not forgotten
the kidnapped Israeli soldiers or those responsible for their
kidnapping including the states who support the terrorist groups.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to note for the record that this resolution
expresses ``strong support and deep interest in achieving a resolution
of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the creation of a viable
and independent Palestinian state living in peace alongside of the
State of Israel,'' as well as ``vigorous support and unwavering
commitment to the welfare and survival of the State of Israel as a
Jewish and democratic state with secure borders.''
While I fully support the commitment to the welfare and survival of
the State of Israel, I have some reservations about this body
expressing its support for a nation embracing a specific religious
character. My concern is that in some situations, such expression of an
endorsement of a particular religion or ethnicity could be used to
exclude others which is, of course, not the intention of this
resolution.
Both Israeli and Palestinian leaders have expressed their preference
for a viable two-state solution and, as such, I support this joint goal
and the independent peaceful aspirations of both peoples because the
parties have made these decisions on their own and not because I
support the preeminence of any particular religion.
Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in
strong support of the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli
soldiers held captive by Hamas and Hezbollah. As a former soldier
myself, my thoughts and prayers are with Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser
and Eldad Regev and their families. Let them know that the strength and
good wishes of this Congress and of our Nation are with them all.
I am proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution, which states in a
clear, unequivocal voice that the United States stands with these brave
soldiers and demands their immediate and unconditional release. The
statement we make today is important not just for these three soldiers,
but for the greater goal of achieving peace in the Middle East.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution makes it abundantly clear that neither
the U.S., nor Israel, nor any of our allies will bow to the will of
terrorist organizations. We will fight them at
[[Page H2447]]
every turn, we will never retreat, and we will prevail because the
cause of freedom is just and righteous. As one of my heroes, President
John F. Kennedy, once said, ``Let every nation know, whether it wishes
us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any
hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the
survival and the success of liberty.'' Today we renew this pledge.
This resolution also makes it clear that while we do not shrink from
the fight against terrorism, we also recognize that this battle is one
that cannot be won without diplomacy. While we declare that we will
always support efforts to maintain Israel's identity as a Jewish state
with secure borders, we also renew our commitment to achieving a
resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the creation of
a viable and independent Palestinian state living in peace alongside of
the State of Israel.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, we are here to speak in a united voice to
support Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. We pray for
their safety and we hope that they will return home soon. As we do
this, we realize that the stories of these three brave soldiers are a
part of a larger conflict that has taken thousands of lives and has
ravaged an entire region of the world for far too long. With this
resolution, we take another small step toward a future that is free of
this conflict, where both Israelis and Palestinians have a place to
call home and where no more lives are lost to a needless cycle of
violence.
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to revise and
extend my remarks.
I rise today to voice my strong support for H. Res. 107. This
bipartisan resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional release
of Israeli soldiers held captive by Hamas and Hezbollah.
I want to thank my friend from New York, Congressman Gary Ackerman,
for introducing this resolution.
More than 7 months have passed since July of 2006, when Hamas
terrorists crossed into Israel to attack a military post, killing two
soldiers and wounding and kidnapping a third, Gilad Shalit.
Less than 1 month later, Hezbollah terrorists crossed into Israel and
ambushed Israeli troops patrolling the border with Lebanon, killing
three soldiers and kidnapping two, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.
These despicable acts occurred despite Israel's good faith efforts,
which included its total withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May of
2000.
These two terrorist groups have withheld all information on the
health and welfare of the men they have kidnapped. Defying the most
basic standards of conduct, they have prevented medical personnel and
members of the International Red Cross from having access to the
kidnapped Israelis.
In spite of these terrorist attacks, the strength of the Israeli
people has not wavered. In these difficult times, our support of Israel
must not waver either.
The United States must stay committed to the welfare and survival of
the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic nation with secure
borders.
Our Congress must stand in one voice and condemn Hamas and Hezbollah,
and their primary sponsors, Iran and Syria, for these cross border
attacks.
I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting Israel and condemning
these heinous acts, and cast a vote in favor of H. Res. 107.
Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, it's been more than seven
months now and many have forgotten about the three Israeli soldiers
kidnapped by Hamas and Hezbollah: Ehud Goldwasser, Eldad Regev, and
Gilad Shalit. Hezbollah seems to have forgotten that last year's
hostilities ended only after there were promises regarding the return
of the Israeli men. This just goes to reinforce the fact that terrorist
organizations cannot be negotiated with.
In 2004, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 called for
Hezbollah in Lebanon to disband. Despite a half-dozen statements from
the Secretary-General, they continued to occupy the border region as UN
observers looked on. We don't know for sure, but these very observers
may have watched Hezbollah cross the border and kidnap Goldwasser and
Regev.
Security Council Resolution 170, which ended the most recent
conflict, again called for Hezbollah to disarm and return of the
soldiers. They remain in Lebanon and Gaza and not even international
organizations such as the Red Cross have been able to see them and be
assured of their fair treatment.
Israel has demonstrated its commitment to the Resolution by ceasing
hostilities and pulling back its soldiers, but yet again they are
dealing with opponents who show disrespect to all and whose word cannot
be trusted.
We stand together with Israel to call again for the unconditional
release of these three men. We pray for their safe return and for peace
between Israel and its neighbors. They will not be forgotten by their
families, by their nation, or by this body.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H. Res. 107, a resolution
calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli soldiers
Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, who continue to be held
by the terror organizations Hamas and Hezbollah more than 6 months
after being captured. These soldiers were kidnapped on Israeli soil in
two separate, but equally brazen attacks, which were acts of war.
During their time in captivity, Hamas and Hezbollah, both of whom
desire to simultaneously maintain an armed wing and a political wing,
have not reported on the soldiers' health and have not granted access
to international organizations to check on their well-being.
In August of last year, shortly after the fighting between Israeli
forces and Hezbollah stopped, I visited Lebanon and northern Israel.
While in Israel, we met with the families of the kidnapped soldiers. I
cannot tell you how difficult it is, especially for a parent, to know a
loved one is in harm's way and there is nothing you can do to help him.
It is so important this resolution is on the floor of the House today
because we want the soldiers to know, we want their families to know,
and we want Hamas and Hezbollah and the state sponsors of their
terrorist activities--Iran and Syria to know that America has not
forgotten the kidnappings that took place last summer. We will not
forget this injustice until the soldiers are returned home to their
families safe and sound.
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker I rise today as a proud original
cosponsor of House Resolution 107, calling for the immediate and
unconditional release of the Israeli soldiers held captive by Hamas and
Hezbollah since last summer.
The critical bipartisan legislation being introduced today calls for
the immediate and unconditional release of the three Israeli soldiers
who were captured last summer. Ehud Goldwasser, 31, and Eldad Regev,
26, were kidnapped by Hezbollah on July 12, 2006. Gilad Shalit was
kidnapped by Hamas on June 25, 2006.
Moreover, my cosponsorship of this legislation follows up on the July
29, 2006 letter I wrote to American Red Cross Interim President Jack
McGuire urging the American Red Cross to apply pressure to the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to look into the well-
being of the three Israeli soldiers. My colleague, Canadian Senator
Jerry S. Grafstein, wrote a similar letter.
To date, Gilad is the only captive Israeli soldier to have been
confirmed to be alive by his captors. Hezbollah has not given any
indication as to whether the other two Israeli soldiers they captured
are injured or even still alive. Contrary to the most basic standards
of humanitarian conduct, Hamas and Hezbollah have prevented access to
all of the Israeli captives by representatives of the International
Committee of the Red Cross.
I and all in this country, resent terrorist groups who use human life
as a strategic tool to further their radical agenda. In calling for the
release of these Israeli prisoners, the United States stands with
Israel and sends a united message to terrorists that their fanatic
behavior will be unsuccessful in deterring a Middle East peace.
I support the efforts the Israeli government has thus far made in
attempting to gain the captives' release. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni
and her fellow ministers, as well as Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, have
continued to raise this issue at the highest levels in their diplomatic
meetings.
These three brave soldiers have been held hostage without medical
attention and without communication or access to their family for far
too long. The United States Congress has not forgotten these men and
will make every effort to secure their freedom. The Shalit, Goldwasser
and Regev families should know that I and the United States stand by
them and pray for the return of their sons.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 107, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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