Alcee Hastings: “While we continue to consume ourselves rightly with our own war against terrorism, we cannot forget that Israel has been…”

“While we continue to consume ourselves rightly with our own war against terrorism, we cannot forget that Israel has been waging its own war against terrorism as well as its own fight for democracy for more than 54 years. Today, I stand with my colleagues in sending a message to the people of Israel that the support Israel enjoys from the United States is stronger today than it has ever been. As we send this positive message to Israel, we must also recognize the unique role we play as moderator in the peace process. On two occasions recently, once in February and again in March, I wrote to President Bush urging him to personally become engaged in this region's peace process, but to my disappointment, I have yet to receive a response. Early last month I introduced a resolution condemning violence in the Middle East. I am not suggesting that my resolution is the end solution by any means. However, my resolution does something that this one does not. It recognizes that there are things that can be done by both Palestinians and Israel that will curb the ongoing violence and hopefully get the parties back to the peace table.”