On Oct. 7 anniversary, Florida Dems say Israel deserves to defend itself against terrorists

After far-left factions staged nationwide protests against Israel in the wake of Hamas' ambush on its citizens, Florida Democrats on Monday called for continued U.S. support for Israel against Iran and its terrorist groups one year after the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre.

The Florida Democratic Party, headed up by Chair Nikki Fried, who is Jewish, reiterated that Israel has the right to defend itself against those seeking to destroy it, pointing out that Hamas murdered over 1,200 Israeli civilians and took 251 hostages at a nighttime music festival one year ago today.

“Israel has a right to defend itself today, just as did one year ago in response to the senseless massacre unleashed by Hamas terrorists," Fried said in a statement released Monday, stressing that there are still over 100 hostages held in Gaza. "Today, Florida Democrats call for continued U.S. support for Israel to defend itself against adversaries including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran — who represent a clear and present threat to Israel.

"As we pause in remembrance today, we renew our calls for the release of the remaining hostages and pray for peace and security to return to the region," she added.

Fried also acknowledged the increasing danger faced by Israelis. After Hamas, a terrorist militia group backed by Iran, launched its surprise attack last year, the Israeli government responded with brutal strength. They began to bomb Gaza and surrounding cities in retaliation, resulting in the Gaza Health Ministry (which is run by Hamas) reporting that over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Soon after, some far-left factions began protesting U.S. support for Israel, insisting that the Jewish nation was committing a Palestinian genocide. Protesters on college campuses began to set up encampents on school property, demanding their universities divest from Israel. Over the summer, some protesters defaced areas of Washington, D.C. in support of Hamas.

Israel, meanwhile is fighting allegations of genocide at the world's highest court.

Iran's other funded terrorist group, the Lebanon-based Hezbollah, also began to fire on Israel after the Oct. 7 attacks, resulting in a year-long back-and-forth between the two entities until a few weeks ago, when Israel secretly sold Hezbollah members exploding pagers, which killed 42 and wounded thousands more. Israel began an aerial bombing campaign over Lebanon, taking out several senior Hezbollah commanders.

On Oct. 1, they invaded southern Lebanon. In the latest chapter, Iran a day later launched hundreds of high-speed missiles at Israel, which were mostly shot down.