| (WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented today on reports of a recent press conference with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad during which Chavez referred to Israel as a “genocidal” and “killer” state. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
“This is yet another example of Chavez's anti-Semitic and anti-Israel incitement. It highlights the need for democracies to join forces against the hate-filled agenda of Chavez, Assad, and other enemies of freedom.
"This outrageous anti-Israel incitement should be a red-light for U.S. officials seeking closer ties with both pariah leaders.
“The choice is clear: the U.S. must continue to stand firmly by its stalwart democratic ally, Israel. The U.S. must not turn its back on the Jewish state to curry favor with rogue regimes.
"We must make our position clear in every forum, particularly at the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting when the likes of Chavez, Assad, and Iran's Ahmadinejad will spew their venom."
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