Pramila Jayapal
10/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/07/2024 18:35
Jayapal Statement on One Year Since October 7th Attack
SEATTLE, WA - U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal released the following statement regarding one year since the October 7th attack:
"One year ago today, Hamas committed a horrific terrorist attack on Israel that brutally killed nearly 1,200 people, wounded more than 5,000, and took 251 individuals hostage - many of them children. I strongly condemned Hamas for the attack and called immediately for a return of all hostages.
"In the year since October 7, 2023, hundreds of hostage families have watched, waited and advocated for the return of their loved ones; hoping and praying every day for the good news that they would see their loved ones released and returned home. Far too few have gotten that news, and far too many have seen their loved ones killed, leaving behind crushed hopes, devastated families, and deep, lasting pain and emptiness.
"I've made it a priority to meet with many of the hostage families, including in my own district, and to hear their stories and bear witness to their grief. As a parent, I have wept with those parents who braved the unbearable pain of not knowing what had happened to their children to summon the resilience, courage and determination to come and advocate to Congress that the US government do all it could to bring them home.
"Here at home and across the country, our Jewish community has also been overtaken by grief, fear and trauma. Hate crimes against Jewish Americans have surged, including in the most sacred of places: synagogues and other places of worship. Antisemitic tropes have re-emerged, reminding us that the absolute necessity of eradicating antisemitism-indeed, all forms of hate and discrimination-is painstaking and requires constant education and re-education of all of our communities. Every American of every political stripe must be a part of this. There is no protection for any of us unless we fight for all of us. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said: An injustice against one is an injustice against all.
"I have always believed in achieving peace through diplomatic means, to de-escalate and to recognize that returning violence with violence that injures more innocent civilians-even in the most horrific of circumstances- only solidifies and fosters hate and makes it even more impossible to achieve peace and security for all involved. That is why I have advocated so strongly for a ceasefire, a return of all hostages, an end to the killing of innocent Palestinians, and a brokered peace plan with real accountability for all parties that provides security and self-determination for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. Without that, no one can be safe and tens of thousands more innocent Israeli, Palestinian, Lebanese and other civilians will die.
"One year after October 7, I continue to push for this outcome to save as many lives as possible. This past year has been filled with so much devastation and loss, including 40,000 Palestinians who have been killed and over 90,000 who have been injured and thousands of Israelis displaced from their homes. Now, we face an escalating regional war in the Middle East, and we must work harder than ever to find a way forward, toward long-term peace and rebuilding in the region.
"As tensions continue to rise and innocent civilians are killed around the region, we must be clear that our work is both on the global stage but also right here at home in our communities, with each other, through conversation and understanding, through empathy and solidarity. Let us respect the generational trauma that unites so many otherwise diverse populations. Let us lead with our hearts to denounce hate, to recognize today the specific trauma of October 7 with our Jewish community, and to recommit ourselves to working for a true and sustained peace for all people."
Since the start of this conflict, Jayapal has been a constant advocate for a negotiated ceasefire, the return of all hostages, and the protection of innocent civilian lives:
- Ten days after the October 7th attack, Jayapal reaffirmed her condemnation of Hamas and first called for an immediate ceasefire.
- She worked with federal agencies to help evacuate a constituent from Gaza at the outbreak of the war.
- Jayapal lauded a short-term negotiated ceasefire, which resulted in the return of 50 hostages, and reiterated her call for the release of all hostages and a permanent ceasefire.
- Jayapal co-led a letter condemning Hamas, calling for Israeli military operations to follow the rules of international humanitarian law, and continuing to work toward peace in the region.
- Jayapal voted against H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provided offensive military aid while humanitarian aid to Gaza was severely limited.
- Jayapal led an effort calling on the Administration to use all tools possible to dissuade the Israeli government from moving forward with an offensive invasion of Rafah.
- She skipped Prime Minister Netanyahu's Congressional address, instead spending the day with the families of hostages as well as organizations working toward peace and security.