U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington (R-Lubbock) expressed his support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise assault on the West Asian nation of approximately 9 million.
“I stand unequivocally with Prime Minister Netanyahu and our ally, Israel, and support their right to defend themselves from the horrific Hamas terrorist’s attacks,” Arrington said in an October 7th Facebook post.
The October 7th attacks have claimed at least 1,000 lives, prompting Netanyahu to declare his country is in a state of war with Hamas. The Associated Press (AP) reported that the attacks involved Hamas militants, assisted by rocket fire, barging into Israeli towns close to the blockaded Gaza Strip. Per the AP, the militants killed dozens of people and abducted others and took them into Gaza on what was a major Jewish holiday. Israeli officials said it was the deadliest attack their nation has experienced in decades.
Citing the U.S. Department of State, NBC News reported that the conflict has claimed the lives of nine Americans. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told the national outlet some Americans are among the missing.
Another West Texas/Permian Basin lawmaker on Capital Hill, U.S. Representative August Pfluger (R-San Angelo), also condemned the attacks and promised not to waver in his support for Israel.
“As Chairman of the House Homeland Security Counterterrorism Subcommittee, I will remain focused on combating this crisis and its implications to our homeland,” Pfluger said in an October 8th statement issued by his office.