Knesset resolves: "It is the right of the State of Israel to defend itself just as it is the right of any nation to do so."
The Knesset held an emergency session on Monday and approved the government's decision to embark on Operation Cast Lead against Hamas in Gaza. The Knesset session was punctuated by stormy comments made by the Arab Knesset Members, who were repeatedly thrown out of the session. The mixed Arab-Jewish party Hadash boycotted the session entirely. All Knesset parties except for Meretz and the Arab parties approved the decision to support the action in Gaza. The decision stated: "It is the right of the State of Israel to defend itself just as it is the right of any nation to do so. It is the right of the citizens of Israel to live with security just as it the right of any other citizens to do so."
The decision continued: "The Israeli Knesset stands united behind the army's operation in Gaza to uphold these rights. The Knesset supports the IDF and the security forces in their actions and blesses the officers and soldiers who protect their people and country. The Knesset also blesses the citizens of the south who are under terrorist attack and identifies with their suffering."
