Congressman Brad Sherman Marks Three Years Since October 7th Attack on Israel

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), Co-Chair of the House Israel Allies Caucus, Ranking Member Emeritus of the Middle East Subcommittee, and senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement marking three years since Hamas’s October 7th, 2023 terrorist attack on Israel:

“Three years ago today, Hamas terrorists launched a barbaric and unprovoked attack against Israel, murdering more than 1,200 innocent men, women and children, including Americans, and taking some 250 people hostage in the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. 

Today, we must continue to remember those who were murdered, honor their memories, stand with the survivors and families whose lives were forever changed, and recommit to ensuring that Hamas and any like-minded terrorist entity can never be allowed to govern again.

Last October, after more than two agonizing years of captivity, the remaining twenty living hostages held in Gaza finally returned home. Their release brought enormous relief, but it did not erase the suffering inflicted upon the hostages and their families, nor diminish our obligation to ensure that every terrorist organization that participated in the October 7th attack is held accountable.

The acts of brutality committed on that day – including rape and torture – should have inspired global solidarity. Instead, 3 years later, we are witnessing the return of extreme vilification of the Jewish people and the Jewish state, including through the manufactured and libelous accusation of genocide. 

The United States must reject this disinformation campaign and remain steadfast in supporting Israel’s security. Hamas can never again carry out such an attack and Gaza must be governed not by terrorists, but by legitimate leadership committed to peace. This is critical to ending the tragic cycle of violence and finally allowing innocent Israelis and Palestinians to live in security. 

The U.S.–Israel partnership has endured because of our shared democratic values and common determination to confront terrorism and pursue lasting security and peace. We must stand up to the antisemitism and coordinated disinformation that threatens this alliance. On this solemn anniversary, we remember the victims of October 7th and reaffirm our commitment to building a future of greater peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and the region.”

Since the October 7th attack, Congressman Sherman has led and co-sponsored numerous measures to support Israel’s security and hold Hamas and other terrorist organizations accountable, including legislation to sanction the Popular Resistance Committees for their participation in the October 7th massacre, strengthen Israel’s missile-defense capabilities, and counter the flow of Iranian funds to terrorist proxies.

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