SAN DIEGO (Press Release)– Larry Wilske, California Congressional candidate and retired Command Master Chief of SEAL Team Seven, issued a statement on Friday, August 8, calling for solidarity in support of Israel. Wilske is a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Navy SEAL Teams. He served with distinction on SEAL Teams SDV-1, Three and Seven and oversaw hundreds of complex missions worldwide, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Philippines. Wilske is running in the 53rd Congressional District in San Diego.
“As someone who spent the past 30 years in the United States Armed Forces fighting for freedom, I recognize the Israel-Hamas conflict as a critical juncture in history. Our nation must stand behind Israel, our number one freedom-loving ally in the Middle East, in their time of need,” Wilske said.
“America’s voice, which once rang strong and true in the face of cowardly acts of terrorism, is now virtually a whisper in an era of mounting global instability that threatens us all. The decision to support Israel is not an issue of faith, although there are those who would present it as such to fit their political agendas. Freedom is a virtue that transcends the bounds of religion. If we are to have integrity in what we stand for as a nation, all Americans – whether they are Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Protestant or agnostic – must unite and support our top strategic ally.
“Israel itself is an example of tolerance, with Arab citizens representing about twenty percent of the population. Muslim Americans who claim the religion of peace must realize that Israel is the only deterrent to the destruction of Muslim faith by terrorists who would distort their faith and use it as a vessel for recruiting, financing, and training violent criminal extremists.
“Israel represents our only roadblock to terrorism in the region, yet some Americans still question their inherent right to defend themselves. It’s time we come together and unite behind Israel, regardless of our faith, gender, race or political affiliation. There is a cultural change that needs to happen among Palestinians. The people of Gaza must stop Hamas from carrying out indiscriminate attacks against Israel solely based on their faith. And Palestinians can no longer allow Hamas terrorists to hide in the open. Let’s not allow this to fall tragically into the mire of political maneuvering and have party loyalty dictate whether or not we do the right thing. Israel is our ally and we need to stand by her with the red, white and blue we have coursing through our veins as Americans. This crisis, along with numerous other examples of destabilization taking place all over the world, is not an isolated incident. After 30 years as a Navy SEAL, I can assure you that our country will pay the price for apathy and short-sighted decisions. This is one team, one fight. Let’s stay true to the principles that our country was founded upon and provide Israel with our unequivocal support.”
Preceding provided by Larry Wilske for Congress.