[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10373]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO DEFEND ITS BORDERS

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                        HON. TODD RUSSELL PLATTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 2010

  Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, the loss of life is always regrettable, 
but it is wrong for members of the international community to rush to 
judgment against Israel with respect to the Gaza flotilla incident. 
Israel has a right to protect its borders and defend itself against 
terrorism.
  The terrorist group Hamas is engaged in a war against Israel from 
inside Gaza. Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005 in the 
hopes of furthering peace. Instead, Hamas consolidated its power in 
Gaza and launched thousands of rockets and mortar shells against 
innocent Israeli civilians. Israel's blockade is an act of self-
defense--a necessity to deny Hamas the weaponry it needs to continue in 
its acts of aggression.
  Israel was willing to cooperate in a manner to ensure the flow of 
humanitarian aid to Gaza, as it has in the past. However, organizers of 
the flotilla appeared intent on provoking confrontation. Video has been 
released which indicates Israeli soldiers came under violent attack 
first, before the Israelis switched from using paint guns to using 
pistols in their own apparent self-defense.
  The knee-jerk condemnation of Israel by some in the world community 
obscures two important facts that should never be forgotten: First, 
Israel is a democracy and an ally of the United States with a right to 
protect itself. Second, Hamas is a terrorist group that refuses to 
recognize the right of Israel to peaceably exist. As an investigation 
into the specific facts of the incident proceed, we must ensure that it 
is both balanced and respectful of these underlying facts.

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