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96–146PDF 2015

HONORING THE TUNISIAN PEOPLE FOR THEIR DEMOCRATIC

TRANSITION; AND EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER ANTI-ISRAEL

AND ANTI-SEMITIC INCITEMENT WITHIN THE

PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY

MARKUP

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON 

THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

ON

H. Res. 277 and H. Res. 293

SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

Serial No. 114–91

Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Affairs

(

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/ or

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/

(II)

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

EDWARD R. ROYCE, California, Chairman 

CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey 

ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida 

DANA ROHRABACHER, California 

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio 

JOE WILSON, South Carolina 

MICHAEL T. MCCAUL, Texas 

TED POE, Texas 

MATT SALMON, Arizona 

DARRELL E. ISSA, California 

TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania 

JEFF DUNCAN, South Carolina 

MO BROOKS, Alabama 

PAUL COOK, California 

RANDY K. WEBER SR., Texas 

SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania 

RON DESANTIS, Florida 

MARK MEADOWS, North Carolina 

TED S. YOHO, Florida 

CURT CLAWSON, Florida 

SCOTT DESJARLAIS, Tennessee 

REID J. RIBBLE, Wisconsin 

DAVID A. TROTT, Michigan 

LEE M. ZELDIN, New York 

DANIEL DONOVAN, New York 

ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York 

BRAD SHERMAN, California 

GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York 

ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey 

GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia 

THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida 

BRIAN HIGGINS, New York 

KAREN BASS, California 

WILLIAM KEATING, Massachusetts 

DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island 

ALAN GRAYSON, Florida 

AMI BERA, California 

ALAN S. LOWENTHAL, California 

GRACE MENG, New York 

LOIS FRANKEL, Florida 

TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii 

JOAQUIN CASTRO, Texas 

ROBIN L. KELLY, Illinois 

BRENDAN F. BOYLE, Pennsylvania

AMY PORTER, Chief of Staff THOMAS SHEEHY, Staff Director

JASON STEINBAUM, Democratic Staff Director 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida, Chairman 

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio 

JOE WILSON, South Carolina 

DARRELL E. ISSA, California 

RANDY K. WEBER SR., Texas 

RON DESANTIS, Florida 

MARK MEADOWS, North Carolina 

TED S. YOHO, Florida 

CURT CLAWSON, Florida 

DAVID A. TROTT, Michigan 

LEE M. ZELDIN, New York 

THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida 

GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia 

BRIAN HIGGINS, New York 

DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island 

ALAN GRAYSON, Florida 

GRACE MENG, New York 

LOIS FRANKEL, Florida 

BRENDAN F. BOYLE, Pennsylvania 

(III)

C O N T E N T S 

Page

MARKUP OF 

H. Res. 277, Honoring the Tunisian People for their democratic transition ...... 2

Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. Res. 277 offered by the 

Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Representative in Congress from the 

State of Florida, and chairman, Subcommittee on the Middle East and 

North Africa ...................................................................................................... 5

H. Res. 293, Expressing concern over anti-Israel and anti-Semitic incitement 

within the Palestinian Authority ........................................................................ 8

Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. Res. 293 offered by the 

Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen ....................................................................... 13

LETTERS, STATEMENTS, ETC., SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD 

APPENDIX 

Markup notice .......................................................................................................... 24

Markup minutes ...................................................................................................... 25

Markup summary .................................................................................................... 26

(1)

HONORING THE TUNISIAN PEOPLE FOR THEIR 

DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION; AND EXPRESSING CONCERN 

OVER ANTI-ISRAEL AND ANTI-SEMITIC INCITEMENT 

WITHIN THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA,

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS,

Washington, DC. 

The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 1:55 p.m., in room 

2172, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen 

(chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. The subcommittee will come to order. We 

meet pursuant to notice to mark up two bipartisan resolutions. As 

your offices were previously notified, it is the intent of the Chair 

to consider the following items en bloc which members have before 

them: House Resolution 277, honoring the Tunisian people for their 

democratic transition; the Ros-Lehtinen amendment in the nature 

of a substitute to House Resolution 277, which was provided to 

your offices yesterday; House Resolution 293, expressing concern 

over anti-Israel and anti-Semitic incitement within the Palestinian 

Authority; and a Ros-Lehtinen amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. Res. 293, which was also provided to your offices yesterday. Without objection, these items are considered as read, and 

will be considered en bloc. 

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Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. After the ranking member and I speak on 

these measures, I will be glad to recognize any other members 

seeking recognition. Without objection, all members may have 5 

days to submit statements for the record on today’s business. 

Nearly 5 years ago, the Tunisian people sparked a wave across 

the Middle East and North Africa called the Arab Spring, that the 

world hoped would be the catalyst to end authoritarian rule in the 

region and usher in a new era of democracy. Today, the people of 

Tunisia are firmly going down the path toward democracy, as we 

have seen them reach multiple milestones. We know that elections 

alone do not make a democracy, and that establishing a new democracy is a long road. But today, I am even more optimistic for 

Tunisia’s democratic prospects. 

The people of Tunisia have adopted a new Constitution, one that 

makes place for religious and ethnic minorities and women to be 

equal and to help build the new Tunisia. For the first time ever, 

the Tunisian people democratically elected a new legislature and a 

President. Now, the Tunisian Government is moving to consolidate 

its gains and build on its democratic institutions, ensure the respect for human rights and the rule of law, and implement additional democratic reforms. Of course, there are still so many hurdles to overcome, but it is our hope that with the continued assistance of the United States, we can assure that Tunisia remains on 

course and becomes the region’s first full-fledged democracy and a 

shining example for the rest of the region to emulate. 

That is why I am pleased to support this resolution honoring the 

people of Tunisia for their continued success on their democratic 

transition. And I urge all of my colleagues to do the same, and send 

a message to the people of Tunisia that we appreciate and support 

their efforts. I would also urge my colleagues to support a resolution I have introduced alongside my good friend and ranking member, Mr. Ted Deutch of Florida, expressing concern over the antiIsrael and anti-Semitic sentiment within the Palestinian Authority 

with all that is going on now with the clashes in Jerusalem at the 

Temple Mount between Palestinians throwing rocks at Jews and 

Israeli security forces while tensions are, as we know, on the rise. 

And one of the major reasons why these tensions are on the rise 

is because rather than being a responsible partner for stability and 

peace, Abu Mazen and the Palestinian Authority have stoked the 

anger with government-sponsored incitement. For years, the Palestinian Authority has served to exacerbate the problem through indoctrination in schools, including anti-Semitic language in textbooks and lesson plans, or by paying salaries to the families of terrorists and naming public schools and public squares after these 

terrorists. 

We always hear that actions speak louder than words, but the 

actions and the words from the PA and Abu Mazen both indicate 

that there is no interest in the current government for peace with 

Israel. We must do more to hold the PA accountable for its antiIsrael incitement. We must do more to encourage the PA to discontinue its incitement to violence against Israel. And we must 

work to do more to support and encourage those individuals and 

organizations working to promote cooperation between Israelis and 

Palestinians. There will never be peace until and unless there is 

19

some trust and respect. But it can’t happen until the Palestinian 

leadership no longer moves to incite hatred and violence against 

Israel. 

And now I am pleased to yield to the ranking member, Mr. 

Deutch, for his remarks. 

Mr. DEUTCH. Thank you, Madam Chairman. I will be brief in my 

comments as I have got to run back and forth to another committee 

hearing. I want to thank the chairman for working together to ensure bipartisan support for these two resolutions. Chairman RosLehtinen and I introduced House Resolution 293 to highlight the 

ongoing incitement by officials within the Palestinian Authority in 

official textbooks and on state television. President Abbas came to 

power on a platform of nonviolence. He speaks of his desire for 

peace. But using inflammatory language and failing to speak out 

against anti-Semitism and incitement simply gives the appearance 

of condoning it. Violence cannot be condoned. And those truly seeking peace must speak out. Indeed, when there is violence against 

innocent Palestinians we must speak out. And I am pleased to see 

Prime Minister Netanyahu doing so. 

We know that peace will only come from an agreement between 

the Israelis and the Palestinians themselves. But conditions on the 

ground will dictate whether the Palestinian people are prepared for 

what a Palestinian State living side by side with the Jewish State 

of Israel ultimately looks like. Textbooks and maps must show 

Israel’s existence. Town squares should never be named after suicide bombers or attackers that glorify terrorism against innocent civilians. This resolution also applauds those Israeli and Palestinian 

organizations that are working together to promote peace between 

the two peoples, whether it is through the provision of medical 

services, or peer-to-peer interaction, or a Palestinian professor who 

dares to teach his students of the horrors of the Holocaust. I hope 

my colleagues will join us in supporting this resolution. 

Second, I urge members to support House Resolution 277, which 

recognizes the democratic transition in Tunisia and the importance 

of the U.S.-Tunisia relationship. It was the self-immolation of a Tunisian fruit vendor that gave way to the Arab Spring. And since 

2011, Tunisia has fought to ensure its transition to democracy 

would be peaceful. And thus far, it has been a model for other nations still struggling for democratic ideals. 

Tunisia has successfully completed its first free Presidential elections and transition to a new government. The new Constitution includes unprecedented rights for women and minorities and respect 

for rule of law. Yet Tunisia faces a precarious security threat. 

Tunisians have gone to train with ISIS in staggering numbers. Its 

border with Libya is difficult to control. And Libya’s lawlessness 

has made it a magnet for terror training and transit. 

In a span of mere months, Tunisia suffered a horrific terror attack at the Bardo Museum and another at the popular tourist destination of Sousse. The United States is committed to assisting Tunisia with stabilizing its security, its economy, and its democracy. 

This resolution is a reminder of the importance of a successful and 

thriving Tunisia. I urge my colleagues to support it. 

20

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Thank you so very much, Mr. Deutch. I 

would like to recognize other members for any opening statements 

they would like to make. Mr. Chabot of Ohio is recognized. 

Mr. CHABOT. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I want to 

commend you for bringing this legislation before the subcommittee 

today. As we know, Israel is one of the United States’ closest allies. 

And over the years, it has withstood anti-Semitic rhetoric from far 

too many of its neighbors, often propagated by state institutions 

and government officials from neighboring states. And unfortunately, one of the offenders is right next door, the Palestinian Authority. A monthly educational magazine for children, one that is 

sponsored by the Palestinian National Committee for Education, 

depicts Hitler as a role model. This does nothing for the promotion 

of peace in the region. To the contrary, it encourages hate and violence, when acceptance of differences and loving your neighbors 

should be the key principles of a young person’s education. 

And this perpetuated hatred by the Palestinian Authority and 

their allies has a direct impact within Israel’s own borders. Just 

this week, a Jewish man was killed by Palestinian stone throwers 

after the Secretary General of the Palestinian Liberation Organization accused Israel of turning Jerusalem into an exclusively Jewish 

city. Tell me how is this rhetoric productive in finding a middle 

ground? 

Israel and the Palestinian Authority will never be able to negotiate peace if one party is constantly under attack by one that institutionally encourages anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic beliefs. If we 

ever hope to see cooperation in the region, we will have to see a 

change in attitudes first. This measure recognizes those realities 

and reasserts our support for an Israel that is treated with the dignity and respect that it deserves. It is a timely measure. I urge my 

colleagues to support H. Res. 293. And I yield back, Madam Chair. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Thank you very much, Mr. Chabot. Mr. 

Cicilline. 

Mr. CICILLINE. Thank you, Chairwoman Ros-Lehtinen and Ranking Member Deutch, for bringing up these two bills for markup 

today. I am proud to be a cosponsor of both. I would like to just 

say a few words about House Res. 293, which condemns anti-Semitic sentiment within the Palestinian Authority. Both the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli Government have agreed on numerous accords to refrain ‘‘from incitement, including hostile propaganda.’’ But it is incredibly concerning that the PA has not eradicated such anti-Semitic and anti-Israel language from their public 

statements, official materials, and their educational system. 

As the Middle East faces incredible turmoil and chaos, the perpetuation of anti-Semitism by the Palestinian Authority is more 

dangerous than ever. Both the Palestinian Authority and Israel are 

threatened by the current regional destabilization, and fueling the 

fire with anti-Semitism is outrageous and extremely risky for Jews, 

for Israel, and ultimately for the entire region. 

This all happening in the context of dangerously increasing antiSemitism throughout Europe. To be sure, there are organizations 

with individuals on both sides working to foster cooperation, mutual understanding, and cultural exchanges between Israelis and 

Palestinians. And there are Palestinians who reject the hateful and 

21

racist language being used by the Palestinian Authority and its 

supporters. I hope that the United States will continue to support 

those that are working to bring peace and understanding to the region, and will continue to condemn the Palestinian Authority’s actions and statements meant to incite hatred against Jews and 

against the State of Israel. And I thank you, Madam Chair, and 

yield back. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Thank you, Mr. Cicilline. Seeing no other requests for time, are there any amendments? The Chair moves to 

report the en bloc items favorably to the full committee. All those 

in favor say aye. All opposed, no. In the opinion of the Chair, the 

ayes have it. The motion is approved, and the measures, as amended, are reported favorably to the full committee. With thanks to my 

colleagues for their input and cooperation, that concludes today’s 

markup, and the subcommittee stands adjourned. 

[Whereupon, at 2:07 p.m., the subcommittee was adjourned.] 

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A P P E N D I X 

MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD

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