David Weldon: “last month Israel was provoked when Hamas terrorists kidnapped Corporal Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier manning a check…”

“last month Israel was provoked when Hamas terrorists kidnapped Corporal Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier manning a check point. This was an unprovoked act of terror, an act of war against Israel by Hamas, which also controls the Palestinian Authority government. As long as Hamas embraces terrorism and refuses to acknowledge the right of Israel to exist, terrorists will persist in the Palestinian land. Earlier this week, Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers in northern Israel. Israel has responded in an effort to rescue these soldiers and diminish the possibility of Hezbollah to launch missiles into Israeli population centers. I rise to express support for our ally Israel as it deals with yet more terrorist acts. The kidnapping of the Israeli soldiers can certainly be considered a provocation of war. Unfortunately, Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip has not led to a positive transformation of Palestinian politics or more security for the Israeli people. We need to support Israel in this difficult time. ____________________”