Susan Davis: “I rise today in support of Israel's right to self-defense and a broader U.S. diplomatic role in the Middle East. The…”

“I rise today in support of Israel's right to self-defense and a broader U.S. diplomatic role in the Middle East. The Israeli government has a right and a responsibility to defend Israeli citizens, and we have an obligation to support our ally in times of crisis. But this body also has an obligation to advance the dialogue beyond the conflict of today toward how we can achieve a stable peace in the future. This conflict shows that the United States cannot manage the situation from the sidelines. This approach only serves Iran and radical elements in the region. Rather, we must maintain a high diplomatic presence that allows responsible parties to capture every opportunity for peace. I believe that the new administration and the new Congress represent an opportunity to regain our position as an honest broker in the region. For this to happen, the tone coming from Washington must be in sharp contrast to the last 8 years. Congress helped set that tone, which is where I hope my colleagues will use this tragedy as an opportunity to call for an end to this conflict and a broader, American, diplomatic presence in the region.”