BOISE, Idaho – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement ahead of the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ unprovoked and brutal attack on Israel on October 7:
“It’s been a year since Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack on Israel. Today, people across the world are remembering those lives lost and the Israeli and American hostages who remain in captivity in Gaza. A year on, one would hope the free world would be united in condemning these horrific attacks, and in defense of the Israeli and Jewish people, but unfortunately that is not the case.
“Iran and its proxies continue to threaten the safety and security of the Israeli people. Hamas continues to hold innocent hostages in Gaza, while Tehran, the Houthis, and Hezbollah fire rockets and missiles towards Israel. Israel has rightly reached the conclusion that a Gaza controlled by Hamas or a Lebanon under the heel of Hezbollah – both designated terrorist organizations – will endanger the lives of Israeli citizens.
“Some undermine Israel by holding up arms sales, refusing to sanction the International Criminal Court’s politically-motivated prosecution of Israelis, dictating how Israel can conduct military operations, and calling for Prime Minister Netanyahu to be replaced. By doing so, they damage our longstanding alliance with Israel and empower Iran and its proxies to act with impunity. My Republican colleagues and I will continue to do all we can to support our ally Israel.”
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