[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15371]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           SUPPORT OF ISRAEL AND OPERATION PILLAR OF DEFENSE

  (Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in defense of our 
ally, Israel, and her sovereign right to self-defense.
  As we all know, Israel lives in a difficult neighborhood of 
instability, violence, and uncertainty. In the towns of Israel's 
southern border, families have become unacceptably accustomed to 
running for shelter to avoid rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip. But 
nothing could provide preparation or justification for the onslaught of 
missile fire raining down on Israeli towns and cities over the past few 
months, nor the escalated barrage of the last few days.
  Since the beginning of 2012, Hamas has launched more than 900 rockets 
at the State of Israel; 340 of these were in the past few days alone. 
In the face of this brutality, Israel, like any nation, has the right 
and the duty to protect her citizens from unwarranted violence and 
destruction.
  Two days ago, Israel launched Operation Pillar of Defense, a legal, 
proportionate, and surgical strike aimed exclusively at Hamas' missile 
stockpile and terrorist leadership.
  We watch with deep concern for the people of Israel as these events 
continue to unfold, and we remain united in our support of Israel's 
sovereign right to self-defense.
  I am proud that the Iron Dome missile defense system has provided a 
bulwark of support in this tragic and frightening time.
  We mourn the loss of life and send our deepest condolences to the 
families of victims. We reject Hamas' call to violence, pray for the 
most minimal of casualties, and remain ever hopeful for a return to 
common peace.

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