OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006

Date: May 22, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security


PALESTINIAN ANTI-TERRORISM ACT OF 2006 -- (House of Representatives - May 22, 2006)

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Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill and in support of peace and prosperity for all the people of the Middle East.

For years, the international community has tried to work with Israelis and Palestinians to forge a lasting peace in the Middle East. But the election of Hamas to control the Palestinian Parliament was a shock to all of us, and the announcement that their party would rule alone disheartening.

It remains to be seen whether participation in the democratic process can truly have a moderating effect on organizations that have supported terror. But until we see evidence to that effect, we are forced to deal with the world as it is--and in that world, Hamas is a terrorist organization.

Hamas uses violence against the innocent to further its political objectives. It does not accept the Roadmap, and it does not recognize the right of Israel to exist. Clearly, we cannot support--with our words or with our deeds--such an organization.

At the same time, we must recognize that most Palestinian people voted for Hamas not because they support terror, but because they were desperate for a better quality of life. Hamas was providing basic services that their existing government was, for whatever reason, unable to provide.

I would like to take this opportunity to say that supporting this bill is not a rejection of the Palestinian people. America's position is clear: we support a two-state solution in accordance with the Roadmap.

And although we cannot and should not support Hamas, we must not abandon the Palestinian people. We must continue to support humanitarian aid--including health, education, and civil society initiatives--to ensure that the next generation of Palestinian children can know something other than violence, desperation, and hatred. Only then will we have any hope of achieving true peace.

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