[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 15, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3211-H3212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 ISRAEL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bacon) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, on October 7, 2023, the Palestinian terrorist 
group, Hamas, viciously attacked Israel--America's best ally in the 
Middle East--and they did it from the Gaza Strip. On that day, more 
than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, including at least 35 
Americans, were killed. Not since the Holocaust have so many Jews been 
killed in a single day.
  During the unprecedented attack, Hamas, in conjunction with other 
terrorist groups, seized 253 hostages, many of whom are still held 
captive today, and we know for a fact that some were murdered while in 
captivity by Hamas. The barbaric attacks against Israel on October 7 
were of a scope and lethality not witnessed ever before in the 16 years 
of Hamas' control in Gaza.
  The U.S.-Israel alliance is founded upon our shared democratic and 
cultural values, our mutual security interests, and an enduring 
friendship. I say we have spiritual connections. Also, there are moral 
reasons to support Israel. There needs to be a safe haven for Jews all 
over this world that have been persecuted for several thousand years.
  We support the Abraham Accords. These accords reflect our mutual 
respect for our partnership and the significance that the pursuit of 
peace in the region holds for the United States and Israel--a peace 
vital to the national security of both of our countries.
  Israel is a vibrant democracy with a government elected by the people 
of Israel. Israel is a sovereign nation with a right to self-defense 
and self-determination.
  No country, including the United States, has the right to tell Israel 
whether or how to conduct wartime operations in response to a 
devastating terrorist attack. We certainly have no right to demand that 
Israel submit to a cease-fire. This course of action is for the 
leadership of the military of Israel to determine. It is for the people 
of Israel to determine.
  In addition, no country has the right or authority to suggest that 
the Prime Minister of Israel should resign. Only the citizens of Israel 
have this right. Israel is a sovereign and capable nation with a right 
to determine who will serve in the government and how it wants to 
defend itself, and only Israel can determine its security needs after 
the fall of Hamas.
  Sadly, our President has called for a cease-fire, and Leader Schumer 
has called for a new election--disregarding and interfering in Israel's 
sovereignty.
  We also see the administration is calling for a two-state solution. 
So I ask: Who is Israel going to negotiate with? Who on the Palestinian 
side acknowledges Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state? Who on the 
Palestinian side is committed to peace and the rejection of terrorism?
  Pushing for a two-state solution with the current Palestinian 
leadership is a fool's errand. The Palestinian leaders want a one-state 
solution where there is no Israel. So who are the Israelis supposed to 
negotiate with? Who are the trusted Palestinian leaders for Israel to 
talk to? There are none.
  Last month, Congress voted to send much-needed munitions to Israel. 
Iran has fired 330 munitions recently. The Israeli air defenses are 
depleted. Their precision munitions are also depleted.
  The President has halted sending these needed weapons after Congress 
approved them and directed them to be sent there because he is trying 
to prevent Israel from going into the last stronghold of Hamas, which 
is Rafah.
  Israel can't let Hamas and Gaza survive. If they do, Hamas will 
continue to be a mortal threat. Israel needs to go and finish the job 
quickly so humanitarian aid can get to the Palestinian people, and the 
President should get out of the way. The United States should continue 
to support Israel, to stand with Israel in the face of attacks, not 
only from Hamas but from anti-Semitic nations throughout the world, 
particularly with the United Nations.

  The United States should continue to assist Israel with the means to 
defend itself. Israel is a longtime friend and ally, and our policies 
toward Israel should be consistent and in line with that history. 
American politics and election year concerns should have no role in the 
United States' foreign policy with Israel.
  In short, the administration and the majority leader and the Senate 
must

[[Page H3212]]

stop meddling in Israel's politics. The goal for Israel is to destroy 
Hamas so that no more terrorist acts can be conducted from Gaza. They 
are trying to provide security for their people. We would do the same 
thing just like we did after 9/11.

                          ____________________