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Kelly Ayotte on War & Peace
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Israel has right to defend itself, even with Gaza flotilla
Q: The UN quickly condemned Israel for the acts leading to the loss of life in international waters in the recent Gaza flotilla incident. If you are elected US Senator, will Israel always be right?A:
Israel, like other countries, has the right to defend itself. It's always unfortunate when there's any loss of life. But in that circumstance, they were stopping arms coming from Hamas into Gaza.
Hamas has continued to shoot rockets into Israel and they were defending themselves.
Q: So will Israel always be right?
A: I will absolutely evaluate every situation on its facts and on its merits. Whenever there's a loss of life, it's very tragic, but we have to respect Israel's right to defend itself.
Source: Americans for Prosperity/Cornerstone 2010 N.H. Senate Debate
, Jun 5, 2010
Iranian nuclear weapons: prevention instead of containment.
Ayotte co-sponsored Resolution on Iran's nuclear program
Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the nuclear program of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.- Whereas, since at least the late 1980s, Iran has engaged in a sustained pattern of illicit and deceptive activities to acquire nuclear capability;
- Whereas the UN Security Council has adopted multiple resolutions since 2006 demanding the full suspension of all uranium enrichment-related activities by Iran, particularly possible military dimensions;
- Whereas, in Nov. 2011, the IAEA issued an extensive report that documents "serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme";
- Whereas top leaders of Iran have repeatedly threatened the existence of the State of Israel;
- Whereas the Department of State has designated Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1984;
- Whereas Iran has provided weapons, training, & funding to terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Shiite militias in Iraq;
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Whereas Iran had forged a "secret deal" with al Qaeda to facilitate the movement of al Qaeda fighters and funding through Iranian territory;
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives, that Congress--- Reaffirms that the US Government has a vital interest in working together to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;
- warns that time is limited to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;
- urges continued and increasing economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran until a full and sustained suspension of all uranium enrichment-related activities;
- expresses that the window for diplomacy is closing;
- expresses support for the universal rights and democratic aspirations of the people of Iran;
- strongly supports US policy to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;
- rejects any US policy that would rely on containment as an option in response to the Iranian nuclear threat.
Source: HRes568/SR41 12-SJR41 on May 24, 2012
Page last updated: Apr 22, 2013
