Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA):
"Peace between Israelis and Palestinians cannot result from daily barrages of rocket and mortar fire from Hamas-controlled Gaza. Hamas and its supporters must understand that Gaza cannot and will not be allowed to be a sanctuary for attacks on Israel. The United States must continue to do all it can to promote peace in the region and a negotiated settlement to differences between Israelis and Palestinians. Humanitarian needs of all innocent civilians must also be addressed. But when Israel is attacked, the United States must continue to stand strongly with its friend and democratic ally."
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD):
"Israel is acting in clear self-defense in response to heinous rocket attacks from Hamas-controlled Gaza. As a sovereign nation, Israel has an unequivocal right to take action to ensure the security and safety of her citizens. Indiscriminate attacks by Hamas are a serious detriment to the peace process in the region."
Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Howard Berman (D-CA):
"Israel has a right, indeed a duty, to defend itself in response to the hundreds of rockets and mortars fired from Gaza over the past week. No government in the world would sit by and allow its citizens to be subjected to this kind of indiscriminate bombardment. The loss of innocent life is a terrible tragedy, and the blame for that tragedy lies with Hamas."
Chairwoman of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Nita Lowey (D-NY):
"Continued and intensified missile and mortar attacks from Gaza into Southern Israel threaten the security of innocent families in Israel and Gaza. Hamas, which continues to deny Israel's right to exist, will stop at nothing to deny peace to the region, including exploiting and endangering Gaza civilians. Israel has the right and responsibility to defend itself and its citizens from these ruthless attacks by striking the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza. It is my hope that this week's events will make clear to Hamas that its attacks on Israeli communities must end so that negotiations toward a peaceful coexistence in the region can continue."
Incoming Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA):
“The United States and our allies in the war on terror must support the actions by the Israeli government to protect its citizens from unprovoked violence. Israel’s campaign is a defensive measure to stop the daily rocket attacks against unarmed Israelis. The terrorist group Hamas increased the rocket attacks after ignoring entreaties by Israel and Egypt to extend a six-month ceasefire. Just yesterday it was reported that terrorists fired some 80 rockets into Israel.
The Israelis have proven time and time again their willingness to work with their neighbors for peace. Despite their best efforts, the Israelis have been forced to respond to terrorism with justifiable and understandable force to ensure their security. In contrast, Hamas has once again demonstrated its willingness to murder innocent Israelis and Palestinian civilians to achieve their political goals.
This period will be neither easy nor short, and will require the determination and perseverance of the world community to stand with Israel to dismantle the terrorist group Hamas and punish nations who sponsors terror like Iran.”
Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL):
"The most recent onslaught of rockets against Israel from Hamas represents a serious escalation in their war against Israel. The latest barrage of attacks by these Iranian-sponsored Islamist militants continue a pattern of indiscriminate targeting of innocent men, women and children in Israel that could not go unanswered. Israel had no choice but to defend itself. The response of our democratic ally, Israel, has been carefully calibrated to halt the rocket fire, aimed at surgically eliminating Hamas militants and the teams that are operating the rockets, while at the same time making every effort to limit civilian casualties in the face of Hamas' callous use of innocent Palestinians as human shields.
We stand with the Jewish State of Israel in its ongoing efforts to protect its citizens from those who seek its destruction."
Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission Alice Hastings (D-FL)
“I, like so many others, am deeply troubled by the on-going events in Israel and the Gaza Strip.
“It is regrettable that in response to Hamas’ refusal to negotiate with Israel and continue its ceasefire, Israel was forced into this situation. Hamas has chosen war over peace. Israel has but no other choice to respond and protect its citizens.
“When I was in Israel earlier this month, I told Prime Minister Olmert that the United States would not tolerate Hamas attacks on Israel. I reinforced the overwhelming view in Congress that Hamas is not only an impediment to peace between Israel and the Palestinians, but also to Israel’s efforts to establish normal diplomatic relations with many in the Arab world.
“In my meetings on that same trip with leaders and dignitaries in North Africa and the Middle East, I learned that this view is shared my many in the Arab world who see Hamas for what it is: a terrorist organization which feeds off of instability and fear rather than seeking to improve the lives of Palestinians.
“I stand with Israel and support President-elect Obama in his efforts to bring about peace and stability in the Middle East.”
Ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee Peter King (R-NY):
"The U.S. must stand with our ally Israel as it attempts to defeat the Hamas terrorists who continue to launch daily attacks from Gaza against innocent Israelis. While the IDF makes every attempt to minimize civilian casualties, Hamas does just the opposite. Israel's fight is an existential one and until its enemies are defeated it must be allowed to take actions to defend itself."
Representative Patrick Murphy (D-PA):
"Having been to the town of Sderot in Israel and visited with families there, I can say with certainty that nobody should have to tolerate these persistent and indiscriminate rocket attacks. While continued violence will not lead to peace, Israel has the right to defend herself -- especially against terrorist groups that fire rockets at civilians on a weekly basis."
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH):
“Israel has the right to defend its citizens and territory, as it is doing. The current outbreak of violence is the result of Hamas’ decision to break the ceasefire agreement on December 19. The only way for the violence to end is for Hamas to stop attacks on Israel immediately, honor the ceasefire agreement, and work in good faith to establish a peaceful resolution.”
Representative Barney Frank (D-MA):
“It is important to remember that the current conflict in Gaza comes after a unilateral Israeli withdrawal from that area. Tragically, this was followed by a takeover by Hamas, which is dedicated to Israel’s destruction, and has constantly used Gaza as a base for physical attacks on Israel and Israelis.
This use of Gaza as a base from which to attack Israel left Israel with no choice except self defense, particularly after Hamas refused to continue the imperfectly observed ceasefire, and made clear its intention to resume attacks.
As it exercises this right of self defense, it is important for Israel to make clear its willingness to accept a genuine ceasefire - meaning an end to attacks from Gaza, and also Israel’s continuing commitment to a two state solution negotiated with Palestinians genuinely committed to that goal.”
Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL):
"Israel is our single most important, strategic ally in the Middle East, serving on the front lines in our joint battle against terrorism and weapons proliferation.
The events of the past few days in Gaza demonstrate unequivocally that the terrorist organization, Hamas, has no interest in attaining peace with Israel. Extraordinary restraint has been exercised by Israel in the face of the constant barrage of rockets that have rained down upon the Israeli civilian population. Last year I visited the traumatized citizens of Sderot, who relayed their heartbreaking stories of the constant fear and terror they live through due to the rocket fire coming out of Gaza. After the fragile cease-fire came to an end, Hamas picked up where it left off and continued their destructive bombardment in southern Israel.
I applaud Israel in her actions to protect her people and target only those Hamas militants that have engaged in these terrorist attacks in Israel. I will continue to work hard as we embark on the 111th Congress next week to assure our ally and friend, Israel, has the means necessary to resist existential threats from her hostile neighbors, and that she remains a beacon of freedom and liberty in the Middle East."
Congressman John Olver (D-MA):
“With grave concern I have been following the latest developments in the Gaza Strip. The people of Israel have a right to be safe in their homes and daily lives. I strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself as well as th e right of Palestinians to realize a viable and sustainable state. I call upon the United States, the United Nations Security Council, and the broader international community to secure an immediate and lengthy cease-fire and encourage both sides to begin serious negotiations to avoid repetition of this latest round of violence. Right now, immediate humanitarian assistance—especially food and medical supplies—is needed for Palestinian civilians in Gaza. In the future, the United States must lead the effort towards achieving a permanent and sustainable peace agreement; only then will Israelis and Palestinians be able to live in peace and security.”
Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-MA):
“Instead of laying the foundation for an independent state following Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza more than three years ago, Hamas turned Gaza into a launch pad for rockets targeting Israeli civilians. Israel has the right and obligation to protect its citizens from the thousands of rockets that have rained down on its cities and towns since Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. These rocket attacks must stop. Hamas is not only indiscriminately firing rockets at Israeli civilians; it is also damaging the future for all Palestinians who seek a normal life for themselves and their families. Peace will only result from a process of engagement and negotiation, not from volleys of rockets. The loss of innocent life on both sides is deeply saddening. Clearly, the United States must forcefully engage to restart the peace process so that the dream of two states living side by side in peace finally can be made a reality.”
