Americas

Home page

Americas

US congress backs Israel over Gaza

10 January 2009 10:54 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Viktoriya Dementyeva-APA. The US House of Representatives on Friday joined the Senate in offering staunch support to Israel as the conflict rages on in Gaza, calling on Hamas to end rocket attacks.

The resolution calls on Hamas to end rocket and mortar attacks against Israel, recognize Israelâ€™s right to exist, renounce violence and verifiably dismantle its terrorist infrastructure.
The resolution, passed unanimously, also reiterates that "humanitarian needs in Gaza should be addressed promptly and responsibly."

AFP quoted House speaker Nancy Pelosi as saying â€œtoday, we reaffirm that Israel, like any nation, has a right to self-defense when under attack."

On Thursday, the Senate passed a similar measure, saying Israel had an "inalienable right" to defend itself from attacks by Hamas.

A U.N. Security Council resolution approved Thursday failed to end fighting in Gaza. The United States abstained, but did not exercise its veto power.