Capital District Times

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik released a statement responding to Hezbollah’s attack against Israelis at a playground and soccer field in Majdal Shams.

"My heart breaks for the Israelis, including many children, who were killed in Hezbollah’s violent attack against a playground and soccer field in Majdal Shams. The images from the attack are a horrific reminder of the barbaric Iranian-backed existential threats that Israel faces daily."

Stefanik emphasized Israel's right to defend itself: "Israel has a legal right and moral obligation to protect its civilians from Hezbollah’s attacks. Israel is on the front lines of Iran’s violent ambition to destroy the West and our shared values."

She also called on the Biden-Harris Administration to take action: "This is why I led a letter with Senator Hagerty demanding that the Biden-Harris Administration clearly state their support for Israel’s right to defend its borders against Hezbollah. The Biden-Harris Administration must immediately end all of the holds they have on weapons shipments to Israel and put pressure on the United Nations to enforce UNSCR 1701 and demilitarize Hezbollah."

Stefanik criticized current U.S. leadership: "The Biden-Harris’s Administration’s abdication of leadership on the world stage emboldened Iran and our great ally Israel is facing the consequences. We must return to President Trump’s peace through strength policies."