Luke Messer: “Each of us, as Americans, has a God-given right to defend ourselves. Those rights should apply to all people everywhere…”

“Each of us, as Americans, has a God-given right to defend ourselves. Those rights should apply to all people everywhere, including Israel. I visited Israel last year and saw, firsthand, the life-and-death reality ordinary Israelis face every day. Prime Minister Netanyahu impressed upon us the very real possibility that Israel could cease to exist if it failed to respond forcefully to violence and threats from those that seek its destruction. That is why I rise today to share my support for Israel's efforts to defend itself from the existential threat it faces from Hamas. History has shown that Israel has been America's most steadfast ally in a very dangerous part of the world. Let's pray for peace and for the innocent lives lost on both sides of this conflict. But let's never waver from supporting our friend and ally, Israel, in its fight for freedom. ____________________”