[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 149 (Tuesday, November 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ROCKET ATTACKS ON ISRAEL FROM GAZA

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                          HON. MAZIE K. HIRONO

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2012

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong solidarity with the 
people of Israel and in support of its right, as any sovereign nation, 
to defend its citizens against rocket attacks from Hamas, a terrorist 
organization dedicated to Israel's destruction. The rocket attacks 
launched from the Hamas-controlled Gaza strip earlier this month 
against civilian targets in Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, 
continued a reign of terror that includes over 800 rocket attacks this 
year alone.
  Several years ago, I traveled to Israel. It was clear that the 
constant threat of violence was a harsh reality of everyday life. 
Israel's efforts to eliminate this threat to her people, stop these 
attacks by Hamas, and destroy stockpiles of missiles must be viewed in 
this context. We grieve for the innocent civilians--Israeli and 
Palestinian alike--who have lost their lives in this tragedy. We appeal 
to Hamas to honor the ceasefire it agreed to on November 21, 2012; 
adhere to its terms; and stop storing and using its weapons among a 
civilian population, putting their lives in grave danger.
  We also appeal for peace, and we hope those countries in the region 
that can help end the conflict will continue to work with us to do so. 
Our goal is a world where a Palestinian state and a Jewish state of 
Israel live side by side in peace and security. It can only happen when 
the Palestinian people enforce a peace that stops attacks on Israel, 
keeps their commitments, and acknowledges Israel's right to exist.
  America stands firmly behind our friend and ally Israel; Hamas must 
permanently end its aerial assault against Israeli civilians and its 
allies must cease supplying these weapons of terror.

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