Dear Neighbor,

I unequivocally condemn, in the strongest terms possible, the horrifying and despicable terrorist attacks launched by Hamas on innocent Israeli civilians.

On a personal level, I am so grateful for your continued prayers for the safety of my extended family.

I am overwhelmed with admiration for the bravery displayed by my cousins currently serving on Reserve Duty in Israel. And I am praying for the continued safety of my Grandmother and aunts/uncles who are sheltering in place.

As the proud grandson of my late Grandfather Boris, a Holocaust refugee, and as person of Jewish faith, I have struggled to articulate the depths of devastation I feel.

But as an elected official, I write this letter to our community with a responsibility to speak with unequivocal clarity during this difficult time.

Though the war is thousands of miles away, our work locally is so important at this moment.

We need to take action here in our county, inclusive of:

- Continuing to work in partnership with the Nassau County Police Department to increase the frequency of patrols and number of cops guarding our houses of worship and neighborhoods
- Upholding the law I co-sponsored to ban companies who support BDS from earning government contracts
- Ensuring that we as a county fully abide by the IHRA working definition of anti-Semitism which we adopted in 2021
- Working in tandem with Long Island non-profits to fulfill supply drives and shipments of products to Israel for soldiers and citizens

The sheer barbarism of Hamas' attack is hard to fathom. It's gut-wrenching and almost inconceivable to think that these terrorists kidnapped, raped, and tortured women. They beheaded dozens of babies. They captured wheelchair-bound senior citizens. And we continue to discover more Israeli deaths at the hands of unspeakable terror.

As difficult as it is, we cannot look away. It's right now, in THIS moment, that the world must stand united in its categorical belief that these crimes against humanity must lead to the final elimination of Hamas and all its affiliates from this Earth.

It's with a heavy heart that I recall conversations with my late Grandfather Boris, as he would remind me consistently to promise him I would always remember two very important words: NEVER. AGAIN.

Though he's no longer with us, I wish I could respond to him: Never Again is right now.

And so in his memory, I conclude:

To our friends of all different faiths and backgrounds who have spoken out to support Israel: we are grateful for your solidarity.

To those institutions, nations, and individuals who choose to equivocate in this moment: we will remember with alacrity your silence.

And to those terrorist, inhuman savages who perpetrated this atrocity: we the Jewish people, a people who have overcome adversity for thousands of years, will eradicate you from the face of the Earth.

May God Bless Israel. And may God continue to Bless the United States of America.

With appreciation,
Josh

Joshua A. Lafazan
Nassau County Legislator, District 18

Paid for by Josh Lafazan for Responsible Government
89 Cypress Drive
Woodbury NY, 11797
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