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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1241 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1241

Supporting the right of Israel to defend itself against terrorists and 
  the Israeli construction of new security fences along the border of 
                                 Egypt.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 13, 2010

Mr. Garrett of New Jersey submitted the following resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Supporting the right of Israel to defend itself against terrorists and 
  the Israeli construction of new security fences along the border of 
                                 Egypt.

Whereas Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the construction 
        of two fences along the Israel-Egypt and Israel-Gaza Strip borders where 
        it is easy for terrorists and illegal immigrants to cross;
Whereas some estimates suggest that 17,000 to 19,000 illegal immigrants have 
        come into Israel via the southern border since 2005;
Whereas many of the aggressors in the Gaza Strip belong to Hamas or the Islamic 
        Jihad, both recognized terrorist organizations operating with the intent 
        to destroy Israel, and fired rockets into southern Israel in early 2009, 
        with particular emphasis on the cities of Ashkelon, Netivot, and Sderot;
Whereas areas in Egypt are believed to be Al-Qaeda strongholds, and it is known 
        that terrorists use tunnels from Egypt to smuggle drugs, ammunition, and 
        arms into the Gaza Strip;
Whereas the situation in the Gaza Strip continues to remain a threat to 
        international security and regional stability;
Whereas the West Bank security fence, which is approximately half built, and 
        checkpoints along the fence, were constructed as a response to the 
        ongoing terrorist acts by Palestinians coming into Israel from the West 
        Bank;
Whereas before the security fence was built, terrorists had to simply walk 
        across the border;
Whereas the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) noted that there was a significant 
        decrease in terrorist attacks in the West Bank over the last 3 years;
Whereas in total, the ISA reported 1,309 terrorist attacks in 2006, 946 
        terrorist attacks in 2007, 893 terrorist attacks in 2008, and 636 
        terrorist attacks in 2009;
Whereas the ISA reported 333 shootings and 131 explosive attacks in the West 
        Bank in 2007, 83 shootings and 54 explosive attacks in 2008, and 22 
        shootings and 13 explosive attacks in 2009;
Whereas the ISA reported that there were 15 deaths due to conflict in 2009, 9 of 
        which were casualties of Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip;
Whereas in 2009, the ISA did not report any suicide bombings in Israel;
Whereas Iran funds, trains, and openly supports terrorist groups that operate in 
        the Gaza Strip, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad among many 
        others, all of which have murdered United States citizens, Israelis, and 
        non-Israeli Muslims and are determined to destroy Israel;
Whereas since its inception as a country, Israel has been confronted with 
        repeated terrorist attacks that have inflicted death and suffering on 
        innocent men, women, and children;
Whereas Israel has been the victim of brutal and vicious declarations by Iran 
        that the country does not have a right to exist;
Whereas Israel, like any sovereign nation, has the right to defend itself 
        against internal and external threats to its existence;
Whereas article 51 of the United Nations Charter expressly states that all 
        countries possess an inherent right to self-defense;
Whereas Israel has reached out to the United States and the international 
        community for support against the threat of Iran and terrorists in the 
        region; and
Whereas despite the deaths of over 1,000 innocent Israelis at the hands of 
        murderous, suicide bombers and other terrorists, the people of Israel 
        continue to seek peace with their neighbors: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the right of Israel to defend itself against 
        terrorists that wish to infiltrate its borders and attack 
        Israeli citizens;
            (2) supports Israel's plight to protect its borders with 
        the construction and upkeep of a security fence and checkpoints 
        along the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Egypt;
            (3) recognizes the remarkable success of the existing 
        security fence in keeping out terrorists;
            (4) condemns the actions and rhetoric of Iranian leaders 
        and terrorist organizations that are willing to stop at nothing 
        to kill Israelis and terrorize its people;
            (5) reaffirms the robust alliance between the United States 
        and Israel; and
            (6) recognizes Israel's assertive efforts to combat 
        international terrorism.
                                 <all>
```