[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 149 (Tuesday, November 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN SUPPORT OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. TOM MARINO

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2012

  Mr. MARINO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the nation 
of Israel, and ask my colleagues to join me in condemning the terrorist 
attacks against the Israeli people from the Palestinian Hamas in the 
Gaza Strip.
  As Hamas militants continue to target its assault against innocent 
Israeli civilians, Israel will continue its efforts to defend her 
people. No nation should be forced to subject itself to such violence 
and destruction, nor should its people be forced to live in fear. Just 
as the United States would not stand idly by if such horrific attacks 
were waged against Americans, I support Prime Minister Netanyahu's acts 
of self-defense.
  It is equally concerning that Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has 
moved away from Egypt's traditional role as a mediator between 
Palestine and Israel, and has publically supported the actions of 
Hamas, which is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, to which 
President Morsi belongs. That is why I strongly urge President Obama 
and Secretary Clinton to use the strongest forms of diplomacy to 
support our ally Israel, and work with Israelis and Palestinians to end 
this violence.
  In less than three days, Hamas militants have fired an estimated 550 
missiles into Israel. Israel's justified response has debilitated 
Hamas's rocket-firing facilities and has significantly reduced their 
strategic capabilities.
  To date, three Israeli civilians have been killed, along with twenty 
Palestinian militants and civilians. Israel ended its military and 
civilian presence in Gaza in 2005, attempting to end further conflict 
in the area, but Hamas militants continue to provoke armed conflict 
against Israel.
  My thoughts and prayers are with the nation of Israel as they 
withstand and defend against these heinous attacks. I hope that this 
conflict soon ends and firm groundwork is established to solidify a 
long-term, mutually agreed upon peace agreement between Israel and 
Palestine.

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