U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fort Myers, the ranking Republican of the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, blasted Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez’s comments this weekend, where Chavez called Israel a “genocidal state” that “will be put in its place.”  Chavez’s comments came during a meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad, who is on a tour of Latin American countries this week.

Mack said: “For Hugo Chavez, nothing beats a public appearance to draw Venezuela closer to another state sponsor of terrorism, threatening the United States and its ally, Israel. This past Saturday, Hugo Chavez met with Syria’s president, spreading the same anti-freedom and anti-Semitic message that ties Venezuela to Iran. His hateful rhetoric against Israel and his unfair targeting of Venezuela’s Jewish community amounts to state-sponsored anti-Semitism, and it must stop.

“Chavez is also working to expand Venezuela’s ties to Syria, a state sponsor of terrorism. This economic relationship, however, is nothing more than an opportunity to further spread their anti-freedom message throughout the hemisphere. Chavez’s close ties to Syria and Iran give these countries a foothold in Latin America.”

“U.S. law clearly states that a state sponsor of terrorism is one that repeatedly provides support to acts of international terrorism. Hugo Chavez has done so and is a clear threat to our hemisphere. That’s why the United States must add Venezuela to the list of state sponsors of terrorism without delay, and why we must continue to stand with the people of Venezuela as they fight for freedom from Chavez’s iron fist.”

Mack is a sponsor of legislation (H.Res.872) calling on Venezuela to be designated a state sponsor of terrorism. He is also the sponsor of a resolution (H.Con.Res.124) expressing Congress’ support for and solidarity with the Venezuelan Jewish community.

Article originally published by News-Press.com