WASHINGTON, DC – House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) today made the following remarks at the National Leadership Assembly for Israel:

“In times like this, people try to isolate Israel — but we are here to stand with Israel.  Not just as a broker or observer — but as a strong partner and a trusted ally.

“What does that mean?  Well, it doesn’t mean using vague, on-the-one-hand, on-the-other-hand statements.  No, it means backing up our words, and showing our solidarity with our friend.

“That is why the House will always support Israel’s right to defend itself.  We will not equate professional militaries with terrorist organizations that use human shields and seek to maximize civilian casualties.  And we insist that the demilitarization of Gaza be not just a House goal but a shared, uncompromising U.S. and international objective.  We take this stand because we know that without demilitarization, the pattern of escalation, conflict, targeting of innocent civilians, and humanitarian suffering will continue.

“To achieve these objectives, the House will continue to back funding for Iron Dome to ensure Israel’s ability to protect its own people.  And we will continue to push the administration to address the root cause of the conflict in the Middle East.

“Because, make no mistake, what we are seeing in Gaza is a direct result of Iran’s sponsorship of terrorism in the region.  All we have to do is look at the ferocity of the fight and the sophistication of the weapons.  This is part of Iran’s long history of providing rockets and rocket parts to Gaza-based terrorist organizations, another cycle that must come to an end.

“America must send this clear, public, and united message: Israel is our friend, and Israel’s enemies are our enemies.  And as long as I am Speaker of the House, I give you my word this will be our cause.   Thank you very much.”

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