Washington, DC - Congressman Gene Green (D-TX) delivered the following statement on the floor of the House of Representatives in support of the Resolution for the Support of Israel.

 

“Throughout its history, Israel has had to defend itself from groups that want to wipe it off the map in the region and on its borders.  The recent attacks, murders and seizure of soldiers by Hezbollah and Hamas are no different, and this House must affirm its commitment to Israel and stand behind that nation’s right to defend itself.

 

“Less than three weeks after the June 25 abduction of Corporal Gilad Shalit by Hamas in undisputed Israeli territory, Hezbollah opened a second front against Israel by attacking, killing and abducting more Israeli soldiers in northern Israel.

 

“Israel’s response was no different than the U.S. response would have been if someone had attacked U.S. forces across our border.  Israel completely withdrew from southern Lebanon in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 425. 

 

“Despite this move to facilitate the peace process in the region, and despite UN Security Council Resolution 1559 -- which required Lebanon to take control of this region and to disarm and disband any militias in the country -- Lebanon allowed Hezbollah to operate in southern Lebanon, and receive material and funding from Iran and Syria

 

“Hezbollah launched four separate attacks this year against Israel.

 

“Israel has now been forced to defend itself from these terrorist groups to protect its borders and its people which have been targeted by Hezbollah rockets.  Unlike Israel, which has carefully targeted Hezbollah members who hide and operate among the civilian populations, Hezbollah has indiscriminately fired rockets at northern Israeli civilian populations in cities like Haifa, Nazareth, and Nahariya. 

 

“These attacks by the terrorist groups Hezbollah and Hamas on Israel’s borders, military, and civilian population have forced Israel to respond.  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution reaffirming our support for Israel’s right to defend itself.”

 

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