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** A statement on Israel
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The evil and wanton terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israeli men, women, and children shock the world’s conscience. We see the images and the videos and the horror of Israeli teenagers being gunned down at a dance party; of parents shielding their children from bullets as they flee their homes; of the bodies of Israeli women being driven through the streets of Gaza as trophies.

It is difficult to comprehend such brutality, especially as we learn that the attack represented the deadliest single day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. And sadly, the bodies are still being counted. We pray for our Jewish friends everywhere as they grieve, we grieve alongside them, and we commit to do whatever we can here in the United States to aid their cause.

We condemn in the strongest possible terms the heinous and evil atrocities committed by Hamas and those who aid them. We unequivocally stand with the Israeli people and hope the response is swift, severe, and definitive from all corners of the world.

But we can do more than pray and offer our words. We can act.

The situation in Israel and the broader Middle East will unfold over the coming weeks and months - and there are many complex decisions that will need to be made about how America can best support Israel in its fight and come to the humanitarian aid of any innocent civilians in Gaza who reject the evil actions and aims of Hamas.

However, in the short term, there are a few easy and obvious things that the United States can and should do. Let’s start there.

Today, we call on the United States to do the following:
1. Jack Lew has been President Biden’s nominee to serve as Ambassador to Israel since September 5, 2023. He still has not received a confirmation hearing in the Senate, which is not set to be held until October 18. The Senate should immediately accelerate Mr. Lew’s confirmation so that he is on the next flight to Israel to begin his important work at this critical time.
2. As of this writing, the US House of Representatives is still without a Speaker and is still in recess. Without a Speaker, the business of the House is severely limited. This uncertainty is unacceptable. Congress should convene immediately and select a Speaker.
3. Senator Tuberville (R-AL) has vowed that he will continue his hold on filling senior US military positions. As a result of his actions, many senior military officers are performing two jobs as they await promotion, and some key positions are being held by more junior officers because a more senior officer has not yet been confirmed by the Senate. The Senate must immediately end Senator Tuberville’s costly stunt that directly harms US military readiness at a time of great danger and uncertainty in the world.
4. Hamas has claimed that their attack was funded and approved by the Iranian regime. Investigative reporting and intelligence sources have also confirmed Iran’s role in the attack. Iranian leaders have celebrated the attack, calling it a “proud operation.” The Biden Administration must end its policy of rapprochement with the Iranian regime. All aid to Iran in whatever form should be frozen indefinitely and any monies sent to Iran should be clawed back to the extent possible until the extent of their role in this attack is known.
5. The House of Representatives should immediately take up a joint funding bill that contains a replenished aid package for Ukraine and an initial aid package for Israel and approve it. Israelis and Ukrainians are fighting to defend their homelands and their families against enemies of freedom and humanity. They are the tip of the spear, but America remains a decisive arsenal for good. The world cannot doubt our resolve to stand with our allies in their hours of need. Congress must step up to the plate and deliver military and humanitarian aid to both Israel and Ukraine.

We ask that you call or email your Senators and members of Congress using the button below and urge them to take these actions as soon as possible. Tell them that time is of the essence and the world is looking to them to stop dithering and act. Lives hang in the balance, and increasingly, so does the future of free people beyond Israel and Ukraine.

The best antidote to a broader conflict in the face of evil like this is always strength. A peaceful world depends upon a strong United States that acts decisively on its guiding principles. It’s time to put those principles into action.
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