[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL

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                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 2010

  Mr. ANDREWS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to strongly support the 
right of Israel to act in self-defense, which requires the inspection 
of cargo going into area controlled by the terrorist organization Hamas 
surrounding the Gaza territory. The inspections are vital because Hamas 
has smuggled in thousands of rockets to attack and terrorize Israeli 
civilians. Hamas has clearly stated its goal is the destruction of the 
State of Israel and the leaders of the Gaza flotilla, particularly 
those on the Mavi Marmara, set out to intentionally use force to 
confront the blockade. If the blockade were to be broken, it would be 
impossible to tell which vessels were carrying humanitarian supplies 
and which were carrying deadly rockets.
  As a sovereign nation, Israel has the right to protect its people 
from the threat of terrorism. Israel warned the boats that they were in 
violation of a lawful blockade and offered them an alternative where 
the humanitarian aid would be off-loaded and delivered to Gaza. The 
flotilla, however, insisted on attempting to circumvent the blockade 
because their primary motivation was confrontation.
  Israel is a long-standing democratic ally of the United States. We 
must stand with Israel and defend their right to defend the Israeli 
people.

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