Rockland Reporter

Representative Mike Lawler (NY-17) issued a statement today regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s announcement that it is seeking arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar, and other Hamas leaders.

"It is outrageous that the ICC is equating a democratically elected government with a terrorist organization that indiscriminately murders men, women, children, and babies," said Congressman Lawler. "There can be no moral equivalency here. Hamas is a terrorist organization that committed the worst mass murder of Jews in a single day since the Holocaust. Israel is the only multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-religious democracy in the Middle East. They are fighting to defend their homeland and rescue their people who were taken hostage by terrorists."

"Once again international organizations are showing their bias and hatred against Israel," Congressman Lawler concluded. "President George W. Bush was correct when he said, 'the moment Israel starts to defend itself, the world will turn on them.' The United States must be unwavering in its support for Israel. As the leader of the free world, we have an obligation to stand by our ally in its time of need and call out the nefarious actions of those who seek to undermine them – whether those actions are committed by terrorist organizations like Hamas or the empty suits at the ICC that attempt to cloak their hate under the guise of international legitimacy."

Congressman Lawler represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which lies just north of New York City and includes all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He is one of the most bipartisan members of the 118th Congress.