On Oct. 7, Lankford Stands with Israel, Condemns Iran-backed Hamas

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – One year since the October 7th terrorist attacks that killed dozens of Americans, Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), along with the entire Senate Republican Conference, introduced a resolution fully condemning Iran-backed Hamas for its actions, supporting the forever survival of Israel, and calling for the safe release of American hostages. 

“Israel is America’s closest ally in the Middle East and our partner for peace in the region. They have faced vicious attacks since their founding in 1948, but in the past year the attacks have reached a level never seen in the last half century of Israel. Terror attacks on the streets, rockets and missiles from all four directions and innocent hostages in Gaza have tested Israel’s strength. But, Israel still stands. The United States should stand with Israel in their battle for peace and existence, just as Israel has always stood with us in our battle against terrorism,” said Lankford.

“This time last year, I woke up in the Middle East to the unbearable news that Israel was under attack by Iran-backed terrorists and Americans were being killed and taken hostage,” said Ernst. “I immediately traveled into Israel to show that our nation’s friendship is unwavering, in good times and bad. Regardless of whether I have been in Jerusalem, Washington, or Iowa, I have worked around the clock to hold the White House accountable to its ‘ironclad’ commitment, bring our hostages home, and cut off the source of terrorism in Tehran. One year since that day, as Israel remains under attack on all fronts, Senate Republicans stand united with our greatest ally in the Middle East.”

Lankford is co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Abraham Accords Caucus and the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism. 

The resolution affirms that America remains united in opposing violent antisemitic protests and Iran-backed Hamas’ use of rape as a weapon of war. It also reiterates Israel’s right to defend itself and emphasizes the importance of denying Hamas the ability to reconstitute in the region to ensure the horrific events of that day are never repeated.

Click here to view the full resolution. 

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