Brookline, MA - Barney Frank indicates skepticism at best and disdain at worst against Israel's action to defend its borders against the Turkish flotilla bound for Gaza.

Barney Frank has looked past the fact that 600 pro-Palestinian activists were on the flotilla Marmara for the stated purpose of provocation as part of a "Free Gaza" movement. And the activists have pledged to send even more ships to the region. New York Times - June 3, 2010

Pro-Palestine activists have engaged in a public relations war against Israel and men like Barney Frank are helping them achieve their ends. Israel has every right to defend its borders and has done so in accordance with stated policy. When militants breach those policies, Israel can and must react.

The United States would do well to learn from countries that seriously defend their borders against elements who wish to do harm to the nation and its citizens.

Unlike Barney Frank, I'm not "ashamed" of our closest ally in the Middle East when it uses legitimate and lawful action to protect its security. While I appreciate Mr. Frank's efforts to clarify his statements, far too often we've seen him issue retractions and deny previous statements in regards to Israel, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and other important topics.

Attached is State Rep. Jeff Perry's position paper on the U.S.-Israel relationship. Rep. Perry is a Republican running for the 10th Massachusetts Congressional seat being vacated by Bill Delahunt which covers the South Shore, Cape & the Islands. He is currently a State Rep and has already been endorsed by Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA).

I believe that he is the first candidate in this race to submit a paper to AIPAC and to clearly establish his positions on these key issues -- a reflection of his commitment to the issues. Based on the paper, it is also clear that a Perry victory would represent an overall improvement on the collective positions/votes taken by the Massachusetts congressional delegation...

STATEMENT OF JEFF PERRY IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENSE

"Recent events in the Middle East serve to highlight the importance of Israel's natural right to defend itself against the threat of attack from other nations, states or terrorist groups. I stand steadfastly behind Israel, and I firmly oppose any other nation or organization's efforts targeted at undermining this fundamental right. Every legitimate nation has the right of self-defense, and no nation should be required to sit idly in the face of potential attack. I call upon President Obama and leaders of other nations to support Israel's right to self-defense as a free and independent nation, and I will continue to advocate for this right if I am elected to serve in Congress."

...Israel was -- and continues to be -- justified in taking all actions necessary to ensure that the blockade of Gaza remains in effect, thus preventing weapons from reaching the Hamas terrorists. While the world reflexively condemns Israel and the White House continues in its failure to stand with any moral clarity, I understand, like you, that Israel has lived from the day of its birth on the edge of existence. Surrounded by sworn enemies who do not, will not and can not bring themselves to recognize Israel's fundamental right to exist; and who direct far more energy to Israel's destruction then their own national development, Israel has zero margin for error...

...With family ties that go back to my father's role in the Israeli War of Independence, I have been a consistent and strong supporter of Israel. By profession, I am a freelance photojournalist specializing in guerilla warfare and counter-insurgency and most recently spent a year in support of US and Coalition forces in Afghanistan. I have a graduate degree in Middle East Studies from Cairo, Egypt and a post-graduate degree in International Relations/Political Economy from Oxford University...

..."As tensions continue to grow in the Middle East, I want to stress that Israel exercised its legitimate right to self defense and we must learn all the facts in this regrettable and deadly flotilla incident. Hamas and its allies are the responsible parties for the recent violence and the continued difficulties for the people of Gaza. The Palestinian people have legitimate rights to a state that is a peaceful neighbor of Israel, but those who assist Hamas only undermine that goal and a peaceful resolution. We must maintain the Middle East peace process and unfortunately events like this undermine that process. One thing is clear; the Obama administration has managed to convince most countries around the world that we are worth little as a friend and worth even less as enemies. They have made a dangerous world even more dangerous by not standing by their allies and refusing to impose tougher sanctions on Iran as it continues to be a nuclear threat to its neighbors."...

..."I don't need polling or political strategists to help define a nuanced stance on Israel," Brown said, according to a copy of his prepared remarks. "We are engaged in a worldwide struggle against radical, violent jihad. It is the defining issue of our time. Our best friends and the strongest allies in this fight are in the State of Israel."

"Let's remember - Israel is our ally. Israel is a democracy," Brown added. "Hamas is a terrorist group with clear and genuine intentions of destroying Israel's way of life."...

As a congressman representing Massachusetts' Third Congressional District, I would be a firm and vocal supporter of the strategic relationship between the United States of America and the State of Israel. Israel and the U.S. have been long time allies. Jewish settlers in pre-State Israel fought alongside the Allies in World War II and Israel was a strong U.S. ally in the days of the Cold War. Today, Israel and the U.S. share technology, intelligence and the values of freedom and democracy as they stand together against common threats.

One such common threat is radical Islam. Radical Islam is not only anti-Israel, it is anti-U.S., anti-West and anti-freedom. As proof, Americans have become targets of terror much like the citizens of Israel. Recent events on our army bases, in the sky over Detroit and in Times Square are terrifying reminders of this sad fact. And these events should drive us to stand with ever greater resolve with our allies and against the forces of radical Islam wherever they appear. This includes providing Israel with all of the necessary military and financial support as they stand on the front lines of this battle...

Holliston, MA...Today Marty Lamb, Republican candidate for Congress in Massachusetts Third District, stated, in response to the flotilla raid, that Israel has the right to defend itself against attacks and terrorists.

"I stand by Israel's right to defend its borders and citizens. The country lives under constant threat of violence from Hamas and other terrorist organizations," said Lamb. "I call upon Congressman Jim McGovern to stand with me in support of Israel and to join me in cautioning the United Nations from condemning Israel's raid."

"The United States must stand by its allies," stated Lamb.

US CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE GERRY DEMBROWSKI CALLS "PEACE ACTIVISTS" PROVOCATION INTOLERABLE, SUPPORTS ISRAEL'S DEFENSIVE ACTIONS

US Congressional candidate Gerry Dembrowski today condemned the actions of the pro-Hamas "peace activists" in the "peace flotilla" heading for Gaza and said the response of the Israeli military was measured and appropriate. The Jerusalem Post reported June 1, 2010 "Fifty 'Mavi Marmara' aka peace flotilla passengers tied to global jihad network." Dembrowski also condemned the United States government for its weak response and its failure to support its closest friend and ally in the Middle East, Israel. "We should've waited to hear both sides of the story."

Tuesday, the Israeli military also discovered a cache of bulletproof vests and night-vision goggles, as well as gas masks. Dembrowski said "Are these items standard issued peace keeping paraphernalia? " The so-called peace activists intentionally created this situation and they've played their part very well. The pro-Hamas activists forced Israel to defend itself with force and now world sympathy is with the pro-Hamas activists while Israel is condemned. This is exactly the opposite of what should be happening.

Dembrowski, running for US Congress in the Massachusetts 7th district against incumbent Ed Markey, rejected the claim the ships' mission was humanitarian in nature.

The group of over 50 passengers with possible terror connections have refused to identify themselves and were not carrying passports. Many of them were carrying envelopes packed with thousands of dollars in cash.

"The Palestinians in Gaza are already allowed more than enough food and supplies under the direction of Israel and the UN. The United States contributes a large measure to that effort. Israel offered to allow the flotilla to land at Gaza if Israel first inspected the cargo but the activists refused. Instead, the pro-Hamas activists chose to confront the Israelis by running the blockade so they could bypass UN and Israeli inspections.

"And in response the Obama administration calls for an independent investigation, as if Israel and its terrorist enemies in the region are on equal footing and neither one can be trusted to tell the truth about what happened. This is the same sad spirit in which Obama pressures and snubs Israel, a close and enthusiastic ally of the United States, browbeating them to the bargaining table, as if Israel hasn't already shown her willingness to give up land for peace and to negotiate openly and fairly with any legitimate party."

"I call on our elected representatives to tell the truth about Middle Eastern politics and not play the cynical game of punishing our friends and forgiving those who jeopardize America's interests, as if that will bring about peace in the world."

As Americans we can't stand for politics as usual. It's time we do the right thing because it is worth doing and stop doing the wrong thing or nothing at all because its politically correct.

"The activists and protesters could bring Middle Eastern peace much closer to reality if instead of provoking Israel, they convinced their allies Hamas to release Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier abducted and held captive by Hamas since June, 2006, four long years ago."

"I don't believe in turning a blind eye to the destructive practices of potential enemies while insulting and pressuring our friends to try to create some weak and fragile peace. If we're not honest with our friends as well as our enemies, we don't have the right to expect any positive outcome of our efforts in the world."

Dembrowski, a life-long resident of Woburn, Massachusetts and a doctor of chiropractic, says he will make a common sense foreign policy and fair and open dealings with all nations a focus of his campaign.