Statement of the Honorable Congresswoman DeLauro on Terrorist Attacks on Israel

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released a statement on the ongoing attacks in Israel.

“I am devastated by Hamas’s unconscionable and unprecedented attacks on innocent civilians in Israel, which include taking children, women, and elderly people hostage. My heart breaks for the families being subjected to horrific violence – many of those families to which our community here in New Haven is deeply and personally connected. I know many of us here have children, friends, cousins, parents, aunts, and uncles in Israel. We are all worried about their safety and praying for a swift end to the terrorist attacks. I strongly stand by our ally Israel and unequivocally support its right to defend itself.

“This vicious assault was backed by Iran, which has publicly praised the attacks. This is sinister. An anti-democratic government is funding terrorists to attack a democratic government. Now more than ever, it is vital the United States does not walk away from its global commitment to defend democracy.

“I have been in touch with the President of Israel Isaac Herzog and Ambassador Michael Herzog, and have been briefed by senior officials from the Departments of State and Defense. I have expressed my strong support for Israel as it responds to these terrorist attacks and am proud that the United States has moved military assets to the Eastern Mediterranean.

“While legislative activity in the House of Representatives remains frozen until Republicans have selected a Speaker, as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am intent on ensuring we do everything we can to provide the humanitarian and military assistance that is necessary for Israel to recover from this devastation and continue to defend itself. My office here in New Haven is working to help United States citizens overseas. We will continue working closely with the Department of State to help connect those seeking assistance to the U.S. Embassy in Israel, and I have requested and will soon receive a classified briefing on the situation.

“Every image coming out of Israel is terrifying – we see citizens fleeing airports, families escaping their homes, in some cases entire neighborhoods devastated. The violence must stop, and I will strongly support Israel as it works to end these attacks.”