Several members of Alabama’s U.S. House delegation weighed in on the warfare that erupted in Israel over the weekend following a terrorist attack near the Gaza Strip.
On Saturday, militants with the Palestinian group Hamas fired rockets and raided multiple Israeli towns, reportedly killing 1,500 and wounding thousands more. The militants also took hostages, including some U.S. citizens, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The attack occurred on the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah, which celebrates the conclusion of the annual cycle of public readings from the Torah.
Israeli officials said it was the deadliest attack on their own soil in years. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the public that day that Israel is “at war.”
On Monday, U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile), in response to a tweet by Fox News correspondent Lucas Tomlinson, blamed the Biden administration for giving $6 billion to Iran. He accused U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken of lying when he said there was no evidence Iran “directed or was behind this particular attack.”
Carl had already first mentioned the $6 billion to Iran on Saturday following the attacks.
“We must all condemn the unprovoked violence by Hamas terrorists against Israel,” Carl said. “The Biden admin should have never given $6B to Iran to fuel these ruthless terrorists. Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East and now, more than ever, we need to stand with them.”
Later on Monday, Carl said the warfare in Israel “makes it very clear why our Founding Fathers wanted us to have our 2nd Amendment rights.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks), who chairs the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, issued a statement through the Armed Services Committee on Saturday.
“I stand with the people of Israel in the face of the cold-blooded assault that Iran-backed Hamas terrorists have launched on their home,” Rogers said. “Israel has a steadfast right to defend itself against attacks on its people, and this barbaric attack will not go unanswered. The U.S. will continue to support our ally through robust security assistance, which Israel utilized in its self-defense. Israel remains the United States’s closest ally in the Middle East - our prayers are with the people of Isreal.”
“We must condemn this totally unprovoked attack by Hamas terrorists against our greatest ally, Israel,” said U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Madison) on Saturday. “We pray for the people of Israel and give their government our full support as they fight back to protect their people. I stand with Israel. America stands with Israel.”
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) shared a link to a Fox News article detailing the attack.
“The State of Israel is under terrorist attack, and I hope you’ll join me in praying for them,” he said. “I condemn this horrific assault on the people of the Holy Land. May God bless them as they work to defend themselves.”
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) also issued two tweets, one on Saturday following the attack and another on Monday morning.
“I pray for the families of these nine Americans killed in these senseless terrorist attacks in Israel,” he said, sharing a link to a Reuters article about nine Americans killed in the conflict. “And again, reaffirm my strong support for Israel and its right to defend itself and go on the offensive against these terrorists.”
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) called the attack “barbaric, wicked and inhumane.”
“When President Biden enables our enemies around the world, our friends suffer,” Palmer said.
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham), the delegation’s lone Democrat, issued a similar statement, minus the condemnation of Biden.
“I condemn in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attack being perpetrated by Hamas on the people of Israel,” Sewell said. “There is no excuse or justification for such despicable violence. The United States stands with Israel, and we offer our condolences to the families of those lost.”
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