[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               UNITED NATIONS' GOLDSTONE REPORT ON ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 23, 2009

  Mr. TIAHRT. Madam Speaker, in April 2009 the United Nations (UN) set 
upon an ``investigation'' and ``fact-finding'' mission into the recent 
Israel-Gaza border conflict and released a report on findings on 
September 15th. Although the facts clearly showed that the terrorist 
Hamas government in Gaza had launched thousands of rockets on Israel 
prior to any Israeli response, the UN Goldstone Mission came to a 
surprising conclusion. It found ``violations of international human 
rights law . .  by the occupying power, Israel.'' This outrageous 
conclusion was predetermined by the originating mandate's anti-Israel 
bias.
  After lasting six months and producing a 575-page report, the 
Goldstone Mission apparently had no interest in fairness or engaging in 
a real investigation. This ``fact-finding'' mission was nothing more 
than a charade that demonizes a nation for protecting its own citizens, 
all the while protecting terrorist organizations and damaging any 
chance of true peace in the Middle East. The Goldstone Report is just 
another example of the UNHRC's dismal track record.
  The Goldstone Report is the epitome of what is wrong with the United 
Nations in general and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) 
in particular. Dominated by anti-democratic, anti-Semitic nations 
opposed to any semblance of human rights, the UNHRC has proven itself 
to be lacking objectivity and interest in truth or advancing the real 
cause of human rights.
  My central concern with the Goldstone Report is the lack of 
recognition of Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from the 
internationally-recognized terrorist organization, Hamas, which 
currently controls Gaza. Despite video documentation, the report 
alleges no conclusive evidence of Hamas's extraordinary use of 
civilians and civilian infrastructure for military purposes, and 
accuses Israel of war crimes. The Goldstone Report shamefully accuses 
the victims with little mention of the aggressors. It even leaves open 
the possibility of Israel's prosecution at the International Criminal 
Court for simply protecting its citizens.
  No nation can sit idly by while its people are killed, its children 
are traumatized, and the daily life of its citizens is severely 
disrupted by terrorism. Ask yourself, would America tolerate 10,000 
rockets being launched against our homeland? No, we would protect our 
people. Israel has the same responsibility to protect its people as it 
did in Gaza. To suggest otherwise is a failure to accept the facts.
  Americans look forward to peace in Israel and the Middle East; but 
until Hamas and its terrorist allies relinquish their arms, renounce 
violence, and acknowledge the right of Israel to exist, the hope for 
peace can not be realized. Israel can not do it singlehandedly. The UN 
must recognize Hamas for what it is--a terrorist organization that 
prevents peace in the Middle East. The Goldstone Report, by rejecting 
truth and objectivity, brings us no closer to that ultimate goal. It is 
a disgrace and should be viewed as such by the international community.

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