[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     General Kofi Annan's report that Israel had withdrawn 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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