United States-Israeli Bond

Floor Speech

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Peters) is recognized for 5 minutes.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to talk about the important and special relationship that the United States shares with the Jewish State of Israel and how this relationship is of growing importance to the security and prosperity of both of our countries.

Recently, I traveled to Israel with 28 of my Democratic colleagues. I know many of my Republican colleagues also visited Israel this past summer, and this is important because it underscores the fact that the strong bond between the United States and Israel knows neither party nor ideology.

I first traveled to Israel in 2000 when I served in the Michigan State senate, along with senate colleagues. 2000 was the peak of peace negotiations, and what struck me most about the differences between today and that trip nearly a decade ago is how the hope of everyday Israelis for a peaceful future has been replaced by a constant fear of security. Instead of anticipating a soon-to-be-signed peace accord, Israelis are anxious over not whether, but when, the next rocket attack will come from either Hamas or Hezbollah.

When we visited the southern city of S'derot, we saw an armor-shielded playground built to protect the city's children from Qassam rocket attacks. As a parent, it was difficult seeing young, innocent children having to play on swings and slides encased in a facility constructed with thick reinforced concrete, knowing that this is the only safe place for children to play because of the constant threat of rocket attacks. Children, who should be carefree at play, instead suffer from post-traumatic stress.

Israel faces so many threats. It faces the threats of terrorism attacks from within its borders and rocket bombings from just beyond its borders. It faces Iran's nuclear ambitions and the growing ambivalence from many in the world community towards Israel's right to exist.

Israel is wrongly assailed for defending its own borders and citizens, as we saw last week in the flawed Goldstone Report, which unfairly criticizes Israel despite its strong efforts to protect all civilians. Israel faces criticism from even attempting to deter the growing Iranian threat.

Israel is a lonely democracy in a sea of tyranny; a shining example in a dangerous corner of the world of how freedom and democracy, pluralism, and economic ingenuity can lead to a high standard of living for all. Despite its hardships, Israelis are reliant and, because of this, their country prospers.

Israel has made its desert bloom and its high-tech sector has made its economy blossom. Israel is advancing towards independence from the fossil fuels that fund our enemies. I'm pleased that auto technology experts from Michigan are traveling to Israel next month on a trade mission to exchange ideas and to take advantage of the economic creativity and ingenuity both of our nations have to offer.

Jews in Israel, the United States, and around the world celebrated the Jewish New Year and soon will observe the solemn fast of Yom Kippur. While these should be holidays of happiness and deep reflection, in Israel they are, sadly, reminders of the need for eternal vigilance.

Ever since the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Israelis and Jews around the world have learned that they cannot take Israel's security for granted, not even for a day--not even on the holiest day of the year.

Eleven minutes after David Ben Gurion declared Israel's independence in 1948, President Harry Truman recognized the Jewish state, and the special relationship between the United States and Israel began. On that day, the United States was the first Nation to stand with Israel, as we must continue to be today.

Our nations' alliance is one routed in the common values of democracy, respect for the rule of law, economic growth, and pluralism. The mutual need for this relationship has only become greater throughout the years. After returning from Israel and seeing the threats Israelis face every day, I know we must do everything possible to make sure our friendship with Israel is maintained and strengthened.

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