"The unprovoked attacks on innocent Israelis and the killing and abduction of Israeli soldiers by the terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah are dramatic escalations of violence against Israel. The United States must stand by Israel as she defends herself. No government can stand idly by when its citizens and soldiers are attacked and abducted and when terrorist groups make incursions into its territory. These events demonstrate that Hamas’s ascent to power in the Palestinian Authority, and Hezbollah’s participation in the Lebanese government, are dangerous for the stability, not only of Israel, but of the entire region. Hamas and Hezbollah must return the Israeli soldiers they abducted and cease their attacks against Israel.

Israel’s right to exist, and exist in safety, must never be put in question We must also continue to send a very clear message to Syria, Iran and others to join in condemning these attacks and to exercise their influence over Hamas and Hezbollah."

* * *

Americans in Lebanon should register immediately with the U.S. Embassy in Beirut and/or the U.S. State Department.

To register by phone with the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, dial 961-4-543-600.

To register online with the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, go to http://travelregistration.state.gov or email BeirutACS@state.gov.

To reach the U.S. Embassy in Beirut by fax, dial 961-4-544-209.

For more information on the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, go to http://lebanon.usembassy.gov.

To register by phone with the U.S. State Department, dial (888) 407-4747 or (202) 501-4444.

For more information on the U.S. State Department’s travel warnings for Lebanon, go to http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/lebanon_update.html.

###