(SPRINGFIELD, MASS) Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement today regarding the crisis in the Gaza Strip:

"I join President Bush, President-elect Obama and the bi-partisan leadership of the United States Congress in support of Israel's right to defend itself against the rocket and mortar attacks by the terrorist group Hamas. In the past six weeks, more than 600 rockets and mortars have been fired from the Gaza Strip at innocent Israeli civilians. Nearly 500, 000 Israelis are with range of Hamas' deadly arsenal. The State of Israel is a sovereign nation that has a right to defend itself. And there is no doubt that the United States and its allies holds Hamas responsible for the current crisis in the region.

For many years, I have been an outspoken supporter of the efforts to bring peace and security to the Middle East. A negotiated settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians is the only way to resolve the conflict between the two parties. I welcome the call for an immediate ceasefire and support humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza. But the attacks and aggression on innocent Israelis by Hamas have to stop immediately." (Press Release, December 31, 2008)