King to Introduce Resolution in Support of Israel's Right to Defend Itself by Enforcing Blockade

Demands U.S. Withdrawal from UN Human Rights Council

Washington, D.C.  – Today, U.S. Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced that he will introduce a resolution this week that will clearly show U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself. King’s announcement comes just days after Israel was forced to take military action to intercept an Islamist-backed flotilla in violation of its protective blockade of the Gaza Strip.

King’s resolution will authorize the U.S. to provide Israel with necessary weapons and supplies to enforce the Gaza blockade, and will call for U.S. withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council, which last week issued a near-immediate condemnation of Israel. In addition, the resolution will demand that the Obama Administration oppose any international effort to investigate Israel for last week’s enforcement of the blockade.

King said: “By enforcing its blockade, Israel is defending itself. Israel does not deserve condemnation for the events of last week, nor does it need to apologize. Israel’s protective blockade of Gaza is a reasonable approach to prevent weapons from reaching the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hamas, which controls Gaza and is intent on destroying the State of Israel. Israel must have the right to defend itself by enforcing this blockade. Israel has been managing the blockade so that humanitarian goods and medical supplies are provided to the people of Gaza. Israeli authorities -- through its Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories -- have transferred over a million tons of humanitarian supplies into Gaza since 2009. It is well within Israel's rights to scan and inspect all cargo going into Gaza, where Hamas continues to smuggle Iranian and Syrian rockets, mortars, and other weapons for use on Israeli civilians. Instead of continuing to apologize to the world for U.S. support of Israel, President Obama must stand firmly behind Israel.”

Later today, King will circulate a “Dear Colleague” letter to other House Members seeking support for his resolution.