Dear friend,
On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian Sunni Islamist terrorist group, Hamas, viciously attacked Israel - one of the United States’ closest allies - from the Gaza Strip. On that day, more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, including at least 35 U.S. citizens, were killed. Not since the Holocaust have so many Jews been killed in a single day.
During the unprecedented attack, Hamas, in conjunction with other terrorist groups, seized 253 hostages, 97 of whom remain in captivity and are unaccounted for. The barbaric attacks against Israel on October 7 were of a scope and lethality not witnessed ever before in the 16 years of Hamas control in Gaza, despite other conflicts.
Here in America, Jewish students across the country have been subjected to rising antisemitism at our universities. Pro-Hams supporters have taken over buildings, restricted access to outdoor areas of campus, and harassed Jewish students wearing a kippah. They’ve been cursed and yelled at, told to go home or that they don’t deserve to exist. Let’s be clear, this is un-American and there should be zero tolerance for it.
In 2023, there were 10,000 reported incidents of antisemitism, the highest since 1979. I’m glad that in 2020, I helped to lead passage of the Never Again Education Act in Congress to provide resources for Holocaust education. Unfortunately, it’s needed.
The U.S.-Israel alliance is founded upon our shared democratic and cultural values, mutual security interests, and an enduring friendship. The Abraham Accords reflect our mutual respect for our partnership and the significance that the pursuit of peace in the region holds for the United States and Israel – a peace vital to the national security of both countries.
The United States should continue to support Israel, to stand with Israel in the face of attacks not only from Hamas, but from antisemitic nations at the United Nations. The United States should continue to assist Israel with the means to defend itself. Israel is a long-time friend and ally and our policy toward Israel should be consistent and in line with that history. American politics and election year concerns should have no role in the United States foreign policy with Israel. We can’t forget that Israel’s enemies hate us as well. We must never waver in our support of the only fellow democracy in the region.
I’m committed to an ironclad partnership with Israel. Both countries gain by our strong relationship. The state of Israel provides a safe haven for Jewish people all over the world who face rising antisemitism.
I also introduced legislation to censure Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) for her antisemitic remarks, including labeling Jewish American students as pro-genocide. We must never forget that it wasn’t too long ago when people of the Jewish faith were scapegoated, marginalized, and murdered. We must always stand vigilant against antisemitism and call out those who work to resurrect this insidious virus.
I will always stand with Israel and Jewish Americans and stand up to antisemitism. If you need help with a federal agency, please feel free to give us a call at 402-938-0300.
