Three Major Crises

Floor Speech

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Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, a tragedy is going on in Israel. Over 4,000 rockets have been shot from Gaza and a handful from Lebanon. Twelve Israelis and about 200 Gazans have died. This is entirely unprovoked on Israel's part. It may have something to do with a future election on the West Bank. Iran is showing support for Hamas and is giving them financial aid, so they are partly responsible.

Gaza, of course, could be a liveable, modern country. It used to be a vacation destination. And prior to 2005, when Israel turned it over, there were greenhouses for an agriculture sector. It is their own fault by collectively electing a government which not only declares a unilateral war, but chooses residential and commercial facilities as military locations, guaranteeing deaths of civilians, including children.

Israel is a strong country, and, of course, they will not be defeated militarily. There is a danger, however. As explained by James Burnham in his book, ``Suicide of the West''--now over 50 years old--a decadent West may blame themselves for the corruption and lack of caring for human life in Gaza.

Some Members of this body are already doing this.

The United States and Israel must not shirk from our responsibilities as moral leaders of the world. We support Israel in defending themselves from the attacks of the morally bankrupt government in Gaza. We encourage them to continue this fight for as long as necessary to make sure their citizens are not at risk in the future.

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