[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 9, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2167-H2169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CELEBRATING ISRAEL'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 9, 2023, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Carolina 
(Mr. Wilson) for 30 minutes.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, we appreciate your service 
for the citizens of Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and 
extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from South Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Israel is a shining beacon of democracy in the Middle 
East. As she celebrates her 75th anniversary, I appreciate being joined 
by my colleagues to mark this important milestone of affirming our 
support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.
  As chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on 
the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia, I am grateful to mark 
the historic 75th anniversary of Israel with a strong commitment to the 
partnership of our two countries.
  Since its creation, the United States has supported the Jewish state 
with bipartisan support from Congress, working to build a strong 
security, intelligence, and defense relationship enshrined by shared 
values and mutually strategic interests.
  A strong and secure Israel is a vital pillar of the national security 
policy of America in the Middle East for mutual benefit of stability 
for all countries of the Middle East.
  Congress has continually worked to support Israel with annual 
security assistance, defense cooperation, and an emerging relationship 
in key areas, including agriculture, high tech, homeland security, 
cybersecurity, science, space, and health.
  Both of our countries are committed to democracy and justice, and we 
continue to look for new ways to integrate Israel into the region, such 
as expanding the historic Abraham Accords that were promoted by 
President Donald Trump that normalized ties between Israel and our Arab 
allies--the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.
  Instead of boycotts and isolation, I am encouraged that our Gulf 
allies see the future of Israel as working with the Middle East to 
tackle regional problems.
  Most importantly, Congress has marked the historic Abraham Accords by 
passing the Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2021 and encouraging 
more of our Middle East allies to deepen and expand their cooperation 
with Israel.
  Israel is the democratic anchor of the Middle East, and Congress will 
continue to support important regional cooperation through partnerships 
for peace and prosperity, including the Negev Forum.
  We support Israel's right to defend herself against terrorism, and we 
are inspired by the Israeli resistance in the face of mounting threats. 
The borders of Israel are continually threatened by Iranian-backed 
groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
  Congress reaffirms its support for Israel's security by annually 
funding $500 million for cooperative missile defense programs to help 
Israel meet these growing threats funded by the Iranian regime.
  Without lifesaving defensive systems like the Iron Dome, David's 
Sling, and Arrow 3, both Israelis and Arabs living in the region would 
be more endangered than ever.
  Israel is also threatened by continued efforts of the Iranian regime 
to get nuclear weapons. We are all concerned by the Iranian regime 
advancement of highly enriched uranium, advanced centrifuges, and its 
ballistic missile program, which it has never stopped despite every 
effort of the Iran nuclear deal, which was such a fraud.
  Sadly, the Iranians never stopped developing ICBMs to attack Israel 
and attack, ultimately, of course, sadly, the people of the United 
States.
  When the extremists chant ``death to America, death to Israel,'' they 
pledge to wipe Israel off the map by vaporization.
  We will continue to support efforts to enforce sanctions on the 
Iranian regime to cut off their resources and commitment to obtaining 
nuclear weapons.
  As we look to the growing challenges ahead and compete with the 
Chinese Communist Party, we must continue to work with our trusted and 
strategic ally to advance U.S. interests, as we also need to address 
war criminal Putin in his invasion, aggression, and mass murder being 
conducted, sadly, in Ukraine as we speak tonight.
  I am grateful to have authored H.R. 1777, the United States-Israel 
Future of Warfare Act, to meet increasing threats in areas of emerging 
technology by establishing a research and development fund to deepen 
defense collaboration with Israel.
  Having visited Israel on several occasions, including the opening of 
the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem in 2018, a highlight of my service has 
been to lead the House delegation to the U.S. Embassy May 14 opening in 
Jerusalem with Ambassador David Friedman, fulfilling promises made, 
promises kept by President Donald Trump.
  I will always cherish the warmth of the people, and I am grateful to 
partner with our ally in the charge ahead to prepare and confront the 
challenges of the next 75 years.
  May the U.S.-Israel relationship continue to flourish. May we 
continue to promote our shared interests in supporting democracy, 
peace, and cooperation throughout the region.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon).
  Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my great friend and leader from South 
Carolina for yielding time, and I appreciate the Speaker pro tempore 
leading us tonight.
  Mr. Speaker, 75 years ago, the nation of Israel began anew, and it 
was a miracle. It was more than two millennia since Israel existed 
after the Romans sacked Jerusalem.

  It was a miracle that Israel survived after gaining its independence 
in 1948 when all of its neighbors invaded with a goal of erasing the 
new Israel off the map.
  Israel prevailed then and has many more times when the odds looked 
bleak. It is a miracle today that Israel has become one of the 
wealthiest economies in the world and a regional power. Israel is a 
miracle, and I thank God for it.
  One of our previous Presidents said we need light between the United 
States and Israel, and today, I say unambiguously that I disagree. I 
believe that we should stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally.
  We must support the security of Israel. America must stand closely by 
Israel when it is surrounded by many adversaries.
  We can never forget that, over two millennia, when there was no 
Israel, Jews were targeted, abused, and often murdered throughout many 
places in the world.
  Jewish history will not forget what happened in Kishinev in 1903, 
where 49 were murdered and hundreds were injured or raped, or in Odessa 
in 1905, where 400 Jews were murdered and 1,600 homes destroyed.
  There are many of these barbaric examples, and we must never forget 
what happened in the 1930s and 1940s, where half of the Jewish 
population in Europe was murdered by the hands of the Nazis.
  Israel is a safe haven today for the Jewish people from anywhere in 
the world where anti-Semitism and repression exist, and America must 
help make this safe haven secure.
  In our support of Israel, we make clear the following:
  We oppose Iran gaining a nuclear weapon while it threatens to wipe 
Israel off the map.
  We oppose Iran's terrorism that seeks to murder Israelis and 
Americans.

[[Page H2168]]

  We condemn the blood money that the Palestinian Authority pays to 
those who murder innocent Israelis and visiting tourists.
  We oppose the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement that seeks 
to isolate and weaken Israel.
  We oppose all forms of anti-Semitism that we see today, and much of 
it is cloaked in anti-Zionist rhetoric.
  Today, our two countries are allies. It is a win-win relationship 
where both countries come out stronger.
  Let's remember Israel is the only democracy in the region, and they 
share our values. Congratulations to our friends in Israel on their 
75th anniversary.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman 
from Alabama (Mr. Strong).
  Mr. STRONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 75th 
anniversary of the U.S.-Israel alliance.
  This historic partnership has been a critical driving force behind 
the promotion of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East.
  It is a partnership based on shared values and strategic interests. 
As we take a moment to commemorate this milestone, I draw attention to 
the unique relationship between Israel and my home State of Alabama.
  Alabama was one of the first States to recognize the state of Israel 
back in 1948 and, in 1997, presented a formal memorandum of intent to 
promote trade and technology transfer.

                              {time}  2140

  Today, Israel is Alabama's 23rd largest export market, with 
significant collaboration on a number of projects, including missile 
defense and cybersecurity.
  More than half of the U.S. military's foreign weapon sales are 
managed through the Missile Defense Agency at Redstone Arsenal. 
Redstone is also proud to lead four joint U.S.-Israeli programs at MDA, 
including David's Sling and the Iron Dome.
  Today, let us reaffirm our commitment to the U.S.-Israel alliance and 
continue to work together to build a brighter future for both of our 
nations.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman 
from New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer).
  Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for organizing 
this Special Order.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Israel's 75th birthday and 75 
years of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
  The bipartisan alliance is vital to America's national security and 
to our fight against terror, including the threat of Iran and its 
proxies.
  Last night, we witnessed the IDF neutralize dangerous PIJ in the Gaza 
Strip. Day after day, as Israel is threatened, the Iron Dome stands 
strong against those who seek to do its people harm, whether that is 
Hamas or Hezbollah or Palestinian Jihad. I remain in steadfast support 
of Israel's right to defend itself, because, as I said, Israel's 
security is key to America's national security. It is the democracy in 
the region.
  Over 75 years, Israel has emerged as not only a beacon of democracy, 
but also a leader of technologic, economic, and security, both in 
Israel and, of course, in great support to the United States.
  I have had the honor of visiting Israel many times and witnessed 
firsthand the country's beauty and the people's resilience. It is a 
homeland for Jews from around the world.
  In my most recent trip, you can see and feel the palpable excitement 
about the Abraham Accords as Israel continues to make history as it 
normalizes with its Arab neighbors, expanding opportunities across the 
region, security protection, economic opportunity.
  Over the past month, I joined two Congressional delegations to Israel 
with House leadership, showing Israel that our nations' strategic 
relationship is both bipartisan and stronger than ever. Mazel Tov to 
our most important Middle East ally, Israel.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very grateful to the gentleman for inviting me to 
be here this evening.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman 
Gottheimer.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).
  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from South 
Carolina (Mr. Wilson) yielding me time and for having this event on a 
very special day for our great ally and friend, the nation of Israel.
  Of course, as acknowledged, this is the 75th anniversary of its 
reformation back in 1948, but we know Israel's history goes much, much 
further into the past than those 75 years, to the early times in the 
Biblical days, and how important that is to all of us. Indeed, God's 
chosen people.
  They have overcome a lot in their 75 years of existence currently, 
including the day after they were formed, to be attacked in war by five 
neighboring Arab countries trying to eradicate them.
  They fought them off.
  Allies around the world came in to help, with their own fierce 
determination to exist is what prevailed. Then in 1967, the 6-day war, 
as they were attacked, once again, while trying to peacefully exist.
  Six years later, 1973--I remember that one--attacked once again.
  They are constantly under threat from hostile territory. Thank 
goodness under the leadership of Israel and surrounding countries, with 
a lot of help from President Trump, we have the Abraham Accords in 
order to help promote more understanding and partnerships in that world 
with their neighbors, building upon that, a more positive relationship 
with Saudi Arabia, and a good relationship with their neighbor, Jordan.
  Israel has bent over backwards to be that positive force in the area. 
They wish to peacefully coexist.
  When I had the chance to visit Israel, three times now, and visit 
with the people and listen to their testimony, all they seek is 
solutions for peace to exist with their neighbors. When you get a 
chance to get feedback from Arab Israelis, people of Arabic descent 
that live in Israel, they don't want to leave. They know it is better 
there under that style of government and that kind of freedom than any 
other that they could live in. That speaks a lot to who the people of 
Israel are and what their goals are as a nation.
  Of course, they are constantly under threat. Indeed, when they have 
bent over backwards with Land For Peace, giving back the Sinai and then 
giving back the Gaza Strip, what did they meet up with? Immediately 
after deeding over the Gaza Strip, rockets were installed there. 
Rockets rained down on Israel constantly.
  If you talk to the people there in Israel, many of them that were in 
the zones of those rockets, know they have 15 seconds from alert to 
take cover.
  What an existence.
  Our alliance with them is very important because they are indeed a 
neighbor and a friend for all of us in the United States. Their 
innovation in areas of agriculture and water and drip irrigation, in 
the medical field, in aerospace, in missile defense, they are an 
important partner for us as they are an extremely industrial and 
innovative people. So we benefit greatly from that partnership.
  I think those that would criticize what we do to help them, are in 
error for looking at it that way.
  It is still the only truly free nation in the Middle East. It is the 
most tolerant and religious minority in the region by far; indeed a 
beacon of hope in the Middle East.
  When political and economic freedom are possible, it can produce 
lasting success even in the most unlikely of places, but they always 
have that feeling of being attacked.

  Hamas attacking Israel. Iran nearby wants to continue to sponsor 
terror groups while it pursues its own nuclear weapons program.
  Hamas has, on many occasions, fired rockets into Israel, as I 
mentioned, with the aim of targeting civilian populations.
  When Israel strikes back, it is very focused on being sure it hits 
only military targets and does not harm civilians. So there is a big 
difference between how they operate and what their neighbors, their 
hostile neighbors are trying to do to them.
  It is important we have this alliance and that we maintain that and 
be strong for them because they are indeed the beacon of hope for the 
Middle East. They seek peaceful coexistence with their neighbors, and 
we should reward that with our continued backing and our continued 
friendship, because

[[Page H2169]]

the United States benefits from it as well, as well as those that 
believe that we have a longstanding tie that goes back to our founding 
in Israel's first existence on this Earth.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this time here to commemorate not only the 
75th, but the greatness of Israel and the partnership we have.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) 
for allowing me the time tonight.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman 
LaMalfa. We appreciate his leadership and tireless efforts on behalf of 
the people of Israel.
  Mr. Speaker, over the last week, I have had an extraordinary 
opportunity to truly appreciate the people of Jewish faith and what 
they have had to face. I visited Nuremburg in Germany, Courtroom 600, 
where the Nazi leadership anti-Semites were convicted of the Holocaust, 
murdering 6 million Jews. I was there to see the site of where these 
perpetrators, these Nazi murderers were ultimately executed.
  Additionally, I had the opportunity over the weekend to visit Warsaw, 
Poland, the extraordinary people today of Poland, where I witnessed the 
Museum of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, where Jews heroically resisted 
the mass murder by the Nazis as the Soviets, sadly, were adjacent, 
shamefully stood by within sight of the city of Warsaw and did not 
help.
  This really reminds us that the Russian people have been abused in 
the past by their leadership, whether it be Joseph Stalin or now-war 
criminal Putin. However, the people of Poland have resumed, they have 
the second fastest growing economy in the world, as they have escaped 
from Communist totalitarian oppression. So we know that ultimately good 
will prevail, as we see in the State of Israel today.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. McCormick).

                              {time}  2150

  Mr. McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 75th 
anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel.
  Seventy-five years ago, 11 minutes after David Ben Gurion announced 
the creation of the new Jewish state, President Harry Truman became the 
first world leader to recognize Israel. Our nations have been friends 
and partners ever since.
  The people of Israel have won against overwhelming odds and repelled 
many attacks over the decades. They have not merely survived; they have 
created a free and prosperous society, becoming our most valued ally in 
the region.
  What they have accomplished is nothing short of miraculous. They have 
revived a dead language and rejuvenated agriculture, technology, and 
prosperity. No matter what acts of terror or threats they face, Israel 
will always have the right to self-defense and self-determination.
  I congratulate her people for this anniversary of independence in 
their historic homeland, and pray that they may be blessed with 
strength, peace, and unity for generations to come.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, as we proceed, it should 
always be remembered that the United States and Israel have a long 
experience of a strong mutual beneficial relationship based on shared 
values and security interests, while also promoting peace and regional 
stability.
  The United States and Israel face many shared threats. It is critical 
that Israel and the United States are at the forefront of emerging 
technology.
  I was grateful to introduce the bipartisan U.S.-Israel Future of 
Warfare Act of 2023, which provides for collaboration between the two 
countries in the areas of defense, artificial intelligence, 
cybersecurity, and directed energy. This is done in a bipartisan manner 
with Congressmen   Steve Cohen of Tennessee,   David Cicilline of Rhode 
Island, and Dean Phillips of Minnesota. Over and over again, this is 
bipartisan, and I am grateful that we worked together to promote our 
shared mutual interests with the people of Israel.
  Israel's experience in combating terrorism is an invaluable resource 
in developing strategies to protect American families. The U.S.-Israel 
partnership supports over 255,000 American jobs. Bilateral trade has 
grown to over $49 billion annually.
  Israel is the leader in healthcare development. From cancer 
development to emergency response, Israel is a trusted partner to 
improve quality of life around the world.
  As we conclude this evening, I would point out that my appreciation 
of the Jewish State of Israel is something that I was born with. I was 
very grateful to be born in the holy city of Charleston, South 
Carolina.
  As we claim holy, it is not to disparage Jerusalem. We just have a 
significant number of churches that legitimately it can be the holy 
city of Charleston.
  Growing up in Charleston, a very important fact is that at the time 
of the American Revolution the largest Jewish population in the New 
World was in Charleston, South Carolina.
  The first provincial constitution to recognize Judaism as a religion 
was the provincial constitution of the province of South Carolina.
  The first Jewish elected official was in the provincial assembly of 
South Carolina.
  Sadly, the first Jewish American patriot killed in the American 
Revolution was in Charleston, South Carolina.
  The people of South Carolina just cherish our relationship with the 
people of Jewish faith, and we are strong supporters of the State of 
Israel.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________