[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 9, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H4303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I want to talk tonight about, 
obviously, some of the issues that are on everybody's minds as to what 
happened last week with Israel.
  This was a premeditated attack. It was intended to provoke a response 
and to purposely initiate a violent confrontation. We know that those 
on the flotilla had terrorist ties to Hamas and to Iran and that Israel 
warned the boats that they were in violation of a lawful blockade and 
offered them safe harbor, where all the humanitarian aid would be off-
loaded and delivered to Gaza.
  It is striking how quickly the world looked to blame Israel for this 
incident, but as the details have emerged, it has become clear that the 
Israeli military attempted to resolve the situation peacefully and in 
accordance with international law.
  I fully support Israel and their right to keep its people safe. It is 
my sincere hope that this incident will not deter our country and the 
international community from the need to continue to support Israel, to 
recognize its right to exist, and to take the steps required to advance 
the peace process.
  Israel is a longstanding ally and friend of the United States, and we 
should continue to do whatever we can to support Israel and to ensure 
that international challenges to its security are resolved quickly and 
peacefully.
  These Israeli servicemembers were beaten and stabbed while trying to 
escort the ship to port. Those on board the ship were trying to help a 
recognized terrorist group, Hamas, and Iran has offered to escort 
future flotillas.
  Iran is a threat, not just to the United States or to Israel, but to 
the world. It is a real threat against global safety. We cannot just 
sit and watch Iran stir this pot up anymore. Iran has vowed to 
eliminate Israel. We as the United States should stay together to make 
sure that Israel, the true democracy in the Middle East, has that 
opportunity to protect its land.
  Mr. Speaker, it is always a terrible thing when there is loss of 
life, but it is more terrible when other democracies start to condemn 
another democracy. Israel has the right to protect itself and its 
citizens. We in the United States would have done the same thing. We in 
the United States have come back to protect our citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, the June 1, 2010, incident involving a Turkish-sponsored 
flotilla and the Israeli Defense Forces was a premeditated attack, 
intended to provoke a response and purposely initiate a violent 
confrontation. We know that those on the flotilla had terrorist ties to 
Hamas and to Iran and that Israel warned the boats that they were in 
violation of a lawful blockade and offered them safe harbor, where all 
humanitarian aid would be off-loaded and delivered to Gaza. It is 
striking how quick the world looked to blame Israel for this incident 
but as the details have emerged, it has become clear that the Israeli 
military attempted to resolve the situation peacefully and in 
accordance with international law.
  I fully support Israel and their right to keep its people safe. It is 
my sincere hope that this incident will not deter our country and the 
international community from the need to continue to support Israel, 
recognize its right to exist, and take the steps required to advance 
the peace process. Israel is a longstanding ally and friend of the 
United States and we should continue to do whatever we can to support 
Israel and ensure that intentional challenges to its security are 
resolved quickly and peacefully.
  These Israeli service members were beaten and stabbed while just 
trying to escort the ship to port. Those on board the ship were trying 
to help a recognized terrorist group, Hamas. And Iran has offered to 
escort future flotillas. Iran is a threat not just to the United States 
or Israel but the world and is a real threat against global safety. We 
cannot just sit and watch Iran.

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