Israel and Hamas Conflict
Floor Speech
ISRAEL AND HAMAS CONFLICT -- (House of Representatives - January 07, 2009)
Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about the devastating situation in Gaza.
Each of us in this Chamber knows what it's like to deal with a terrorist attack on our soil and against our people. Over the last several years, the Israeli people have been constantly bombarded by terrorist attacks on their soil and against their people. Since Israel withdrew from Gaza in late 2005, more than 6,000 rocket and mortar attacks from Hamas and other terrorist groups were fired into their territory.
The Government of Israel has a right and a responsibility to defend and protect its people. To stand idly by while hundreds of bombs explode on Israeli territory would have indeed been an irresponsible position for Israel's government to take, and continuing to do nothing could cause long-term detrimental implications to Israel's security in the region.
So Madam Speaker, critics who have said that Israel responded to Hamas in a disproportionate or indiscriminate way are wrong. Madam Speaker, I ask, what amount of force would have been necessary to stop the brutal attacks, to put an end to the terrorists' rocket launching pad in Gaza?
Hamas has repeatedly targeted school yards and hospitals filled with children and civilians in Israel. And the militants have been deliberate in operating from places where Gazan civilians have sought shelter, jeopardizing innocent lives in Gaza. Only Hamas is responsible for the massacre of the people in Gaza. Hamas is responsible for this conflict.
Today marks the 12th day of this conflict, and I think we all hope for a cease-fire to take place soon. However, even if the parties can reach an agreement to a cease-fire, it remains to be seen whether it will be durable.
Therefore, I strongly urge support for Israel's right to self-defense and its efforts to protect itself militarily. I also urge the United Nations and our European allies to do the same.
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