Question of the week: Do you think Israel has the inherent right to defend itself from Hamas rocket attacks?
Posted by
Randy
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November 20, 2012
Since last Wednesday, Hamas militants have fired more than 1,000 rockets at Israeli communities, killing three and wounding 79. Several longer-range rockets have struck the outskirts of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, signifying Hamas’ increased capabilities.
In response, Israel launched air strikes targeting Hamas facilities and rocket launching sites. Today marks seven days of fighting in the Gaza strip that has claimed the lives of 115 people and wounded 840. To read my recent statement on the violence in Israel, click here. Please read some of my work on behalf of Israel below. Question of the week: Do you think Israel has the inherent right to defend itself from Hamas rocket attacks? ( ) Yes ( ) No ( ) I don’t know ( ) Other (leave your comments below) Take the poll here. For results of last week’s poll, click here. Find out the results of our instapoll about the “Fiscal Cliff” here. Congressman Forbes’ work in support of a strong U.S.-Israeli relationship Reaffirmed the importance of close U.S.-Israeli relations. Congressman Forbes supported the U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act, S.2165, to extend vital defense relationships and ensure that the U.S. can continue to support Israel’s capability to defend itself. The bill also set a clear statement of policy that the United States should provide Israel with the military capabilities necessary to deter and defend against any threat, veto any one-sided anti-Israel resolutions at the U.N. Security Council, and support Israel’s inherent right to self-defense. This bill passed the House by voice vote. Stood with Israel to foster the nation’s security. Congressman Forbes co-sponsored H.R. 4229, the Iron Dome Support Act to authorize assistance to Israel for the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system. The Iron Dome anti-missile system is essential to protecting the Israeli people from ongoing rocket attacks. Only by ensuring Israel’s security as a foundation can a negotiated peace settlement be pursued. Congressman Forbes knows that the Iron Dome anti-missile system is a vital component of Israel’s security and has joined over 75 of his colleagues in authorizing the President to assist Israel in the sustainment of the Iron Dome system. (House Version of first Bill) Maintained Enhanced Security Cooperation between the United States and Israel. Congressman Forbes supported passage of H.R. 4133, the U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act. This bill expresses Congress’s continued support of the U.S.-Israeli security relationship and directs the President to assist Israel in ensuring our nation’s closest ally in the Middle East does not lose its qualitative military edge. To ensure Israel’s military edge, the U.S. must further develop advanced technology programs between our nation and Israel. Additionally, this bill directs the President to report to Congress on the actions being taken to expand cooperation between the United States and Israel in homeland security, counter-terrorism, cyber security and other appropriate areas. As a cosponsor of this bill, Congressman Forbes voted in favor of H.R. 4133 when it passed in the House 411-9. Affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H. Res. 271, expressing support for the State of Israel’s right to defend its sovereignty and to use all means necessary to confront and eliminate nuclear threats posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran. In response to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s November report that Iran was actively pursuing a nuclear weapon, Congressman Forbes, along with 63 other Members of the House of Representatives, have cosponsored this resolution to ensure our nation’s closest ally in the Middle East knows that it has the support of the United States as it takes action to protect Israeli sovereignty and the Israeli people. Making the Palestinian Authority accountable for its support of terrorism. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 2457, the Palestinian Accountability Act. This legislation restricts U.S. funding to the Palestinian Authority (PA) until key benchmarks of transparency and support for peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are accepted by PA leadership. These standards include the dismantling of the PA’s infrastructure that support of terrorism, an end to inciting violence through the PA educational system, recognition of Israel’s right to exist, and exclusion of Hamas from any PA unity government. Until the PA meets these new standards, H.R. 2457 would prohibit U.S. foreign assistance funds from being made available to the organization and would stop U.S. funding for any United Nations entity that recognizes Palestinian statehood. Congressman Forbes remains dedicated to a peaceful resolution to the conflict that is reached by direct negotiations between the Israeli government and the Palestinian people. This bill is currently cosponsored by 41 House Members. Supported moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 1006, the Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act of 2011. This bill officially recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocates the United States Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Since the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 became law, the Embassy has never been moved due to recurring waivers signed by the sitting President. This bill would remove the presidential authority to waive the embassy relocation and would finally implement standing U.S. law. Congressman Forbes, along with 50 other cosponsors, continues to stand with Israel and continues to support Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Stood in steadfast support of Israel. Congressman Forbes voted to support H.Res.268, a resolution reaffirming the United States’ commitment to a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. This resolution asserts that peace can only be achieved in the region when the Palestinians accept the right of Israel to exist and requires that Hamas, a known terrorist organization and member of the Palestinian unity government, must accept previous agreements to renounce violence and recognize the state of Israel. This resolution passed by a vote of 407-6.
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