[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E39-E40]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  FRESH THINKING ON SUPPORTING ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 19, 2010

  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to place into the 
Record a compelling op-ed written by Representative George Miller, 
which appeared recently in the Vallejo Times Herald. I have long 
admired Representative Miller's thoughtful approach to one of the 
toughest foreign policy challenges we face--resolving the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict. In this piece, Representative

[[Page E40]]

Miller cogently outlines a path forward in the Middle East and 
discusses the importance of supporting a political process that will 
bring about two States living side by side in peace and security.

             [From the Vallejo Times Herald, Jan. 14, 2010]

                  Fresh Thinking on Supporting Israel

                   (By Representative George Miller)

       I read with interest Larry Grossman's piece in the Times-
     Herald (``Miller isn't fair to Israel,'' Jan. 10) criticizing 
     my record on issues related to Israel. I believe he and I 
     share the same interest in defending Israel's right to exist 
     and flourish in peace and security. We appear to differ on 
     what it means to support Israel. I am glad to be able to 
     offer my view.
       The United States can and must play a constructive role in 
     helping to end the deadly and destabilizing conflict between 
     Israel and the Palestinians and Israel's neighbors. But 
     adhering to an outdated ideology that punishes diverse 
     perspectives on the Middle East is a disservice to Israel and 
     the cause of peace and security. Here are my views on some of 
     the key issues facing Israel and the United States today.
       I support a strong and lasting friendship between the 
     United States and Israel. The deep ties between our nations 
     are rooted in a shared culture and common set of beliefs. 
     America's support for Israel and the Israeli people has never 
     been, nor is it now, in question.
       I fully support Israel's right to defend itself and I 
     reject hateful speech, rocket attacks, suicide bombs and 
     other violent attacks directed against the Israeli people. No 
     nation should ever be expected to withstand such attacks 
     without response. When I have been critical of Israeli 
     military action, such as in Gaza in 2008, it has been based 
     on the view that Israel's response was disproportionate and 
     undermined its long-term interests. In addition, democratic 
     nations like Israel and the United States must respect 
     International Law and human rights and I will always demand 
     adherence to those critical instruments of democracy and 
     freedom.
       I support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian 
     conflict and the immediate resumption of peace talks as 
     necessary steps to ensure Israel's security and status as a 
     democratic nation. President Obama and Secretary of State 
     Clinton support a two-state solution, as did President George 
     W. Bush. Moreover, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 
     supports a two-state solution. Israel must cease the 
     aggressive, and sometimes illegal, settlement activity in 
     order for the peace talks and the two-state solution to 
     succeed.
       When it comes to votes in Congress affecting the Middle 
     East, I do not follow orthodoxy but judge issues based on 
     whether they advance the cause of peace and security.
       Consider two recent examples. Along with 57 other members 
     of Congress, I opposed a House resolution in November 
     criticizing a report by Justice Richard Goldstone on the Gaza 
     war because the bill was rushed through the House without a 
     single congressional hearing or any delineation of the 
     relevant issues for members' consideration. On the other 
     hand, I supported the recently passed Iran Refined Petroleum 
     Sanctions Act, which furthered the cause of peace and 
     security by sending a strong signal to Iran that Congress is 
     willing, if necessary, to enact tough sanctions to diminish 
     Iran's capability to threaten Israel.
       Debate in the United States on Middle East issues has been 
     dominated for decades by the position pushed by some 
     supporters of Israel that the only friend of Israel is the 
     one who never criticizes. That is not the definition of 
     friendship.
       Not all actions by the government of Israel are in the best 
     of interest of the Jewish people, but to say so publicly is 
     not an attack on the state. The same is true for our own 
     country. Criticizing the Bush administration for invading 
     Iraq or the Obama administration for wanting to close 
     Guantanamo, just for example, are not attacks on America nor 
     should they ever be labeled as such.
       There are many different voices within Israel on the issue 
     of peace and security, just as there are wide ranging views 
     among American Jews and others in our country that support 
     the state of Israel. Americans For Peace Now, for example, an 
     affiliate of the non-governmental Israeli movement Peace Now, 
     is critical of some Israeli military and government actions 
     but is clearly pro-Israel. And J Street, a different 
     organization mentioned by Mr. Grossman, does an excellent job 
     of educating policymakers about Middle East issues. J Street 
     is pro-Israel and pro-peace but does not support every 
     Israeli government position.
       These two groups are rattling the nerves of the traditional 
     pro-Israel lobby--and they are being attacked as a result.
       But the strength of democracy is its tolerance for dissent. 
     Expanding the debate is a positive development for Jews, 
     Palestinians and all Americans interested in securing a 
     lasting peace in the Middle East.
       My approach as a Member of Congress when it comes to the 
     Middle East and other vital concerns is to examine issues and 
     raise questions and determine whether the actions planned by 
     Congress are helpful to the cause of peace and security. I 
     can think of no greater way in which to show my support for 
     Israel and the Israeli people.

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