[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H9873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       UNITED STATES-ISRAELI BOND

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Peters) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to talk about the 
important and special relationship that the United States shares with 
the Jewish State of Israel and how this relationship is of growing 
importance to the security and prosperity of both of our countries.
  Recently, I traveled to Israel with 28 of my Democratic colleagues. I 
know many of my Republican colleagues also visited Israel this past 
summer, and this is important because it underscores the fact that the 
strong bond between the United States and Israel knows neither party 
nor ideology.
  I first traveled to Israel in 2000 when I served in the Michigan 
State senate, along with senate colleagues. 2000 was the peak of peace 
negotiations, and what struck me most about the differences between 
today and that trip nearly a decade ago is how the hope of everyday 
Israelis for a peaceful future has been replaced by a constant fear of 
security. Instead of anticipating a soon-to-be-signed peace accord, 
Israelis are anxious over not whether, but when, the next rocket attack 
will come from either Hamas or Hezbollah.
  When we visited the southern city of S'derot, we saw an armor-
shielded playground built to protect the city's children from Qassam 
rocket attacks. As a parent, it was difficult seeing young, innocent 
children having to play on swings and slides encased in a facility 
constructed with thick reinforced concrete, knowing that this is the 
only safe place for children to play because of the constant threat of 
rocket attacks. Children, who should be carefree at play, instead 
suffer from post-traumatic stress.
  Israel faces so many threats. It faces the threats of terrorism 
attacks from within its borders and rocket bombings from just beyond 
its borders. It faces Iran's nuclear ambitions and the growing 
ambivalence from many in the world community towards Israel's right to 
exist.
  Israel is wrongly assailed for defending its own borders and 
citizens, as we saw last week in the flawed Goldstone Report, which 
unfairly criticizes Israel despite its strong efforts to protect all 
civilians. Israel faces criticism from even attempting to deter the 
growing Iranian threat.
  Israel is a lonely democracy in a sea of tyranny; a shining example 
in a dangerous corner of the world of how freedom and democracy, 
pluralism, and economic ingenuity can lead to a high standard of living 
for all. Despite its hardships, Israelis are reliant and, because of 
this, their country prospers.
  Israel has made its desert bloom and its high-tech sector has made 
its economy blossom. Israel is advancing towards independence from the 
fossil fuels that fund our enemies. I'm pleased that auto technology 
experts from Michigan are traveling to Israel next month on a trade 
mission to exchange ideas and to take advantage of the economic 
creativity and ingenuity both of our nations have to offer.
  Jews in Israel, the United States, and around the world celebrated 
the Jewish New Year and soon will observe the solemn fast of Yom 
Kippur. While these should be holidays of happiness and deep 
reflection, in Israel they are, sadly, reminders of the need for 
eternal vigilance.
  Ever since the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Israelis and Jews around the 
world have learned that they cannot take Israel's security for granted, 
not even for a day--not even on the holiest day of the year.
  Eleven minutes after David Ben Gurion declared Israel's independence 
in 1948, President Harry Truman recognized the Jewish state, and the 
special relationship between the United States and Israel began. On 
that day, the United States was the first Nation to stand with Israel, 
as we must continue to be today.
  Our nations' alliance is one routed in the common values of 
democracy, respect for the rule of law, economic growth, and pluralism. 
The mutual need for this relationship has only become greater 
throughout the years. After returning from Israel and seeing the 
threats Israelis face every day, I know we must do everything possible 
to make sure our friendship with Israel is maintained and strengthened.

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