By Munir K. Nasser
Chief Correspondent, Washington, DC
Albawaba.com
In an unprecedented challenge to the resolution passed by the US House of Representatives on Tuesday that condemned the Palestinian Authority for the recent violence, four members of Congress expressed strong opposition to the one-sided resolution. Nick Rahall, the dean of the Arab American congressional caucus, managed the opposition to the bill.
The House resolution, which was passed by 2/3 majority vote on the floor, calls on the leadership of the Palestinian Authority to “publicly renounce violence as a means of political expression” and take “all actions within its capacity to bring an end to the violence.”
The Resolution (H.Con. Res.426) reads as follows :
"...the Congress --
(1) expresses its solidarity with the state and people of Israel at this time of crisis;
(2) condemns the Palestinian leadership for encouraging the violence and doing so little for so long to stop it, resulting in the senseless loss of life;
(3) calls upon the Palestinian leadership to refrain from any exhortations to public incitement, urges the Palestinian leadership to vigorously use its security forces to act immediately to stop all violence, to show respect for all holy sites, and to settle all grievances through negotiations;
(4) commends successive Administrations on their continuing efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East;
(5) urges the current Administration to use its veto power at the United Nations Security Council to ensure that the Security Council does not again adopt unbalanced resolutions addressing the uncontrolled violence in the areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority; and
(6) calls on all parties involved in the Middle East conflict to make all possible efforts to reinvigorate the peace process in order to prevent further senseless loss of life by all sides."
Washington analysts believe the debate in Congress shows that previously taboo subjects such as Palestinian rights and unbalanced US policies towards the negotiating parties are increasingly being challenged in Congress.
The challenge was led on the floor of the House by representatives Jim Moran (D-VA), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), John Dingell (D-MI) and Nick Rahall (D-WV). The following are excerpts from their speeches in Congress:
Nick Rahall (D-W.VA)
I rise in strong opposition to this resolution because it is ripe with bias and prejudice against the Palestinian people. This resolution could have a lasting adverse impact upon our goal of peace in the Middle East. The resolution before us is an indictment of the Palestinian people’s desire for peace. This resolution condemns one side and inflames passions. I know there is a deep despair among Palestinians that they will never be able to live as a free and independent people. There is a feeling of frustration among the Palestinians that their lives mean less than Israeli lives.
In today’s climate, with this very moment we see our security forces in parts of the Middle East on the highest of security alerts. This body must act in a manner of the best interest of our country, instead of passing these provocative resolutions. This resolution is about bashing the Palestinians as though they have not lost 130 lives in conflict. As though innocent Palestinian fathers and sons have not been gunned down as they walk home. We could not ignore the fact that an American Red Cross worker was gunned down when he tried to intervene to save a child and his father. I condemn these excessive and brutal actions just as I strongly condemn the mob lynching mentality of Israeli soldiers by Palestinians.
Dan Rohrabacker (R-CA)
We cannot be a force for peace in the Middle East by just declaring that we are totally in favor of one side, which is what this bill does. This legislation simply and equivocally backs up one side of the conflict. America should be an evenhanded peacemaker. Justice for the Palestinian people has to be part of the peace formula. All these years the Palestinians have been ignored as non-human beings, and they have legitimate claims that need to be honestly addressed.
Passing a resolution that condemns the Palestinians Authority for the current violence on the West Bank yet ignores the fact that of the 110 people killed, that two have been Israelis, over a 100 have been Palestinians, this will not help the cause of peace. Ariel Sharon, arrogantly and provocatively, went on the trip to a Muslim holy site and sparked the violence. We are ignoring that this act took place.
We should be siding with people of good will on both sides, rather than unconditionally backing up one side. The policy of unquestioning support has undermined the willingness to compromise, which is what has kept this conflict festering for decades. Just as we should condemn United Nations resolution, which was one sided, as this bill will do, let us not commit the same offence by passing one sided resolutions that take us out of the role of being an even-handed peacemaker.
John Dingel (D-MI)
I rise in very sad opposition to this legislation. This resolution is not in the interest of the United States or Israel or the Palestinians. And unless the US has the courage to recognize that we have to be an honest broker, trusted by all parties and visibly working for just peace in the most objective and fair fashion, there will probably be no peace.
The language of this resolution is very plain, it condemns one side. As I speak, the Middle East, Israel and Palestine are slipping towards a war. Hundreds of people have already died; more will die unless this country does something about it. But to take sides, to ship weapons, to engage in support or castigate one side is not the way that we serve our purpose.
The supporters of the resolution castigate the Palestinians. Ask yourselves if that works for peace.
It is with heavy heart that I see the killing over there, and I observed the number of people who died. It is also with a very heavy heart that I see how many people are going to die, and when I see how the United States is throwing away with this kind of resolution the opportunity to achieve lasting peace.
Jim Moran (D-VA)
This resolution does not help the parties to go back to the negotiating table. We should offer words of consolation for all the loss of life and injuries. We should call for the acts of violence to be halted on all sides of the conflict. We should not be engaging in taking sides and thereby further inflaming the rage and the despair.
There have been over 130 deaths almost all of them Palestinians, more than a quarter of them under the age of 18. The reason for this conflict is because the Oslo accords were not implemented. The Israeli army still controls over 60 percent of the West Bank and a considerable amount of the Gaza Strip.
The presence of Israeli tanks and helicopter gun ships in the Palestinians territories reinforces despair among Palestinians who will never be able to live freely and independently.
This resolution accomplishes nothing except that it makes members of Congress look good. We should represent the view of both sides so we could have a sustainable and just peace.
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
