The Group of Eight industrialized nations (G-8) expressed its support for Israel on Sunday in a statement condemning the attack by Hizbullah and the kidnapping of two IDF soldiers on Israel�s northern border. The statement called for the terrorist organization to cease its rocket attacks and release the hostages��.France joined voices with the United States on Sunday in asserting that Israel has the right of self-defense? in the face of ceaseless terror and rocket attacks.�Israel must defend itself,� said French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, �and it had the right to do so.� He added, however, that Israel should exercise restraint in dealing with the threat. �There is an aggressive element in the Middle East,� he said, and that is Hizbullah. As friends of Israel we must advise it to maintain level-headedness and restraint.�