Israel Justified in Offensive, Rep. Marino Supports Complete Suppression of Gaza Terrorists

FOR IMMIEDIATE RELEASE

July 10, 2014

Israel Justified in Offensive, Rep. Marino Supports Complete Suppression of Gaza Terrorists

Washington D.C.—Congressman Tom Marino, PA-10, Lycoming County issued the following statement regarding Israel’s military offensive to protect its citizenry and the passage of House Resolution 657: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding United States support for the State of Israel as it defends itself against unprovoked rocket attacks from the Hamas terrorist organization.:

“I know without a doubt that my constituents and neighbors in Williamsport would never accept mortars and Katyusha-style rockets reigning down on them from New York or New Jersey; in fact no American would accept it in their community. Israel is a country of about 8 million people and right now 6 million are under threat of a rocket attack, which would be the equivalent of over 200 million American citizens. What would those 200 million Americans expect their government to do to eliminate that threat? Additionally, since Israel turned over control of Gaza to the Palestinians over 9000 rockets have been launched into Israel. Would the US have tolerated 9000 rockets launched at its citizens? Americans must put themselves in Israeli shoes and support their efforts to defend their cities, schools, cafes, bus stops and civilians.

Israel has every right to defend itself from the Hamas terrorists. I fully support every effort Israel takes to hunt down, kill and capture members of Hamas. Furthermore, the United States should stand by Israel in this time of intensity.

Let us not forget the Gaza Strip is controlled entirely by Hamas and Hamas was elected as their government by Gaza residents. Hamas is rightly labeled as a terrorist organization by the U.S. Department of State and has vocally committed itself to the destruction of Israel. There can be no peace with an enemy sworn to your destruction. To make matters worse, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has formed a unity government with Hamas and has accused Israel of genocide for its response to the rocket attacks. That is pure lunacy and I am tired of the talking heads suggesting otherwise!

The U.S. does not negotiate with terrorists and neither should Israel. They should fight these extremists until the rocket attacks cease and their citizens are safe; period. Americans need to hear the truth and quit being misled by the leftist main stream media which have become Palestinian sympathizers. My hope is that Israel suppresses every terrorist activity and goes about securing their nation knowing that I and my colleagues are steadfastly in support of their actions.

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