WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) released a video statement on the one-year anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks that killed over a thousand Israelis and Americans. Cassidy, also joined U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and the entire Republican Conference in introducing a resolution condemning Iran-backed Hamas for its actions, supporting the forever survival of Israel, and calling for the safe release of American hostages.
“October 7 left an indelible mark on the Jewish State of Israel. In the last year, we have seen Hamas for the pure evil it is. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with Israel, reinforce our efforts to bring all the remaining hostages, including American citizens, home, and pledge to always stand up to antisemitism,” said Dr. Cassidy.
“This time last year, I woke up in the Middle East to the unbearable news that Israel was under attack by Iran-backed terrorists and Americans were being killed and taken hostage,” said Senator Ernst. “I immediately traveled into Israel to show that our nation’s friendship is unwavering, in good times and bad. Regardless of whether I have been in Jerusalem, Washington, or Iowa, I have worked around the clock to hold the White House accountable to its ‘ironclad’ commitment, bring our hostages home, and cut off the source of terrorism in Tehran. One year since that day, as Israel remains under attack on all fronts, Senate Republicans stand united with our greatest ally in the Middle East.”
The entire Senate Republican Conference stands united in opposing violent antisemitic protests and Iran-backed Hamas’ use of rape as a weapon of war.The resolution reiterates Israel’s right to defend itself and emphasizes the importance of denying Hamas the ability to reconstitute in the region to ensure the horrific events of that day are never repeated.
The full transcript of Cassidy’s video is below.
October 7, 2023, left an indelible mark on the Jewish State of Israel.
Young men and women who started their day at a music festival ended it with fresh scars of war.
Israelis and Americans left their homes never to return, instead being raped, murdered, and taken hostage.
I was part of the first Congressional delegation to visit Israel after the horrific attacks. What I saw was a nation, accustomed to terrorist attacks, left in shock.
They had the same shock Americans experienced after 9/11.
I sat with the families who grieved for the loss of their loved ones and others who prayed for the safe return of their children held hostage.
In the last year, we have seen Hamas for the pure evil it is. While Israel tries to save as many lives as possible during the midst of war, Hamas continues to target innocent civilians and use Palestinians as human shields.
Sadly, we have also seen Hamas’s terrorist rhetoric take hold across our college campuses.
No Israeli should live in fear of bombs hitting their house, and no student should live in fear of walking across their campus.
Today, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with Israel.
We reinforce our efforts to bring all the remaining hostages, including American citizens, home.
And pledge to stand up to antisemitism always.
Background
As ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Cassidy is leading multiple legislative efforts to address antisemitism on college campuses in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks. This includes the Protecting Students on Campus Act, bipartisan legislation that ensures students know how to file civil rights complaints if they experience discrimination on college campuses. Cassidy has also repeatedly called on HELP Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to hold hearings on antisemitism to ensure universities and the Department of Education are protecting Jewish students from discrimination and harm.
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