David Rivera Calls on America to Support Israel

U.S. Rep. David Rivera, a South Florida Republican who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called on America to stand with Israel on Wednesday.

Since Israels inception, the Jewish state has shown a commitment to democracy and a respect for human rights and individual freedoms, much like that of our own country, Rivera said in a statement released late on Wednesday. The Middle East is experiencing a more-turbulent-than-usual period and no one is sure as to the future stability of the region. Palestine continues to seek membership in the United Nations as a recognized state, and over the weekend Israels embassy in Cairo was attacked by protesters while Egyptian authorities stood idly by and did nothing to stop them. Clearly, the threat to Israel is very real.

Rivera had harsh words for the Palestinian Authority and the Obama administrations policies in the region.

The Palestinian Authority, instead of returning to talks with Israel, is engaging in diplomatic warfare against Israel. They have launched a campaign outside of direct negotiations in order to win admission as a full member of the United Nations, and are setting preconditions on final status, which are supposed to be resolved through direct negotiations, said Rivera. What has this administration done to prevent the Palestinian Authority from following through with their campaign of diplomatic warfare against Israel, and is there more the U.S. could, or should, be doing to dissuade the Palestinians from proceeding at the U.N.?

Rivera urged the U.N. to not recognize Palestine and praised Israel.

Recognizing Palestine as a state before the U.N. is not an option. While I am glad that the Obama administration finally announced its intention to veto the resolution, I regret that they waited until the last minute to do so, as opposed to sending a bold and clear statement of Americas support of Israel, said Rivera. In the midst of growing uncertainty in the Middle East, it is especially important that America stand with Israel --a nation that has offered us counsel and support in an otherwise hostile region, and has been a staunch partner in the global war on terror.