Posted on 12/06/2001 5:40:45 AM PST by veronica
The House of Representatives passed a resolution yesterday "expressing solidarity with Israel in the fight against terrorism" and demanding a suspension of relations with the Palestinian Authority if it fails to take action against terrorism.
The concurrent resolution, submitted by congressman Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde and cosigned by 56 other members of Congress, was approved by a vote of 384-11 and was expected to also sail through the Senate later last night.
The resolution notes that the 26 Israelis killed and 175 wounded during a 14-hour rampage of terror last weekend "is the equivalent, on a proportional basis, of 1,200 American deaths and 8,000 wounded." It also notes that U.S. envoy Anthony Zinni termed these terror attacks "the deepest evil one can imagine."
The resolution's preamble also quotes President George W. Bush's declaration at a joint session of Congress on Sept. 20 that "Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime."
It continues with the president's remarks on Dec. 2: "Chairman Arafat must do everything in his power to find those who murdered innocent Israelis and bring them to justice."
The resolution "condemns the vicious terrorist attacks" of last weekend, "extends its deepest sympathies to the Israeli nation and to the families of the victims" and "expresses outrage at the ongoing Palestinian terrorist campaign and insists that the Palestinian Authority take all steps necessary to end it."
In particular, the resolution demands the PA "destroy the infrastructure of Palestinian terrorist groups; pursue and arrest terrorists whose incarceration has been called for by Israel; and either prosecute such terrorists, provide convicted terrorists with the stiffest possible punishment, and ensure that those convicted remain in custody for the full duration of their sentences; or render all arrested terrorists to the government of Israel for prosecution."
The resolution "urges the president to take any and all necessary steps" to ensure that the PA takes these actions, "including, if necessary, suspending all relations with Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority." It also calls on all countries "harboring, materially supporting, or acquiescing in the private support of Palestinian terrorist groups" to end all such support and "to bring all terrorists within their borders to justice."
The administration, wary of losing Arab support for its campaign in Afghanistan, has previously tried to temper congressional action against the PA.
No such effort is apparent this time. The resolution has mainly symbolic value; a decision to suspend relations with the PA must come from the president rather than the legislative branch. In related congressional action yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle said that time has run out for Arafat to crack down on militants.
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