Congressional Israel Allies Caucus Members Statements Against Hamas Violence

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) issued the following statement on the ongoing rocket attacks against Israel:

“I categorically denounce the rocket attacks against innocent Israeli civilians – including Jewish and Arab civilians – which have been launched from Gaza. I further condemn the urban street violence targeting Jews in cities such as Lod, including attacks on synagogues, motorists and people in their homes. Israel has every right to defend its citizens, and its response has been proportionate and justified. I mourn for those who have lost their lives and pray for peace to return to this land sacred to the great Abrahamic faith traditions.”

In a passionate speech from the House floor, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) said:

"Each rocket is a war crime. For each was fired solely for the purpose of killing as many civilians as possible […] We grieve every civilian death - Israeli and Palestinian. We cannot accept at face value reports of Palestinian deaths since they come from Hamas, a terrorist org recognized as such by both the U.S. and the E.U. Hamas has caused many Palestinian deaths since one quarter of its rockets aimed at Israel actually explode in Gaza and because Hamas locates its military operations in civilian neighborhoods using human shields. I want to commend Israel for its efforts to avoid civilian causalities while striking successfully at terrorists."

In a series of tweets Rep. Sherman stated:

"I strongly condemn Hamas’ rocket attacks against Israel.

There is no justification for indiscriminate rocket fire. This only further escalates the situation.

Hamas is firing these rockets in an effort to kill as many Israeli civilians as they can. Each rocket is a war crime, whether it achieves Hamas’ bloody objective or not.

The latest rocket fire underscores the need for Israel’s missile defense programs, such as Iron Dome. I will continue to be a strong supporter of robust U.S. funding for these critical programs."

Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) issued a press release stating:

This week has seen a major escalation of violence in the Middle East. The terrorist organization Hamas has launched over a thousand rockets at civilian population centers in Israel. Hamas is closely linked to the Iranian regime, receiving weapons and funding as one of their proxies. The Israeli Defense Forces’ “Iron Dome” systems have intercepted many of these rockets, saving countless lives. As a chairman of both the Missile Defense Caucus and Israel Allies Caucus, Congressman Lamborn has played a key role in protecting the development of and funding for Iron Dome, enabling it to be deployed in Israel today.

Read the full statement here.

Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA) stated on Twitter:

"Peace isn’t possible in the middle east when a US designated terrorist organization, Hamas, is firing rockets daily on our strongest ally in the middle east, Israel. The US must stand behind Israel’s right to defend itself from these terrorist attacks."

"Hamas has once again demonstrated it is the enemy of peace. Firing indiscriminate rockets into the state of Israel puts innocent civilians at risk, fans the flames of violence, and makes meaningful diplomacy impossible." (1/2)

"Israel, America’s strongest ally in the Middle East, has the right and duty to defend itself and its people from such random attacks." (2/2)