Assyrian Christians are standing with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) after he was booed for his support of Israel by some Middle East Christians gathered in Washington, D.C. Wednesday at an event hosted by an organization called "In Defense Of Christians." Yet not all of the Christians present disagreed with Cruz--and some have begun speaking out in favor of Cruz's view that defending Israel and defending Christians in the Middle East go hand-in-hand. Martin Youmaran, a Chicago-based activist in the Assyrian American National Federation (AANF), posted on Facebook Thursday:

I am deeply saddened to hear about the disrespectful display that some showed at the in defense of christian's dinner last night in D.C. where they disrespected Senator Ted Cruz. Senator Cruz and the republican party have been strong advocates for the plight of the Christians in the Middle East. This disrespectful incident took away from the summit, and the main issue. The plight of the Christians. As an Assyrian American, I stands with Israel and Senator Ted Cruz against all terrorist organizations and those who support terrorist organizations. To me, all terrorists organizations are one and the same. all scum. I am united with israel against islamic terrorists and their sponsors.

Though Youmaran did not personally attend the event, he confirmed to Breitbart News that the AANF was present and that it was expected to release its own statement later today. Assyrians have rich and ancient heritage, dating back to the earliest days of civilization, and originate from present-day Iraq and environs.