House lawmakers held a solemn candlelight vigil on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Wednesday night to mark 103 days since Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,200 people, in its majority civilians, and taking 240 hostages.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said the bipartisan group gathered on “a very sad anniversary” to remember their deaths, which included 33 Americans, and offer prayers for peace. , as members had also done a month after Israel declared war. against the terrorist group in the Gaza Strip.
“Just over 70 days ago, this group gathered to remember the October 7 attacks against the Jewish people. And here we are again, because there are still his sons and daughters held captive by Hamas,” Johnson said.
“Kfir Bibas is one of those in captivity. He just turned one year old. Hamas took him hostage four months ago. And his parents now remember his birthday and hope that he will soon be in their arms again.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said the bipartisan group gathered on “a very sad anniversary” to remember their deaths, which included 33 Americans, and offer prayers for peace. . AFP via Getty Images Republicans and Democrats huddled together in the cold, each with a small candle and the number “103” emblazoned on the lapels of their winter coats, commemorating the time since the Hamas attack on October 7. AFP via Getty Images
Family members of other hostages joined the House delegation on the east side of the Capitol building, shoulder to shoulder with members of Congress and holding signs of their loved ones in their arms.
Republicans and Democrats huddled together in the cold, each carrying a small candle and the number “103” emblazoned on the lapels of their winter coats, commemorating the time since the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
“We must continue to tell the truth about what Hamas did,” Johnson continued. “In the aftermath of the attack, we have heard shocking details about the widespread and unspeakable violence that Hamas terrorists committed against innocent civilians.”
Johnson said “the details of this are difficult to repeat” but “they have to be faced” before describing some of the most horrific acts the jihadists committed. AFP via Getty Images
He added that “the details of this are difficult to repeat” but “they have to be faced” before describing some of the most horrific acts committed by the terrorists.
“We learned that the women’s pelvic bones were broken by the terrorists who raped them. Those animals decapitated babies. Hamas forced children to witness the torture and murder of their parents, and forced parents to witness the murder of their children. “They savagely pointed their guns at the Jewish women’s genitals and shot mercilessly,” Johnson said.
“We have to testify with the women who have been beaten, tortured and held in cages as hostages in Gaza. We must listen to the screams of the young Jews whose legs were branded in the exhaust pipes of motorcycles, so that Hamas captors could track them and prevent their escape.”
“We meet today to leave no doubt that when it comes to the security of the people of Israel, we must put partisanship aside,” said Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar. AFP via Getty Images
“We will not tolerate it. We must unite in solidarity with the Jewish people. And we will, from the synagogues of Brooklyn to the rural churches of my home in northwest Louisiana, from the Senate to the House of Representatives, we will stand with Israel, believing that we can overcome the darkness with light.”
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (California) spoke on behalf of Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who was not present, stating that “defeating Hamas and the terrorist threat It will require bipartisan cooperation.”
“These last 100 days have been difficult for many of us. We meet today to leave no doubt that when it comes to the security of the people of Israel, we must put partisanship aside,” Aguilar said.
Hours earlier, a similar event was held to commemorate the loss of life in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which was also attended by family members of the hostages. AFP via Getty Images
“It is our responsibility to defend our country’s strongest ally in the Middle East, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans,” he added. “Ending the rise of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia will require bipartisan cooperation, and ensuring lasting and sustainable peace in the Middle East will require bipartisan cooperation.”
Rep. Kathy Manning (D-N.C.) chose to recite a modern version of the prayer for captives regularly recited at the synagogue, which she said “has taken on a new urgency” following the Hamas attack.
“Some try to compare Israel’s war against Hamas terrorists to evil acts, but there is no comparison,” added Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio). “As someone who is Jewish, if you are Jewish and you have a family member who is Jewish or a friend who is Jewish, don’t be afraid.”
“Look behind me. Look at this Congress and know that we stand with the Jewish people,” she said.
Johnson closed with a moment of silence and a prayer for “peace in Jerusalem.”
Hours earlier, a similar event was held in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to commemorate the loss of life, which was also attended by family members of the hostages.
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