Israel is under attack.
Since May 10, 2021, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (both recognized by the U.S. and EU as terrorist organizations) have launched over 3000 rockets at Israel’s civilian population centers. Millions of Israelis have had to run for shelter, and over 1500 Israeli civilians have been wounded. 10 Israelis have been murdered by Hamas, including 21 year old combat soldier Staff Sgt. Omer Tabib of the Nahal Brigade, and an adorable 6 year old boy named Ido, who loved Ninja Turtles. May their memories be for a blessing.
While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) clearly must act to eliminate the sources of those attacks and protect our brothers and sisters, we sadly hear some voices calling for Israel to ‘exercise restraint.’ There is no justification for the indiscriminate rocket attack on innocent civilians. As any other sovereign state, Israel has the right and duty to defend its citizens.
Over the past several days, Pro Israel rallies have been held from coast-to-coast across the United States. The clear and unifying message of those rallies is that we #StandWithIsrael.
Roz Rothstein, co-founder and CEO StandWithUs, one of the co-sponsors of the pro-Israel rallies, stated, “People of the Middle East and around the world can contrast the success of the Abraham Accords and the warm relations now enjoyed between Gulf Arab States and Israel with the failures of Hamas and Palestinian Authority leaders to accept the Jewish State, normalize relations with it and make any credible moves towards peace. Instead, Hamas is attempting to escalate conflict, to perpetrate terror attacks and massacre Israelis. All leaders and people of goodwill should condemn Hamas and radical leaders who are an obstacle for a better future for all people in the region.”
To learn more about the extraordinary work that StandWithUs is doing to support Israel and the Jewish people, please click here.
Our work is just beginning. We must diligently continue to advocate on behalf of Israel. It is imperative that our elected representatives and leaders continue to speak out publicly and condemn the attacks by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and support Israel’s right to defend itself.
IAC, which also co-sponsored the Pro Israel Coast to Coast rallies, stated: “We pray for the safety of Israel and of our friends and family serving in the IDF. And we thank you all once again for taking part in this important process of civic engagement with our public officials in support of our beloved Israel and her security.”
Thank you America for choosing to #StandWithIsrael.
StandWithUs Condemns Hamas for Attacks on Israeli Civilians
(Los Angeles – May 11, 2021) – Hamas has been inciting and organizing violent protests in Jerusalem for the last several weeks, the newest development in their ongoing terror campaign that has included setting fire to swathes of Israeli land, shooting 19-year old Israeli teenager Yehuda Guetta, to death and perpetrating several recent terror attacks. One senior Hamas leader, Fathi Hammad, was televised on May 7 inciting to murder, saying, “People of Jerusalem, we want you to cut off the heads of the Jews with knives. With your hand, cut their artery from here.”
Sadly, this is not new. For a century, long before the establishment of Israel, extremists from the Nazi collaborator, Palestinian Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, have been promoting conspiracy theories about “the Jews” threatening to destroy the Al-Aqsa mosque. This weaponized rhetoric of “Al Aqsa is in danger” lie has been used repeatedly by Palestinian and Arab leaders to incite violence against Israelis and Jews in general. Inevitably people have died as a result. The truth is, of course, that only since Israel has overseen Jerusalem is there equal and free access to people of all backgrounds to pray at their respective holy sites.
Hamas, its allies and supporters – the Islamic Republic of Iran, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah – explicitly call for the destruction of the State of Israel and the subjugation of all its Jewish citizens. Those who support this agenda are partners in hate and are adversaries of peace.
Hamas’s heavy-fisted misrule of Gaza is a travesty of justice. Named by Forbes Magazine as the third richest terror group in the world, Hamas does not use its resources to build a peaceful future for their people by investing in civilian infrastructure. Instead Hamas has spent billions of dollars turning the Gaza Strip into a militarized armed camp. Hamas has built a network of sophisticated tunnels under Gaza and cross-border attack tunnels designed to send terror squads to kidnap and attack Israeli civilians. Hamas uses its millions on weapons factories and to purchase missiles from Iran, anti-tank weapons, assault rifles, mortars, grenades, anti-personnel mines and much more.
Many public officials, Democrats and Republicans alike, are standing up for Israel during this challenging time. We are grateful to all of them for their support. Please click here, via the #StandWithIsrael Israeli-American Coalition for Action list, to thank them for choosing to #StandWithIsrael.
We invite you to join us in thanking:
(Listed in alphabetical order)
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R)
“Texas will always stand with our friends in Israel. We pray that God will keep them safe and bring an end to this horrific violence.”
US Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-R)
“Israel has every right to defend itself, and I stand with #Israel. I am saddened by loss of life due to the cowardly acts of terrorists funded by the terrorist state of Iran.”
South Carolina State Rep. Beth Bernstein (D) – lead sponsor of South Carolina House Resolution H.4398, signed by almost all members of the South Carolina House:
“Recognizing Israel’s Right to use Decisive Force in Defending Itself Against Attacks and to Reaffirm South Carolina’s Strong Support for Israel”
US Rep. Ted Deutch (FL-D)
“Moral clarity. That’s what this moment calls for. Hamas is a terrorist organization. It uses children as shields & has fired 1,750+ rockets targeting civilians. America stands with our ally Israel & against the Hamas terrorists.”
US Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-R)
“Israel is right to defend itself. Hamas is a terrorist org that is motivated by destruction & hate. Israel can’t stand by & watch their civilians be killed, nor should they be expected to.”
US Rep Lois Frankel (FL-D)
“Israel has a right to defend itself. Hamas must end its attack.”
US Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NY-D)
“Our commitment to Israel’s security and to its right to defend itself from terrorists is iron-clad… There should be no false equivalences or excuses made by anyone”
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R)
“The State of Maryland stands with Israel as Hamas terrorists attack innocent civilians. We pray for all the victims of the bloodshed and that it will soon come to an end.”
TX State Senator Bryan Hughes (R)
“We must stand with Israel.”
Sen. Mark Kelly (AZ-D)
“Israel being our biggest partner in the Middle East and the only true democracy, we’ve got to make sure Israel has what it needs to defend itself.”
Texas State Rep. Phil King (R):
“Texas supports Israel’s right to act decisively in self-defense to protect its citizens and end aggressions by the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations.”
US Rep Elaine Luria (VA-D)
“Jews returned to their ancestral home… and today in their rightful homeland, they are attacked from within… Who would turn a cheek, when their mere right to exist is questioned? … Now is the time to stand with Israel.”
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R)
“Today I proclaimed May 13th, 2021 Peace in Israel Day. I encourage all Iowans to pray for peace and show our solidarity with the people of Israel during this difficult time for their nation.”
Letter by 44 US Senators: Marco Rubio, James Risch, James Inhofe, Pat Toomey, Todd Young, Tom Cotton, Charles Grassley, Thom Tillis, James Lankford, Steve Daines, John Barrasso, Ron Johnson, Rick Scott, Josh Hawley, M. Michael Rounds, Dan Sullivan, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Make Crapo, Roger Marshall, M.D., Marsha Blackburn, Mitt Romney, Mike Braun, Deb Fischer, Joni K. Ernst, Cynthia Lummis, Ben Sasse, John Thune, Tim Scott, Roger F. Wicker, John Boozman, Kevin Cramer, Bill Hagerty, Ted Cruz, John Hoeven, John Kennedy, Shelley Moore Capito, Michael S. Lee, Richard Burr, Bill Cassidy, M.D., Susan M. Collins, Tommy Tuberville, John Cornyn, Lisa Murkowski, Rob Portman,
“Over the past couple days, Palestinian terrorists in Gaza, who are funded by Iran, have launched a series of rocket attacks into Israel. They are targeting Israeli civilians and cities, including Israel’s capital Jerusalem. … In light of these recent attacks by Hamas against Israel, the United States should take all steps necessary to hold Tehran accountable and under no circumstances, provide sanctions relief to Iran. This is especially important as Iran is supporting terrorist activity against the United States’ closest ally in the region, Israel.”
US Rep. Brad Sherman (CA-D)
“Hamas has caused many Palestinian deaths, since one quarter of its rockets aimed at Israel actually explode in Gaza, and because Hamas locates its military operations in civilian neighborhoods, using human shields.”
US Rep. Norma Torres (CA-D)
“I strongly condemn the rocket attacks by Hamas on Israel’s civilian population. There is no justification for terror attacks on civilians.”
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