House passes resolution supporting Israel's right to self-defense

The House passed a resolution Friday afternoon that supports Israel's right to self-defense, in the wake of attacks on Israel by Hamas and Israel's counter-attacks this week.

Members approved H.Res. 813 by a voice vote, and with no debate. The resolution was introduced Friday, and expresses "vigorous support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security and survival of the state of Israel, as a Jewish and Democratic state with secure borders, and recognizing and strongly supporting its right to act in self-defense to protect its citizens against acts of terrorism."

The Senate approved a similar resolution late Thursday night.

After the quick vote, two members spoke on the floor to reiterate that Congress sees Israel as being in the right by attacking Hamas.

"Since the beginning of 2012, Hamas has launched more than 900 rockets at the state of Israel," Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said. "Three hundred forty of these were in the past several days alone. In the face of this brutality, Israel, like any nation, has the right and the duty to protect her citizens from unwarranted violence and destruction."

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) asked listeners whether the U.S. would hesitate at all in attacking Mexico or Canada if either of those countries were launching missiles into the United States. "We would not stand for it for one minute," he said.

But Hoyer also said Congress should lament the loss of life of Palestinians hurt in Israel's counterstrike.

"It is not that we stand … insensitive to the lives of Palestinians, but they need to stop the violence and attacks," he said.

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