WASHINGTON, DC— Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) issued the following statement regarding recent developments in the situation in the Middle East:

“Israel is our good friend and our only long term ally in a dangerous part of the world. As Americans we do not rush to judgment before we have the facts. As tragic as the situation in the Mediterranean is, I urge all parties involved to do all they can to reduce tension and to allow the facts to be examined.”