Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt Reaffirms Strong Support for Israel Following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Address

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 24, 2024 – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today spoke on the Senate floor in support of Israel following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress.

Senator Britt’s remarks are below:

“Madame President, I rise today in support of America’s great ally, Israel. Israel is more than an ally. She represents the hope in the Middle East, hope for the world.

“I actually visited Israel two weeks after October 7th –after that attack—visiting with a bipartisan delegation not only to Israel but throughout the Middle East. Remember, Israel was created after the Holocaust so that the Jewish people would never have to hide again. This is something that former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer talked to us about during our visit. A colleague of mine shared that his daughter asked him right after 9/11, ‘Are we safe?’

“The truth is October 7th was similar to our 9/11. However, there’s also a large difference: On October 8th, Israel knew exactly who the perpetrator was. They knew exactly where they were. They were just miles away, their neighbor. It’s like if we woke up on September 12th, 2001, and we had the terrorists who had masterminded the attacks of 9/11 living next-door in Brooklyn. Additionally, they [Hamas] said they would come back again and again until they eradicated the Jewish people and the State of Israel. That’s the proximity and gravity of the threat that Israel faces. It’s literally at their doorstep. And bottom line: They can’t tell their daughters that they’re safe right now.

“291 days –over nine months— have passed now, but we can’t forget what happened on October 7th. Make no mistake; what Hamas did was pure evil: They murdered entire families, beheaded babies, dragged grandparents—some Holocaust survivors—from their wheelchairs to their death. They raped women; they took mothers and daughters hostages after slaughtering their fathers and brothers; they held innocent people hostage and used them as human shields.

“As I think about this as a mom, I cannot imagine the agony parents are going through knowing that their children—their loved ones—are being held hostage and used as human shields. I think about parents being murdered in front of their children; children being murdered in front of their parents.

“How could anyone be so evil?

“There is no doubt that ‘Never Again’ is now—not just overseas but here at home too.”

“Unfortunately,” she continued,“look no further than the disgusting pro-Hamas antisemitic protests that have taken place on college campuses and in city streets across our nation—and today in our nation’s capital.”

Senator Britt added: “Today Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came before Congress and asked us to do what we have promised—to stand behind Israel; to stand behind the Jewish people.”

She emphasized America's role by stating: “America cannot be a country of broken promises... We must stand strongly with Israel... when she needs us most.”

She concluded her speech by underscoring both countries' mutual obligations: “Israel has more than a right to defend herself... She has an obligation... America can and must help Israel fulfill that mission—help bring every single hostage home...”

Britt criticized Iran's financial support for Hamas: “It’s time to use every tool in our toolbox to dry up Iran financially… The more money Iran has…the more they use it for nuclear proliferation…they fund Hamas…”

“It’s past time,” she asserted,“to reestablish credibility in America…”

Britt ended her remarks expressing admiration for Israeli resilience: “As I listened to Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech today…I was in awe of…the courage…to fight for Democracy…peace…and existence…”

Senator Britt also participated in a press conference with Senator Joni Ernst discussing support for Israel.

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