Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor on CNBC's Squawkbox discussing Israel

Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor on CNBC's Squawkbox discussing Israel

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CARL QUINTANILLA: CNBC's Martin Fletcher in Israel this morning. For more on the situation pressuring the markets we're joined by Congressman Eric Cantor, a republican Congressman from Virginia. Congressman, good to see you this morning thanks for being with us.

CANTOR: Good morning, good to be with you.

QUINTANILLA: What is your take on the situation? The President is out this morning saying Israel does have the right to defend itself. But shouldn't weigh too heavily against the Lebanese government. How far can Israel take this?

CANTOR: You know, I think clearly Israel has seen acts of war perpetrated against it. Certainly yesterday and over the last several weeks out of the Gaza strip. I think what we've got, the situation is you've got a Lebanese government that has in it Hezballah, as well as Hamas organizations and Gaza very much support from Damascas and a Lebanese government that is very tight in with what is going on and the funding coming out of Damascas and Tehran. They can't do what they do without the support of their state sponsors. I think what you'll see in Washington is the house will stand up for Israel's right to defend itself in responding to these acts of war.

QUINTANILLA: At what point, though, do we get into a situation where extreme groups, even if they are tied to various governments, are able to spark a fire that is larger than themselves in isn't that exactly what's happening here?

CANTOR: Well, I think what you have happening in Lebanon is an environment in which the government has allowed terrorist organizations to flourish. Certainly over in Damascas, you have headquartered terrorist organizations that receive funding from that government as well as tehran. And it is a very dangerous situation. But i think the important thing is that as would we in the United States as a Democratic Nation and a sovereign country, we have a right as does Israel, to defend itself against these terrorist attacks. The U.N. Had spoken out in 2000, in 2004, and said that all foreign forces should leave Lebanese soil. Israel, as we know, has withdrawn all of its troops out of Lebanon, but Hezballah has not and never did and we have what we have now.

JOE KERNEN: One of the questions is how do we use or do we use or do we have any influence in Damascas and in Tehran? Because these are centers of influence, as you correctly point out, in that whole area. And they could be much worse in terms of what they do. Or they could be sources of moderation. How does the United States with its power exert influence on those two capitals and the people there who are involved in this? What can we do that really helps to resolve this situation?

CANTOR: Bottom line, Damascas is a battle for terror. We in the congress have passed laws and sir I can't accountability act. We have the Iran sanctions act we have passed. We need the international community to join us in imposing severe sanctions that make a difference so these capitals are unable to finance the terrorist organizations that have launched these attacks against free nations.

KERNEN: Need them, but can we get them, can diplomacy deliver?

CANTOR: Certainly the secretary of state and others are abroad as is the president right now gaining support for our effort to defend freedom. That is what we are experiencing, yet another front in the war against the free world.

QUINTANILLA: Congressman, issues we'll be talking about a lot, even as we're getting word now of another rocket attack on Northern Israel and of course the Israeli government saying no targets are immune basically, including the city of Beruit. Congressman, thanks for your time.

CANTOR: Thank you.

QUINTANILLA: Eric Cantor, Republican Congressman from Virginia

http://www.cantorforcongress.com/news/2006/july/cnbc_israel.htm