[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25926]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   CONCERNING VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST

                               speech of

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 2000

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H. Con. Res. 
426, which states that ``The Palestinian leadership not only did too 
little for far too long to control the violence, but in fact encouraged 
it.''
  Israel has been the United States' strongest ally in the Middle East, 
and I continue to support Israel's statehood and efforts to maintain 
secure borders. At the same time, I support the Palestinians' effort to 
have a homeland. Consequently, I support the peace process and I 
strongly believe a negotiated settlement is the only way Israel and the 
Palestinians will develop a lasting peace.
  It is specifically for that reason that I voted against H. Con. Res. 
426. If the United States is to be able to maintain its role as a 
credible peace broker, it is my belief that we must maintain our 
legitimacy by avoiding adopting one-sided resolutions. For that same 
reason, I voted to condemn the United Nations Resolution ES-10-6, which 
singled out and opposed Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and 
the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
  Israel's security is a priority in our foreign policy. As Israel's 
ally, we should do everything we can to help reduce tensions in that 
part of the world. This resolution will not stop the violence or end 
instability in the Middle East.
  The Primary objective of the United States should be to help end the 
current violence so that all parties can begin to resume peace talks. 
We must focus on supporting balanced measures that restore peace, 
stability, and the confidence of both parties.


  I urge my colleagues to support balanced measures that promote peace 
and stability during this dire time in the Middle East.

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