October 14, 2023
Dear Friends,
Last Saturday, as Jews around the world prepared to celebrate the festival of Simchat Torah, many of us awoke to horrifying reports that hundreds of Hamas terrorists had stormed into Israel, leaving death and destruction in their wake. The images from this assault are nothing short of appalling. Terrorists slaughtered parents before their children’s eyes, wiped out whole families, and massacred hundreds of young people at a music festival.
In recent days, as rescue workers continue to recover and identify the bodies of those murdered on Saturday, civilian casualties continue to surge by the hundreds and thousands. This includes the death of least 27 Americans, for whom more than a dozen are still unaccounted. Many more hostages, from infants to elderly Holocaust survivors, remain captive.
What should have been a joyous weekend filled with friends, family, and celebration was instead marred by the greatest loss of life for the Jewish community since the Holocaust. On Monday, I joined hundreds of mourners at Congregation Beth Emeth in Albany to share my condolences and to reaffirm my unwavering support for Israel, the Israeli people, and the entire Jewish community. I also signed onto a bipartisan Congressional resolution condemning these heinous attacks by Hamas, and I stand with President Biden in his pledge to offer all appropriate means of support to Israel and its people. Antisemitism has no place in our communities and I will continue to work with our state and federal partners to ensure that appropriate security is provided to centers of Jewish life here in the Capital Region.
Horrific events like these bring devastation that reaches far beyond those directly impacted, and I know that many members of our Capital Region community are hurting. Some may have lost loved ones, and countless others are fearing for the safety of their families and friends. If you or a loved one needs assistance returning home from Israel, please do not hesitate to contact my office. My staff and I stand ready to assist in any way we can.
The days, weeks, and months ahead will be difficult. As Israel begins its righteous campaign against the terrorist threat of Hamas, we must also remember that Hamas does not represent the broader Palestinian people, who have themselves been victims of Hamas’ reign of terror in Gaza. We cannot allow this horrific act of terrorism to derail us from the ultimate goal of achieving lasting security and peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.
With that in mind, I joined with dozens of my colleagues in a letter to President Biden, asking him to reaffirm that Israel’s targeted response in Gaza must be carried out according to international law and must take all due measures to limit harm to innocent civilians. Additionally, the letter calls for President Biden to work to quickly restore the delivery of food, water, fuel, electricity, and other life-saving necessities to Gaza to ensure that innocent civilians have the basics needed for survival, while also working with regional partners to establish humanitarian corridors to allow Palestinian civilians and foreign nationals, including many U.S. citizens, to safely evacuate.
As our joint letter notes, the future and safety of Israelis and Palestinians are intertwined. We cannot achieve lasting peace and security for Israelis without addressing the humanitarian crises in Gaza and the West Bank.
As this conflict continues, I know that those in Israel and Gaza will need far more support, and I’ll be working tirelessly in the halls of Congress to deliver an aid package that provides vital resources in this time of immense need.
This is a pivotal moment that will test our nation’s fundamental commitment to upholding democracy and promoting peace and justice around the world. With Israel at war against unspeakable terror and Ukraine still fighting for its freedom, it has never been more critical that we have a functioning Congress that can come together to honor our promises to our allies. It is my fervent hope that the coming days bring an end to the paralysis that has seized the House for weeks, so we can move forward with a newfound resolve to stand up for our partners defending their democracy and for the values we hold dear.
Last Saturday was a dark day for Israel, for the Jewish people, and for all humankind. In the face of this vile inhumanity, let us find the strength to respond with humanity — acknowledging the divine sanctity of all life and working to prevent needless civilian casualties. May we continue to draw inspiration from the Jewish value of tikkun olam, “repairing the world,” as we work together toward a future of peace.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- The U.S. Department of State continues to monitor the security situation in Israel and has shared resources for U.S. citizens seeking assistance for themselves or their loved ones in Israel.
- The Department is offering 24/7 assistance for U.S. citizens through phone calls and an online form.
- As of yesterday, Friday, Oct. 13 the State Department is also arranging charter flights to assist U.S. citizens and their eligible family members seeking to leave Israel.
- U.S. citizens seeking to be in touch with the U.S. Embassy in Israel, including to get on a charter flight can fill out this form or call 1-833-890-9595 or 1-606-641-0131.
- For the latest security alerts and travel advisories, please monitor the messages from the U.S. Embassy in Israel, which can be found HERE.
- Any U.S. citizens in Israel are also encouraged to enroll their trip and contact information HERE with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
- The State Department will continue to update its travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza in the coming days.
- You can find those updates HERE.
