Thomas Daschle: “on behalf of the President, Senator Dole, Senator Hatfield, Senator McConnell, Senator Leahy, and I are offering an…”

“on behalf of the President, Senator Dole, Senator Hatfield, Senator McConnell, Senator Leahy, and I are offering an amendment to provide $50 million in antiterrorism assistance to Israel. All of us in the United States Senate have been shocked and saddened by the rash of terrorist bombings that have occurred in Israel. The four attacks from February 26 to March 4 have killed 58 people bringing terror and grief to Israelis and, for the moment, putting a halt to the peace process. One tragedy is compounded by another. In the days since the bombings, both Israeli and Palestinian security forces have moved against the terrorists. I am pleased the Palestinian authority has moved to round up more than 600 Hamas members and raid mosques, businesses and schools owned by militants. Its arrest of three senior members of Hamas' military wing over the weekend is further evidence that it is taking seriously the need to confront Hamas' terrorist threat. Despite these encouraging signs, however, I share Prime Minister Peres' view that these steps, while a good beginning, are clearly not enough. Chairman Arafat and the Palestinian authority must continue their efforts to root out the terrorist threat in its entirety. Finally, the United States must also contribute to the antiterrorism effort, for, without U.S. assistance, hopes for a lasting peace in the Middle East could be in serious jeopardy.”