[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 88 (Monday, June 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE ISRAELI BLOCKADE AND THE FLOTILLA

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                               speech of

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 2010

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with the State 
of Israel and all peace-loving nations who seek to defend their 
citizens and put an end to terrorism. Unfortunately, we live in an age 
when those simple goals are under threat and we face enemies who will 
use any means at their disposal to indiscriminately kill men, women and 
children who stand in their way.
  As the world knows, on May 31, the Israeli navy stopped a flotilla of 
six ships headed toward the Gaza Strip. These ships were flying under 
Turkish flags and claimed to be carrying tons of humanitarian aid for 
the people of Gaza. However, the real goal of these so-called ``peace 
activists'' was--in their own words--to break the Israeli blockade of 
Gaza and allow Hamas to import whatever they want to Gaza, including 
weapons. But these activists should remember that Hamas can end the 
blockade at any moment by recognizing Israel's right to exist, ending 
the violence and releasing Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been 
held by Hamas without access to the Red Cross for four years.
  When the Israeli navy attempted to commandeer the boats and bring 
them to Israeli ports for inspection, most of the passengers aboard the 
boats cooperated and used only non-violent, passive resistance to 
impede the Israeli efforts. However, one of the boats was filled with 
members of an Islamist group with connections to Hamas and Hezbollah, 
called IHH (Insani Yardim Vakfi). These ``peace activists'' immediately 
attacked the Israeli soldiers with knives, metal bars, wrenches, clubs 
and rocks. The soldiers' lives were clearly at risk and they fired back 
to quell the fighting, killing nine.
  It is important to point out that these IHH members were not serving 
a humanitarian mission. If that were the case, they would have 
cooperated with the Israelis and the Egyptians in order to expedite the 
arrival of their cargo. Prior to the incident, Israel offered to have 
the aid delivered to an Israeli port for inspection and delivery to 
Gaza. There was even a similar Egyptian offer, but the activists 
rejected both of those offers. As the organizers themselves said, this 
operation was about more than just delivering aid, but rather about 
ending the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
  I also reject the entire premise that there is any need for 
humanitarian supplies in Gaza. In 2009, more than 738,000 tons of food 
and supplies entered Gaza. The total amount of aid transferred from 
Israel to Gaza in 2009 increased by 180 percent, compared to the amount 
transferred in 2008. From January 1, 2010 through May 8, 2010, 230,690 
tons of humanitarian aid was transferred from Israel into Gaza through 
the Israel-Gaza goods crossings. This included medical supplies, milk 
powder and baby food, meat, chicken, fish, grains, legumes, oil, flour, 
salt, sugar, fresh vegetables and dairy products as well as animal 
feed, hygiene products and clothes. That does not sound like a 
humanitarian crisis to me.
  Hamas and its allies are simply using Israel's legal blockade of Gaza 
as a propaganda tool to undermine international support for the State 
of Israel. But if it weren't for this blockade, Hamas could import 
unlimited amounts of weaponry and rockets, which they would turn 
against Israeli civilians, as they have done in the past. If the naval 
blockade were broken, as the activists seek, every man, woman and child 
in Israel would be at risk from Iranian and Syrian missiles.
  Unfortunately, efforts are now underway to unfairly paint Israel as 
the aggressor in this incident, when they were simply acting to defend 
their citizens. Calls are mounting for an international investigation 
like the biased and deeply-flawed Goldstone Report, which accused 
Israel of war crimes in its self-defensive Operation Cast Lead. I join 
Israel in rejecting these calls. Israel, a strong democracy and 
America's close ally, is perfectly capable of conducting a fair, 
credible investigation that meets international standards.
  I find it even more galling that such calls are now being made, given 
the silence following North Korea's horrific attack on a South Korean 
ship that killed 46 sailors. It is time the world focused on such real 
threats to peace, while recognizing Israel's right to defend its 
civilian population against persistent terrorist threats.
  I am also deeply disturbed by Turkey's recent actions and statements 
regarding Israel and the Palestinians. Their irresponsible support for 
this so-called ``aid'' flotilla actually sought to bolster the Hamas 
terrorists in Gaza who have pledged to destroy Israel at any cost. By 
seeking an end to the blockade, Turkey is trying to legitimize a 
terrorist group that targets civilians and harms any chance for peace. 
As I've said, Turkey--and the world--should remember that Hamas can end 
the blockade at any moment by recognizing Israel's right to exist, 
ending the violence and releasing Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has 
been held by Hamas without access to the Red Cross for 4 years.
  Meanwhile, Turkey's actions have undermined the moderate Palestinians 
who have been building institutions, ending corruption and cracking 
down on violent extremists. If there is a chance for peace in the 
region, it does not come from the extremist elements Turkey is 
supporting.
  And Turkey is hardly in a position to criticize Israel. The world 
community should remember that Turkey has been illegally occupying the 
northern part of Cyprus--a sovereign nation--for over three decades, 
despite international calls to remove its troops. They have also 
steadfastly refused to recognize the Armenian Genocide and have 
systematically denied basic religious rights to the Greek Orthodox 
Patriarch in Istanbul. With their recent actions, Turkey is once again 
showing its true colors, as a supporter of terrorists, and not a 
champion of peacemaking.
  Mr. Speaker, I am deeply disturbed by the recent events and fear that 
the world is once again blaming the victim. Israel must be allowed to 
defend itself--for its own sake, for ours, and for the sake of all 
people around the world who are under threat of terror. We must not be 
duped into believing that these Hamas-sympathizers are somehow acting 
in the name of peace. Nothing could be further from the truth. We must 
take a united stand for democracy, for the rule of law, and for peace.

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