[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 87 (Thursday, June 10, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H4372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              MAVI MARMARA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, the events that transpired in the 
Mediterranean off the coast of Israel on May 31st were profoundly 
unfortunate and the loss of life is deeply regrettable.
  We await a full and credible account of what happened aboard the Mavi 
Marmara, yet we know that Israel has the right and obligation to 
protect her citizens and borders, in this case by enforcing a legal 
naval blockade to allow certification of peaceful end use of goods 
transported into Gaza.
  In the days since the incident, Israel has released all people 
detained and has inspected and trucked the flotilla aid cargo to Gaza, 
where I understand it awaits permission from Hamas to cross.
  Sadly, last week's confrontation could have been avoided. Israel 
offered the flotilla organizers the chance to have their cargo 
inspected at the Port of Ashdod and transported to Gaza. Five of the 
six ships in the flotilla complied nonviolently, but the Mavi Marmara, 
loaded with over 500 people, refused.
  The sequence of events that subsequently led to violence is disputed, 
but it is obvious, to me anyway, that the actions of the Mavi Marmara 
were needlessly provocative.
  Israel should lead an impartial, transparent, and prompt examination 
of the incident. And inquiries may show how the interdiction could have 
been accomplished without loss of life.
  It seems to me that the Israeli soldiers were right to defend 
themselves from the brutal assault. We saw this on video. It does not 
seem clear that the situation had to unfold as it did, however.
  Israel announced yesterday that a highly respected team of experts 
will review the investigations that are now under way, with a report 
expected in about a month. The United States should assist our ally in 
this endeavor, and the world community should withhold judgment until a 
reliable inquiry is complete. Yet many around the world, once again, 
are rushing to blame Israel before fully examining all the facts.
  The United States, correctly, voted against a United Nations Human 
Rights Council resolution that called for an independent fact-finding 
mission, while at the same time, prematurely condemning Israel's 
actions. This apparent bias cannot be allowed to inflame an already 
volatile situation.
  I have called for increased humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza 
for more than a year now. Legitimate humanitarian needs cannot be 
ignored. However, continued interference and provocations by any nation 
or faction in the region are unhelpful and dangerous.
  The United States, the Arab states, and others must continue to 
facilitate vigorous and sustained diplomacy until lasting peace is 
achieved. Ultimately, only a just, permanent, and peaceful settlement 
between Israelis and Palestinians can ensure the security and the 
welfare of all in the region.

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