Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This past weekend, on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur war, Israel was attacked by the Islamic terrorist group, Hamas, in the largest mass murder of Jewish civilians since the Holocaust. The latest reports are estimating nearly 1,000 Israeli deaths in the attack. To put this in perspective, if a similar attack happened on U.S. soil proportional to the U.S. population, it would be equivalent to nearly 35,000 Americans dying in a single terrorist attack.

The surprise attack was carried out by land, air, and sea. Islamic Hamas terrorists stormed by land through the Erez Crossing at the northern end of the Gaza strip, breaching the border fence with explosives before storming a military facility and murdering IDF soldiers in the living quarters. Further South, terrorists stormed Be'eri and massacred civilians at a music festival 2 miles away from the border. A military facility outside Nahal Oz also fell under attack where 2 IDF soldiers were killed, and at least 6 female soldiers were taken as prisoners. Attacks were attempted at sea near Zikim Beach, however, the terrorists were intercepted by IDF naval ships. From the air, Hamas rained down rockets and paragliders attacking both military and civilian targets. This coordinated attack sponsored by state actors such as Iran, is the largest terrorist attack Israel has ever faced.

The brutality of the attack cannot be overstated. This was not an attack with any kind of practical strategic or political purpose to the terrorist government operating in the Gaza Strip, but rather an attack motivated by pure hatred of the Jewish nation, and a desire to drive the Jewish people out of their land through violence and fear, land promised to them by God Himself. Throughout nearly all of recorded history, the Jewish people have have been oppressed by those who wish to deprive them of their religion, homeland, and freedom. Israel stands as a reminder of God's covenant with humanity, and is a beacon of freedom and righteousness in a region of the world that could use a lot more of both.

“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’” - Exodus 6:6–8

While details are constantly updating. Here are some of the reports of the attack we've seen from Israel.

Over 900 Israeli deaths reported, at least 85 being IDF soldiers
260 bodies removed from a music venue near the Gaza Strip
More than 130 Israelis taken hostage by Hamas
At least 11 U.S. Citizen killed
Videos of seniors, women, and children murdered, with their bodies paraded around by terrorists

Israel has formally declared war, and has secured the land besieged by Hamas. Retaliatory attacks are underway as efforts to secure hostages continue. Hamas has continued their cowardly use of human shields, hiding among civilians in the Gaza strip and threatening to murder hostages in response to Israeli counter attacks.

Supporting Israel

As Israelis are forced to fight for their existence everyday, it is vital for allies and governments around the world to stand with Israel.

While state governments have very limited influence in foreign relations, I'm proud to have used my power as a state legislator to support our Israeli allies. In 2017, I co-authored anti-BDS legislation prohibiting Minnesota state government from entering contracts with organizations boycotting Israel. This bipartisan bill, which was passed by a Republican legislature and signed into law by a Democrat Governor, is just one example of how we can unify in support of one of our nation's greatest allies.

Our Creator gave the land of Israel to the Jewish people, exclusively, and the Lord who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. I’ve had the opportunity and blessing to visit Israel twice, and I’m among the many who strongly support the Jewish People and their homeland Israel. Each of us continues to pray for the safety of the Jewish people and for the peace of Jerusalem.