Condemning the Recent Attacks Against the State of Israel

CONDEMNING THE RECENT ATTACKS AGAINST THE STATE OF ISRAEL

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Israel, our ally in the Middle East. I would like to thank Majority Leader BOEHNER and Chairman HYDE for their leadership in bringing this timely resolution to the floor.

Since its inception nearly sixty years ago, Israel has been engaged in a war for its survival. It has conducted that war according to every rule set out by the international community and has always acted with restraint when it comes to civilians. Israel's enemies have not only acted without restraint, they have deliberately targeted civilians in an effort to terrorize the nation.

Israel is now engaged in a new chapter of its war on terror. I fully support Israel's right to defend its citizens by using all means necessary to destroy terrorists and those that support them. However, we must also consider the root cause of today's violence. For nearly thirty years, the government of Iran has been monetarily and militarily supporting Hezbollah around the world. Evidence of Syrian and Iranian complicity in Hezbollah's abduction of two Israeli soldiers last week is abundant.

The scourge of terrorism will never go away until the state sponsors of terrorism have been dealt with decisively. Iran today remains the world's largest state sponsor of terror. Iran's president has repeatedly threatened to bring a rain of fire to Israel and the United States. Imagine what might happen if they get a nuclear weapon to back up those threats. The majority of the Iranian people oppose the theocratic dictators that rule their country. The time has come for the United States to actively support the Iranian people and help them bring about democratic change in their country.

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