Crapo Statement on the Anniversary of October 7

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator Mike Crapo joined 48 Senate colleagues in introducing a Senate Resolution remembering the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Crapo, a strong supporter and ally of Israel issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary:

"Just as the sun began to rise one year ago, barbaric Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel and launched a widescale attack on thousands of innocent Israeli citizens. The largest concentration of atrocities occurred at a music festival meant to coincide with important Jewish holidays and billed as a celebration of friendship and love. Hamas terrorists kidnapped, tortured and brutally murdered thousands of innocent people, breaking a fragile peace and plunging the Middle East into turmoil once again.

"Nearly 100 people remain hostage in Gaza, with roughly a third of them believed to be dead. At least seven Americans remain captive, as well as two small children.

"As we remember all those murdered and tortured at the hands of Hamas, I continue to press for the release of the remaining hostages.

"Disturbingly, anti-Jewish hate has permeated into our own back yard. Antisemitic hate crimes in the United States increased a staggering 63 percent in 2023. Despite only accounting for two percent of the United States population, Jews were the victims of 68 percent of religiously-motivated hate crimes. More must be done to protect Jews in the United States, and I will not let up in efforts to stop antisemitic hate.

"I continue to stand unwaveringly with Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East, and its right to defend itself from ongoing threats from Iran and Iranian-backed terrorists."

Full text of the resolution can be found HERE.

###