Statement by Vice President Harris Marking One Year Since the October 7th Attack
I will never forget the horror of October 7, 2023. 1,200 innocent people, including 46 Americans, were massacred by Hamas terrorists. Women raped on
The horror of October 7, 2023, will forever be etched in my memory. 1,200 innocent lives were brutally extinguished by Hamas terrorists, including 46 Americans. The barbarity of their actions, including the rape of women on the roadside and the kidnapping of 250 people, chills the soul. This was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, a stark reminder of the enduring threat of anti-Semitism and the vulnerability of our community.
The callous violence of Hamas is nothing short of pure evil. It has rekindled a deep fear among Jewish people not only in Israel but also in the United States and around the world. The long, tragic history of the Jewish people, marked by pogroms, prejudice, and persecution, has been stained with yet another moment of unbearable grief.
My heart aches for the Israeli people, victims of this heinous attack. Doug and I offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, praying for their strength and solace. We also pray for the safety of all Jewish people worldwide. We must collectively ensure that such horrors never again stain our world.
I am unwavering in my commitment to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas. They must never be allowed to govern Gaza, and their mission to annihilate Israel must be thwarted. The people of Gaza deserve to be free from Hamas’s oppressive grip. I will tirelessly fight for the release of all hostages, including the seven American citizens still held captive: Omer, Edan, Sagui, Keith, Judy, Gad, and Itay. Justice must be served for those who murdered Hersh Goldberg-Polin and other Americans.
Israel must be provided with all the tools it needs to defend itself against Iran and its proxies, including Hamas. The security of Israel is paramount, and I will continue to advocate for its unwavering protection.
While the war in Gaza has brought unspeakable suffering to the Palestinian people, I am equally heartbroken by the scale of death and destruction. Tens of thousands of lives have been lost, countless children are forced to flee for safety, and families struggle to obtain basic necessities. It is long past time for a hostage and ceasefire deal to end this suffering and bring a semblance of peace. The Palestinian people deserve dignity, freedom, security, and self-determination, and I will champion their right to these fundamental human rights.
The pursuit of a diplomatic solution across the Israel-Lebanon border region is the only path to lasting peace and the safe return of residents on both sides.
Today, as we mourn the victims of October 7, many Jews will be reciting and reflecting on the Kaddish, the Jewish prayer for mourning. Though the words of the Kaddish speak of death, they also affirm our faith and belief in a higher power. Despite the trauma and pain, we must hold onto hope, for it is through this spirit that we will honor the memory of those we lost.
We will not forget, and we will not lose faith. In memory of those souls we lost on October 7, we must never abandon our dream of peace, dignity, and security for all.
The callous violence of Hamas is nothing short of pure evil. It has rekindled a deep fear among Jewish people not only in Israel but also in the United States and around the world. The long, tragic history of the Jewish people, marked by pogroms, prejudice, and persecution, has been stained with yet another moment of unbearable grief.
My heart aches for the Israeli people, victims of this heinous attack. Doug and I offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, praying for their strength and solace. We also pray for the safety of all Jewish people worldwide. We must collectively ensure that such horrors never again stain our world.
I am unwavering in my commitment to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas. They must never be allowed to govern Gaza, and their mission to annihilate Israel must be thwarted. The people of Gaza deserve to be free from Hamas’s oppressive grip. I will tirelessly fight for the release of all hostages, including the seven American citizens still held captive: Omer, Edan, Sagui, Keith, Judy, Gad, and Itay. Justice must be served for those who murdered Hersh Goldberg-Polin and other Americans.
Israel must be provided with all the tools it needs to defend itself against Iran and its proxies, including Hamas. The security of Israel is paramount, and I will continue to advocate for its unwavering protection.
While the war in Gaza has brought unspeakable suffering to the Palestinian people, I am equally heartbroken by the scale of death and destruction. Tens of thousands of lives have been lost, countless children are forced to flee for safety, and families struggle to obtain basic necessities. It is long past time for a hostage and ceasefire deal to end this suffering and bring a semblance of peace. The Palestinian people deserve dignity, freedom, security, and self-determination, and I will champion their right to these fundamental human rights.
The pursuit of a diplomatic solution across the Israel-Lebanon border region is the only path to lasting peace and the safe return of residents on both sides.
Today, as we mourn the victims of October 7, many Jews will be reciting and reflecting on the Kaddish, the Jewish prayer for mourning. Though the words of the Kaddish speak of death, they also affirm our faith and belief in a higher power. Despite the trauma and pain, we must hold onto hope, for it is through this spirit that we will honor the memory of those we lost.
We will not forget, and we will not lose faith. In memory of those souls we lost on October 7, we must never abandon our dream of peace, dignity, and security for all.