[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E91]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST ATTACKS FROM GAZA

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                               speech of

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 9, 2009

  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to 
support Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East, during her time 
of need. Israel's unstable situation continue to get worst. Since 2005, 
Israel has attempted to promote peace with the Palestinians by 
withdrawing its civilians and soldiers from Gaza in hopes of lessening 
day to day conflicts.
  Now for more than two weeks, the Hamas leadership in Gaza continues 
to hold Palestinian civilians as hostages to its terrorist agenda and 
Israelis now find themselves within range of Hamas rockets. The 
bloodshed and conflict of this situation will only lead to more 
devastation. Every day more innocent civilians on both sides of the 
Gazan border are suffering.
  The United States supports Israel and all efforts to promote a cease-
fire and a durable and sustainable resolution of the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict. I urge my colleagues to remember that our 
strongest ally in the Middle East is Israel and we must support her 
efforts towards peace during this time.

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