Shelley Berkley: “I rise today in strong and unwavering support of Israel, this Nation's strongest ally and the only democracy in the…”

“I rise today in strong and unwavering support of Israel, this Nation's strongest ally and the only democracy in the Middle East. The first duty of any Nation is to protect its citizens. Israel is in a fight for its very survival. It longs for peace. It has no partner for peace. Out of desperation, Israel has been forced to identify those who are planning and coordinating terrorist attacks against its citizens, against innocent women and children. And because Arafat will not end the terrorism, will not rein in the terrorists, Israel has been forced to act. Over the past three decades, Sheik Yassin has led the terrorist group Hamas as it launched one bloody attack after another. Hundreds of Israelis are dead, over three dozen Americans are dead, and over 2,000 innocent people have sustained wounds that they will never recover from. These facts are not in dispute. It is time for the double standard to end. Israel's action against Yassin is no different from America's hunt to destroy Osama bin Laden. We are halfway around the world searching for the man who masterminded the 9/11 attack on our Nation. The world will rejoice when Osama bin Laden is gone. Israel suffers the same on almost a daily basis. Let us not confuse the perpetrators of terrorism with the victims. Israel's actions are appropriate, justifiable and their duty, safeguarding innocent lives, has been done.”