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PENCE: ISRAEL WILL PREVAIL AGAIN
“In these dire circumstances, we must stand with Israel as she defends herself”

"We and all the freedom-loving nations of the world must stand with Israel and condemn the violence that’s been perpetrated against her people," Congressman Pence said from the floor of the U.S. House Related Documents PENCE FLOOR SPEECH ON GAZA

Washington, Jan 9 - Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN), chairman of the House Republican Conference, gave the following speech from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of Israel’s right to defend itself from the attacks from Gaza.

“For millennia, Israel was a dream. In 1948 it became a reality. But in recent days the periphery of Gaza has become a nightmare for Israeli men, women and children. I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 34, a bipartisan measure which recognizes Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza and reaffirms the United States’ strong support for our partner. And time is of the essence.

“This very morning, Hamas continues to fire rockets into Israel despite the United Nations ceasefire resolution passed last night. Israel has a right and a duty to defend her people against the attacks of a terrorist group that victimizes the people of Gaza and Israelis on her border. In the face of these evil acts no nation could tolerate, I commend Israel for working to minimize civilian casualties.

“In these dire circumstances, we must stand with Israel as she defends herself, we must show the resolve of our relationship as peaceful democracies, and we must show the resolve of a relationship born of the intimate and deepest held values of both of our people, for the history of Israel is a history of struggle.

“Over sixty years ago, the state of Israel, under the leadership of a small band of courageous Zionists, declared independence in its ancient homeland. It was promptly recognized by the United States and it was promptly attacked by its Arab neighbors.

“The more things change, the more they seem to stay the same.

“Israel prevailed against the long odds then, again in 1967, again in 1973 and countless other times and Israel will prevail again today. But she will not do so alone.

“We and all the freedom-loving nations of the world must stand with Israel and condemn the violence that’s been perpetrated against her people. We cannot stand idly by while a gathering menace grows in the region, and a menace perpetrates such acts of evil against our cherished allies.

“We must come together to rededicate ourselves to the preservation and the protection of Israel as a Jewish state and to Jerusalem as her eternal capital.

“I commend all of my colleagues for bringing this timely resolution to the floor.”