A bipartisan Senate resolution in support of Israel has been announced. The sponsors include Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey), Kelly Ayotte (R-New Hampshire), and Chuck Schumer (D-New York).
The resolution, “Reaffirms the United States’ support for Israel’s right to defend its citizens and ensure the survival of the State of Israel;
· Calls on Hamas to immediately cease all rocket and other attacks against Israel; and
Calls on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to dissolve the unity governing arrangement with Hamas and condemn the attacks on Israel.
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In a press release the senators state:
“Israel has a right to self-defense in the face of indiscriminate violence and vicious attacks against civilian populations,” said Senator Robert Menendez. “It is an appalling but often-used tactic by Hamas to launch rockets indiscriminately at Israeli population centers. Nobody should be surprised that a terrorist organization is once again resorting to terror to harm innocent Israelis, and exposing Palestinian civilians to danger while doing so. Hamas is a terrorist organization that rejects a two-state solution and celebrates the kidnapping and murder of innocent civilians; it cannot be a partner in a Palestinian unity government.”
“Israel is our closest and most reliable ally in the Middle East, and we stand with Israel and their right to defend themselves against terrorist organizations that deliberately target civilians,” said Senator Ayotte.
“Israel is entitled to take the steps necessary to protect itself from destructive rocket attacks from Hamas that are aimed at all Israeli civilians, regardless of their religion,”said Senator Schumer. “This resolution supports Israel as it protects itself in a manner that values the safety of Palestinian civilians even as its own civilians face indiscriminate attacks from terrorists. It is time for Mahmoud Abbas to do the right thing and break ties with Hamas.”
