Roll Call Vote: 404-1, with 4 members voting “present.” For details, click here. 

TEXT OF RESOLUTION
 
Whereas more than 4,000 rockets and mortar shells have been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip by Hamas and other terrorist organizations since Israeli forces withdrew from there in 2005;

Whereas, since January 1, 2008, terrorists have fired nearly a thousand rockets and mortar shells into Israel;

Whereas the near-daily rocket fire has been targeted primarily and intentionally at civilian communities in Israel, such as Sderot and Ashkelon, making life in such areas agonizing;

Whereas the terrorist rockets have hit homes, schools, buildings, roads, power lines, and other such infrastructure in Israel;

Whereas these unprovoked rocket and mortar attacks have murdered over a dozen Israelis, inflicted hundreds of casualties, produced thousands of cases of shock and post-traumatic stress, especially among children, and caused severe disruption of daily life;

Whereas these deliberate cross-border rocket and mortar attacks on civilian populations constitute a blatant violation of human rights and international law;

Whereas those responsible for launching rocket attacks against Israel routinely embed their production facilities and launch sites amongst the Palestinian civilian population, utilizing them as human shields;

Whereas intentionally targeting civilian populations and the use of human shields violates international humanitarian and human rights law;

Whereas numerous reports have cited the copious amounts of sophisticated weapons, small arms, and weapons manufacturing materials that have been smuggled into Gaza through Egypt;

Whereas public reports have cited the role of Iran and Syria in providing material support and training to those carrying out rocket and other terrorist attacks from Gaza;

Whereas public reports have referenced the increased flow of ammunition, explosives, and higher-grade weapons into the Gaza Strip as a result of Hamas' breach of the 12-kilometer security fence separating Gaza from Egyptian Sinai on January 23, 2008;

Whereas it was reported that after the breach of the Egyptian-Gaza border, many Palestinian terrorists who had trained in Syria and Iran returned to Gaza;

Whereas the fielding and use of longer-range rockets by Hamas and other terrorist organizations to reach larger Israeli cities represents a dangerous expansion of the organizations' offensive capabilities and an escalation of the terrorist attacks on Israel;

Whereas the Government of Israel's military operations in Gaza only target Hamas and other terrorist organizations;

Whereas the inadvertent inflicting of civilian casualties as a result of defensive military operations aimed at military targets, while deeply regrettable, is not at all morally equivalent to the deliberate targeting of civilian populations as practiced by Hamas and other Gaza-based terrorist groups; and

Whereas the situation in the Gaza Strip remains a threat to international security and regional stability: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
 
(1) strongly condemns--
     (A) Hamas, which controls Gaza, and other Palestinian terrorist organizations for the ongoing rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and continued human rights violations;
     (B) state sponsors of terror, such as Iran and Syria, for enabling Palestinian terrorist organizations to carry out attacks against innocent Israeli civilians; and
    (C) the use of innocent Palestinian civilians as human shields by those who carry out rocket and other attacks;

(2) expresses condolences to the families of the innocent victims on both sides of the conflict;

(3) supports the sovereign right of the Government of Israel to defend its territory against attacks;

(4) expresses sympathy and support for innocent Palestinian civilians who reject all forms of terrorism and desire to live in peace with their Israeli neighbors but who continue to be utilized as human shields by terrorist organizations;

(5) considers rocket attacks against Israel and the fostering of terrorism in the Palestinian territories as direct and serious impediments to the achievement of Israeli-Palestinian peace;

(6) calls on the President to--
     (A) direct the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to introduce a resolution within the United Nations Security Council condemning Palestinian rocket and other attacks against innocent Israeli civilians; and
     (B) direct the Secretary of State to raise this issue in all applicable bilateral and international fora;

(7) calls on responsible countries and United States allies in the Middle East to officially and publicly condemn Palestinian rocket attacks and other terrorist actions against Israel; and

(8) reaffirms the strong and unyielding friendship between the Governments and the people of Israel and the United States.
 

STATEMENTS FOR THE RECORD

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Extensions of Remarks, 3/10/2008
 
“Mr. Speaker, I voted for this resolution because I believe we must condemn the rocket attacks launched from Gaza into Israel. Many innocent persons, both Israeli and Palestinian, have been killed or injured in the violence. In addition to death and injury, the on-going violence has destroyed property, instilled fear, and disrupted the lives of innocent civilians on both sides of the conflict.
 
“I appreciate that the resolution helps document the toll that rocket attacks have exacted on Israeli civilians. But I very much regret that the resolution misses an important opportunity to acknowledge the complexity of problems and issues which give rise to the conflict. And I am particularly troubled that the resolution fails to recognize the depth and breadth of human suffering, misery, and death that has been visited upon the people of Gaza.
 
“Mr. Speaker, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has only worsened since the armed takeover by Hamas in June 2007. Basic items such as baby milk, wheat grain, vegetable oil, and dairy products are in short supply. Additionally, the tightening of restrictions on the movement of goods and people by the Israeli government is causing serious hardship according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA.
 
“The OCHA has found that these restrictions have had the effect of preventing the people of Gaza from receiving desperately needed healthcare treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer patients, pediatric surgery, and neurosurgery. The restrictions on the movement of goods make it difficult for healthcare providers to obtain new diagnostic medical equipment or the parts to service existing equipment that has fallen into disrepair. To make matters worse, it appears that those Palestinians who want to leave Gaza to pursue treatment in Israel or abroad are finding it difficult to do so.
 
“Mr. Speaker, ensuring that humanitarian assistance is available and accessible to the people of Gaza is one of the most important steps that can be taken to ensure that the peace process succeeds and is not derailed by continued violence. It is for this reason that I recently wrote to Secretary of State Rice urging her to do all she can to make certain that vital humanitarian goods and services are successfully delivered in Gaza. I believe the moral force of the resolution would have been enhanced had it called for similar action.
 
“Finally, this resolution cites the roles of Iran, Syria, and Egypt in enabling these attacks. I want to be clear that nothing recited in the resolution would justify a preemptive military response against these countries nor should it be used as grounds to build a case for such an action.
 
“Mr. Speaker, the rocket attacks against Israel condemned by this resolution have caused great suffering to the victims. Acknowledging that suffering in a congressional resolution is a fitting and proper thing to do. But at the end of the day, the peace and justice we all seek will not come from passing a resolution in Congress. Rather, a just and lasting peace will come from the parties resolving in their hearts and minds to rededicate themselves to the active engagement in good faith negotiation to bring the two-state solution into being. I call upon the Administration to redouble its efforts in discharging its indispensable role as honest broker in the peace process.
 
Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA), Extensions of Remarks, 3/10/2008
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“Madam Speaker, I rise to explain the reasons and the scruples that led me to vote ‘present’' on H. Res. 951.  I would note, first, that the resolution as amended and passed is more acceptable to me than the original draft. Most important to me is that the amended resolution recognizes the suffering of innocent victims on both sides of the conflict. However, I continue to believe that resolutions containing language such as some of the language in H. Res. 951 do not advance us towards the most important goal relative to this issue: peaceful co-existence for the region.
 
The resolution properly states America's support for the people of Israel and their right to defend themselves. It notes the near daily rocket and mortar attacks on southern Israel that have been launched from the Gaza Strip since Israel withdrew from Gaza in the interests of peace in 2005. It fairly condemns Hamas and other terrorist organizations. I have never wavered in my support for Israel's right to defend itself against terrorists. I approved their action against the Iraqi nuclear site. I was bitterly criticized for my defense of the ‘targeted assassination’ of Sheikh Yassin in 2004. I led the resistance in the city of Somerville to a campaign to divest in Israel. I am a friend of Israel and I do not believe this resolution makes Israel safer. It fails to reconfirm our commitment to peace and to a process that can bring about peace. I believe this failure renders America less able to be an effective broker for peace in the region.
 
In addition, I question the desirability and wisdom of reiterating the status of Iran and Syria as ‘state sponsors of terror’'. The Department of State has so listed them and, certainly, there is ample evidence that both countries have actively and passively provided aid and comfort to Hamas and also to Hizbollah. Certainly, the current leaders of Iran have publicly stated their vile opinions about Israel and their determination to eradicate it. No one can deny these facts. Nonetheless, I have always been of the opinion that finding a way to peace is more important than name calling--even if the names seem to be well-deserved. I believe that those who are truly committed to finding a peaceful solution--two democratic states, recognized by other nations and coexisting in peace--must not succumb to the temptation of name-calling. We cannot let terrorists shape our agenda. We must remain determined to pursue peace.
 
I would ask anyone whether they are more or less likely to open their ears so they can hear their opponent if that opponent constantly calls them names. I would ask anyone whether they are more or less likely to believe that someone who calls them names can truly understand their concerns. We all suffer from the same human weakness that causes us to lash out at those who attack us. This is a natural and understandable emotional reaction. However, it is one that we must resist, especially when engaging in what should be seen as deliberative and thoughtful endeavors such as Congressional resolutions.
 
That said, I believe every observer agrees that Egypt and Syria must be active participants in resolving this conflict. Many might agree that Iran must participate as well--or at least acquiesce. How then does it encourage them to do so when the Congress states or implies that they are to blame for the problems in the region? This question seems particularly relevant because the resolution, a condemnation of Hamas rocket attacks and an expression of solidarity with the people of Israel does not require us to condemn other regional powers. There is no need to ``poke our finger in the eye'' of governments able to thwart or advance a peaceful solution.
 
I would point out that the Congress has taken this approach for years. We have passed numerous resolutions--too many, in my view, that are gratuitously confrontational. I ask: Have those resolutions moved us any closer to finding a peaceful solution? The approach has not worked thus far and I see no reason to believe it will start working now.
 
I voted ‘present’' rather than ‘no’ because I was in sympathy with much of the resolution. I voted as a Member of Congress determined that the United States act responsibly in pursuit of peace.
 
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Extensions of Remarks, 3/11/08
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“Mr. Speaker, I am unequivocal in my support for the security of Israel and its citizens. I am committed to the right of all people in the Middle East, and the world, to live peacefully. However, because of H. Res. 951's overt lack of balance and its unreconciliatory approach, I oppose this bill.
 
The resolution appropriately ‘expresses condolences to the families of the innocent victims on both sides of the conflict.’  However, H. Res. 951 fails to take a balanced approach to the ongoing violence in Gaza by acknowledging only the rocket and mortar attacks fired on Israel while making no mention of Israel's use of force in the region other than to acknowledge ‘the sovereign right of the Government of Israel to defend its territory against attacks.’
 
The resolution states that the ‘rocket and mortar attacks have murdered over a dozen Israelis, inflicted hundreds of casualties, produced thousands of cases of shock and post-traumatic stress, especially among children, and caused severe disruption of daily life.’  The resolution fails to take into account the 117 Palestinians killed in Gaza over the last week or to mention that half of these victims were civilians and at least 22 were children.  Furthermore, the resolution makes no mention of the ongoing Israeli-imposed blockade on Gaza that has cut off Palestinians from fuel supplies and prevented the delivery of food and medical supplies to the Gaza Strip. According to a recent report by Oxfam and other humanitarian organizations, ‘the blockade has effectively dismantled the economy and impoverished the population of Gaza. Israel's policy affects the civilian population of Gaza indiscriminately and constitutes a collective punishment against ordinary men, women and children. The measures taken are illegal under international humanitarian law.’
 
How can the U.S. be an honest broker for peace if we fail to acknowledge the suffering, as well as the rights, of the people on all sides of this ongoing conflict? To broker a viable peace, we must address the long-standing and structural issues that exacerbate the conflict rather than sweep over them in our condemnation of its symptomatic violence.
 
The United States must seek to prevent violence and human casualty by setting the stage for productive exchanges which can lead to mutual understanding, security and peace. To achieve this peace it is necessary to integrate an open dialogue with diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending all violence and human suffering. Our involvement in the Middle East should aim to coalesce alienated forces rather than drive them farther apart from one another and from a viable solution. Israelis and Palestinians share a mutual future. Therefore, we should set the stage for productive exchanges which can lead to mutual understanding, security and peace.  
 
Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), 3/6/08
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Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H. Res. 951, a resolution to condemn Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians. As one who is consistently against war and violence, I obviously do not support the firing of rockets indiscriminately into civilian populations. I believe it is appalling that Palestinians are firing rockets that harm innocent Israelis, just as I believe it is appalling that Israel fires missiles into Palestinian areas where children and other non-combatants are killed and injured.

Unfortunately, legislation such as this is more likely to perpetuate violence in the Middle East than contribute to its abatement. It is our continued involvement and intervention--particularly when it appears to be one-sided--that reduces the incentive for opposing sides to reach a lasting peace agreement.

Additionally, this bill will continue the march toward war with Iran and Syria, as it contains provocative language targeting these countries. The legislation oversimplifies the Israel/Palestine conflict and the larger unrest in the Middle East by simply pointing the finger at Iran and Syria. This is another piece in a steady series of legislation passed in the House that intensifies enmity between the United States and Iran and Syria. My colleagues will recall that we saw a similar steady stream of provocative legislation against Iraq in the years before the U.S. attack on that country.

I strongly believe that we must cease making proclamations involving conflicts that have nothing to do with the United States. We incur the wrath of those who feel slighted while doing very little to slow or stop the violence.
 
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Statement on Floor, 3/5/08
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Mr. Speaker, today I voted in favor of House Resolution 951 to condemn rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel and the death and fear those attacks have caused. These rocket attacks must be condemned, and they must be stopped. I've been to Sderot, and I have seen how these rocket attacks cause fear and suffering among the people there, where it is extremely difficult to carry on anything approaching a normal life. The residents of Sderot and now Ashkelon face a daily barrage of rockets, and that is intolerable. Terrorists are bombing citizens, not soldiers. There is nothing in Islam to justify hurting innocent civilians. Bombers cannot use religion to justify what they're doing, and I condemn it.
 
But this resolution is not enough. If we want to be morally consistent, we must condemn rocket attacks on Israel and also condemn the humanitarian crisis in Gaza too. The 1.4 million inhabitants of the Gaza Strip exist in a state of dreadful isolation, quite literally cut off from the world. Basic supplies and necessities are at a minimum. Ninety percent of the industry has closed down. Unemployment is rampant, and poverty and disease are endemic. Only a few weeks ago, the people of Gaza broke through walls to buy groceries in Egypt. I regret the resolution we voted on today did not devote adequate attention, in my view, to the plight of the people of Gaza.
 
To suggest that this is the Gazans' just desserts for voting the wrong way in the Palestinian legislative elections in January 2006 does nothing to improve the quality or alleviate the human suffering on either side of the border. We in Congress need to show compassion for the people of Gaza, Sderot, and Ashkelon and the tremendous human suffering they are undergoing. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he does not want the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to continue, and the Bush administration should do all it can to help him meet that commitment.
 
This resolution criticizes one of the leading advocates for stability and peace in the region: Egypt. The Egyptian Government has made it clear that it is doing all it can to close off smuggling. What's needed is a greater degree of cooperation with Egypt. This resolution does nothing to advance that cooperation. We need to engage Egypt, not pass resolutions that publicly offend or diminish our relations with them. Absent strong evidence that Egypt is complicit in allowing weapons smuggling to occur, I am not in favor of Egypt bashing.
 
I understand Egypt is doing what it can to control the border despite restrictions on its security forces imposed by Egypt's peace treaty with Israel. If Egypt had direct contact or diplomatic channels with all parties involved in the conflict, the United States should prevail upon Egypt to help effect a prisoner exchange, stop the rocket attacks on Israeli citizens, and improve the humanitarian conditions for citizens of Gaza.
 
It's a fortunate coincidence that the Secretary of State is in the region right now, and I am supportive of her taking an active role in resolving this conflict. Beyond resolutions and expressions of sympathy, we need real actions from the Bush administration to solidify and advance the commitments of leaders in the Middle East to a lasting peace through the two-state solution envisioned well before Annapolis. I ask my colleagues here in the House to join me in urging the Secretary of State to highlight the humanitarian needs of ordinary citizens of Gaza alongside the fear and death among ordinary Israelis as she seeks to mediate the situation so tragic for all involved.
 
Finally, as a Member of Congress, I am concerned about the resolution's references to Iran. Now, I agree that Iran is playing a negative role in the region, but we have seen what the Bush administration has done with past congressional resolutions. I want to repeat that there is nothing in the resolution that should be construed as a justification for military action. I remain opposed to military action against Iran. We need to start a bilateral dialogue. That has been and will continue to be my position. The most effective way to stop Iran's harmful activities is to engage them directly.
 
Mr. Speaker, though I wholeheartedly condemn the rocket attacks on Israel, I urge my colleagues to consider the suffering of all of the people, including the people of Sderot, Ashkelon, and Gaza.
 
Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), Statement on Floor, 3/5/08
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Mr. Speaker, over the past few days we have witnessed the Annapolis peace process come unraveled. There have been grave escalations between Israel and Hamas. These are a symptom of failed policies, irresponsible actions, and a lack of strategic thinking. Further escalation of the violence in Gaza may deal a fatal blow to the credibility and viability of any peace process. It would further erode support for the peace process. It would further erode support for the peace process among both Israelis and Palestinians.
 
No one can help but feel deep concern for the residents of Israeli communities near Gaza, who have been suffering from a campaign of Qassam rocket attacks. Israel has the right and must take measures to protect its citizens, as well as to seek to free its captured soldier Gilad Shalit. But excessive response that endangers innocent lives and threatens emergency care and services in hospitals is likely to cause graver harm than good.
 
Certainly Hamas understands that its crude rockets, while able to create fear and suffering in Sderot and, now, Ashkelon, can neither destroy Israel, nor break its economic blockade--just as Israel's citizens and military leaders appreciate that while its air force and army can achieve lethal short-term tactical gains in Gaza, this strategy has only enhanced popular support for Hamas, coalesced West Bank sympathy for the Gazan population, and harmed any realistic chances for lasting peace.
 
I firmly believe that any realistic, sustainable resolution to this crisis will require all parties including the United States to engage, directly or indirectly, to achieve a ceasefire. For that reason, I would prefer that the resolution before us were focused not on condemning one side, but rather on supporting more constructive and balanced efforts to achieve a meaningful cease fire and constructive engagement. I believe that any resolution of this conflict needs to recognize and address the current humanitarian crisis facing the people of Gaza. How many more innocent Israelis and Palestinians will die or be wounded before our country attempts a more productive policy approach?
 
While the Bush Administration has recently become more proactive in its efforts to attain a ceasefire, stabilize Gaza, and re-build Palestinian national unity, the policy of not including all parties and of blockading Gaza, risks making our country less and less relevant. We need more constructive leadership on all sides.
 
Rep. McDermott (D-WA), Statement on Floor, 3/5/08
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Mr. Speaker, today I will vote ``Present'' on H. Res. 951.  Its stated purpose is "condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and for other purposes.'' Everyone in this House, including me, condemns these rocket attacks. If that had been all that H. Res. 951 expressed, of course I would vote in favor.  But as so often happens in resolutions that concern matters of bipartisan and overwhelming support, vague and ill-considered ``other purposes'' were added. The United States needs the cooperation and involvement of nations throughout the region, including Syria and Iran, if we are to help bring about a stable and lasting peace to Lebanon, Iraq, and to help crack down on the very smuggling that is enabling these rocket attacks.
 
The State Department has repeatedly met with representatives of Iran and Syria to engage them, and is pursuing difficult diplomatic tracks with both countries. I applaud these efforts and recognize the difficult job State has. Injecting Congress into this mix, as expressed in this Resolution, at this point in time, is not helpful.
 
By not simply condemning the rocket attacks coming from Gaza and declaring our solidarity with the Israeli civilians threatened by them, by not simply condemning those in Gaza who are bombarding Israeli civilians, but drawing in the governments of Iran and Syria, we could diminish our diplomatic course and, at the same time, inflame tensions.
 
Who does this help? How does this contribute to resolving problems in the region? Why did a House vote on what should have been a simple statement turn into a complicated effort to add to difficulties with Iran and Syria?