[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 96 (Thursday, June 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CALLING FOR RELEASE OF ISRAELI SOLDIER BY HAMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2010

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the fourth 
anniversary of the kidnapping of Israeli Staff Sergeant Gilad Shalit 
and call for his immediate and safe return to Israel.
  Four years ago, Hamas militants attacked an Israeli outpost near the 
border between Israel and Gaza. Two soldiers, Staff Sergeant Pavel 
Slutzker and Lieutenant Hanan Barak, were killed and Staff Sergeant 
Gilad Shalit was kidnapped. Less than a month later, two other Israeli 
soldiers, Sergeant Major Ehud Goldwasser and Sergeant First Class Eldad 
Regev were captured and killed by Hezbollah. On July 16, 2008, their 
bodies were returned in exchange for over 200 prisoners demonstrating 
Israel's special concern for the redemption of their captured 
soldiers--going so far as trading live and dangerous terrorists for the 
remains of their fallen heroes.
  Hamas continues to inhumanely hold Staff Sergeant Shalit for ransom 
and has denied him basic medical needs. Since his capture, Gilad Shalit 
has been deprived of every basic right a captured soldier should be 
able to expect: visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross, 
the ability to send and receive letters to his family, and protection 
from being used involuntarily for propaganda footage. The captivity of 
Shalit is unacceptable and in clear violation of the laws of the Geneva 
Convention. I urge Congress to reaffirm Israel's right to defend itself 
and that the path to peace in the region lies in the recognition of 
Israel's right to exist, the dismantling of Hamas' terrorist 
infrastructure, and the release of Gilad Shalit.
  As we continue working to secure Staff Sergeant Shalit's safe return, 
we also keep Corporal Shalit's parents, Aviva and Noam, his older 
brother Yoel, and his younger sister Hadas in our thoughts.

                          ____________________