Dear Neighbor, I write to you from Washington after a difficult week.  Like many of you, I learned last Saturday morning of the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel.  Over the course of this week, we have continued to learn more about atrocities committed and the people terrorized, taken hostage, and killed—more than 1,300 killed, at least 27 Americans among them.  It was the deadliest day in Israel’s history and the largest mass killing of Jewish people since the Holocaust. This week, Members of Congress demonstrated our strong opposition to the attacks and solidarity with the people of Israel, with nearly 400 bipartisan sponsors, including me, joining a resolution that House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and Ranking Member Gregory Meeks introduced condemning Hamas’ brutal war against Israel, calling for Hamas to cease its attacks and release hostages, and standing with our ally Israel as it defends itself in response to this barbaric attack. President Biden, Secretary of State Tony Blinken, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin have all stated unequivocally that the United States stands with our ally Israel in this war against Hamas.  The Biden Administration has demonstrated that commitment, sending the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to Israel, moving military assets into the Eastern Mediterranean, and pledging unwavering support.  President Biden also made clear the important distinction between Hamas terrorists, whose stated purpose is to destroy the state of Israel, and Palestinian civilians.  Hamas is responsible for this terrorism. I have heard from members of our diverse district this week who are deeply concerned about the war and what it will mean in the days, weeks, and years ahead.  So many people in our community have deep ties to people in the region and are deeply concerned about their safety and security as well as about the impact of the war on the effort to find a lasting peace in the region.  Before I returned to Washington, I joined more than 2,000 community members for the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston’s community gathering in solidarity with Israel at Congregation Beth Yeshurun.  Throughout the week, I have connected with members of our community about their concerns, and I will continue to do so in the days ahead.  I also attended an informative, bipartisan briefing from representatives from the Department of State, Department of Defense, and Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Since last weekend, our district team has worked to assist constituents seeking to leave the region.  To that end, I joined my colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Blinken urging the State Department to use all tools at its disposal to help get Americans out of Israel and back home to the United States, and another letter to Secretary Blinken urging the State Department to provide evacuation guidance for Palestinian Americans and Americans in Gaza and the West Bank, including ensuring embassy staff fluent in Arabic are available to assist them and publicizing evacuation information in an accessible manner.  The State Department is now facilitating chartered flights to assist U.S. citizens and immediate family members in Israel.  We have prepared a summary on the most recent guidance and resources from the State Department that is available on my website.  Those interested in assistance should contact my office and fill out this form. While these events are taking place overseas, they have many impacts here at home.  It is important that we work together to connect across our community, and work to ensure the safety and security of our neighbors, especially in light of rising antisemitism and hate across the country—and, sadly, in our own community—in recent years.  In response to potential threats, the Houston Police Department increased patrols for Jewish and Muslim places of worship this week.  I am grateful to our law enforcement officers and to our local leaders to ensure that everyone in our diverse community is connected, protected, and supported.