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“An Assault, Cloaked in Peace”
Posted by Randy | June 11, 2010
I want to share with you remarks that I submitted for the Congressional Record in response to Israel’s blockade of the Gaza strip. Michael Oren, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, has called the blockade “an assault, cloaked in peace.” You can read Oren’s articles and more about the blockade here.

My remarks in the Congressional Record express my steadfast support for the steps Israel has taken to ensure the peace and security of their nation:

Mr. Speaker, over the past week and a half, in response to the regrettable loss of lives off the coast of Gaza, there has been much controversy and speculation over Israel's right to self defense.  Yet we are reminded again of the situation Israeli families face every single day.

Imagine two young parents living each day going through their mental check list of how to protect their children.  Is the path to the shelter clear?  Do they know each other’s schedules so they can find them if there is a missile strike?  Do the schools have their emergency numbers?  Have they taught the kids enough to react quickly in the event of a strike, but not too much to scare them?

While the kids are at school they worry about hearing sirens of an imminent attack from a neighboring territory and are always worried that it will come when they can’t physically protect their children.

When this happened in America in the early 60’s these were my parent’s fears.  But with all of these fears they knew that the United States would do what was necessary to protect our families and our country.  It would prevent the weapons from falling into the hands of people who wanted to destroy our way of life. 

Like the United States during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Israelis have blockaded the source of the threat to their homeland.

America was able to protect itself and we must ensure that Israel has the ability to do the same.

I was also happy to join with 78 of my colleagues this week in sending a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing our support for the steps he has taken for Israel. You can read a copy of that letter here.
Comments
The opinions expressed below are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent those of this office.
  • Elizabeth Curran commented on 6/11/2010
    I support Isreal's right to defend themselves as well as the United States of America to defend itself!
  • Marianne Lordi commented on 6/11/2010
    Congressman Forbes, I applaud you for your strength and wisdom to stand up for Israel. While the rest of the world is hearing rhetoric from a liberal press, the truth is that Israel has a right to defend and protect herself from harm and terrroristic efforts to destroy her. Thank you and God bless you for doing what is right!!!!
  • Andrew Boswell commented on 6/12/2010
    Thank you Congressman Forbes, for letting Israel know that we still stand behind them. While our President sides with Hamas lead Gaza, it is important to show our allies in democracy that REAL Americans still support them.
  • Nellie McConnell commented on 6/12/2010
    Thank God someone in Washington can see the light about what is happening in Israel. The ships are loaded with people that are trying too destroy Israel. They are only using the ships too get more guns too the people to wipe out Israel as a State. I am forwarding your web page too my friends. the reviewed God Bless you, Nellie
  • Jack Cannaday commented on 6/12/2010
    I am delighted to see that you , and a few of your colleagues will stand up for Isreal's right to self defence. This administration seems to believe that we have to kiss up to the slime ball countries that want only to kill and destroy all people, and their way of life ,which do not agree with them . We can not continue to be whimpy ( as the Obama adminstration ), and call ourselves a leader in the world. In recent months we have become followers . ( THIS MUST STOP ) We are being led down the garden path as it were. WE MUST, REPEAT, MUST, RETURN TO SOME BASIC VALUES. In GOD We Trust, (not Obama). We can take that phrase off our money and that is bad enough, but if we turn our back on Gods chosen people (Isreal) we are really in trouble. Thanks for the opportunity to voice my opinion. Jack Cannaday
  • Morton (Greg) Hoggard commented on 6/12/2010
    I am very happy to see that some of our goverment elected officals are supporting Israel. I am a Christian by faith and read in my Bible that the land that Israel is protecting was given to them by God. I seriously believe that we as a nation need to keep the Israel nation as close friends and support them in their efforts to protect their country. To not do so will in all probabilty put us out of Gods grace and we could receive Gods wrath. We as a country are in bad enough shape as it is and we need to be praying for our elected leaders who don't understand this to turn around from trying to destroy this country to start fighting for this country. I will get down from my soap box now and thank you for all you do for Virginia in your job in Congress. Keep up the good work
  • John Shroeder commented on 6/13/2010
    May God Bless and prosper you in your work and keep you safe. Virginia very badly needs statesmen with your vision and understanding.
  • JOHN SAMKO commented on 6/13/2010
    Israel is the best friend we ever had. this little nation is only trying to defend itself and we are not giving it any support. Isreal has the best homeland security in the world . It is not going to let a bunch of terrorist backed ships to land in Gaza without inspecting for ROCKETS TO BE USED TO DESTROY HOMES AND LIFE . We let cuba fire 7000 rockets at the U.S. before we did something about it ? I dont think so.
  • John Tilley commented on 6/14/2010
    Mr. Forbes - The living conditions in Ghaza are inhumane as a result of the Israeli policy of blockade and isolation. No doubt there are bad guys amongst the population, but the majority are innocent civilians and children. They are the ones who suffer. You are a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Virginia, not Israel.
  • Duane Brankley commented on 6/15/2010
    It make me Proud to know that you support Israel! That you representing me in Congress. That you and a few others see what is really happening in Israel in the Arab sections of the middle east. It is important to show Israel that there are many that support them and know the truth! Thank You!
  • Tom Frost commented on 6/15/2010
    I want to thank you for the support for Israel to be cautious about their borders and able to defend themselves. After seeing the footage of the attack I do not believe that the ships were their to send aid.
  • Tungsten Bands commented on 7/26/2010
    I applaud you for your strength and wisdom to stand up for Israel.http://www.tocoy.net
  • Israeli Tour guide commented on 8/6/2010
    America is isreal's ally and Israel is proud of the results that the collaborations among both nations have achieved. thank you for your support and for this post. Ami, http://www.amiweiss.com
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