Defending Israel!

Contact: Josh Block (202) 997-4614
AIPAC URGES CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO SELF DEFENSE

AIPAC urges Congress and the Administration to stand firmly with Israel as it strives to defend itself against a renewed assault by Hamas terrorists.

"AIPAC is outraged that the U.N. Security Council failed to recognize Israel's right to self-defense in its statement on Sunday, a right enshrined in the U.N.'s founding charter," said AIPAC President David Victor. "Moving forward, we urge the administration to stand with Israel at the United Nations as it acts to defend itself in the face of continued violence from Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. It is important that we never equate Israeli defensive measures with Hamas terrorism."

"We applaud the bipartisan coalition of American leaders who have stood up in support of Israel's right to defend its citizens, a clear sign of the strong ties between the United States and Israel," Victor added.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was one of the first members of Congress to speak out in support of the Jewish state's right to protect its citizens: "...when Israel is attacked, the United States must continue to stand strongly with its friend and democratic ally." House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) rebuked Hamas for its continued attacks and said the terrorist group "has once again demonstrated its willingness to murder innocent Israelis and Palestinian civilians to achieve their political goals."

In addition, David Axelrod, senior advisor to President-elect Barack Obama, reiterated statements made by the then-senator during a July visit to Sderot, that Israel has a right to defend itself and "when bombs are ... raining down on your citizens, it is—it's obviously unacceptable."

Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005 in an effort to reduce violence and lay the groundwork for a future Palestinian state. Since then, the Iranian-backed Hamas has wrested control of the territory from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in a violent coup, kidnapped an Israeli soldier in a cross-border raid and has overseen a major military buildup, acquiring weapons that now threaten a quarter-million Israelis.

Since Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, Palestinian terrorists have fired more than 6,300 rockets and mortars at the Jewish state, killing a dozen Israelis and wounding countless others. Even after an Egyptian-brokered "period of calm" was put in place between Israel and Hamas, rocket fire continued. In recent weeks alone, Hamas has fired some 600 rockets and mortars at Israeli civilians—as many as 80 in a single day—destroying Israeli homes and infrastructure, and claiming three Israeli lives.
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Among the strong congressional statements of support for Israel are the following:

"I strongly support Israel's right to defend its citizens against rocket and mortar attacks from Hamas-controlled Gaza, which have killed and injured Israeli citizens, and to restore security to its residents." Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), December 29, 2008

"When Israel is attacked, the United States must continue to stand strongly with its friend and democratic ally." Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), December 27, 2008

"Israel is acting in clear self-defense in response to heinous rocket attacks from Hamas-controlled Gaza." House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), December 29, 2008

"The Israelis have proven time and time again their willingness to work with their neighbors for peace. Despite their best efforts, the Israelis have been forced to respond to terrorism with justifiable and understandable force to ensure their security." House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), December 28, 2008

"Israel has a right, indeed a duty, to defend itself in response to the hundreds of rockets and mortars fired from Gaza over the past week. No government in the world would sit by and allow its citizens to be subjected to this kind of indiscriminate bombardment." Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee, December 27, 2008

"We stand with the Jewish State of Israel in its ongoing efforts to protect its citizens from those who seek its destruction." Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Member of House Foreign Affairs Committee, December 28, 2008

"It is regrettable that in response to Hamas' refusal to negotiate with Israel and continue its ceasefire, Israel was forced into this situation. Hamas has chosen war over peace. Israel has but no other choice to respond and protect its citizens." Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Co-Chair of Congressional Democratic Israel Working Group, December 29, 2008

"Israel has taken actions to defend itself and its people in an effort to restore security in the region." Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, December 29, 2008

"Hamas is abusing the people of Gaza by using their homes as a base for terror operations. The world should no longer tolerate a terrorist government in the Gaza Strip." Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Member of Senate Appropriations Committee, December 29, 2008

"[Israel] is very much like we are and, if we turn our back on Israel, I believe that the equation will be so bad for America, so bad for the world, that we simply don't understand." Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ), Member of House Armed Services Committee, December 28, 2008

"As a sovereign nation, it is clearly within Israel's rights to act in its own self-defense against all terrorist actions." Rep. John McHugh (R-NY), December 29, 2008