[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 10 (Friday, January 16, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E108-E109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 9, 2009

  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Israel's right 
to defend its citizens from the terrorism and extremism of Hamas. The 
United States and this Congress have a responsibility to stand in 
solidarity with Israel as it endures a difficult moment in its history. 
We must understand that this conflict was created by Hamas's unwavering 
commitment to violence against both Israelis and Palestinians. Since 
2001, Hamas has fired over 7,500 rockets and mortars at villages and 
towns in Southern Israel. More alarmingly, Hamas has recently acquired 
rockets with an increased range that have the ability to levy even more 
destruction on Israeli society. As their rocket technology becomes more 
sophisticated, Hamas could potentially strike airports, major cities 
and nuclear power plants. Would we as Americans accept living under an 
incessant barrage of violent air attacks? We would expect our leaders 
to take the appropriate action against these perpetrators of violence. 
Israel has correctly taken steps that will ensure that terrorism 
against its nation will be eliminated with the hope that one day its 
nation can live in peace. I firmly believe that a two-state solution is 
the only way in which peace and stability can come to Israelis and 
Palestinians in the Middle East.
  Madam Speaker, for over 20 years, Palestinians have been subject to 
the terror, intimidation and militancy of Hamas. This terrorist 
organization openly recruits suicide bombers to launch attacks 
throughout the Middle East. Earlier this month, a female suicide bomber 
killed over 100 innocent Iraqis without causing the slightest outcry 
from Hamas. In Gaza, Hamas has committed a litany of human rights 
violations including the arrest, tortures and imprisonment of political 
opponents. In December 2008, Hamas terrorists refused to allow 
Palestinian pilgrims in Gaza to travel to Mecca, Islam's holy site. 
Hamas represents a great threat to international peace

[[Page E109]]

and will continue to do so as long as it remains a significant threat 
in the Middle East. I urge the swift passage of this resolution.

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