Nick Rahall: “I strongly condemn the horror that was inflicted upon innocent Israeli men, women and children by suicide bombers. I…”

“I strongly condemn the horror that was inflicted upon innocent Israeli men, women and children by suicide bombers. I condemn that violence at all times and all places. I think it is important to note that we can either oppose or vote present on this resolution today and still be considered a supporter of the State of Israel and a friend of Israel and a supporter of the long-standing relationship between the United States and Israel, and do not let any outside group in this town try to characterize Members in any other way, because it is possible. Secretary Powell said it best when he phoned Chairman Arafat after the latest bombings and said this was an attack upon Arafat's authority as well as an attack upon innocent men, women and children. I think that has been lost today. In all of the demands that Arafat must go, we have lost sight that these suicide bombers were indeed attacking Chairman Arafat himself. As I condemn the horror of the past weekend, I strongly condemn the horror that has been inflicted upon innocent Palestinians, men, women and children, carried out by the Israeli Occupation Forces, including, within the last 2 weeks, five innocent Palestinian schoolboys killed in the Gaza refugee camp just within the last 2 weeks.”