OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Condemning Abba's Remarks Against Israel

Date: Jan. 30, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Affairs


CONDEMNING ABBAS'S REMARKS AGAINST ISRAEL -- (Extensions of Remarks - January 30, 2007)

* Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, at a Fatah party rally on January 11, 2007, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly said that Palestinians ``have a legitimate right to direct our guns against the occupation [Israel]' and that Fatah's ``fighting' stance is a ``model for liberation.'

* I find it disheartening and deeply troubling that Abbas would sanction violence against Israel instead of calling upon his people to support peaceful compromise with Israel.

* Palestinian leaders must understand that they can no longer support peace when speaking to Western audiences while advocating violence against Israel when addressing their people. Abbas' statements suggest that he is not the ``moderate' Palestinian leader that many claim he is. Unless he renounces violence once and for all and takes steps to disarm terrorists, Abbas may not deserve additional U.S. aid.

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