Fitzpatrick Statement on One-Year Anniversary of the Hamas Terrorist Attacks on Israel

"One year ago today, the world witnessed a day of unimaginable horror. On October 7th, Hamas launched a brutal and unprovoked assault on innocent civilians in Israel, including Americans, marking the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. This grim anniversary serves as a solemn reminder of the families torn apart, communities devastated, and the deep wounds that still linger. Yet even in the face of such unspeakable tragedy, one truth remains steadfast: Israel will endure, and those who seek its destruction will never prevail.

In the two months following this heinous attack, antisemitic incidents in the U.S. surged by 358% compared to the previous year. A year later, this pattern of hatred and violence continues to rise across the world. We cannot-and will not-allow antisemitism to become normalized. We cannot let terror take root.

As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, it is my mission to ensure our friends in Israel and our Jewish communities here in America and around the world are not just supported but protected-unequivocally and without hesitation. I have, and will always, push forward and champion initiatives to confront the scourge of antisemitism at every level-from our campuses to the global stage-because this hatred, in all its forms, must be met with unwavering rejection and decisive action.

Today, as we remember the victims of October 7th, we renew our vow to be relentless in the fight against terrorism and antisemitism and to stand unwaveringly with our friends in Israel, always. Though hatred seeks to divide us, the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of our shared values will prevail. Together, we will ensure democracy, freedom, justice, and peace triumph."