Stefanik, Hagerty Demand Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Support Israel’s Right to Defend Itself Against Hezbollah

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) led a letter toJoe Biden demanding the Biden-Harris Administration clearly state their unwavering support for Israel's right to defend its sovereign borders against Hezbollah's illegal attacks. Since October 7th, Hezbollah has fired thousands of missiles, drones, and rockets over Israel's northern border forcing tens of thousands Israelis to evacuate their homes and violating UN Security Council Resolution 1701 yet the Biden-Harris Administration has not clearly stated their support for Israel's right to defend itself against these attacks.

"The Biden-Harris Administration has completely failed to stand with our most precious ally Israel. The U.S. must clearly support Israel's right to defend its sovereign borders against Hezbollah's persistent attacks which have killed dozens of Israeli civilians and decimated the agricultural production of northern Israel. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' failure to support the only democracy in the Middle East undermines America's national security interests and has emboldened the violent Iranian regime," said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

In the letter, the lawmakers state,"We write to express our strong support for Israel's right to self-defense amid the intensifying attacks that Israel faces from Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon. Since Hamas's barbaric October 7 attacks across Israel's southern border, Israel has endured over 19,000 Iranian-backed missile and drone attacks from all fronts. Hezbollah alone has launched over 5,820 rocket, missile, and drone attacks into northern Israel that have killed 33 Israelis and forced more than 60,000 Israelis to uproot their lives and flee their homes. Israel should not have to live under constant fear of aerial attack and has the legal right and moral obligation to defend its sovereign borders and its people. Hence, we urge you to unequivocally support Israel's right to defend itself against Hezbollah's attacks, and to provide in a timely manner the support necessary to restore peace and security."

The lawmakers continue,"It is disappointing that your administration's policy towards the conflict on Israel's northern border is ambiguous at best. America should not be neutral when it comes to the conflict between Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East, and Hezbollah, the Iranian regime's most lethal terrorist proxy. In early June, Hezbollah dramatically increased their missile and drone attacks against Israel and your administration, out of fear of escalation, responded by cautioning Israel against responding. Additionally, your administration continues to block the transfer of 2,000-pound bombs, F-15 fighter aircraft, and other U.S.-made defense articles needed in Israel. These decisions have exacerbated perceived tensions and divisions between the United States and Israel, empowered Hezbollah terrorists, and impeded Israel's efforts to defend itself. A failure to fully support Israel's right to self-defense in both word and deed undermines U.S. national security interests and risks breaking faith with our nation's ironclad commitment to Israel."

Read the full letter here.<_o3a_p>

Permalink: https://stefanik.house.gov/2024/7/stefanik-hagerty-demand-joe-biden-and-kamala-harris-support-israel-s-right-to-defend-itself-against-hezbollah