Newport, R.I. – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) issued the following statement on the conflict in Gaza:
“Hamas has cast aside a cease-fire agreement brokered by the Egyptians and indiscriminately targeted Israeli civilians with a barrage of rockets and mortars, dragging the Israeli and Palestinian peoples back into the crossfire of war and leaving Israel with little choice but to respond with force. Israel must defend its people against these attacks.
“Now, like all Americans, I hope for strong diplomatic intervention that will bring these hostilities to an end and facilitate humanitarian assistance to those suffering in and around Gaza. I regret that the Bush Administration’s years of neglect allowed the peace process to deteriorate so gravely, and I’m confident that President-Elect Obama’s Administration will bring a new commitment and new leadership to address the wider conflict in the Middle East.”
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