July 20, 2006

Statement of Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick on H. Res. 921, a bill Condemning Attacks Against Israel and Supporting Israel’s Right to Defend Itself

Mr. Speaker,

            I rise today with very strong and mixed feelings on H.Res. 921. This resolution condemns the recent attacks against the State of Israel. The State of Israel has two intractable enemies, Hamas and Hezbollah. Presently, Israel is engaged in military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.  I cannot over-emphasize that I am vehemently and unalterably opposed to the attacks undertaken by Hezbollah against Israel.  At the same time, I cannot and will not support other language in the resolution which I consider to be harmful to the interests of peace, diplomacy, security, and the protection of civilians in Lebanon and Israel.

            Let me say at the outset, I support the right of Israel to exist and to defend itself from attack.  I cannot support the level of retaliation it is using against the civilian population that did not provoke the attack. Hezbollah is the guilty party, and their attacks were egregious, without merit, and provocative.  Israel must direct its campaign against confirmed Hezbollah strongholds. Given the sophistication of current surveillance technology and intelligence-gathering, I am convinced those strongholds can be effectively eradicated, without the current and ongoing loss of life and casualties to innocent civilians.

            This resolution on first glance would appear to be easy to support, but on further review, it poses serious philosophical problems for me.  Hezbollah provoked the attacks by capturing and killing Israeli soldiers.  Indeed, in some instances, Hezbollah is using Lebanese civilians as shields.

            The resolution declares that the House affirms its support for Israel.  I believe that offering unconditional support to Israel’s response sends the signal that the House supports the continuing and increasing carnage that is taking place in Lebanon.  I fully recognize that lives have been lost in Israel too.  All of these deaths are tragic and deplorable.  This resolution does not even offer counsel to Israel to aggressively pursue the course of minimizing civilian loss of life.  Furthermore, the resolution recognizes Israel’s commitment to minimizing civilian loss of life.  To date, Israeli military operations have resulted in excess of three hundred civilians killed, with an estimated one-third of them being children. I do not see Israel’s actions being consistent with a commitment to minimizing the loss of life.

            The resolution also cites Israel’s right to take appropriate action to defend itself, including conducting operations in both Israel and in the territory of nations which pose a threat to it.  At the present time, Israeli military bombing operations are completely dismantling the infrastructure of Lebanon.  Bridges, roads and buildings are being destroyed.  Once the campaign wanes, the country will consist of rubble.

            I am also concerned by the language that commends the president for fully supporting Israel.  The language and the message state explicitly that the House supports the way he has handled the current crisis.  I strongly disagree with this premise and statement.

            I want to state that I am mindful that although the focus of our current attention is on the plight of the citizens affected in Israel and Lebanon, we must not forget the other component of the equation, --- the situation in Gaza involving the Palestinians.

            In Gaza, a cordon has been set up by the Israelis, and Palestinians are suffering under unbearable conditions.  My concern rests with the humanitarian plight of civilians in Gaza and Lebanon that are pawns in a struggle by terrorist organizations.  Both organizations, Hamas (Sunni) and Hezbollah (Shia), provide vital social services such as education and medical care to civilian populations, while simultaneously engaging in terrorist activities. In fact, their efforts and ideologies have created desperate political and military scenarios.  In the case of Hezbollah, their efforts are contributing to instability in the region.

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