May 24, 2024 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement on the International Court of Justice's ruling demanding Israel halt any offensive in Rafah: “I reject the premise that Israel has acted contrary to the UN’s Genocide Convention. The International Court of Justice's ruling today only contributes to Hamas terrorists’ false portrayal of Israel not as a victim of their heinous, criminal atrocities, but as the aggressor and instigator in this war. That, of course, is not true. “Like the International Criminal Court prosecutor's decision to pursue arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant just a few days ago, this ruling suggests a dangerous moral equivalency between Israel's efforts to defend itself and the slaughter, rape, and torture that Hamas terrorists unleashed on Israeli civilians on October 7 – the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. “I stand with the Biden-Harris Administration in supporting Israel's absolute right to defend itself and our shared mission to defeat Hamas and secure the release of the remaining 125 hostages held captive in Gaza. Today’s recovery of the remains of three hostages killed by Hamas reminds us of that mission’s urgency. Israeli forces have taken steps to minimize noncombatant casualties in Gaza. They continue to give notice of potential dangers to Palestinian civilians through leaflets, social media, and other means. In response, Hamas has instructed civilians to remain in harm’s way, displaying its utter disregard for the safety of the Palestinian people it claims to represent. Defeating Hamas is essential to ensuring the long-term security of both Israelis and Palestinians alike.”