[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 5, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1234-H1239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONDEMNING THE ONGOING PALESTINIAN ROCKET ATTACKS ON ISRAELI CIVILIANS

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 951) condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket 
attacks on Israeli civilians, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 951

       Whereas more than 4,000 rockets and mortar shells have been 
     fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip by Hamas and other 
     terrorist organizations since Israeli forces withdrew from 
     there in 2005;
       Whereas, since January 1, 2008, terrorists have fired 
     nearly a thousand rockets and mortar shells into Israel;
       Whereas the near-daily rocket fire has been targeted 
     primarily and intentionally at civilian communities in 
     Israel, such as Sderot and Ashkelon, making life in such 
     areas agonizing;
       Whereas the terrorist rockets have hit homes, schools, 
     buildings, roads, power lines, and other such infrastructure 
     in Israel;
       Whereas these unprovoked rocket and mortar attacks have 
     murdered over a dozen Israelis, inflicted hundreds of 
     casualties, produced thousands of cases of shock and post-
     traumatic stress, especially among children, and caused 
     severe disruption of daily life;
       Whereas these deliberate cross-border rocket and mortar 
     attacks on civilian populations constitute a blatant 
     violation of human rights and international law;
       Whereas those responsible for launching rocket attacks 
     against Israel routinely embed their production facilities 
     and launch sites amongst the Palestinian civilian population, 
     utilizing them as human shields;
       Whereas intentionally targeting civilian populations and 
     the use of human shields violates international humanitarian 
     and human rights law;
       Whereas numerous reports have cited the copious amounts of 
     sophisticated weapons, small arms, and weapons manufacturing 
     materials that have been smuggled into Gaza through Egypt;
       Whereas public reports have cited the role of Iran and 
     Syria in providing material support and training to those 
     carrying out rocket and other terrorist attacks from Gaza;
       Whereas public reports have referenced the increased flow 
     of ammunition, explosives, and higher-grade weapons into the 
     Gaza Strip as a result of Hamas' breach of the 12-kilometer 
     security fence separating Gaza from Egyptian Sinai on January 
     23, 2008;
       Whereas it was reported that after the breach of the 
     Egyptian-Gaza border, many Palestinian terrorists who had 
     trained in Syria and Iran returned to Gaza;
       Whereas the fielding and use of longer-range rockets by 
     Hamas and other terrorist organizations to reach larger 
     Israeli cities represents a dangerous expansion of the 
     organizations' offensive capabilities and an escalation of 
     the terrorist attacks on Israel;
       Whereas the Government of Israel's military operations in 
     Gaza only target Hamas and other terrorist organizations;
       Whereas the inadvertent inflicting of civilian casualties 
     as a result of defensive military operations aimed at 
     military targets, while deeply regrettable, is not at all 
     morally equivalent to the deliberate targeting of civilian 
     populations as practiced by Hamas and other Gaza-based 
     terrorist groups; and
       Whereas the situation in the Gaza Strip remains a threat to 
     international security and regional stability: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) strongly condemns--
       (A) Hamas, which controls Gaza, and other Palestinian 
     terrorist organizations for the ongoing rocket attacks on 
     Israeli civilians and continued human rights violations;
       (B) state sponsors of terror, such as Iran and Syria, for 
     enabling Palestinian terrorist organizations to carry out 
     attacks against innocent Israeli civilians; and
       (C) the use of innocent Palestinian civilians as human 
     shields by those who carry out rocket and other attacks;
       (2) expresses condolences to the families of the innocent 
     victims on both sides of the conflict;
       (3) supports the sovereign right of the Government of 
     Israel to defend its territory against attacks;
       (4) expresses sympathy and support for innocent Palestinian 
     civilians who reject all forms of terrorism and desire to 
     live in peace with their Israeli neighbors but who continue 
     to be utilized as human shields by terrorist organizations;
       (5) considers rocket attacks against Israel and the 
     fostering of terrorism in the Palestinian territories as 
     direct and serious impediments to the achievement of Israeli-
     Palestinian peace;
       (6) calls on the President to--
       (A) direct the United States Permanent Representative to 
     the United Nations to introduce a resolution within the 
     United Nations Security Council condemning Palestinian rocket 
     and other attacks against innocent Israeli civilians; and
       (B) direct the Secretary of State to raise this issue in 
     all applicable bilateral and international fora;
       (7) calls on responsible countries and United States allies 
     in the Middle East to officially and publicly condemn 
     Palestinian rocket attacks and other terrorist actions 
     against Israel; and
       (8) reaffirms the strong and unyielding friendship between 
     the Governments and the people of Israel and the United 
     States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Berman) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution 
and I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, when this resolution came before the Foreign Affairs 
Committee last week, the situation in Gaza was deteriorating, and that 
deterioration continued apace. We have since amended this measure to 
reflect the latest facts, but the fundamental realities remain the 
same: Israel has a right to exist free from terror. Terrorist Hamas, 
which controls Gaza, does not accept this right. The United States will 
now and always stand firmly by Israel's side, committed to its 
survival; and we oppose all forms of terrorism and incitement meant to 
undermine the quest for peace.
  Nearly every day, shrapnel-filled rockets launched from Gaza rain 
down on Israeli communities, shocking the residents with their 
explosive power and expanded range. Israel has answered the deadly 
downpour by placing pressure on the Hamas leadership and their henchmen 
who launch these missiles. But because these thugs cravenly place the 
men, women, and children in Gaza in harm's way by using civilian 
communities as a base, counterstrikes have lamentably caused civilian 
injuries and deaths, along with the deaths of the terrorists.

                              {time}  1115

  The casualties are far too numerous, since even one innocent life 
lost is one too many.
  And so, as we show our support with this resolution for the people of 
Israel, we also express our sympathy with the overwhelming majority of 
Gazans who only want a decent life but whose terrorist leaders have 
contemptuously sentenced them to mayhem.
  In August 2005, the Israeli Government removed all Jewish settlements 
from the Gaza Strip and evicted Israeli families from their homes in 
hopes of injecting life into a moribund peace process. Israel's hope, 
and the hope of all who wish for peace in the region, was that Gaza 
would prove to be the fertile ground from which Palestinian statehood 
would emerge.
  But since that time, Hamas has seized control of Gaza. It responded 
to good-faith efforts at peace not with reciprocal concessions or 
conciliatory gestures but with a relentless terrorist offensive.
  In more than 2 years of rocket attacks, Israel has suffered countless 
casualties, including more than a dozen deaths, and serious damage to 
property and infrastructure. But perhaps worst of all has been the 
untold psychological trauma and interruption of all aspects of daily 
life. Reportedly, 90 percent of the children in the community of Sderot 
have suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome. The beachside city 
of Ashkelon, until recently out of range for the simple rockets that 
Hamas could muster, has now been

[[Page H1235]]

slammed by more than a dozen sophisticated missiles, next to the city 
hall, in the marina, leaving craters and shattered lives all around. 
This is a city of 120,000 people. The range of the rockets is 
increasing, and if the terrorists are not stopped, we all know that 
casualties likewise will increase.
  For now the attacks are continuing unabated, and they are destroying 
what hopes remain of an Israeli-Palestinian peace. That is why this 
resolution unambiguously recognizes and reaffirms Israel's sovereign 
right to defend its citizens and territory.
  We need also to recognize that Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist 
groups are not operating in a vacuum. They rely on the material and 
logistical support of nations like Iran and Syria. The international 
community must condemn Iranian and Syrian behavior and take all 
possible steps to halt it.
  Much of the material for these rockets is smuggled into the Gaza 
Strip through Egyptian territory. We must prevail upon our friend 
Egypt, which has made invaluable contributions to peace in the years 
past, to do much more to end this smuggling.
  This resolution therefore calls on all nations, including Egypt, to 
take affirmative, transparent and verifiable steps to stop the flow of 
rockets and related materials to the Palestinian territories.
  Mr. Speaker, we can only condemn the policy of Hamas and its 
supporters to continue the brutal, cynical, and unprovoked attacks on 
Israel, and we must recognize this policy for the terrorist crime it 
is.
  I commend the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett) for introducing 
this resolution, and his cosponsors as well, and I urge my colleagues 
to vote ``aye.''
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 951, which 
does not merely condemn the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on 
Israeli civilians, but also clearly articulates that the United States 
stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Israel in their time of 
need.
  Since the inception of the Palestinians' latest war against Israel, 
which started in September of 2000, Palestinian suicide bombers have 
struck at crowded buses, hotels, cafes, and other civilian targets, 
shedding innocent blood in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and other communities.
  Additionally, during the war in Lebanon during the summer of 2006, 
Hezbollah rockets rained down on Israeli civilian populations, claiming 
dozens of innocent lives. And then, Mr. Speaker, there is Sderot and 
other Israeli communities bordering Gaza where every day ordinary 
people must cope with the fear that a rocket could fall at any moment, 
killing or maiming them and their loved ones.
  Last month, as the international press covered a Palestinian 
demonstration against Israel, Hamas and other Palestinian jihadist 
groups launched rockets that struck Sderot and elsewhere. The scene was 
terrifying. A father of four died of shrapnel wounds after a rocket 
struck his car, and a 10-year-old boy lay severely injured after being 
struck in a supermarket as his 8-year-old sister tried to comfort him. 
These are just a few instances of Israeli suffering in the border 
communities broadcast internationally, but the trauma endured by 
innocent Israeli civilians in such attacks has been ongoing and 
extensive.
  The psychological impact from continued rocket attacks has affected 
all segments of the population. However, the brutal impact has been 
most vivid on the Sderot children. Reports indicate that almost one-
third of the people between the ages of 4 and 18 have suffered post-
traumatic stress disorder, and I have spoken to some children that were 
under this situation. Many more exhibit feelings of severe anxiety and 
feelings of helplessness that warn of more serious problems to come. 
And, Mr. Speaker, the rockets continue to fall.
  With the help of Iran and Syria, Hamas and its accomplices are 
developing, acquiring, and firing rockets with longer range, more 
accurate lethality. It is an unfortunate situation, Mr. Speaker, and we 
have to do something. Yet, even though Palestinian extremists continue 
to target innocent men, women, and children in clear violation of 
international law, the response of other nations and other 
international bodies, such as the United Nations, has often been openly 
hostile to the Israelis, the very people under attack.
  In multiple U.N. forums, not a word is uttered about the Hamas 
rockets falling from the sky, and Israel is denounced for inflicting 
suffering on Gaza when it defends itself against those who attack its 
citizens, including through an economic blockade, a blockade which does 
not apply to food, medicine, and other vital necessities.
  While the European Union earlier this week denounced Israel's actions 
against those who launch rockets against the Israeli people, it said 
next to nothing about the countless Israeli victims of Palestinian 
violence. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, it is vital that Congress takes a 
stand against this double standard.
  This resolution states that the Palestinian extremists behind the 
rocket attacks against Israeli civilians are in clear violation of 
international humanitarian standards as they not only brutally target 
civilian populations, but use peace-loving Palestinian civilians as 
human shields against Israel's self-defense measures.
  Furthermore, this resolution calls on the President to direct the 
U.S. permanent representative to the U.N. to introduce a resolution at 
the U.N. Security Council condemning Palestinian rockets and other 
attacks against innocent Israeli civilians and direct the Secretary of 
State to raise this issue in all applicable bilateral and international 
fora.
  Finally, this resolution sends a message to the very people under 
daily attack by these rockets, our Israeli friends and allies, that the 
Congress of the United States stands firmly behind them in their 
struggle against Palestinian extremists. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge 
my colleagues to support this critical resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).
  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and 
thank him very much for his leadership on this important issue.
  Mr. Speaker, in the summer of 2005, Israel voluntarily withdraw from 
the Gaza Strip. Making incredibly painful concessions, the Israeli 
Government forced its own citizens to abandon their homes, businesses, 
and synagogues in Gaza in the hope that the Palestinians would use this 
opportunity to build a functioning state, to demonstrate that they were 
capable of self-governance.
  Instead, Hamas burned down those homes and businesses and used Gaza 
as a missile launching pad to attack Israelis who live on undisputed 
Israeli territory. Hamas does not want a Palestinian state. Its mission 
is to destroy Israel. That is painfully clear.
  First, it was Sderot, just a few kilometers from the Gaza, a constant 
barrage of short-range, imprecise missiles falling indiscriminately and 
occasionally hitting a school or a home or a child in Sderot.
  Now Hamas has longer range missiles acquired from Iran, and they have 
now hit Ashkelon, a thriving city of 120,000 men, women, and Israeli 
children. What next? Tel Aviv? Jerusalem? How many Israelis have to die 
before Israel is justified in defending its citizens?
  Instead of applauding Israel for standing up to Hamas, the world 
denounces this democracy at every turn. When the Israelis finally cut 
off, after much provocation and extraordinary constraint, cut off the 
water and electricity to Gaza in an effort to weaken Hamas' grip, the 
world called it a human rights violation. And when Israel goes after 
Hamas, a terrorist organization that purposely puts its own civilians 
in harm's way and has vowed to destroy Israel, they are called war 
criminals. Abu Mazen likened Israel's action to the Holocaust. Abu 
Mazen is a Holocaust denier, and he has the audacity to liken survival 
of the State of Israel to the Holocaust? What nation in the world 
provides electricity and water to its enemy so they can lob missiles 
back at them?
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud the Israeli Government for standing up to 
Hamas and for doing what every state would

[[Page H1236]]

do in their position: defend their citizens. And I find it astonishing 
that the United States Congress must periodically affirm Israel's right 
to exist and Israel's right to defend itself against terrorist attacks. 
I urge support for this resolution.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Chabot).
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 951, a resolution 
condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on the people of 
Israel.
  When Israel withdrew from Gaza back in 2005, there was hope that this 
was an opportunity for peace. Sadly, this has not been the case. 
Instead, Hamas and other terrorist groups, with the support of Iran and 
Syria, have fired more than 4,000 rockets and mortar shells into Israel 
from Gaza, killing, maiming, and traumatizing innocent Israeli 
civilians. This unprovoked disregard for human life must be condemned 
in the strongest possible terms.
  I support passage of this resolution, H. Res. 951, and urge my 
colleagues to do so as it supports the sovereign right of Israel to 
defend its territory and stop the rocket attacks on its citizens. It 
further calls on all nations, including Egypt, to take affirmative 
steps to stop the flow of rockets and other materials and equipment 
used by terrorists into Gaza and other Palestinian territories. 
Finally, it reaffirms the strong and unyielding friendship between the 
governments and the people of Israel and the United States.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), the chairman of the Western 
Hemisphere Subcommittee.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 951. I am 
the lead Democrat on the resolution, and I am proud to be the lead 
Democrat, and I am glad it is a bipartisan resolution.
  This resolution condemns the Palestinian rocket attacks on civilians 
in the south of Israel and supports Israel's right to self-defense. I 
ask my colleagues: When are these horrendous, unprovoked attacks going 
to stop?

                              {time}  1130

  Last week a student at Sapir College in Sderot was killed, and one 
other person wounded by shrapnel after a Kassam rocket fired from the 
Gaza Strip by Palestinians hit the western Negev campus. The rocket 
that struck the college's parking lot was one of a barrage of six fired 
1 week ago, two of which landed in Sderot.
  I've been in Sderot. It is a good town. There are good people there, 
and they live in fear.
  According to the Jerusalem Post, a total of 22 Kassam rockets were 
launched in the south of Israel on that day from the Gaza Strip. In 
fact, Mr. Speaker, more than 4,000 rockets and mortars have been fired 
at Israel from Gaza since Israel withdrew in 2005. And my colleagues 
have mentioned that Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. People say there 
should be land for peace in the settlement. Well, Israel gave up land, 
didn't get peace. It's not land for peace, it's land for war, and it's 
got to stop.
  Today, longer range Palestinian rockets are hitting larger Israeli 
cities, representing a serious escalation in Hamas' terror war against 
Israel. The Hamas rockets simply continue the pattern of indiscriminate 
attacks on innocent men, women and children, which has been the 
strategy of the Palestinian terror groups for decades. They represent a 
blatant violation of human rights and international law by 
intentionally targeting civilian populations and using human shields to 
hide the rockets.
  I am further concerned by the source of these weapons of terror. 
Published reports indicate that Iran and Syria have provided material 
support and training to those carrying out the rocket attacks. I was 
pleased to be the author of the Syria Accountable Act, and we must make 
sure that Syria is held accountable, and Iran as well.
  The world stood with the U.S. after the terrorist attacks of 
September 11, and we must strongly support our friend and ally, Israel, 
at this time. The people of Israel must know that we will stand 
shoulder to shoulder with them as they seek to defend themselves 
against the terror.
  It is important to point out that Israel's military response has been 
carefully calibrated to halt the rocket fire, surgically eliminate the 
terrorists firing the rockets, and ensure the safety of Israeli 
citizens, while at the same time making every effort to limit 
Palestinian civilian casualties. In this, the Israelis have my full 
support.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 951 takes a firm stand against the 
Palestinian rocket attacks and condemns Hamas and other Palestinian 
terrorist organizations carrying out the terrorism. It holds Syria and 
Iran responsible for their roles enabling the terrorist organizations 
and offers America's strong support to our ally, Israel, as it responds 
in self-defense.
  Mr. Speaker, rocket attacks against Israel must end. We must support 
this resolution.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Shays).
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 951, sponsored 
by Congressmen Garrett and Engel, condemning the rocket attacks on 
innocent Israelis in Sderot and Ashkelon.
  Israel is our greatest ally and our best friend. Our nations share a 
strong commitment to freedom and democracy. We have worked together in 
confronting the serious and very real threat posed by Islamist 
terrorists.
  The tensions and violence between Israelis and Palestinians have gone 
on far too long. Hamas, a violent terrorist organization, has 
squandered every opportunity to demonstrate it can coexist peacefully 
with Israel by promoting suicide bombings on innocent civilians and by 
firing thousands of rockets into neighboring Israeli cities.
  The terrorist attacks on Israeli citizens are no different than the 
cowardly attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Clearly, 
Israel has the right and the obligation to defend its citizens and 
status as a nation.
  Unless Hamas recognizes the State of Israel, ceases incitement, and 
permanently disarms and dismantles its terrorist infrastructure, the 
United States cannot work with this terrorist government, nor can 
Israel.
  Israel has the right to exist free from terror. Its people, who can 
never and will never forget Hitler's Germany, have every right to 
expect the world will uniformly condemn Hamas.
  I urge the resolution's adoption and thank the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Berman) for bringing this to the floor.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Cantor).
  Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I commend those sponsors of the bill who 
brought this piece of legislation to the floor. And I rise to recount a 
story that I was told in August when I was in Israel with several of 
our colleagues. We visited a young family who was then living in 
Sderot. And the mother told a story about the pain that her children 
are living through and about the requirement that her kids now 
understand that wherever they go throughout their day, they must first 
know where the safe room is because they will know ultimately that 
rocket will sound and the kids will have to scurry to safety.
  But what touched me the most about the story of this young family was 
the mother, again, explained how 2 years ago they uprooted their family 
from Gush Katif, a community in the south of Gaza when Israel pulled 
out of the Gaza Strip. And it was then that her children asked her, 
why, Mother? Why do we have to do this? And she explained to the 
children that they have to do this to give peace a chance so that they 
and the people of Israel could live in peace and live a normal life. 
And now where are they?
  Clearly, a contagion of fear has spread across their community. But 
they should ask, what is it that they've done wrong to live under these 
kind of conditions?
  And frankly, whatever conclusion the world comes to, we know now that 
the only crime they've committed is trying to live in freedom in a 
Jewish state. And that is what Hamas is going after, because for Hamas 
and their terrorist allies, the primary objective is to destroy Israel.
  But important to all of us in this Congress is the fact that what 
befalls

[[Page H1237]]

Israel in its struggle against Hamas, its rockets and other attacks 
have severe implications for us in America and the rest of the 
civilized world. The Israeli people are squaring off against an arm of 
the radical Islamic movement that includes al Qaeda in Iraq, al Qaeda 
in northwest Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as Hezbollah in Iran. 
Hamas' success and ability to win sympathy from the world will only 
motivate and encourage these various movements.
  So, Mr. Speaker, as the United Nations engages in its denunciation of 
Israel's acts of defense, we in America must unite in solidarity with 
our only democratic ally in the Middle East, Israel.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Hensarling).
  Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, more than 4,500 rockets and mortar 
shells have been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip by Hamas and other 
terrorist organizations since Israeli forces withdrew from there in 
2005.
  Nearly 1,000 of these rockets and mortar shells have been launched 
into Israel just since New Year's Day this year. The near daily rocket 
fire has been targeted primarily and intentionally at civilian 
communities in Israel, such as Sderot and Ashkelon, and the rockets 
being used are getting bigger and traveling farther. Some rockets have 
blown through living room ceilings, crashed through classrooms and 
downed power lines. And as a result, Israel has suffered dozens of 
casualties, hundreds of shock victims, thousands of traumatized 
children.
  I've heard from Ruthie Eitan, a professor at Sapir College in Israel, 
just a mile from the Gaza Strip, who told us how the entire campus 
lives in constant terror. It would be like any college town in America, 
except this college has been hit with hundreds of rockets since the 
year 2000, and the barrage is not stopping. In fact, just last week, 
one of the students died shortly after sustaining massive wounds to his 
chest from a rocket in a parking lot on campus.
  Ruthie tells us that many of Sapir's classrooms and auditoriums are 
unusable, either because of past rocket damage or from being in the 
line of future rocket fire. But somehow life attempts to go on.
  But for Ruthie and thousands like her, we introduced this resolution 
to condemn in the strongest possible terms the ongoing Palestinian 
rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and to support the sovereign right 
of the Government of Israel to defend its territory and to stop the 
rocket attacks on its citizens.
  And perhaps most importantly, Mr. Speaker, we reaffirm the strong and 
unyielding friendship between the governments and the people of Israel 
and the United States.
  I strongly urge support of all my colleagues for H. Res. 951.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the author of this measure, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Garrett).
  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. I thank the gentleman for yielding the 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, today the United States Congress will stand up for the 
people of Israel by sending a message to the terrorists and also to 
those countries that aid them. Rocket attacks and intentional violence 
against innocent civilians will not be tolerated. Israeli communities 
like Sderot and Ashkelon have sustained terrible, egregious damage, and 
the citizens have suffered from serious injuries, even fatalities. I 
should point out that oftentimes Palestinians as well, those who do not 
support the violence, are also victims of the crossfire. It is time 
that this brutality come to an end for all people.
  Passing this resolution today truly is just a stepping stone to help 
end those egregious, aggressive acts of Palestinian terrorists and 
ensuring that innocent civilians in Israel can live together and live 
peacefully. It is violent Palestinian groups and terrorist 
organizations that must be held accountable for their horrific acts. 
Organizations such as Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and the Popular 
Resistance Committee, the PRC, need to understand that when they attack 
the people of Israel, the United States and other countries and the 
U.S. House of Representatives will not remain silent. Unjust actions 
like this must not go unpunished.
  Today, we have a gentleman from one of those communities, Sderot, 
with us here in the House, in the House galleries. If he was here on 
the floor with us, he could share with us the life-and-death 
circumstances that he and his family and his neighbors and his 
community experience on a day-to-day basis.
  As we are here on the floor of this House, in the safety of this city 
and of this community and of this country, we have to think about the 
men and women, think about the children who are back there right now, 
the children who, for all we may know, are in their safe rooms 
cowering, wondering when the next attack may be coming.
  Many of those members of the community have already made the decision 
that it is just unbearable to live under that threat, under the 
constant pressure of not knowing when the next attack, when the next 
missile strike will come. And upwards around 20 percent of the country 
or the community has left, fled the area to safer havens, wherever they 
may be.
  If this was an incident occurring in our country, along the borders 
of the United States, would we sit idly by while our neighboring 
country or the terrorists within that were lobbing rockets into it, 
into our territory? I think not.
  It is for that reason that it is so unfortunate that other portions 
of the world community, parts of the U.N., have condemned Israel for 
taking defensive measures such as they have here.
  I come to the floor today with my colleagues as well from both sides 
of the aisle and I appreciate the bipartisan support, to say, who will 
condemn the attackers?
  Well, Mr. Speaker, I will. We will. This House of Representatives 
will, and this country will. Rest assured that I will continue to 
ensure that the Islamic radicals are held responsible for launching 
these vicious attacks, and also that countries like Iran, Egypt and 
Syria, which support terrorists and allow this activity to continue, 
should be held accountable as well.
  I will join with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to 
continue this fight until the global community joins in with the U.S. 
in condemning terrorism and its violent acts.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I really urge strong support for this 
resolution. We can't put up with this any longer. And I really 
appreciate this resolution. I want to thank the author and the chairman 
on this. And I urge strong support, as I said.
  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Resolution 951, condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on 
Israeli civilians and unequivocally supporting Israel's right to defend 
its citizens against this continuous threat.
  As you know, nearly a quarter of a million Israeli citizens living in 
Sderot, Ashkelon, and other cities and towns close to Gaza are under 
attack daily and are living in a constant state of fear. It is critical 
that Congress stand with Israelis who are under constant threat of 
rocket attacks perpetrated by Hamas. To that end, I am proud to stand 
with my colleagues as a sponsor of this resolution and as an 
unequivocal supporter of Israel's right to defend itself against this 
constant threat.
  The international community must join with the United States in 
condemning the thousands of rockets that have been maliciously launched 
from Gaza by Hamas since Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza in 2005. It 
is unconscionable for the United Nations or any nation to chastise 
Israel while rockets reign down unabated. Instead of criticizing 
Israel, the United Nations and the international community should be 
condemning Hamas and their deadly attacks. The international community, 
which has been largely silent on these attacks, should publicly condemn 
Hamas, which is intentionally targeting civilian communities in Israel 
when it fires these rockets. These attacks have led to dozens of 
casualties, thousands of shock victims, and an uncountable number of 
children who have been traumatized and will live in fear for years to 
come. The international community should also support Israel's right to 
go on the offensive in Gaza in an effort to eliminate Hamas' terrorist 
infrastructure and destroy Hamas' ability to continue this campaign of 
terror.
  Unfortunately, the rocket attacks continue, and the threat Hamas 
poses to Israelis with more sophisticated rockets still looms. As a 
close friend and ally of Israel and a staunch

[[Page H1238]]

defender of freedom around the world, America must stand with Israel in 
its efforts to end these attacks and defend Israel's right to live in 
peace free from rocket attacks.
  The resolution we are debating today clearly expresses my support as 
well as that of my colleagues for Israel's right to defend itself 
against the deadly threat Hamas poses, and encourages Palestinians who 
reject Hamas and all forms of terrorism to denounce these attacks and 
dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza. This resolution also 
squarely places direct responsibility for these attacks on Hamas, and 
reaffirms the unyielding friendship between the governments and the 
people of Israel and the United States. As Israel faces the terrorist 
threat of Hamas, I will continue to encourage my colleagues in Congress 
to join me in supporting Israel's right to self defense. The plea of 
Israelis under this constant threat has been heard in Congress, and 
House Resolution 951 is a clear statement that Congress and the 
American people stand with the Israelis at this difficult time.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, from time to time, I've heard some of our 
colleagues wondering why there are so many resolutions about Israel, 
and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Why, they may wonder, do we have 
to take up these issues? Doesn't everyone already know that the 
Congress supports Israel? And it's true, American support for Israel is 
overwhelming, it is bi-partisan, and it is nearly universal in 
Congress. But sadly, we are the exception in the world.
  Around the globe, there have been protests going on about the 
situation in Gaza. What may not be known is that these demonstrations 
are not about the rockets that have been falling on Israeli civilians. 
These protests are not against Hamas. These protests are not about the 
absurdity of expecting Israel to provide electricity and fuel to the 
people attacking them.
  These protests are against Israel and its right of self-defense. They 
are against demanding that Hamas stop the terror. They are against 
putting responsibility on the shoulders of Hamas for the welfare of the 
people in Gaza.
  To us, in the United States, such protests seem perverse. People who 
intentionally fire artillery rockets at civilians are properly called 
``war criminals.'' People who deliberately seek the death of the 
innocent are not called ``militants,'' or ``activists,'' or 
``guerillas.'' They are properly called ``terrorists,'' and it is hard 
for us to imagine that these are not universal beliefs.
  But they're not. What we have seen in the past, and are seeing again 
is an offensive and deplorable double standard: Every nation is obliged 
to protect its citizens--except the Israelis; they should be patient 
and exercise restraint. Every nation is entitled to fight terrorism--
except the Israelis; they should have a dialogue with the people who 
call for their extermination. Every nation is entitled to use force 
defend itself--except the Israelis; they should only use force if there 
won't be civilian casualties.
  Mr. Speaker, we all mourn the loss of innocent life, and the sympathy 
of decent people is not limited by nationality. The American people are 
concerned about both Israeli and Palestinian lives. But that concern is 
not a excuse to dispense with judgement. There is guilt and there is 
innocence; and there is aggression and there is self-defense. Refusal 
to acknowledge, or to insist on these distinctions is not only immoral, 
but dangerous.
  And that is why the business in Gaza is the business of this House. 
America, as a leader among the community of nations, has an obligation 
to stand up in defense of certain values. And it is never so essential 
to do so than when those values are under attack, and that is what is 
happening right now.
  That is why we have to condemn Hamas. That is why we have to condemn 
the rockets that are still falling on Israeli towns and cities. That is 
why we have to stand with a democratic ally. That is why we have to 
declare again and again from this house that the people of Israel--no 
less than any other people--are entitled to live in peace and security. 
Certainly we Americans would accept nothing less for ourselves.
  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 951, a 
resolution condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli 
civilians.
  Since January 1st of this year, Palestinians have fired more than 450 
mortar shells into Israel. Let's put that number into perspective, 
that's 7 shells a day or 45 shells a week every week since the 
beginning of this year.
  Since the Israeli forces withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, more 
than 4,000 rockets and mortar shells have been fired at Israel from the 
Gaza Strip by Hamas and other terrorist organizations.
  This rocket fire has intentionally targeted civilian communities in 
Israel and made life for these people a living nightmare.
  Even folks at the U.N.--an institution that has consistently where 
Israel is consistently discriminated against--have condemned these acts 
of violence. John Holmes, the U.N. undersecretary general for 
humanitarian affairs, said recently ``We condemn absolutely the firing 
of these rockets. There's no justification for it. They are 
indiscriminate, there's no military target.''
  Did you hear that no military targets. Hamas rulers in the Gaza Strip 
are intentionally injuring and killing innocent civilians. In recent 
years 12 people have been killed and dozens have been wounded. In fact, 
just last an 8 year old boy lost his leg in one of the attacks. These 
acts of brutality have to stop.
  These acts of terror are unacceptable and it's about time the world 
community collectively expresses its opposition to Palestine's rocket 
attacks on innocent civilians and supports the sovereign right of 
Israel to defend its territory and stop the rocket attacks.
  And that's just the way it is.
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
strong support for H. Res. 951, a resolution condemning the ongoing 
Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, and for other 
purposes. I am proud to have been a cosponsor of this resolution and 
helped gather support for its consideration on the House floor today.
  This resolution is very timely as Israel faces new and increasing 
threats to its security. Palestinian rockets have been fired from Gaza 
and hit Israeli communities on an almost daily basis. More than 200,000 
Israeli citizens are within range of these Palestinian rockets.
  In 2005, as part of an effort to move the peace process forward, 
Israel removed all of its civilian and military personnel from the Gaza 
Strip. There was hope that a Palestinian state could emerge and co-
exist peacefully alongside Israel. However, Hamas has taken control and 
instead of working toward peace and efforts to improve the lives of the 
Palestinians, has decided to inflict terror upon Israel. In recent 
weeks, the Israeli communities of Sderot and Ashkelon have been 
especially hard-hit, resulting in numerous casualties and psychological 
trauma to its citizens.
  Furthermore, just this week, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told 
the Security Council that Hizbullah has 30,000 rockets in southern 
Lebanon--10,000 of the rockets are long-range and 20,000 are short-
range. Israel faces many threats on multiple fronts.
  The resolution before us appropriately condemns the rocket attacks on 
Israeli citizens and supports the right of the Israeli government to 
stop the rocket attacks on its citizens. While Israel has shown 
restraint in dealing with the Palestinians, along with a willingness to 
work towards peace, the Israeli citizens who are under attack are 
looking toward their government to protect them. We must support the 
efforts of the Israeli government to keep its people safe.
  I am grateful that we have the opportunity to consider this 
resolution on the House floor and send a strong message that attacks 
against Israeli citizens are not acceptable. Israel is one of America's 
closest allies and we must do all that we can to ensure the security of 
the state of Israel and its people. Terrorism is not acceptable here 
and is not acceptable around the world. Americans, Israelis, and others 
should be free to live their lives without fear of being attacked. 
Children should be able to go to school and not have to worry about a 
Palestinian rocket attack.
  I urge all of my colleagues to stand up for safety and security and 
send a message to the International community. Pass H. Res. 951.
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, over the past few days we have 
witnessed the Annapolis peace process come unraveled. There have been 
grave escalations between Israel and Hamas. These are a symptom of 
failed policies, irresponsible actions, and a lack of strategic 
thinking. Further escalation of the violence in Gaza may deal a fatal 
blow to the credibility and viability of any peace process. It would 
further erode support for the peace process. It would further erode 
support for the peace process among both Israelis and Palestinians.
  No one can help but feel deep concern for the residents of Israeli 
communities near Gaza, who have been suffering from a campaign of 
Qassam rocket attacks. Israel has the right and must take measures to 
protect its citizens, as well as to seek to free its captured soldier 
Gilad Shalit. But excessive response that endangers innocent lives and 
threatens emergency care and services in hospitals is likely to cause 
graver harm than good.
  Certainly Hamas understands that its crude rockets, while able to 
create fear and suffering in Sderot and, now, Ashkelon, can neither 
destroy Israel, nor break its economic blockade--just as Israel's 
citizens and military leaders appreciate that while its air force and 
army can achieve lethal short-term tactical gains in Gaza, this 
strategy has only enhanced popular support for Hamas, coalesced West 
Bank sympathy for the Gazan population, and harmed any realistic 
chances for lasting peace.

[[Page H1239]]

  I firmly believe that any realistic, sustainable resolution to this 
crisis will require all parties including the United States to engage, 
directly or indirectly, to achieve a ceasefire. For that reason, I 
would prefer that the resolution before us were focused not on 
condemning one side, but rather on supporting more constructive and 
balanced efforts to achieve a meaningful cease fire and constructive 
engagement. I believe that any resolution of this conflict needs to 
recognize and address the current humanitarian crisis facing the people 
of Gaza. How many more innocent Israelis and Palestinians will die or 
be wounded before our country attempts a more productive policy 
approach?
  While the Bush Administration has recently become more proactive in 
its efforts to attain a ceasefire, stabilize Gaza, and re-build 
Palestinian national unity, the policy of not including all parties and 
of blockading Gaza, risks making our country less and less relevant. We 
need more constructive leadership on all sides.
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, today I will vote ``Present'' on H. Res. 
951.
  Its stated purpose is ``condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket 
attacks on Israeli civilians and for other purposes.'' Everyone in this 
House, including me, condemns these rocket attacks. If that had been 
all that H. Res. 951 expressed, of course I would vote in favor.
  But as so often happens in resolutions that concern matters of 
bipartisan and overwhelming support, vague and ill-considered ``other 
purposes'' were added. The United States needs the cooperation and 
involvement of nations throughout the region, including Syria and Iran, 
if we are to help bring about a stable and lasting peace to Lebanon, 
Iraq, and to help crack down on the very smuggling that is enabling 
these rocket attacks.
  The State Department has repeatedly met with representatives of Iran 
and Syria to engage them, and is pursuing difficult diplomatic tracks 
with both countries. I applaud these efforts and recognize the 
difficult job State has. Injecting Congress into this mix, as expressed 
in this Resolution, at this point in time, is not helpful.
  By not simply condemning the rocket attacks coming from Gaza and 
declaring our solidarity with the Israeli civilians threatened by them, 
by not simply condemning those in Gaza who are bombarding Israeli 
civilians, but drawing in the governments of Iran and Syria, we could 
diminish our diplomatic course and, at the same time, inflame tensions.
  Who does this help? How does this contribute to resolving problems in 
the region? Why did a House vote on what should have been a simple 
statement turn into a complicated effort to add to difficulties with 
Iran and Syria?
  I strongly condemn these rocket attacks; let there be no doubt about 
that. At the same time, I strongly support our State Department and its 
efforts to find a path to a lasting peace in the region. Let's not do 
anything that might interfere with that difficult yet vital goal.
  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I have always been a strong supporter of 
Israel and I am pleased with the friendship that the United States has 
forged with the people and government of Israel. I am appalled at the 
current situation in Israel and heavily condemn the ongoing Palestinian 
rocket attacks on Israeli civilians.
  For three years, over 4,000 rockets and mortar shells have been fired 
at Israel from the Gaza strip by Hamas and other terrorist 
organizations. These destructive terrorist rocket attacks have crippled 
Israel's infrastructure, traumatized and injured its citizens, and 
severely disrupted ongoing daily life. I can only offer my unending 
support of Israel in its sovereign right to defend its territory and 
people.
  I would like to join in with the rest of my colleagues in expressing 
my disapproval of the terrorist rocket attacks on Israel, and I look 
forward to the day that peace is restored to the region.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers.
  I do want to congratulate the gentleman from New Jersey for 
presenting this. The passage of time since he introduced it has only 
made the logic of it even more compelling. I join my colleagues on both 
sides of the aisle in urging passage.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Berman) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 951, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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