[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 17759]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       SUICIDE BOMBINGS IN ISRAEL AND SYRIA'S HARBORING OF HAMAS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to express my 
condolences to the families of the victims of the suicide bombings in 
Israel last week and to urge my colleagues to support Israel's 
continued construction of the security fence to protect their citizens 
from further terrorist attacks. I also ask my colleagues to join with 
me in calling on the Syrian Government to turn over the leaders of 
Hamas, the terrorist organization that has claimed responsibility for 
these and countless other attacks in Israel, currently operating in 
Damascus.
  Mr. Speaker, last Tuesday, two buses were simultaneously bombed in 
Beersheba, a city in southern Israel, killing 16 passengers and 
injuring 97 others. It is no coincidence that the city chosen by Hamas 
for the attacks is in a region of Israel that is not yet protected by 
the security fence. Hamas terrorists were dissuaded by the fence and an 
Israeli military presence in other areas and opted for an easier and 
more vulnerable target in Beersheba. These attacks are further proof 
that continued construction of the security fence is necessary for the 
protection of Israeli citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, the security fence is doing exactly what it was designed 
to do: save lives. Since the fence's construction, there has been a 
dramatic decline in the number of suicide attacks. This was the first 
suicide attack in Israel in 5 months. There have been only nine suicide 
attacks in Israel this year, down from 23 last year. While even one 
attack is clearly too many, the fence is clearly making a difference.
  For those in the international community who questioned the route of 
the fence, the Israeli Government has stated that the fence is 
temporary and can be moved or rerouted contingent on future peace 
agreements. Furthermore, the Israeli Government has also proven its 
willingness to reroute the fence. When the Israeli Supreme Court 
declared early this year that a section of the fence impeded on the 
civil rights of Palestinians living in the area, the fence was, in 
fact, moved.
  Mr. Speaker, I have spoken on several occasions here on the House 
floor of my visit to Israel last year and my opportunity to view the 
security fence firsthand. After my visit, I believe very strongly that 
we need to support Israel's right to protect their citizens. This fence 
provides a sense of security to border families and to outerlying 
cities like Beersheba that remain unprotected. The fence will help 
prevent continued attempts to derail the peace process through 
violence.
  Mr. Speaker, another point that I want to mention that is related to 
the terrible attacks in Beersheba is the issue of Syria's decision to 
continue to turn a blind eye to Hamas and other terrorist organizations 
that operate within their borders. I ask my colleagues to join with me 
in calling on the Syrian Government to immediately turn over the 
leaders of Hamas to the Israeli Government for their responsibility in 
last week's attacks.
  I fully support continued U.S. sanctions against Syria provided for 
under the Syria Accountability Act. If we are serious about achieving 
lasting peace in the region, we cannot allow Syria to continue to play 
host to Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist groups.

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