[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 83 (Thursday, June 9, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S3694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 23--DECLARING THAT IT IS THE POLICY OF THE 
     UNITED STATES TO SUPPORT AND FACILITATE ISRAEL IN MAINTAINING 
DEFENSIBLE BORDERS AND THAT IT IS CONTRARY TO UNITED STATES POLICY AND 
NATIONAL SECURITY TO HAVE THE BORDERS OF ISRAEL RETURN TO THE ARMISTICE 
                   LINES THAT EXISTED ON JUNE 4, 1967

  Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Nelson of 
Nebraska, Mr. Johanns, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Moran, Mr. Toomey, Mr. Inhofe, 
Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Burr, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Thune, Mr. 
Portman, Mr. Coats, Mr. Coburn, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Blunt, Mr. 
Brown of Massachusetts, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Isakson, 
Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Lugar, and Mr. Chambliss) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the committee on 
Foreign Relations:

                            S. Con. Res. 23

       Whereas, throughout its short history, Israel, a liberal 
     democratic ally of the United States, has been repeatedly 
     attacked by authoritarian regimes and terrorist organizations 
     that denied its right to exist;
       Whereas the United States Government remains steadfastly 
     committed to the security of Israel, especially its ability 
     to maintain secure, recognized, and defensible borders;
       Whereas the United States Government is resolutely bound to 
     its policy of preserving and strengthening the capability of 
     Israel to deter enemies and defend itself against any threat;
       Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 
     (1967) recognized Israel's ``right to live in peace within 
     secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of 
     force'';
       Whereas the United States has long recognized that a return 
     to the 1967 lines would create a strategic military 
     vulnerability for Israel and greatly impede its sovereign 
     right to defend its borders; and
       Whereas Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu 
     correctly stated on May 20, 2011, that the 1967 lines were 
     not ``boundaries of peace. They are the boundaries of 
     repeated war'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That--
       (1) it is the policy of the United States to support and 
     facilitate Israel in creating and maintaining secure, 
     recognized, and defensible borders; and
       (2) it is contrary to United States policy and our national 
     security to have the borders of Israel return to the 
     armistice lines that existed on June 4, 1967.

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, today I am pleased to rise and offer, with 
my good friend, the senior Senator from Connecticut, a concurrent 
resolution which reaffirms our Nation's steadfast and unshakable 
commitment to the security of Israel, specifically through the 
establishment of secure, recognized, and defensible borders.
  It is unfortunate that I am compelled to offer such a resolution. For 
years, both Republican and Democratic administrations have recognized 
that Israel's boundaries of June 4, 1967 are indefensible and if 
reestablished will create a strategic military vulnerability for our 
staunch ally.
  That is why President Obama's recent comments were so dumbfounding. 
The President's prepared and thoroughly considered remarks called for 
the starting point of negotiations to be what we all know are the 
militarily indefensible 1967 lines.
  Remember, if Israel returns to the 1967 lines its territory will, in 
some locations, be only 9 miles wide.
  As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu correctly stated in a friendly 
and appropriate correction to the President's remarks, the 1967 lines 
are not boundaries of peace. They are boundaries of repeated war.
  Israel would have to give up the Golan Heights, the strategic 
elevated location which dominates northern Israel. Does the President 
not remember during the 1973 War the Syrians launched a massive armored 
attack on the Golan Heights which almost succeeded?
  This raises the question of who President Obama was attempting to 
appease with his ill-advised statements, which unnecessarily drove a 
wedge between the United States and Israel?
  The fact is the national security interests of the United States and 
Israel are linked. The threats Israel faces are the threats the United 
States faces. Whether it is Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in the Gaza 
Strip or these groups' benefactor, Iran, we share a common foe.
  Unfortunately, that foe, Iran, appears to be growing stronger and 
more capable. Iran has repeatedly stated it wishes to wipe the United 
States and Israel off the map. Iran's obvious aim is to establish 
strategic dominance over the entire region. Their relentless pursuit of 
nuclear weapons and ballistic missile technology is of grave concern.
  Much has been said about Iran's nuclear program, but much less has 
been articulated about its ballistic missile program. In order to 
achieve its strategic objectives, Iran has embarked on a significant 
ballistic missile program. Iranian officials have boasted they have the 
ability to produce a ballistic missile with a 1,250 mile range. In 
2009, the Iranians were able to launch a multistage space launch 
vehicle that the Air Force concluded ``can serve as a test-bed for 
long-range ballistic missile technologies.''
  Even more troubling the Iranians appear to be developing a new long-
range multistage solid rocket motor missile. Why is that important? If 
the Iranians successfully field this type of technology, they will be 
able to launch, almost instantaneously, missiles which carry warheads 
over great distances.
  With these ominous developments emanating from Israel's and the 
United States common foe, do we really want to be seen as distancing 
ourselves from one of our staunchest allies--especially on such a 
pivotal issue as Israel's borders. This issue of these borders is only 
underscored by the constant attacks on Israel's borders by Iran's 
surrogates, Hezbollah and Hamas.
  That is why I believe this Concurrent Resolution is so important. It 
reaffirms the long-held, bipartisan policy of the United States, that 
we will ``support and facilitate Israel in maintaining defensible 
borders and that it is contrary to United States policy and our 
national security to have the borders of Israel return to the armistice 
lines that existed on June 4, 1967.''
  The United States has no greater friend than Israel and Israel has no 
greater friend than the United States.
  Israel too often finds herself alone in the world, unjustly singled 
out by the left as a nation uniquely without the moral authority to 
defend itself.
  From my perspective, Israel does not need to apologize to anyone for 
defending itself against those who would do her harm, and I will always 
stand by Israel as she seeks to protect her citizens against terrorists 
and their state sponsors.
  Having said that, I also believe many Iranians, especially the young 
people, know Iran is causing problems in the Middle East. We must 
support those people who are searchers for freedom.
  The security of both our nations is irrevocably linked. This 
bipartisan concurrent resolution removes any harmful ambiguity the 
President's remarks last week might have caused.
  The United States must stand by Israel. With his remarks last week, 
President Obama undermined her.
  Israel faces consistent unprovoked aggression by longtime supporters 
of terrorism. But Israel is not a victim. All she asks is the ability 
to defend herself and for free people to support her right to self-
defense.
  This is no time for the United States to distance itself from Israel, 
and I will do everything I can to affirm Israel's territorial integrity 
and ability to protect her citizens against the unprovoked attacks of 
terrorist and state actors.
  Because Israel is a true friend, I am not surprised that this 
resolution has strong bipartisan support. My colleague, Senator 
Lieberman, and I will be joined by members of both parties who want to 
remind the world the United States is steadfastly committed to the 
security of Israel and especially our ally's ability to maintain 
secure, recognized and defensible borders.

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