Hartzler: U.S.-Israel ties must stay strong

After a week-long congressional visit to Israel, U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler believes it's imperative that America maintain a strong relationship with that country.

Speaking Thursday at her Jefferson City office, 2409 Hyde Park Road, Hartzler said this was her first visit to Israel and, while there, she saw how vulnerable they are to attack.

"We don't want to see them go back to their borders (from) before the 1967 war, because that would put them in a perilous position," she said. "Countries such as Syria could reach the Golan Heights and line up missiles which could easily reach Israel.

"While we were there, the terrorist group Hamas was launching rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel."

Hartzler said the visit also was a chance to see how Israel deals with terrorist threats.