Nita Lowey: “Let there be no doubt in anyone's mind: Israel has the right to defend herself and the responsibility to protect her…”

“Let there be no doubt in anyone's mind: Israel has the right to defend herself and the responsibility to protect her citizens from Hamas, which denies Israel's right to exist and rains rockets down on its citizens. While Israel reviews the flotilla incident and considers the best way to implement the Gaza blockade, we must not forget that failure to prevent weapons and other illicit materials from reaching Hamas would be a dereliction of Israel's most basic responsibility to its people. I stand firmly in support of Israel's right to self-defense, and I am committed to maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge so she can continue to defend her citizens. As the blame-Israel-first crowd continues to attack our democratic ally, Israel, over a host of challenges in the Middle East, I am reminded of a simple yet powerful concept: 'Words matter.' The inflammatory rhetoric surrounding events in the Middle East in recent weeks and months only begets more hostility and discourages efforts towards a lasting peace agreement which the people of Israel, the people of the West Bank, and the people of Gaza deserve; and these words can incite those encouraging violence against Israel.”