The Group of Eight industrialized nations (G-8) expressed its support for Israel on Sunday in a statement condemning the attack by Hizbullah and the kidnapping of two IDF soldiers on Israel?s northern border. The statement called for the terrorist organization to cease its rocket attacks and release the hostages??.France joined voices with the United States on Sunday in asserting that Israel has the right of self-defense? in the face of ceaseless terror and rocket attacks.?Israel must defend itself,? said French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, ?and it had the right to do so.? He added, however, that Israel should exercise restraint in dealing with the threat. ?There is an aggressive element in the Middle East,? he said, and that is Hizbullah. As friends of Israel we must advise it to maintain level-headedness and restraint.?