Cantor: U.S. should support Israel

WASHINGTON — With more than 350 people killed in Israel’s deadliest attacks against Palestinians in decades, Virginia’s congressional delegation was split Monday on whether Israel’s bombardment of Gaza was justified.

Israel’s air assault on the Hamas-controlled region started Saturday in response to rocket fire aimed at civilians in southern Israel. The Israeli government has vowed to widen the offensive “as needed” to deal the anti-Israel militant group a “serious blow.”

U.S. Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, the only Jewish Republican in the House, called Israel’s use of force — more than 300 airstrikes since Saturday — “justifiable and understandable” to “ensure their security.” He called on the U.S. and its allies to support Israel’s actions.

“This period will be neither easy nor short and will require the determination and perseverance of the world community to stand with Israel to dismantle the terrorist group Hamas and punish nations who sponsor terror like Iran,” Cantor said in a statement.

Cantor’s wife, Diana F. Cantor, is a member of the board of directors of Media General, Inc.

Rep. Jim Moran, D-8th, said, “Peace will never be achieved through violence. The U.S. needs to re-engage in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to prevent further bloodshed and bring about a ceasefire,” he said in a statement.

The attacks on Hamas are unlikely to destroy the violent anti-Israel group, Middle East analysts said.

Randolph Bell, president of the World Affairs Council of Greater Richmond and a 31-year veteran of the foreign service, cited the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war, which further emboldened the terrorist group Hezbollah. The current situation in Israel will demand attention from President-elect Barack Obama, he said.

Bell recommended that Obama appoint a special envoy to the region as President Bill Clinton did.

“If you don’t set some special structure for it — be it an envoy or someone in national security — then you signal disinterest,” Bell said.

Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said the attacks give Obama a new opportunity to talk directly with Israel.

“We need to be in a position to have candid conversations about strategic actions in the Middle East,” Wittman said, calling for diplomatic solutions from the world community.

Sen. Jim Webb and Sen.-elect Mark Warner, both Democrats, and Sen. John Warner, a Republican, were not available for comment.