Congressman Frank’s Remarks on the 60th
Anniversary of the State of Israel
SPEECH OF
HON. BARNEY FRANK
OF MASSACHUSETTS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 18, 2007
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I want to express the strong
feelings that I and many others have on the 60th anniversary of the State of
Israel .
Israel was created by a U.N. resolution 60 years ago. People who have
stressed the importance of U.N. resolutions with regard to the Middle East
sometimes forget to note that when a U.N. resolution was passed which
created the State of Israel in a fairly small part of what had then been
Palestine, it evoked violent opposition from almost all of Israel's
neighbors. That is, those countries which launched an armed attack aimed at
obliterating Israel as it was born, in defiance of a U.N. resolution, do not
come with clean hands when they talk now about living up to every U.N.
resolution. That's no reason to ignore them, but it is a context that ought
to be clear.
There are a number of perspectives that people bring to the existence
of Israel and its history. There is one that I want to talk about in
particular as a liberal.
By all of the values that motivate me to be in public life, the State
of Israel is the only nation in the Middle East today that qualifies as a
nation that respects them. Whether it is the principle of
nondiscrimination--and some things are very controversial in their own
country--the rights of women, free speech, the rights of gay men and
lesbians, Israel stands out by a very strong margin over all of its
neighbors.
I do want to address some of my friends on the left who are critical
of some of the geopolitical aspects of this. It's legitimate to do it.
Indeed, if you want to hear criticism of the approach Israel takes towards
the peace process or the question of settlements, one of the best places to
go is Israel . Because unlike every other Middle East nation, Israel is a
place where democracy thrives. Indeed, one of the important lessons the
existence of Israel teaches the world is that those who argue that if you
have threats to your national security, democracy becomes a luxury, are
wrong.
Israel was born under attack. It has lived its entire 60 years to date
with the great hostility of its neighbors. It has fought a number of wars.
And it is today confronted by many nations, Iran, for example, that profess
to be interested in its obliteration. Despite that, it has maintained a
strong democracy; governments win and governments lose. And the Israeli High
Court has a record, frankly, that in some ways exceeds our own U.S. Supreme
Court in vindicating civil liberties.
Now, having said that, I will add that I am critical of some aspects
of Israel policy. The point, however, is that that's a right that people
have within Israel to exercise those differences that others don't. I
thought the recent comments by Secretary Rice that were somewhat critical of
what Israel was doing were useful in helping move towards the peace process.
On the other hand, it ought to be clear, and I do believe Israel
should continue to maintain its willingness to withdraw from most of the
West Bank, I think they should be removing settlements, but it must be
remembered, Israel did withdraw from southern Lebanon and it did withdraw
from Gaza in the face of a good deal of controversy at home, one under Prime
Minister Barak, one under Prime Minister Sharon, of two different parties.
Tragically, in both cases, Israel's voluntary withdrawal was followed
by the entrenchment in those two areas of organizations dedicated not simply
to territorial change, but to Israel's obliteration, Hezbollah in Lebanon,
Hamas in Gaza. And they have used those places from which Israel withdrew as
bases for attacks. I understand the emotional reaction that says, ``We'll
never do that again.'' I think it would be wrong; I do not think it would be
in Israel's best interest. That does not mean they should not be able to
defend themselves, of course they should.
But the fundamental point is this: Yes, there are serious issues about
how to pursue peace. Nowhere are they more openly debated than within Israel
itself, and that is one of the great glories of its 60 years.
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