In response to yesterday’s gruesome terrorist attacks near Eilat, Israel, many members of Congress came out in support of Israel and increased security, and expressed their condolences.  The following are their statements:

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-18), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement deploring today’s attacks carried out in southern Israel near the Egyptian border:

Today’s coordinated attacks against Israeli civilians and members of the Israeli Defense Forces further illustrate the continued targeting of Israel by enemies of freedom and peace. The attacks reinforce concerns about the ability and willingness of the Egyptian government to safeguard its borders against the passage of militants and weapons.

Such brazen, coordinate assaults in this specific area of Israel have not been seen in many years.  We anxiously await further details on the origin and perpetrators, and stand ready to assist the Israeli authorities in this effort.

The United States must continue to stand with the people and the State of Israel and support Israel’s right to exist as a democratic, Jewish state in peace and security, free from fear of attacks.

Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated:

The United States stands shoulder to shoulder with the Israeli people, as must the rest of the world.  Until Palestinians cease using terrorism, there cannot be peace in the Middle East, nor a Palestinian state.  Countries around the world should remember this before voting in the United Nations General Assembly on the Palestinian request for recognition of their statehood next month.  Premeditated acts of terrorism are not the path to acceptance by the international community.  The violence must stop, and must stop now.  We should all keep the victims of this senseless attack, and their families, in our thoughts and prayers.

Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ-9), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense; and State and Foreign Operations, released the following statement:

My condolences go out to the families and friends of the Israelis who were murdered in Southern Israel today and to all of the people of Jewish State of Israel. I strongly condemn these horrific terrorist attacks and call on the Palestinian Authority and the Egyptian government to immediately denounce this brutal violence. Those who committed these horrendous acts must be swiftly brought to justice and dealt with severely.

The terrorist attacks by the Sinai border highlight the importance of ensuring that the borders between Israel, Egypt, and Gaza are fully monitored and secured. Much more must be done to keep these borders safe. Clearly, Egypt must take greater steps to prevent terrorists from crossing its border.

With the efforts by the Palestinian Authority and Egypt to improve ties with terrorist groups like Hamas, today’s terrorist attacks remind us that trying to make peace with murderous terrorists only leads to more death and suffering – especially for Israel.

With an uncertain future in the Middle East, it is more important than ever for the United States to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish State of Israel.

Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ-12) expressed his condolences:

All Americans are pained and dismayed by these terrorist attacks, which were targeted not only against individual Israelis but against the region’s vision for a shared peace.  This is another reminder of the kind of threat Israelis face daily.  We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and we are united in our resolve to help Israel work toward a lasting peace.