Rep. Smith calls for stability and de-escalation of tensions in Middle East

The continued conflict in Gaza, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the ongoing proxy war with Iran, the fight with the Houthis, the fight with Iranian proxies in Syria - all of these conflicts are devastating to the civilian population and continue to place significant numbers of civilians at risk across Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, Lebanon, Yemen, and elsewhere. Each of these conflicts runs the risk of massive escalation.

The international community needs to recognize that Iran remains the main driver of this conflict. They have backed Hezbollah, the Houthis, Hamas, and other Shia militias in Iraq and Syria for years. Israel is threatened by these extremist proxy groups that continually try to exterminate their country, some of whom explicitly have as their motto "death to the U.S., death to Israel, a curse upon the Jews." This rhetoric and their attempts to destroy Israel through missiles or terrorist attacks is abominable. Israel has a right to defend itself against these existential threats. However, even as we understand Israel's motivations to fight back against these extremist groups, the risk of escalation and the cost to the civilian population puts Israel and others in the region at even greater risk.

The only way out of this regional conflict is to have a coalition of the U.S., Israel, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Jordan, Qatar, and other Arab states as a deterrence to Iran. That will never happen if there isn't a future for the Palestinian people. While I understand Israel's response to the threat from Iran and all of their proxies, I am adamantly opposed to Israel's approach to the West Bank. It is unacceptable for Israel to continue to press claims into the West Bank that have no support in international law. It is also completely unacceptable for Israel to not have a plan for a post-Hamas future for Palestinians in Gaza. Peace will never be achieved unless there is a future for the Palestinian people.

Ceasefire negotiations have never been more important. I support the Biden Administration's continued efforts to bring parties in the region together to achieve that ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon, and Israel.

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