Statement by JCPA Chair Leonard Cole in Response to Israel's Actions in the Gaza Strip

April 20, 2001 – "We reaffirm our support for the right of Israel to protect the lives of its citizens, including the right to destroy sources of fire against them. Israel's response to the mortar attacks from Gaza appear aimed at achieving that result and nothing more. While we certainly do not endorse the gratuitous use of force, there is no evidence that Israel's response was excessive. The basic truth is that if the Palestinian Authority were to prevent violence against Israelis, there would be no Israeli response."

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