(The Heart Sq.) – All 12 members of Washington state’s congressional delegation have issued statements or joined in a bipartisan Home decision condemning Saturday’s assault by Hamas on the nation of Israel.
“We should stand in solidarity with Israel in repelling this brutal assault on civilians and their cities,” U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., mentioned on Saturday. “My coronary heart goes out to the victims of those terrorist assaults and I’m praying for civilians caught up within the preventing. We should guarantee full U.S. assist for Israel to defend itself and work to keep away from additional escalation and a wider warfare.”
In a statement Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., mentioned not less than 14 Individuals are believed to be among the many victims, which included over 900 Israelis killed and a couple of,400 individuals injured.
Together with launching a bombardment of an estimated 4,500 missiles, Hamas terrorists are additionally accused of slaughtering Israelis and abducting hostages, together with kids and the aged, from cities in southern Israel.
“As we proceed to be taught extra in regards to the horrific terrorist assaults on Israel, we’re seeing the heartbreaking scope and scale of this grotesque assault. At this level, we all know that not less than 14 American civilians have been amongst these murdered, together with a College of Washington graduate, and Individuals are amongst these being held hostage by Hamas,” mentioned Murray.
“The utter cruelty of this brutal terrorist assault by Hamas, the indiscriminate killing and maiming of civilians, and the celebration of demise and human struggling are indescribably chilling,” she mentioned.
Murray mentioned the violence “has nothing to do with Palestinian liberation or the desire of the Palestinian folks. It’s an unprovoked act of terror by a gaggle with genocidal intentions in opposition to Jews, full cease. Hamas locations no worth on human life, Israeli or Palestinian, they usually carried out this brutal assault with full data that it could put harmless Palestinians in hurt’s method.”
Congressional Home members from Washington who’ve additionally spoken out in opposition to the assault are Democrats Suzan DelBene, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Pramila Jayapal, Derek Kilmer, Rick Larsen, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith and Marilyn Strickland, and Republicans Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Dan Newhouse.
“As our strongest ally and sole democracy within the Center East, the US should stand with Israel unequivocally whereas they proceed to defend themselves in opposition to this invasion,” mentioned Newhouse. “It’s crucial that this battle concludes with an Israeli victory, and we should always present applicable humanitarian and navy assist to safe this end result.”
On Tuesday, 392 members of the Home of Representatives joined in a bipartisan resolution launched by Home International Affairs Committee chairman Michael McCaul, R-Tex., and Rating Member Gregory W. Meeks, D-NY.
“President Biden has dedicated the US totally to Israel’s self protection,” mentioned Meeks. “Israel is responding to the Hamas terror group’s unprecedented assault. The bipartisan decision will exhibit that is one subject through which the U.S. Home of Representatives is united ….”
The Home decision “reaffirms Israel’s proper to self-defense” and calls on all nations to “to unequivocally condemn Hamas’ brutal warfare on Israel.” It additionally condemns Iran’s assist of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and urges full enforcement of U.S. sanctions in opposition to Iran to stop its funding of such terrorist teams.
The decision additionally requires Hamas to instantly stop violent assaults, safely launch all residing hostages, and return the our bodies of lifeless hostages. It additionally reaffirms U.S. dedication to Israeli safety, in line with the 2016 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding, requires full enforcement of the Taylor Power Act to bar any U.S. international help from benefitting terrorists, and would offer Israel with emergency resupply and different safety, diplomatic, and intelligence assist.
The newest battle stems from long-standing disputes over a number of points, together with a two-state resolution for Palestinians, settlements within the Gaza Strip between Israel and Egypt, refugee displacement of refugees, and the standing of Jerusalem.
