IV

107TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. RES. 382

Condemning the ongoing violence in the Middle East and urging Israel and

the Palestinian Authority to enter into an immediate cease fire agreement

and return to negotiations.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 10, 2002

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was

referred to the Committee on International Relations

RESOLUTION

Condemning the ongoing violence in the Middle East and

urging Israel and the Palestinian Authority to enter into

an immediate cease fire agreement and return to negotiations.

Whereas in the past year more than 400 Israelis and 1,200

Palestinians have lost their lives to continuing violence in

the Middle East;

Whereas since January 22, 2002, violence in Israel has escalated to levels not seen in more than 15 years;

Whereas Israel has fallen victim to more than 35 suicide attacks, or more than 1 attack every other day since late

January 2002, and most recently, 43 Israelis were killed

and more than 100 were wounded when a suicide bomber
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killed himself at a Passover celebration in Netanya,

Israel;

Whereas Israel has already expressed its willingness to assist

in the creation of a peaceful Palestinian state and Palestinian suicide bombings are counterproductive to the long

term goal of the creation of such a state;

Whereas every week scores of Israeli and Palestinian families

mourn the losses of loved ones;

Whereas children in Israel and the Palestinian territories are

being raised to hate and not love, to live in war and not

coexist;

Whereas as evidenced by the Madrid Conference, Oslo Accords, Wye River Memorandum, Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum, and the Camp David II negotiations, a historical

willingness for peace and coexistence exists amongst

Israelis and Palestinians;

Whereas stability in the Middle East is largely connected with

the stability of the peace process;

Whereas the need for United States leadership in the region

is critical;

Whereas the international community has historically looked

to the United States for leadership with respect to the

peace process in the Middle East;

Whereas precedent indicates that when the United States Administration is actively and publicly engaged in the Middle East region, peace agreements between Israel and its

neighbors can occur;

Whereas Israel has the right to protect and defend its borders and citizens; and
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Whereas the Palestinian people have a legitimate right to the

creation of an independent Palestinian state: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) condemns any and all acts of violence in

3 Israel and the Palestinian territories;

4 (2) expresses its heartfelt sympathy and condo5 lences to the families of those who have died as a

6 result of ongoing violence in Israel and the Pales7 tinian territories;

8 (3) urges Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasir

9 Arafat to do everything in his power to assist in ar10 resting and turning over to the Israeli Government

11 all known terrorists currently residing in the Pales12 tinian territories;

13 (4) maintains its ongoing commitment to the

14 Middle East peace process;

15 (5) urges both Israel and the Palestinian Au16 thority to enter into an immediate permanent cease

17 fire agreement and return to the negotiating table

18 where differences and disagreements can be settled

19 in a peaceful manner;

20 (6) expresses support for the Secretary of State

21 on his current mission to the Middle East to seek

22 peace and a community of coexistence; and
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1 (7) urges the President to follow the Secretary

2 of State’s visit to the Middle East, when appro3 priate, with a mission of peace for the purpose of

4 bringing Israelis and Palestinians together for con5 tinued peace negotiations.

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