Ron Paul's statement on H Res 34, Recognizing Israel's right to defend itself....

[ThoughtCriminal]

Statement of Congressman Ron Paul

United States House of Representatives


Statement on H Res 34, Recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, Reaffirming the United States strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process

January 9, 2008

Madame Speaker, I strongly oppose H. Res. 34, which was rushed to the floor with almost no prior notice and without consideration by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The resolution clearly takes one side in a conflict that has nothing to do with the United States or US interests. I am concerned that the weapons currently being used by Israel against the Palestinians in Gaza are made in America and paid for by American taxpayers. What will adopting this resolution do to the perception of the United States in the Muslim and Arab world? What kind of blowback might we see from this? What moral responsibility do we have for the violence in Israel and Gaza after having provided so much military support to one side?

As an opponent of all violence, I am appalled by the practice of lobbing homemade rockets into Israel from Gaza. I am only grateful that, because of the primitive nature of these weapons, there have been so few casualties among innocent Israelis. But I am also appalled by the longstanding Israeli blockade of Gaza -- a cruel act of war -- and the tremendous loss of life that has resulted from the latest Israeli attack that started last month.

There are now an estimated 700 dead Palestinians, most of whom are civilians. Many innocent children are among the dead. While the shooting of rockets into Israel is inexcusable, the violent actions of some people in Gaza does not justify killing Palestinians on this scale. Such collective punishment is immoral. At the very least, the US Congress should not be loudly proclaiming its support for the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza.

Madame Speaker, this resolution will do nothing to reduce the fighting and bloodshed in the Middle East. The resolution in fact will lead the US to become further involved in this conflict, promising “vigorous support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.” Is it really in the interest of the United States to guarantee the survival of any foreign country? I believe it would be better to focus on the security and survival of the United States, the Constitution of which my colleagues and I swore to defend just this week at the beginning of the 111th Congress. I urge my colleagues to reject this resolution.


(As usual, Dr. Paul was the lone voice and vote of dissent on this resolution)

[H.E. Pennypacker]

I agree with his premise, but I wholly disagree with this sentence: "While the shooting of rockets into Israel is inexcusable, the violent actions of some people in Gaza does not justify killing Palestinians on this scale."

Long story short - let other countries defend themselves!

[ThoughtCriminal]

Video of Dr. Paul speaking on the house floor about the Israeli/Gaza conflict, different from the above text and AWESOME!!

[JoeWilliams]

Ron Paul, and any who agree with him on this issue, is an anti-Semite and terrorist sympathizer. Pure and simple.

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Ron Paul, and any who agree with him on this issue, is an anti-Semite and terrorist sympathizer. Pure and simple.

I'd laugh, but I don't think that's supposed to be a joke.

[ThoughtCriminal]

Ron Paul, and any who agree with him on this issue, is an anti-Semite and terrorist sympathizer. Pure and simple.

Thought it would've taken you a little longer to get that out there.....but you never fail to disappoint.

[JoeWilliams]

Thought it would've taken you a little longer to get that out there.....but you never fail to disappoint.

Given what I just said about those of you who agree with Ron Paul on this issue, what makes you think I care what your kind thinks?

Perhaps Ron Paul and those who agree with him that Isreal doesn't have the right to defend itself against those whose stated goal is the destruction of the Jews should join your Palestinian friends in their protests here in the US... you know, the ones who have been calling for the Jews to get back in the ovens.

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Given what I just said about those of you who agree with Ron Paul on this issue, what makes you think I care what your kind thinks?

Perhaps Ron Paul and those who agree with him that Isreal doesn't have the right to defend itself against those whose stated goal is the destruction of the Jews should join your Palestinian friends in their protests here in the US... you know, the ones who have been calling for the Jews to get back in the ovens.

I think you need to listen to what he said and not what you want to believe. His vote against this "resolution" isn't because he thinks Israel should not be able to defend itself, it's because he thinks the USA shouldn't pick and choose sides and fight proxy wars on the other side of the planet...especially when our nation, internally, is as messed up as it is.

[JoeWilliams]

I think you need to listen to what he said and not what you want to believe. His vote against this "resolution" isn't because he thinks Israel should not be able to defend itself, it's because he thinks the USA shouldn't pick and choose sides and fight proxy wars on the other side of the planet...especially when our nation, internally, is as messed up as it is.

I read and listened to what he said. His statements are nothing less than condemnations of the actions Isreal has had to take to defend itself against ongoing terrorist attacks.

He, and those who agree with him on this issue, ARE taking sides. They have chose to side with Hamas, anti-Semites and terrorists. Just like Ron Paul and those who agree with him on this issue. To say otherwise is utterly dishonest. But terrorists and those who sympathize with them aren't much worried about their intregity anyway.

[ThoughtCriminal]

"[America] goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. She will commend the general cause by the countenance of her voice, and the benignant sympathy of her example. She well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the power of extrication, in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy, and ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standard of freedom."

-John Quincy Adams