JERSEY
CITY, N.J. – Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee
issued the following statement on the latest developments in the escalating
violence across Israel and Gaza:
“I am deeply troubled by reports of
Israeli military actions that resulted in the death of innocent civilians in
Gaza as well as Israeli targeting of buildings housing international media
outlets. In response to thousands of rocket attacks fired by Hamas aimed at
civilians, Israel has every right to self-defense from terrorists committed to
wipe her off the face of the map. But no matter how dangerous and real
that threat may be, I have always believed the strength of the U.S.-Israeli
relationship flourishes when it is based on the shared values of democracy,
freedom, pluralism, and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
“Given the complexity of Gaza’s densely
populated civilian areas, and Hamas’s shameful record of exploiting that
reality by hiding military assets behind the innocent, Israeli authorities must
continue taking the conscientious practice of giving advance warning of its
attacks to reduce the risk of harm to the innocent. I also believe there must
be a full accounting of actions that have led to civilian deaths and
destruction of media outlets. All political and military leaders have a
responsibility to uphold the rules and laws of war and it is of the utmost
importance for all actors to find ways to deescalate and reduce tensions. This
violence must end. Any death of civilians and innocent Jews and Arabs alike is
a setback to stability and peace in the Middle East.”
