Israel's Right to Defend Itself

Floor Speech

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Mr. DAINES. I want to thank the gentleman from Utah for putting together this Special Order. I also want to thank you, Congressman Stewart, for your service to our country. As a B-1 bomber pilot, you in fact hold the record for the fastest nonstop flight around the world. Thank you for your service to our country, Chris.

As our closest ally, Israel's security is critical not only for the future of Israeli people, but also for the security of the United States. Both of our nations were founded by those seeking political and religious freedom.

Israel is the beacon of democracy in the Middle East. Our continued support for Israel is crucial to bringing peace, stability, and security to this most important region of the world.

Daily rocket fire from Gaza is one of the many threats facing the Israeli people. I was in Israel last year. As I stood at the border with Syria, I could hear mortar and rocket fire in the distance.

Since its founding in 1948, Israel has faced a number of existential threats from all sides, including invasion by its neighbors and terrorism from radical groups operating within Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.

This past March, representatives from Montana's Crow Tribe presented a formal resolution to Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer in my office here in Washington. The resolution from the Crow Legislature to the Israeli people affirmed their support of Israel's right to exist and recognized their shared challenges of maintaining political and territorial independence and a deep connection to their ancestral homelands.

During this meeting in my office with Crow Tribal leaders and Israeli Ambassador Dermer, his cell phone went off. It wasn't a call. It wasn't a text message. It wasn't an email.

It was an app he had on his phone that many Israelis have to warn them of impending rocket attacks. It was a sober realization that each time his phone made that noise, fearful Israeli families had seconds to scramble for their lives.

As the Israeli people remain steadfast in confronting these threats, they deserve our unyielding support now and in the future. America's commitment to Israel must never waver. We must stand with Israel.

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