WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Republican Deputy Whip Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), Co-Chairmen of the House Republican Israel Caucus, today issued the following statements as details about the events involving a Turkish-sponsored flotilla and Israeli Defense Forces continued to emerge:

Roskam Statement:

“Our good friend and ally Israel lives under a constant threat from Hamas terrorists in Gaza. The anti-Israel factions of the U.N. have predictably and disappointingly reverted to their blame-Israel-first mantra when the video evidence is strikingly clear that the ‘humanitarians’ on the one flotilla ship did not set sail with intentions as pure as the wind driven snow. This was confrontational and provocative. The United States has no greater friend in the Middle East, and it is important that we stand with our strategic and democratic ally in the face of sanctimonious international pressure.”

Cantor Statement: 

“The irony is thick that again the likes of Saudi Arabia and Cuba come together under the UNHRC to lecture the United States and Israel about human rights. I commend the administration for its steadfast support of Israel in resisting another Goldstone-style U.N. investigation. These types of kangaroo courts have one goal, and that is to strip democratic nations of their rights to defend their citizens from terrorism. The United States must not lend its authority to any U.N. action to discredit our democratic ally and set back prospects for peace in the region, and I hope the Obama Administration remains committed to that principle. “As the facts trickle in and we learn more and more about the questionable nature of the crew aboard the Turkish-sponsored Marmara ship, it has become clear that it is false to characterize the nature of this mission as “humanitarian.” Rather, this was an attempt to provoke Israel, create international uproar and force an end to an Egypt-Israel blockade meant to stop Hamas from arming. “In keeping with its policy of delivering aid to the Palestinians, it is important to note that Israel is working to transfer the aid from the flotilla into Gaza. Yet the Hamas government, in the most cynical fashion, has blocked the aid from reaching their own people. Where is the international outrage?”

(YWN Desk – NYC)