Friends, 

My heart continues to go out to the people of Israel during this time of immense tragedy.

For the Jewish community around the world, and here in southeastern Michigan, this weekend spelled unimaginable horror. Some have described this to me as one of the worst days of their life. We have witnessed the persecution and brazen targeting of innocent Jewish families, elderly and children, living peacefully as citizens of the Jewish state. Murdered. Kidnapped. Unspeakable crimes. Innocent families tortured and destroyed because they are Jewish. This is the most number of Jewish lives lost in a single day since the Holocaust. It is numbing and heart wrenching to even write these words. 

History has shown us this too many times. And that is why today I join loudly from the bright light of truth to say: Antisemitism is wholly unjust, wrong, and evil. Antisemitism cannot and will not stand.

Love has the ability to prevail. Love is louder and love must win.

October 7, 2023 is Israel’s 9/11 with Iran funded terrorism surrounding the country. Terrorists committed these atrocities and they will be held accountable. Innocent Palestinian families’ lives have been unfairly lost to a terrorist operation and oppressed by it. And as we saw this weekend, no Arab or Christian life was spared during the attack either. Americans are among the dead and taken hostage.

It is my belief that we will not have peace until terrorism is squashed, until hostages are returned, and until Israel achieves the full dignity of safety and security to exist as an independent state within the region.

Israel has declared they are at war. My support for the democratic nation of Israel, our great trade partner, an economic engine of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, a country who has provided refuge to the Jewish people throughout the world is forever unwavering. I am returning to Congress this week and am prepared to do what is needed to provide Israel and the Jewish community at home the support they need to carry through. 

Sincerely, 

Haley Stevens