[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 40 (Monday, March 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E336-E337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONDEMNING THE ONGOING PALESTINIAN ROCKET ATTACKS ON ISRAELI CIVILIANS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 2008

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I voted for this resolution because I believe 
we must condemn the

[[Page E337]]

rocket attacks launched from Gaza into Israel. Many innocent persons, 
both Israeli and Palestinian, have been killed or injured in the 
violence. In addition to death and injury, the on-going violence has 
destroyed property, instilled fear, and disrupted the lives of innocent 
civilians on both sides of the conflict.
  I appreciate that the resolution helps document the toll that rocket 
attacks have exacted on Israeli civilians. But I very much regret that 
the resolution misses an important opportunity to acknowledge the 
complexity of problems and issues which give rise to the conflict. And 
I am particularly troubled that the resolution fails to recognize the 
depth and breadth of human suffering, misery, and death that has been 
visited upon the people of Gaza.
  Mr. Speaker, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has only worsened 
since the armed takeover by Hamas in June 2007. Basic items such as 
baby milk, wheat grain, vegetable oil, and dairy products are in short 
supply. Additionally, the tightening of restrictions on the movement of 
goods and people by the Israeli government is causing serious hardship 
according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of 
Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA.
  The OCHA has found that these restrictions have had the effect of 
preventing the people of Gaza from receiving desperately needed 
healthcare treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy for 
cancer patients, pediatric surgery, and neurosurgery. The restrictions 
on the movement of goods make it difficult for healthcare providers to 
obtain new diagnostic medical equipment or the parts to service 
existing equipment that has fallen into disrepair. To make matters 
worse, it appears that those Palestinians who want to leave Gaza to 
pursue treatment in Israel or abroad are finding it difficult to do so.
  Mr. Speaker, ensuring that humanitarian assistance is available and 
accessible to the people of Gaza is one of the most important steps 
that can be taken to ensure that the peace process succeeds and is not 
derailed by continued violence. It is for this reason that I recently 
wrote to Secretary of State Rice urging her to do all she can to make 
certain that vital humanitarian goods and services are successfully 
delivered in Gaza. I believe the moral force of the resolution would 
have been enhanced had it called for similar action.
  Finally, this resolution cites the roles of Iran, Syria, and Egypt in 
enabling these attacks. I want to be clear that nothing recited in the 
resolution would justify a preemptive military response against these 
countries nor should it be used as grounds to build a case for such an 
action.
  Mr. Speaker, the rocket attacks against Israel condemned by this 
resolution have caused great suffering to the victims. Acknowledging 
that suffering in a congressional resolution is a fitting and proper 
thing to do. But at the end of the day, the peace and justice we all 
seek will not come from passing a resolution in Congress. Rather, a 
just and lasting peace will come from the parties resolving in their 
hearts and minds to rededicate themselves to the active engagement in 
good faith negotiation to bring the two-state solution into being. I 
call upon the Administration to redouble its efforts in discharging its 
indispensable role as honest broker in the peace process.

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