(Editor's Note: The following is Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy's statement after voting for H. Res. 921, a resolution condemning the recent attacks against the State of Israel, holding terrorists and their state-sponsors accountable for such attacks, and supporting Israel's right to defend itself.)

"I unequivocally support the State of Israel's right to defend itself from terrorists. I believe Israel's actions are justified and necessary to protect its people from the terrorist organizations masquerading as political parties in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.

"During the past decade, Israel has gone above and beyond in their efforts to foster a lasting peace in the Middle East. Israelis have suffered great sacrifice in their efforts to simply co-exist with their neighbors. Israel withdrew its troops from Southern Lebanon in 2000, despite the constant threat of attack that was realized last week. The difficult decision to remove Israeli settlements from Gaza was a major step toward the creation of a Palestinian state. In fact, with the efforts of Prime Ministers Sharon and Olmert, Israel seems to be doing more to establish an independent Palestinian state than the elected Palestinian authority.

"The people of Lebanon and of the Palestinian territories must learn that with democracy comes great responsibility. Those angered by these defensive military strikes should not cast blame at Israel, but at the irresponsible leaders they have elected into office. Governments that tolerate terrorist organizations must pay the consequences of these organization's actions.

"It is time for a new generation of leadership in the Middle East. Until those living in states that tolerate terrorists' organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah rise up and demand accountability, Israel will have no choice but to defend itself.

"The United States must stand by Israel during its war on terror. It is in the interest of Israel, the United States and the rest of the free world that Hezbollah and Hamas are eradicated. We cannot tolerate terrorism and we must not tolerate governments who stand idly by while terrorists thrive within their borders."