[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 87 (Thursday, June 10, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1073-E1074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE ISRAEL BLOCKADE AND THE FLOTILLA

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                               speech of

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 2010

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, Israel has the right and the 
duty to defend itself and its citizens. Part of its defense includes 
seeking to inspect ships run by Islamist extremist groups. These 
extremists were seeking to enter Hamas-controlled Gaza despite repeated 
requests from the Israeli government not to do so.
  I am very concerned by these recent events that have occurred in the 
Mediterranean Sea. As we now know, on Monday, May 31, the Israel 
Defense Forces intercepted six ships, known as the ``Free Gaza'' 
flotilla. We have learned that this flotilla attempted to break 
Israel's blockade of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Although many 
have said that its primary aim was to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, 
it seems apparent that its main objective was to provoke Israel and 
disrupt the blockade. More than a million tons of humanitarian aid and 
medical supplies have entered

[[Page E1074]]

Gaza through the Port of Ashod and other already established routes. 
The blockade was set in place to prevent weapons from being smuggled 
into Gaza. Although I am deeply saddened by the loss of human life that 
occurred during the interception of the flotilla, I do feel that the 
Israeli soldiers had every right to defend their lives against a 
hostile group who attacked them with clubs and knives.
  The United States must stand by Israel and its right to self defense.

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