[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 10008-10009]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  RELEASE STAFF SERGEANT GILAD SHALIT

  (Mr. DEUTCH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the fifth anniversary of the 
abduction of Israeli soldier Staff Sergeant Gilad Shalit from inside 
Israel's borders by the terrorist organization Hamas. For 5 years, 
Hamas has violated international human rights conventions by denying 
Shalit contact with his family and visits by the International Red 
Cross.

[[Page 10009]]

  Now Hamas wants to be partners with the Palestinian Authority. If the 
Palestinian Authority is determined to pursue unity with Hamas, then 
President Abbas must demand that his new partner free Sergeant Shalit.
  Israel can never be expected to negotiate with an organization that 
remains bent on its destruction. But if Hamas ever expects to have a 
seat at the table, it must show good faith now and immediately release 
Gilad Shalit.
  We stand here today with our great ally, Israel. We stand here with 
allies from Europe and throughout the world. We stand with all who 
believe in and fight for basic human rights. Anyone who can hear my 
voice knows that Gilad Shalit must be released.

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