Tom Price “Israel has every right to defend herself and protect her people.”

Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement in support of Israel following this weekend’s incident near Gaza where Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) personnel engaged a flotilla of six ships attempting to overrun an Israeli naval blockade. Reports have indicated that individuals on board the ships were carrying weapons and attacked Israeli soldiers as they were trying to stop the advance of the flotilla. The blockade exists to keep the terrorist organization Hamas from supplying its forces while allowing necessary humanitarian supplies to reach those living in Gaza. Hamas has routinely threatened and launched rocket attacks against Israel.

“Israel has every right to defend herself and protect her people,” said Congressman Price. “The loss of life in this incident is tragic, but it should not diminish our support for Israel as it faces continued threats. I call on the President and his administration to stand strong with the Israeli people and against any effort to mislead or distort the facts surrounding this incident in an effort to stoke animosity toward Israel. There needs to be a full and balanced investigation into how this situation escalated. Nevertheless, our allies and our enemies alike should know that America will not tolerate those who commit or support violent actions against a friend of the United States and that commitment is resolute.”

For Immediate Release Tuesday, June 1, 2010 Contact: Ryan Murphy