A bipartisan effort within the U.S. Congress, particularly within Florida's congressional delegation, in support of Israel after the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas that left 1,400 Israelis, Americans, and other foreign nationals, dead, continues to grow.
While Progressive members of the House Squad—Reps. Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—continue to condemn Israel’s military response to the unprovoked attack on October 7th and demand a ceasefire, most Democratic lawmakers like Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Jared Moskowitz, Darren Soto, Frederica Wilson, and Lois Frankel, have sided with House Republicans in support for Israel.
House Republicans voted this week in support of appropriating $14.3 billion in aid to Israel.
“The United States has a moral duty and a national security urgency to aid Israel in defending herself,” said Rep. Frankel. “Make no mistake, Hamas terrorists and others in the region are out to destroy Israel and kill all Jews. We must send an unequivocal message to the world that we stand with Israel.”
The Floridian reached out the Florida Congressional Caucus for comment on the recent and very telling statement that Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad made about repeating the October 7 massacre
“We Will Repeat the October 7 Attack Time and Again Until Israel Is Annihilated; We Are Victims - Everything We Do Is Justified,” said Hamad as he vowed to launch "a second, a third, a fourth" attack until the Israel is "annihilated."
While Reps. Moskowitz, Wasserman Schultz, Cory Mills, and others were not available for comment, many members offered their thoughts about Hamas’ transparent intentions to continue attacking Israel.
Rep. Mills responded to the attack in Israel by helping evacuate close to 300 Americans stranded in Israel after war broke out.
Members focused on the Iranian threat posed to American and Israeli interests, as the regime in Tehran has been funding Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, and Hamas, in the region
🚨 Breaking: Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad says they will repeat October 7-like massacres until Israel is annihilated.
Now you understand why Israel must annihilate Hamas...pic.twitter.com/XaE973dzRr
— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) November 1, 2023
“Israel has every right to eliminate the threat of Hamas and protect Israelis. So long as the Iran regime is flushed with cash, they will continue to fund Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist groups who seek to threaten Israel and the U.S. The Biden Administration needs to reverse course on its Iran policy and bring back Trump’s Maximum Pressure Campaign.,” stated former Army Green Beret Rep. Michael Waltz (R).
“Israel has every right to defend itself and its people. The U.S. should do everything in our power to ensure they have the support and resources necessary to eliminate these vile terrorists. At the same time, we must remain vigilant against Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, who clearly enabled and help fund these brutal and inhumane attacks,” stated Rep. Vern Buchanan.
“Hamas is a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization and proxy of the terrorist state of Iran. The barbaric and sadistic attacks on innocent Israelis on October 7, which included rape, torture, hostage-taking, and murder, demonstrated the grotesque inhumanity of Hamas and the evil that Israel must confront. As our friend and democratic ally in the Middle East, Israel deserves the United States’ full support as it fights for survival. Israel needs time to eradicate terrorism,” stated Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R)
“My support for Israel has never and will never waver, and the United States must stand by one of our closest allies in the world. The barbaric attacks on innocent Jewish civilians and the sovereignty of the State of Israel were devastating, and so have the global rallies in support of Hamas. Israel must do everything in their power to safeguard its people and its land, and the aid package House Republicans are adopting will go a long way to help our friend in need," said Rep. Byron Donalds.
Former U.S. Navy fighter pilot Rep. Scott Franklin reiterated that a call for a ceasefire would only embolden and help the terrorists.
“I strongly support Israel as they defend themselves, and I am a cosponsor of the Israel Supplemental the House is considering this afternoon,” Rep. Franklin said. “Hamas has declared continued and repeated attacks, which is precisely why a ceasefire is wrong. Giving Hamas time to rearm and regroup would be an absolute failure by the Biden Administration. There is no negotiation with avowed terrorists whose stated goal is your total annihilation.”
“The White House must acknowledge Iran’s role in the attacks on Israel and the attacks on our troops in the Middle East. Hamas could not have carried out the attacks on Israel without outside help and financing. Our troops have been attacked at least 25 times in recent weeks by Iranian-backed militias. It’s the Commander in Chief’s duty to protect the men and women who serve our country, but Joe Biden is failing again and again to do so. Iran profited tens of billions of dollars because the Biden administration failed to enforce oil sanctions. The White House still has not officially re-frozen the $6 billion in funding that Joe Biden gave Iran on September 11th. Why is the White House choosing appeasement," stated Rep. Greg Steube.
Rep. Brian Mast (R), who after losing his legs in Afghanistan while serving in the U.S. Army, and who is also the only member of Congress to every wear a Israeli IDF uniform, also defended Israel’s right to defend itself.
“If someone attacks our troops, our people, takes them hostage, they should expect the sights of our rifles, and the guidance of our ordnance to be trained onto them,” stated Rep. Mast.
Israeli troops have already entered Gaza in the much anticipated military incursion. Thus far, about two dozen Israeli soldiers have been killed, while Hamas militants are being killed daily and by the busloads.
