Mike Pence: “I rise today after a harrowing set of days, explosions, fire, innocent civilians running in panic through the streets…”

“I rise today after a harrowing set of days, explosions, fire, innocent civilians running in panic through the streets; and I do not refer to life in America, New York City, or in the environs of the Pentagon on September 11; but I speak of Jerusalem and Israel. I speak of a nation that in the last week and past several days has grievously lost husbands and fathers, wives and mothers, sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters to the scourge of political terror. I rise today humbly to speak of Israel and of the precious relationship that does and must continue to exist between the Government of the United States and the government of that great and historic people. As an American, a Christian, and a Hoosier, it is my firm belief now more than ever that it is my duty to insist that the United States of America never waver in protecting and defending the interests of the State of Israel in its battle for survival in this dangerous part of the world, and in its efforts now to open up, as the President's press secretary spoke yesterday, of the second front of the war on terrorism.”