October 7, 2024
From Senator Chuck Schumer: As we mark 10/7: I prayed at my synagogue, Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, for the victims of Hamas’s terrorism, the hostages, and their families. On 10/7, Hamas displayed such viciousness to try to scare Israelis, Americans, and the world into submission—but they failed.
From U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: “Today is an incredibly sad and somber day as we remember the twelve hundred innocent people who were brutally murdered a year ago in the October 7 attack. These were grandparents, parents, children, and infants. They were young people at a concert, families building their lives, and advocates working for peace. My heart and prayers are with their families and friends. May their memories be a blessing.
“We must also remember that there are around one hundred hostages still being held by Hamas, including a number of Americans. While the situation remains extremely difficult, we must recommit ourselves to bringing them home as swiftly as possible. I pledge that I will not rest until they’re back home.”
From Governor Kathy Hochul: “Oppression of the Jews is not something new that happened even in our last century. It goes back thousands and thousands of years. And even in our own state—the great State of New York, home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, 1.6 million strong—even a place like that, that I’m so proud to represent, is not immune from horrific acts of antisemitism in our own cities, in our own communities.
“There is hate here, my friends. But I’ll tell you this, I believe it to my core: we can overcome this hate. We can push that hate far into the recesses of our minds. We can change the course of history by standing together. All who feel oppressed, because there’s more of us than them, I assure you. And as long as we stand united and call it out and are not afraid of those who try to raise an arm against us. Let them know the power of our strength. That’s how we draw the hope that gives us the strength to carry on.”
From Congressman Nick Langworthy: Today marks one year since the barbaric October 7th terrorist attack on Israel — 1,200 innocent people were slaughtered, including 46 American citizens. There are still 97 hostages being held by Hamas, including 4 Americans. America continues to stand by Israel, honor the victims, and call for the return of the remaining hostages.”
From State Senator George Borrello: “Today marks one year since the tragic events of October 7, when Hamas carried out a horrific attack on Israel, leaving behind heartbreak and an unimaginable loss of life and taking 251 hostages, over 100 of whom are still suffering in captivity.
On this solemn anniversary, we stand with the families and loved ones of those who were lost, injured and taken hostage and pray for their strength and resilience.
“My solidarity with the nation of Israel is stronger than ever. I continue to stand with them and defend their fight to live free from terror. I pray for the safe return of the hostages and hope for peace and security for this great nation.”
From Senator Tom O’Mara And The State Senate Republicans: Today, and every day, we remember the horrific terrorist attack that took place in Israel on this day one year ago. Together we must stand with Israel and their fight to live free from terror.
From Congresswoman Claudia Tenney: “On October 7th of last year, Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, carried out its heinous October 7th attacks against Israeli civilians,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “More than a thousand innocent civilians, including Americans, were killed, raped, tortured, beaten, brutalized, or kidnapped at the hands of Hamas. October 7th was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, and I continue to mourn the loss of the precious souls murdered on that day. May their memories be a blessing and their murderers be brought to justice.”
“One would think that unequivocally condemning this horrific attack would be common sense. Yet, one year later, I am horrified by the pro-Hamas encampments, riots, and mobs that we have seen across our country, particularly on college campuses. Even some of my colleagues in Congress continue to refuse to condemn Hamas’s terrorism. We have witnessed individuals engage in anti-Semitic chants of “from the river to the sea,” calling for the erasure of Israel, the lone democracy in the region. Further, while these individuals claim to support a “ceasefire,” those calls only seem to apply to Israel’s attempts to defend itself and not to Iranian and Iranian-backed attacks against Israel. These individuals also remain shockingly silent in joining calls for Hamas to release its hostages.
“One year later, Hamas still holds captive over 97 hostages from October 7th, including American citizens. Throughout the last year, I have met with dozens of family members of hostages being held by Hamas, and I have joined their calls for Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release all its hostages. We recently learned that out of fear that Israel may free him, Hamas killed Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American citizen whom they held captive for almost a year. I continue to mourn the loss of Hersh, along with all the hostages who have been killed. I wholeheartedly support Israel’s ongoing campaign to free the remaining hostages in Gaza and commend the work of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to liberate the remaining hostages and recover the bodies of those killed by Hamas.
“Sadly, one year later, the Biden administration still refuses to address the true root cause of the October 7th attacks: the brutal Iranian regime. Without the backing of the despotic Iranian mullahs, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis could not have launched the October 7th attacks. Iran provides these terrorist proxies with critical funding, training, arms, and intelligence. Under the Biden administration, the United States has failed to enforce our existing sanctions, allowing Iran to earn an estimated $100 billion in oil and arms sales, which fund their aforementioned terrorist proxies. The Biden administration must reinstate the Trump administration’s Maximum Pressure Campaign and encourage our E3 allies to invoke snapback sanctions on Iran immediately. The Biden administration must also give their full and unequivocal support to Israel as it eliminates the terrorist leadership and infrastructure of Hamas and Hezbollah, which are not only Israel’s enemy but also our enemies.
“One year later, however, there is still reason for hope. Over the last year, we have seen the promise of the Abraham Accords in action when the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan helped Israel repel an attack by Iran. Ayatollah Khamenei’s worst nightmare is a peaceful coexistence between Israel and its neighbors. We must continue working to expand and strengthen the Abraham Accords to achieve a lasting peace in the region. I am hopeful that an expansion of the Abraham Accords is possible and that Israel will succeed in freeing the remaining hostages and eliminating the threat posed by Hamas and Hezbollah. I will never waver in my support of Israel, one of our greatest allies, and will continue working to ensure that Never Again truly means Never Again.”
