WASHINGTON – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) issued the following statement on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Joint Address to Congress:
“Our Congress has always shown overwhelming bipartisan support for Israel and maintained a steadfast commitment to our ally’s security and success in the fight against terrorism – especially in the past 292 days since Hamas’ brutal October 7 terrorist attack.
“America is fully committed to the Israeli people’s top priority: the safe return of the 120 hostages held captive in Gaza. I have met with family members of the captives many times these past nine months. Their stories are gut-wrenching. I thank the hostage families who attended the joint address today to remind us of our duty to bring their loved ones home. The IDF’s announcement today that it recovered the remains of five hostages reminds us of that mission’s urgency.
“America shares Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas and dismantle the terrorist organization’s ability to carry out its continuing attacks. We must never forget that Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis are all proxies of Iran and share its goal to destroy the State of Israel and America. Even in the face of this existential threat and even in light of Hamas’ use of innocent noncombatants as human shields, Israeli forces have taken action to safeguard Palestinian civilians and alleviate humanitarian conditions in Gaza. As Col. John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute (MWI) at West Point, has made clear: ‘Israel has implemented more measures to prevent civilian casualties than any other military in history.’
“The Prime Minister appropriately praised the Biden-Harris Administration for its resolute support for Israel and the Jewish community throughout this traumatic moment. He was correct to thank President Biden for his leadership – whether visiting an active warzone not controlled by U.S. troops, marshalling our coalition’s successful defense against Iran’s rocket and drone attack on Israel in April, or helping push for the proposed ceasefire deal to free the hostages. We must continue to stand united both in Congress and with our allies in Israel to overcome the challenges ahead.”
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