Almost one year ago, the world was stunned and appalled by the largest terror attack on Israel in the nation’s history. On October 7, Hamas killed nearly 1,200 people, including over 40 Americans, and brazenly kidnapped 251, over 100 of whom continue to be held hostage in Gaza. The captives remain unable to contact their families, and it has been reported that many of those held by Hamas are enduring torture, rape, starvation, and other forms of abuse during their captivity. Israelis, Americans, and others are still recovering from the devastation wrought that day.
This bipartisan resolution calls on the international community to condemn the actions of Hamas, demand its surrender, and support aid to civilians who find themselves used as human shields in Gaza.
FDD Action urges Members of Congress to be an original cosponsor of this bipartisan resolution to condemn Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attack against Israel.
• Bringing the Hostages Home: While Israel has conducted military operations to eliminate the Hamas terrorists responsible for the crimes of October 7, 2023, many Hamas operatives remain at large. Some of those at large have fled Gaza and are taking refuge in other countries, including Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, and Jordan. The U.S. must continue to use its leverage over these countries to force Hamas to agree to release all of the remaining hostages.
• October 7 Devastation Remains: Many communities in southern Israel have been devastated by the October 7 attacks. Some may never return to their homes and will carry the physical and emotional wounds of that day with them forever. This suffering is exacerbated for hostages’ families who do not know the condition or whereabouts of their loved ones.
• Hamas and Terrorist Threats Persist Today: Hamas remains a formidable terrorist group committed to Israel’s annihilation with funding and support from governments like the Islamic Republic of Iran. The regime in Iran has smuggled weapons into Gaza and provided the technical knowhow for Hamas to manufacture its own weapons to use against Israel. To this day, Israel still faces attacks from missiles, rockets, UAVs, and bombs from Hamas, Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, the Houthis, and other terrorist entities in the West Bank, funded and supported by Iran.
• Defending Israel Against False Accusations in International Fora: Israel is being unfairly targeted in international organizations for crimes it did not commit and held to a double standard for engaging in counterterrorism efforts to safeguard its borders and protect civilians. The U.S. must do more to counteract these efforts, which seek to weaken Israel. These actions against Israel put civilians in greater danger by undermining Israel’s ability to deter future attacks.
• Endorsements: This resolution has been endorsed by FDD Action; Anti-Defamation League (ADL); American Jewish Committee (AJC); Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America; Jewish Federations of North America; Jewish Women International; and National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW).