[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 209 (Tuesday, December 19, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6034-S6035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                 Israel

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, it has been 2 months since the horrific 
Hamas attack that killed 1,200 innocent Israelis and saw another 240 
people taken hostage--some of them Americans, including Hersh Goldberg-
Polin with family in my State of Illinois.
  For anyone who watched 60 Minutes this past weekend, the ordeal 
shared by one of the released hostages was harrowing and almost 
unimaginable. These hostages have been subjected to brutal physical and 
psychological torture. Some 115 hostages are believed to still be held, 
and I have long called for a humanitarian pause by both sides that 
includes the release of all the hostages as quickly as possible.
  I believe this remains the right path forward, and I hope our 
government will pursue this goal. But make no mistake, this Hamas 
attack was a reminder that there are still those who do not recognize 
Israel's right to exist. I do; and I understand their right to self-
defense.
  But what has happened since October 7 raises larger questions about 
how Israel should defend itself, how it should retaliate and address 
the long-term need for two neighboring people to learn to live in 
peace.
  Early in this conflict, I urged Israel to learn from our mistakes in 
the United States after the deadly attacks on September 11, to not make 
the mistakes in the fog of their rage and pain that we made. I fear 
some of the important lessons we learned the hard way may not have been 
heeded by this Israeli Government.

[[Page S6035]]

  While Israel has every right to defend itself, the humanitarian toll 
inflicted on the people of Gaza has been of historic magnitude and 
increasingly becomes counterproductive to Israel's long-term security.
  We are nearing an estimated 20,000 deaths in Gaza. A significant 
majority of those are not Hamas fighters--they are innocent women and 
children.
  Last week, the leaders of some of the world's top relief 
organizations wrote in the New York Times:

       More children have been reported killed in this conflict 
     than in all major global conflicts combined last year.

  Hospitals have had to try to treat civilians without the most basic 
medicines, using only Tylenol for pain management--even in 
amputations--and vinegar as a disinfectant of last resort.
  There are growing fears that disease outbreaks will soon replace the 
war as the primary cause of death in Gaza. This is simply not an 
acceptable strategy.
  Over the last few weeks, I have spoken to UN Secretary General 
Antonio Guterres, UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs 
Martin Griffiths, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry about 
reopening hospitals under third-party monitoring.
  I have also raised the humanitarian toll directly with Israeli 
officials. Basic medical needs, beyond treating the wounded, are 
staggering and include curbing a potential infectious disease outbreak 
and caring for thousands of expectant mothers.
  As such, I again call on Hamas and Israel to stand down from all 
military actions around Gaza's hospital and allow them to function and 
be resupplied under a credible, third-party monitor.
  I also continue to remind our Israeli allies that any U.S. military 
assistance must be used in accordance with the laws of war; and, as 
such, I have joined Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland on an 
amendment to the proposed National Security Supplemental reinforcing 
this basic point.
  The burden is higher in times of war for democracies, but adherence 
to such norms is what makes democracy distinct.
  This horrible conflict has caused so much suffering and is a wake-up 
call to the need for a two-State solution that allows for a viable 
Palestinian State living in peace side by side with a secure Israel.
  For years, I have warned that despite heroic efforts at such an 
agreement, spoilers on both sides have repeatedly undermined progress. 
So we have two challenges, one very immediate: End the suffering and 
release the remaining hostages immediately; and the second, finally 
commit to finding a two-State peace agreement.
  This will take leadership from both Palestinians and Israelis. And 
let me be blunt: I do not see the current leadership of either having 
the vision or political will to take this desperately needed step.
  But it is the only way forward. It is the only way that the region 
and international community will fully commit to helping rebuild Gaza 
and support a unified Palestinian leadership. It is the only way to end 
the threat of violence and bring a future of hope to both Israel and 
the Palestinian people.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BROWN. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call 
be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Hickenlooper). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The Senator from Ohio.