‘’If it were your cities under attack, we know you would agree that a sovereign government has a duty to defend its citizens. This is the time to show your solidarity and support to the people of Israel and the State of Israel,’’ the World Jewish Congress leaders wrote in a letter sent to the 28 EU Foreign Ministers, stressing that the World Jewry ‘’stands side-by-side’’ with Israel and expressing their ‘’absolute support’’ for Israel’s ‘Operation Protective Edge’ to stop rocket fire from Hamas in Gaza.
‘’Hamas, an internationally recognized terror organization, has refused to recognize Israel and has repeatedly vowed to destroy the Jewish State. In recent weeks, Hamas has escalated its attacks – kidnapping and murdering three Israeli teenagers and launching an unrelenting rocket assault on Israel’s cities and civilians. In the face of this threat, Israel was left with no choice but to respond,’’ WJC President Ronald S.Lauder and CEO Robert Singer wrote in the letter.
‘’Israel tried to restore the calm without resorting to major military action, but Hamas has only intensified its attacks. As we write, millions of Israelis are in bomb shelters as Hamas artillery pounds southern and central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israel cannot tolerate a situation in which the lives of millions of its citizens are threatened.’’
WJC leaders noted that since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 ‘’Hamas has used the territory as a staging ground for rocket attacks, launching over 9,000 rockets and 5,000 mortar bombs.’’
‘’Since Israel and the PLO signed the Declaration of Principles in 1993, Hamas has perpetrated more than 80 suicide attacks, murdering some 1,000 Israelis. Today, Hamas possesses over 10,000 rockets that threaten 40% of the country’s population.’’
The letter was also sent to the ambassadors at the United Nations