House Resolution Commending Israel's Withdrawal from
Lebanon
(May 25, 2000)
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation
September 27, 2000, that calls on the president not to recognize a
unilaterally declared Palestinian state. The bill also will cut off
all aid except humanitarian and counterterrorisim to the Palestinians
should they unilaterally declare independence.
H.Res.331
Whereas Israel has been actively seeking a comprehensive
peace with all of her neighbors to bring about an end to the Arab-Israeli
conflict;
Whereas southern Lebanon has for decades been the staging
area for attacks against Israeli cities and towns by Hezbollah and by
Palestinian terrorists, resulting in the death or wounding of hundreds
of Israeli civilians;
Whereas United
Nations Security Council Resolution 425 (March 19, 1978) calls upon
Israel to withdraw its forces from all Lebanese territory;
Whereas the Government of Israel unanimously agreed
to implement Security Council Resolution 425 and has stated its intention
of redeploying its forces to the international border by July 7, 2000;
Whereas Security Council Resolution 425 also calls
for `strict respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political
independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries'
and establishes a United Nations interim force to help restore Lebanese
sovereignty; and
Whereas the Government of Syria currently deploys 30,000
Syrian troops in Lebanon: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House
of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress
(1) commends Israel for its decision to withdraw
its forces from southern Lebanon and for taking risks for peace in
the Middle East;
(2) calls upon the United Nations Security Council
(A) to recognize Israel's fulfillment of its obligations
under Security Council Resolution 425 and to provide the necessary
resources for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
to implement its mandate under that resolution; and
(B) insist upon the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanese
territory so that Lebanon may exercise sovereignty throughout its
territory;
(3) urges UNIFIL, in cooperation with the Lebanese
Armed Forces, to gain full control over southern Lebanon, including
taking actions to ensure the disarmament of Hezbollah and all other
such groups, in order to eliminate all terrorist activity originating
from that area;
(4) appeals to the Government of Lebanon to grant clemency and assure
the safety and rehabilitation into Lebanese society of all members
of the South Lebanon Army and their families;
(5) calls upon the international community to ensure that southern
Lebanon does not once again become a staging ground for attacks against
Israel and to cooperate in bringing about the reconstruction and reintegration
of southern Lebanon;
(6) recognizes Israel's right, enshrined in Chapter 7, Article 51
of the United Nations Charter, to defend itself and its people from
attack and reasserts United States support for maintaining Israel's
qualitative military edge in order to ensure Israel's long-term security;
and
(7) urges all parties to reenter the peace process with the Government
of Israel in order to bring peace and stability to all the Middle
East.
Sources: Library of Congress |