[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 6 (Monday, January 12, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  GAZA

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to commend Majority Leader Reid 
and Republican Leader McConnell for introducing S. Res. 10, an 
important piece of legislation which reaffirms unwavering support of 
the United Statest for Israel and Israel's right to defend itself and 
protect its citizens. Hamas' unwillingness to renounce violence and 
recognize Israel's right to exist is the central impediment to 
achieving a lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. I 
stand strongly with the people of Israel in their efforts to cope with 
the terrorist threat from Hamas. No nation can be asked to endlessly 
turn the other cheek when its people are subject to indiscriminate, 
unprovoked, and lethal missile strikes. Like all people, the citizens 
of Israel have the right to live safely within secure borders.
  While the responsibility for the current violence rests with Hamas, 
both sides must take every possible step to avoid harming innocent 
civilians. Furthermore, both sides must work towards a durable and 
sustainable ceasefire that prevents Hamas from rearming and improves 
the daily living conditions of the people in Gaza.
  The current bloodshed in Gaza is also a grave reminder of Iran's role 
in arming, training, and assisting extremist groups like Hamas. The 
Iranian regime is the world's most active state sponsor of terrorism. 
The current violence further underscores the importance of using 
aggressive sanctions to deter the Iranian regime from taking future 
actions that destabilize the region and threaten our democratic allies.
  We have learned as a nation that terrorism and the advocacy of 
extremism are not distant problems but those which we must confront 
vigilantly. Terrorism has no geographic boundaries. We must continue 
our efforts to confront Islamic extremism and to eliminate terrorists' 
ability to strike against the United States and our allies. Therefore, 
I wholeheartedly support S. Res. 10, which underscores our Nation's 
commitment to help provide for Israel's security and to encourage a 
lasting and secure peace in the Middle East.

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