Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Rooney (FL-16) released the following statement regarding Israel and its recent military operations in Gaza:

"Thousands of Hamas rockets and mortars have indiscriminately targeted Israeli civilians since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. Israel has the unequivocal right and duty to protect her citizens from terrorist attacks.

Israel targets terrorists attacking Israeli civilians, while Hamas hides among civilians and aims to kill as many innocent Israelis as possible. The loss off all civilian life is tragic, but there is simply no moral equivalence between the two sides.

Israel is our greatest ally in the Middle East and I fully support Israel’s right to defend herself against those who seek to destroy her."