Congressman Jerrold Nadler released the following statement today in support of Israel’s ongoing efforts to protect her citizens and soldiers from terrorist violence:

“Hezbollah’s cold-blooded, unprovoked attacks are a vivid illustration of the ongoing danger that Israel faces from the terrorist regimes that surround it.  Like any other country, Israel has the right and the obligation to defend her citizens from attack no matter what the circumstance.

In this case, Israel has fallen victim to violent, premeditated attacks launched for political gain.  At a press conference in Beirut yesterday, Hezbollah’s leader bragged that the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers had been in the works for five months, and was intended to force Israel’s hand in releasing convicted and suspected terrorists from prison.

Israel will not bow to brutality, nor should she be expected to do so.  Her only option is to move swiftly and judiciously to neutralize the terrorist elements carrying out these attacks.

While the clash we are seeing today is the work of Hezbollah extremists, it is also the product of years of inaction by the Lebanese government.  Israeli forces pulled out of southern Lebanon six years ago on the condition that Lebanon would prevent the borderland from being used to stage attacks against Israel.  The failure of that promise is self-evident.  The United Nations has passed a resolution calling for Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah.  Lebanon has not acted.  More action by Israel will most certainly be a consequence if Lebanon does not immediately become a partner in the effort to combat terrorism.

Israel continues to show admirable restraint in dealing with her hostile neighbors, even in the face of increasing rocket attacks, kidnappings, and threats to her people.  I support her actions in defense of her people, and I pray for a swift and just conclusion to the fighting.”