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Senator Expresses Solidarity With Israel, Congress Debates Anti-Arafat Resolution
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| Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle leads Congress in condemning Palestinian leader Yasser
Arafat |
With additional reporting by Neveen A. Salem, IOL Washington Correspondent
WASHINGTON, April 23 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - As thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested outside the Washington Hilton Monday, U.S. Senate leader Tom Daschle told members of the powerful Israeli special interest group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), meeting inside that a Palestinian state "could never be founded on blood spilled by suicide bombers," reflecting congressional support for Israel.
Daschle accused Arafat of doing too little to thwart attacks against Israel, and voiced doubts whether he could ever again be seen as "a partner for peace."
"If Chairman Arafat cannot bring himself to condemn barbaric acts that perpetuate violence, it is hard to see how he can ever be a partner for peace," Daschle, leader of the Senate's Democratic majority, said.
"Either Chairman Arafat has scuttled efforts at peace in a cynical attempt to force further concessions or worse, he does not want a Palestinian state along side Israel. He wants a Palestinian state in place of Israel," Daschle charged.
"We need to be clear, no state can be founded by suicide bombers and no peace can be achieved when children are manipulated into committing suicide and murder."
Congress is expected to vote on no less than four House and Senate Resolutions expressing solidarity with Israel and condemning the Palestinian Authority and leader Yasser Arafat.
H. CON. RES. 280, introduced by International Relations Committee Chair Henry Hyde (R-IL) on December 4, 2001, "expresses outrage at the ongoing Palestinian terrorist campaign and insists that the Palestinian Authority take all steps necessary to end it; demands, specifically, that the Palestinian Authority take action immediately to destroy the infrastructure of Palestinian terrorist groups; pursue and arrest terrorists whose incarceration has been called for by Israel; and either- prosecute such terrorists, provide convicted terrorists with the stiffest possible punishment, and ensure that those convicted remain in custody for the full duration of their sentences; or render all arrested terrorists to the Government of Israel for prosecution."
The co-sponsors of the resolution also urge the President to "take any and all necessary steps" to ensure that the Palestinian Authority takes the actions described above, including, if necessary, "suspending all relations with Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority."
H. CON. RES. 392, introduced by Congressman Tom DeLay (R-TX) on April 18, 2002 "expresses solidarity with Israel in the fight against terrorism" and states that the "the United States and Israel are now engaged in a common struggle against terrorism and are on the front-lines of a conflict thrust upon them against their will."
It also goes on to assert that "Palestinian organizations are engaging in an organized, systematic, and deliberate campaign of terror aimed at inflicting as many casualties as possible on the Israeli population, including through the use of suicide terrorist attacks."
The resolution went on to state that its Congress "stands in solidarity with Israel as it takes necessary steps to provide security to its people by dismantling the terrorist infrastructure in the Palestinian areas; remains committed to Israel's right to self-defense and supports additional United States assistance to help Israel defend itself; condemns the recent wave of Palestinian suicide bombings; condemns the ongoing support and coordination of terror by Yasser Arafat and other members of the Palestinian leadership; demands that the Palestinian Authority at last fulfill its commitment to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in the Palestinian areas, including any such infrastructure associated with PLO and Palestinian Authority entities tied directly to Yasser Arafat ; is gravely concerned that Arafat's actions are not those of a viable partner for peace; and urges all Arab states to declare their unqualified opposition to all forms of terrorism, particularly suicide bombing."
Another resolution was also introduced on September 6, 2001 into Congress calling for the imposition of sanctions against the PLO or the Palestinian Authority if the President determines that those entities have "failed to substantially comply with commitments made to the State of Israel."
The resolution calls on the President to suspend all United States assistance to the West Bank and Gaza except for humanitarian assistance; deny visas to Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) authorities; and downgrade in status the PLO office in the United States, located in Washington D.C.
American Muslims, Arabs and pro-Palestinian activists have been lobbying Congressional members in the hopes of dissuading support fro the resolutions when and if they are introduced to the House floor to be voted on.
They are lobbying strongly in favor of a counter resolution introduced into Congress by Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) on April 18 2002, calling for an Israeli withdrawal from all Palestinian territories.
H.CON. RES. 394 strongly supports United Nations Security Council Resolution 1397, which was unanimously approved by the United States and other members of the Security Council, with Syria abstaining, that calls for an immediate cessation of all acts of violence between Israel and the Palestinians; strongly supports United Nations Security Council Resolution 1402, which was unanimously approved by the United States and other members of the Security Council, with Syria abstaining, that calls for a meaningful cease-fire and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian cities; unequivocally condemns acts of violence against both Israeli and Palestinian civilians; urges all parties to recognize that continued military attacks and terrorist activities will only lead to escalating violence and the potential destabilization of the Middle East and neighboring regions; urges all parties to stop using state-controlled media or other means of propaganda to incite hatred and violence; and urges all parties immediately to ensure the safety of international human rights observers and aid workers in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
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