Requesting Report On Anti-American Incitement To Violence In The Middle East

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2278.

I want to thank the gentleman from California, of course my good friend from Florida, and also the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).

My legislation will direct the President to transmit to Congress a report on anti-American incitement to violence in the Middle East. This nefarious activity is escalating in quality and quantity and is fueled by the rapid growth of satellite television throughout the Arab world.

In 2008, al-Manar TV, which is run by Hezbollah, broadcast over two dozen video clips of insurgents' bombings against U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq. Further, Iranian state-controlled TV channels, such as al-Rafidayn, repeatedly broadcast calls for ``death to America.'' Al-Aqsa TV, an arm of Hamas, broadcast a puppet show depicting an Arab child stabbing the President of the United States.

Instead of denouncing such incitement, many countries in the region provide financial, material, and technological support to the purveyors of incitement. Al-Manar and al-Aqsa, among others, are transmitted on the satellite providers Nilesat, which is controlled by the Egyptian Government, and Arabsat, which is controlled by the Arab League. Given the dangers such incitement poses to American soldiers and civilians in the region and at home, it is long past time for the U.S. and other responsible nations to stop this growing threat. The passage of H.R. 2278 is therefore critical.

This legislation seeks to designate, under Executive Order 13224, specially designated global terrorist satellite providers which knowingly engage in contracts with entities already designated as specially designated global terrorists.

This bill would also make it the policy of the U.S. to urge all governments and private investors who own shares in satellite companies to oppose transmissions of telecasts by any station that openly incites its audience to commit acts of terrorism or violence against the United States and its citizens.

This bill requires the President to transmit a report to Congress that must include a country-by-country list and description of media outlets that engage in anti-American incitement to violence in the Middle East and a list of satellite companies which carry such media.

Most importantly, it must be the policy of the United States, in crafting its foreign policy, to consider the state sponsorship of anti-American incitement to violence when determining the level of assistance to and frequency in nature of relations with regional states.

Finally, Madam Speaker, the broadcast of incitement to violence against Americans in our country on television channels and on other media that are accessible in the U.S. may increase the risk of the radicalization and recruitment of individuals into foreign terrorist organizations that seek to carry out acts of violence against American targets on American soil. This is a concerning trend that must be halted.

Madam Speaker, I urge the passage of this very important measure, which I hope will improve our national security and the safety of our soldiers and citizens overseas.

Again, I thank the gentleman from California and the gentlewoman from Florida. I appreciate it very much.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source