U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) hailed the U.S. Senate’s unanimous passage of a bipartisan resolution he cosponsored expressing support for Israel as the West Asian nation of approximately 9 million fights a war against Palestinian militant group Hamas.
“Since Hamas launched its unprovoked attacks on Israel, we have witnessed evil in its purest form,” Cornyn said in an Oct. 19 press release issued by his office. “I applaud the Senate’s swift action to support Israel’s right to self-defense against these barbaric attacks and will continue to advocate for any form of assistance our ally needs in its fight against terrorism.”
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has escalated in recent weeks. According to The Associated Press (AP), Hamas militants, assisted by rocket fire, barged into Israeli towns close to the blockaded Gaza Strip on Oct. 7 and 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.
In response to the attacks, Israel has launched missile strikes into the Gaza Strip and cut off electricity, food, and fuel supplies, reported National Public Radio (NPR). The reported death toll among Palestinians stands at over 1,000.
The Israel-Hamas conflict has also raised concerns about potential incidents of terrorism. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott announced that over $4 million in additional funding from the Public Safety Office (PSO) will be allocated to enhance security for Jewish organizations, including synagogues and schools, according to the Midland Times.
As the conflict continues, the international community is closely watching the situation and offering support to both Israel and Palestine. The unanimous passage of the resolution in the U.S. Senate is a testament to the strong alliance between the United States and Israel and their commitment to combatting terrorism in the region. Senator Cornyn's support for Israel's right to self-defense underscores the importance of standing with our allies during times of crisis.