(AP, Boston Globe).U.S. Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts says Americans should stand together in "unwavering commitment" to Israel in the wake of a deadly commando raid on ships taking aid to the Gaza Strip.
The Republican Brown was the keynote speaker Sunday night at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee leadership dinner in Boston.
He says he was disappointed that so many condemned Israel after the raid without considering Israel is at war with Gaza. He says Israel is one of the United States' greatest allies against jihad and says Israel is not a liability to America.
“I don’t need polling or political strategists to help define a nuanced stance on Israel,” Brown said, according to a copy of his prepared remarks. “We are engaged in a worldwide struggle against radical, violent jihad. It is the defining issue of our time. Our best friends and the strongest allies in this fight are in the State of Israel.”
“Let’s remember – Israel is our ally. Israel is a democracy,” Brown added. “Hamas is a terrorist group with clear and genuine intentions of destroying Israel’s way of life.”
Brown, saying that “the story of Israel made a distinct impression on me at a young age,” also said he would travel to Israel to further examine issues facing the country and attempt to strengthen ties between the two countries.
“Their ability to maintain their identity and culture against enormous obstacles mirrors America’s own struggle for independence,” he said.
“Now I know I am still the new guy on the block, with a little more than 100 days in the Senate under my belt, but I have placed U.S. – Israeli security as one of the most significant and highest priorities on my agenda,” he added.
Brown also said that one of his first acts in the senate was to tell Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that “the senate could not take its eye off the ball in regards to the threat of Iran.”
“A safe, secure Israel, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States and its allies is essential to the continued liberty of our nations,” Brown said. “Our fates have never been more intertwined. May God continue to bless Israel and the United States of America.”