On the recordJuly 30, 2014
I appreciate it. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 107. This resolution denounces the cowardly act of using civilians--women and children--as human shields by Hamas and any other terrorist organization, which is in violation of international humanitarian law. As a member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, I was proud to have worked with Congresswoman Ros- Lehtinen, Chairman Royce, and Ranking Member Engel. It is my hope that this resolution sends a very clear message to Hamas that their abhorrent practice of using civilians as human shields must stop. Hamas has continued to fire rockets indiscriminately into Israel from residential areas within Gaza, as well as having continued to store munitions near schools and hospitals. Mr. Speaker, what kind of human does this kind of thing? It is a coward. It is a person who does not value human life. Since June of 2014, over 2,000 rockets have been fired at Israel. In response to the repeated rocket attacks, the United States and Israel have worked together on missile defense projects, such as the Iron Dome. The Iron Dome is an effective missile defense system. It has proven its worth time after time, intercepting dozens of Hamas rockets bound for densely-populated areas within Israel. This resolution must pass in order to assure our Israeli allies of our commitment to them, as well as to send a very clear message to Hamas that their use of human shields must stop.
