releases: https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=34D66194-CA78-4B40-852A-7F46E6B9A9D4
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=34D66194-CA78-4B40-852A-7F46E6B9A9D4 | VIDEO: Fischer Outlines Devastating Impact of Barbaric Hamas Attack, Reaffirms U.S. Support for Israel in Senate Floor Speech | 2023-10-26 | 2023 | 2023-10 | Republican | Senate | NE | Deb Fischer | F000463 | www.fischer.senate.gov | fischer | https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases | scraper | “We Must Send a Clear Message to Hamas, Hezbollah, and Their State Sponsor Iran: We Will Not Equivocate in Our Support for Israel.” Click the image above to watch video of Sen. Fischer’s remarks Eighteen days ago, terror shook the Middle East. Eighteen days ago, Hamas tore children from their parents, tore mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters from their families. Eighteen days ago, terrorism swept across Israel, destroying everything in its path. We all know this. We’ve heard about these attacks repeatedly with every news cycle. Even as we continue reading articles, hearing analysis, and seeing new information, let’s not forget the reality of these terrorist attacks — the seriousness of such a massive loss of human life. Hamas killed over 1400 people, over 1400 innocent civilians, in its attacks this month. Death touched thousands of friends and family members, and its aftereffects are still rippling across Israel and across the world. Let’s resist our modern impulse to leave this tragedy behind in favor of the next headline. Let’s allow the abuse, torture, and murder of Israelis and Americans alike to strike a fresh sense of grief and anger in our hearts every time we hear of them. That grief and anger must drive us to respond to the horror of terrorism. Israel is responding, yes. But the response to terrorism should not be bound by Israel’s national borders. Because terrorism itself is not bound by national borders. Hamas killed American citizens in its assaults on innocent people across Israel. Terrorists are still holding American citizens hostage in Gaza. Hamas has American blood on its hands. One American, Hayim Katsman, hid in a closet with his neighbor as Hamas militants rained gunfire on an Israeli village. A neighbor told CNN that Katsman covered him with his body and saved his life by absorbing the bullets. American Deborah Matias and her husband sacrificed themselves for their 16-year-old son, acting as human shields against Hamas’s fire. Two American brothers, Igal and Amit Wachs, died together — both trying to save those around them. Amit, who volunteered as head of the village’s self-defense unit, ran outside to help his neighbors at the beginning of the attack. In the process, he was killed. Igal was killed as he searched for a weapon to defend himself and his family. These are real people — real Americans — whose lives were extinguished far too early by the terror in Israel. It’s critical that we see the return of every American stranded in Israel or held hostage in Gaza. Every American must be accounted for and safely brought home. Following the cold-blooded slaughter of both Americans and Israelis, the United States must stand firmly with Israel. We must send a clear message to Hamas, Hezbollah, and their state sponsor Iran: we will not equivocate in our support for Israel. We will stand with them and provide the assistance they need as they make difficult decisions to defend their sovereign nation. Congress and the administration must work together to gather all of our diplomatic and economic strength against Iran. We must work together to aid Israel — whether through economic support, lethal aid, or increased intelligence sharing. We know Israel will need more defensive capabilities, including Tamir interceptors for its Iron Dome air defense system — the backbone of its missile defense architecture. I support the Department of Defense’s plans to send our two Iron Dome batteries to Israel to bolster their security. My colleagues and I introduced a bill to reallocate aid funding to Israel’s Iron Dome that could have ended up in Hamas’s pockets. This legislation would be an important first step in defending Israel against further attacks. We know Israel will need more offensive capabilities, including precision guided munitions to hit specific ground targets. We know Israel will need our intelligence on the Middle East so it can eliminate the Hamas threat completely. And we know standing with Israel against terror will buttress and fortify our own national defense. Our support of Israel will help it triumph over terrorism. And our support of Israel will help us show strength and deter our adversaries. By protecting Israeli interests, we will promote American interests as well. Thank you, M. President, I yield the floor. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T18:43:12Z |