I have just returned from Israel to our offices in Strasbourg, France. We left Israel literally moments before the full-scale attacks began in the northern portion of Israel near the Sea of Galilee. Within hours of our landing in France, the matron scope of the war that Israel is now engaged in became evident. I believe that Israel has been placed in jeopardy because of the terrorist action of the regime of Hezbollah and Hamas. Israel is now forced to conduct military actions on both its northern and southern borders. While the people of Israel are accustomed to constant threats and hostilities, this latest action is perhaps the greatest threat to Israel in over a decade.
I am at our offices in Strasbourg, France, and have met with our staff concerning the international reaction to Israels defense. Not surprisingly, members of the European Union have been critical of Israels response, while being almost silent as to the actions of Hamas and Hezbollah.
I have instructed our offices in Washington, DC, and our European Center for Law and Justice (ECLJ) office here in France to take immediate action. If you would like information about our ECLJ, please click here. I will be talking with members of the European Parliament over the weekend and into next week. I have instructed our Associate Counsel, Roger Kiska, who heads up our legal efforts here, to contact European Parliament members who are sympathetic to Israels plight. That process is well underway. At the same time, I have instructed our office in Washington, DC, to be in contact with U.S. officials to show solidarity and support for the nation of Israel. This morning I briefly spoke with a representative from the U.S. Ambassadors Office regarding the current situation, and the seriousness of this present situation was clear.
We have prepared a Proclamation of Support for the State of Israel that we would like you to participate in. The Proclamation is straightforward and states:
We proclaim to President George W. Bush and the people of Israel that we support FREEDOM AT ALL COSTS! Just as President Bush proclaimed, "There will never be peace so long as there is terror." If freedom is attacked in any country or nation ... it is attacked in every country and nation. That is particularly true in Israel we cannot sit idly by and watch terror reign in the Middle East.
True freedom and peace can only arise after the terrorist infrastructure has been eliminated.
We, the undersigned, in solidarity with the State of Israel, pledge our support in the fight against terrorism and the fight for freedom. We are asking President Bush to firmly back Israel in this battle and to stand with the people of Israel in the ongoing struggle against terrorism.
If you would like to join this proclamation, click here. We will keep you posted as issues continue to develop.
