WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rob Menendez today released the following statement on the one-month anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attack on Israel:
“One month ago in Israel, over 1,400 men, women, and children were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists. At a music festival, in their homes, on the streets, Israelis were indiscriminately targeted in the worst attack on the Jewish community since the Holocaust. Kibbutz Kfar Aza – one of the communities attacked on October 7th – is a beautiful and close-knit place that I had the privilege of visiting in August. It is heartbreaking to know that many of the residents we met there may have been killed or kidnapped by Hamas.
“Today, hundreds of hostages, including American citizens and young children, are still being held in Gaza by Hamas. We must support Israel in its efforts to defend itself from Hamas and rescue these hostages. At the same time, we must also provide humanitarian aid to Israeli and Palestinian civilians who are victims of Hamas’ brutal regime.
“Thankfully, President Biden has put the full support of the United States government behind Israel, leading with moral clarity and courage in backing one of our closest allies. It is critical for Congress to join the President in providing Israel with the assistance that it needs, which we can do by passing a bipartisan aid package without delay.
“Further, since the October 7th terrorist attack, there has been a significant rise in antisemitic rhetoric and incidents globally and in the United States. Just this week, a 69-year-old Jewish man was killed at a protest in California. This is completely unacceptable. All forms of hate including antisemitism and Islamophobia are incompatible with our American values and must be completely rooted out from every corner of the globe. We all must stand against hate in every form it takes.
“And we must never forget October 7th nor let this ever happen again. I stand with Israel. And I stand with our Jewish communities.”
