![Senator Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_small/public/%2802-04-13%29%20Klein-HS-001.jpg?itok=l71sPrUc)
Klein Stands-up For Israel
Jeffrey D. Klein
January 11, 2009
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Joins Thousands at UN Plaza to Oppose Hamas
I stand with Israel today not only as an American and a Jew, but as the grandson of Holocaust survivors. My family fled Hungary and some of them were lucky enough to make it to America, but many more perished at the hands of the worst evil the world has ever known-hatred. When all lights go dark Israel is there for us and we must be there for her!
The United States and Israel were both built by religious refugees seeking nothing more than freedom and the right to self-determination. Our two nations share an unbreakable commitment to each other and to all who oppose terror. However, Hamas remains committed not to peace, but to persistent aggression and the eventual obliteration of the Jewish state. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and it has a right to defend itself.
The attacks of the last few weeks are unacceptable and demand a forceful response. Despite diplomatic efforts and repeated attempts to create a peaceful state, Hamas continues to resort to violence.
Theodore Hertzel said that as Jews, "we are naturally drawn into those places where we are not persecuted, and our appearance there gives rise to persecution. This is the case, and will inevitably be so, everywhere, even in highly civilised countries". Sixty years later, our struggle is far from over, but each and every time the forces of adversity try to extinguish us we will rise up and say never again! I stand with Israel as an American, I stand with Israel as an elected official, and I stand with Israel for the 6 million.