Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) Statement on the Violence in Gaza

Madam Speaker, since 2001, thousands of rockets and mortar have been indiscriminately fired
into southern Israel at innocent civilians. When Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, these rocket
attacks continued. In December 2008, the negotiated cease fire ended and Hamas responded by
firing over 60 rockets into Israel in a single day. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis are terrorized
daily by fear of attack while an extremist group who calls for Israel’s destruction continues to
operate.
The Israeli government determined it had no choice but to respond to Hamas militarily. Sadly,
the cost has been great. Since Israel began its two-week offensive on the Gaza strip, over 750
Palestinians have died. An UN-operated school was bombed and dozens of innocent children
were killed. In an unusual move, the International Red Cross issued a statement that “the Israeli
military failed to meet its obligation under international humanitarian law to care for and evacuate
the wounded.” Gazans are trapped with little ability to seek shelter or help for the wounded.
Does Israel have a right to defend itself? My answer is unequivocally, yes. I cannot argue with
most of the statements contained in this resolution. I do not condone the tactics Hamas uses in its
efforts to destroy Israel, nor is it acceptable that an elected government refuses to recognize Israel’s
right to exist and exploits its own citizens to further its extreme agenda. But I cannot also pretend
this resolution, H. Res. 34, will help bring about a cease-fire in Gaza, resolve the extreme
humanitarian crisis Gazans face, or bring us closer to a final resolution sought by the Quartet,
Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Middle Eastern nations.
That a peaceful resolution and a two-state solution seem to grow more distant with each passing
day is a very real consequence of the Bush Administration’s inaction and failure of leadership.
Eight years ago, President Bush came to office and pledged to negotiate a “road map to peace.” As
we can clearly see, the few efforts President Bush made during his tenure have fallen far short.
Last night, the United Nations passed a cease-fire resolution. Today, the crisis continues. In this
ongoing battle, words and actions are very different things. That is why President-elect Obama
must reengage the peace process immediately upon taking office. He has the support of many of
the Middle Eastern nations, who have attempted to fill in as mediators while the Bush
Administration was asleep at the wheel and who also have an interest in rallying against the
growing threat of Iran. President-elect Obama faces many challenges when he enters office, but
with the help of his capable appointed Secretary of State, and my dear friend, Hillary Clinton, I
believe the United States can once again take the lead in achieving a peaceful two-state solution
for the Israelis and Palestinians. (January 9, 2009)