[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 195 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HEZBOLLAH AND IRAN ARE PREPARING FOR WAR ON ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the terrorist group Hezbollah and 
their Iranian patrons are preparing for war against our Israeli allies. 
We know this because Israel discovered at least two tunnels crossing 
into their territory from Lebanon. These tunnels are not for smuggling 
or any other purpose. They are for the sole purpose of enabling 
terrorists to sneak into Israel for attacks. This is just more evidence 
that Hezbollah and Iran are committed to Israel's destruction. We, as 
Israel's strongest allies, must act to prevent this.
  For more than two decades Hezbollah and Iran have been building an 
arsenal of weapons tailored specifically for eradicating the Jewish 
State. The attack tunnels recently unearthed are just the latest 
addition to this growing arsenal. But like many of Hezbollah's weapons, 
these tunnels are not to challenge Israel's military but to kill its 
civilians. Despite this fact, no Lebanese leaders have condemned these 
tunnels or called for their destruction. This is unacceptable.
  One of the fundamental responsibilities of a state is to live at 
peace with its neighbors. Lebanon, however, allows terrorists to 
stockpile weapons and build attack tunnels in order to wage war on its 
southern neighbor. If the war that Hezbollah and Iran want comes, it 
will be the Lebanese people who suffer. During the last war, only 
twelve years ago, over a thousand Lebanese civilians were killed in the 
crossfire. Today, with Hezbollah building attack tunnels and weapon 
stockpiles under homes and civilian structures, it is inevitable that 
this will happen again.
  It is time that the international community and Lebanese government 
act. For too long they have bullied our friends in Israel while 
terrorists like Hezbollah prepare to commit mass murder. The warning 
signs are clear. These tunnels show that it is Hezbollah and Iran who 
are the aggressors.
  All who stay silent now must accept that the blood will be on their 
hands when war erupts.
  And that's just the way it is.

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