[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 83 (Thursday, May 13, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H2300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       AMERICA STANDS WITH ISRAEL

  (Mr. COSTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in light of the recent rocket 
attacks launched by Hamas against our close friend and ally, Israel. 
Those of us who have visited Israel many times know that Israelis like 
to say that they live in a tough neighborhood. It is a volatile region 
with hostile neighbors.
  Israeli citizens and children live under the shadow of an everlasting 
threat of rocket attacks, suicide bombings, and looming violence. 
Israel is really the only true democracy in the region, and they have a 
right to defend themselves from attacks, and they must. These attacks 
over the last weeks are just the most recent examples. They mark the 
worst escalation of the conflict since 2014 resulting in the deaths of 
over 70 people.
  As Hamas' incessant rocket barrages continue, more civilian lives are 
put at risk, including innocent Palestinians. They also further 
endanger any possibility of peace. That is their goal.
  As a key ally in the region and a longtime friend of the United 
States, we must support Israel's right to defend itself and deescalate 
the violence and use our influence to do whatever we can to support our 
friend.

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