[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23490]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      THE TERROR ATTACKS IN EGYPT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my profound shock 
and sorrow concerning the bombings that occurred yesterday, October 7, 
2004, in Taba, Egypt, where at least 29 people died and 160 were 
injured. The fact that the attacks coincided with the joyous Jewish 
festival of Sukkot is particularly horrifying. Two years ago we 
witnessed similar acts of violence when terrorists struck the Park 
Hotel in Netanya, killing dozens of Israelis celebrating the 
traditional Passover meal and again in Mombasa, Kenya where terrorists 
unsuccessfully attempted to take down an Israeli passenger jet but were 
successful in killing twelve people at an Israeli-owned hotel.
  Yesterday's bombings, which occurred at a popular hotel and camping 
ground in Egypt, are especially jarring for two reasons. First, the 
attacks show the indiscriminate nature of these terrorists who killed 
innocent Muslims, Christians and Jews, Egyptians, Russians, Britons and 
Israelis alike. Second, photos and accounts of Israelis rushing the 
border to get back into Israel are a jarring reminder of why the State 
of Israel was created--to provide a safe haven for Jews the world over 
who all too often cannot find peace elsewhere.
  Mr. Speaker, the bombings in Egypt also illustrate another important 
point--that the security fence being built around Israel works. 
Although no group has yet been definitively tied to this attack, it is 
clear the attack in Egypt was chosen because it would be too difficult 
to perpetrate inside of Israel. The security fence is a sad reality for 
those living on either side, but a necessary reality in order to save 
lives. As our strategic military partner, ally, trusted friend of 56 
years, and only democracy in the Middle East, Israel needs the 
continued support of the United States as it works to secure her people 
from Palestinian and other terrorists who seek Israel's destruction.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been said that the bombers may have hoped to 
bring an end to talks between Egypt and Israel that focused on halting 
arms smuggling from Egypt to Palestinian terrorists in Gaza, and 
addressing other issues of shared concern to both nations. We must not 
let that happen. Egyptians died in Taba just as Israelis did, Egyptians 
that lived and worked in peace with Israelis each and every day. I 
encourage Egypt and Israel to continue to work together and I applaud 
President Mubarak and his government for coordinating with Israeli 
rescue workers and response teams to allow them access to the site of 
the attack in Egypt.
  Mr. Speaker, my heart goes out to all those whose loved ones were 
killed or wounded in these vicious attacks and I vow to continue my 
work to fight terror to prevent such horrifying attacks in the future.

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