[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  OPPOSING ANY ENDORSEMENT OR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF THE 
        UNITED NATIONS FACT FINDING MISSION ON THE GAZA CONFLICT

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                               speech of

                             HON. RON KLEIN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 3, 2009

  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H. Res. 867, a 
resolution that calls on the Secretary of State and the President to 
unequivocally oppose further consideration of the Goldstone Report in 
international arenas. This resolution sends a clear message to the 
international community: the Goldstone report does nothing to advance 
peace and security in the Middle East. Rather, it serves to reinforce 
the deep mistrust that pervades the region and excuses the actions of 
terrorist groups and their state sponsors.
  The Goldstone report ignores the facts. The terrorist threat 
surrounding Israel's defensive operations in Gaza required a decisive 
response, and any sovereign nation would have--and should have--done 
what Israel did. In fact, Richard Goldstone himself said, ``If this was 
a court of law, there would have been nothing proven.''
  The Goldstone report disregards what it means to fight against 
terrorists who use human shields and have no regard for human life. The 
findings and conclusion of the report have ominous consequences for the 
United States and other countries who seek to prevent terrorist threats 
from taking root around the world. We cannot allow the Goldstone report 
to set a precedent--the stakes are too high.
  This report was not guided by a commitment to human rights, but 
rather motivated by a bias against Israel. Now is the time for the 
United Nations to immediately turn its attention to the very real human 
rights violators around the world. Human rights victims are pleading 
for the world's attention. I would urge U.N. member states to devote 
time and thought to the realities of human rights around the world--not 
Israel. Israel, with strong democratic and judicial institutions, can 
make any necessary determinations about how to move forward from here.
  I would like to thank Chairman Berman and Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen 
for their leadership in authoring this resolution and bringing it to 
the floor. This is a true example of the importance of bipartisanship 
because the U.S.-Israel relationship is stronger when we work across 
party lines.
  I would urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

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