Issue Position: Foreign Affairs - Middle East Violence

Issue Position

While our nation and its leaders must work aggressively to achieve peace in the Middle East, I strongly believe that a lasting peace in the region can only be obtained once Israel's security and right to exist are acknowledged and supported by its neighbors. First, however, the Israelis and Palestinians must commit to a cease-fire and work toward finding a peaceful solution to the current conflict.

While I agree with President Bush's call for the creation of a Palestinian state, I also believe the path to Palestinian statehood depends on the actions of Chairman Arafat. Chairman Arafat must demonstrate the legitimacy of his leadership by shutting down those terrorists operating within the West Bank and Gaza Strip whose sole goal is the destruction of the State of Israel and the peace process, or he must be replaced. I firmly believe he has failed to take the necessary steps to bring peace to the region and that failure to lead has strengthened, rather than deterred, those who have targeted the innocent civilians of Israel.

We have all watched in horror as Palestinian-backed terrorists have targeted women, children, and innocent Israeli civilians in markets, nightclubs, weddings, and on their way to work or school. While these unconscionable attacks continue unchecked by the Palestinian Authority, I have no other option than to support Israel's right to protect its citizens from these horrendous terrorist attacks through military action. Once the Palestinians are effective in halting terrorism and find effective leadership, however, I believe Israel must undertake its strongest effort yet to find common ground on which we might create a Palestinian state, ensure the long-term security of Israel, and bring lasting peace to a region all too accustomed to conflict.

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