In response to the unanimous U.S. Senate vote authorizing emergency aid for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:
The news this morning that Hamas violated the agreed upon 72 hour humanitarian cease fire, killed two IDF soldiers, and kidnapped Givati Brigade Officer Hadar Goldin is as outrageous as it is predictable. Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Goldin and his family, as well as the families of the all the IDF soldiers who have been killed since the start of Operation Protective Edge. We also pray for all the innocents who have suffered throughout the past several weeks of warfare. It is tragic that Hamas' unwillingness or inability to abide by the terms of the ceasefire to which it agreed has now led directly to renewed bloodshed. The events of the last twelve hours make clear how vital U.S. support for Israel's security has been and how critical it remains. That is especially true of the Iron Dome missile defense system, which has played an invaluable role supporting the safety of Israelis. For this reason, we welcome today's Senate unanimous passage of legislation providing an additional $225 million for Iron Dome. Congressional action to replenish funding for Iron Dome is essential to helping protect Israeli civilians from the rockets Hamas continues to launch from Gaza and we urge the House to swiftly pass this measure. Above all, we continue to pray for a just resolution to the conflict that so that Israelis and Palestinians alike may soon know lasting peace.