Smith, 337 Members of Congress Express Support for Israel

Press Release

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) this week joined 337 of his colleagues in a bipartisan letter to President Obama to express strong support for Israel's right to defend itself. The letter, authored by Reps. Ted Poe (R-TX) and Gary Peters (D-MI) was signed by 171 Republicans and 67 Democrats.

The letter was sent in response to an incident on May 31 when, after repeated warning, Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla attempting to break through its naval blockade of Gaza. The blockade was instituted to stop terrorists from smuggling weapons into Gaza. Passengers on the ship attacked Israeli soldiers with clubs, metal rods, and iron bars as they attempted to board the ship - a confrontation in which the Israelis used necessary force as an act of self-defense.

"The U.S. should make every effort to thwart international condemnation and focus the international community on the crimes of the Iran-backed Hamas leadership against Israel and the Palestinian people. As Israel faces increased threats, most recently from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps...the United States must continue to stand by Israel, one of our strongest allies," the letter reads.

"The Middle East and specifically Israel play such critical roles in today's world. We owe our strongest ally in the region our support," Smith said.

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