Nine members of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Sunday urging his administration to support Israel “however possible” and “punish the terrorists” responsible for the attacks on the country that began Saturday morning.
“This violent attack deserves a strong, unequivocal condemnation by the United States. Instead, while the attacks persisted and Israel was threatened, your administration initially issued a statement calling on Israel to “refrain from violence.’ So far, the administration’s response has been far weaker than Israel – a shining beacon of democracy and our most important ally in the Middle East – deserves,” the Tennessee lawmakers wrote.
“While this is not the first act of aggression by the Hamas terrorists against one of our greatest allies, it is certainly the boldest,” the lawmakers continued. “The failures of this administration on the world stage have no doubt emboldened those who would wish America and our allies harm…The world needs American leadership, and this administration has left a void that the New Axis of Evil and terrorist groups like Hamas have already begun exploiting.”
“Over 75 years ago, the United States was the first nation to recognize the Jewish state of Israel and affirm its right to exist. Now, in the face of senseless attacks by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists, we must again stand with Israel and reaffirm its right to defend itself,” the lawmakers added. “The United States of America does not abandon its friends.”
“We urge this administration to support Israel however possible, including by providing any and all weapons and munitions necessary, and to punish the terrorists who did this, along with those who aid them. We must act swiftly and strongly,” the lawmakers concluded.
I joined several of my Tennessee colleagues in a letter to President Biden urging him to support our allies in Israel as they fight Hamas terrorists. pic.twitter.com/lSeOgC5juD
— Rep. Tim Burchett (@RepTimBurchett) October 8, 2023
Both U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) along with U.S. Representatives Tim Burchett (R-TN-02), Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03), Mark Green (R-TN-07), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01), Andy Ogles (R-TN-05), and John Rose (R-TN-06) signed the letter.
Shortly after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu declared his country “at war” and stated the Israel Defense Forces will “immediately use all its strength to destroy Hamas’s capabilities.”
“Hamas wants to murder us all. This is an enemy that murders children and mothers in their homes, in their beds, an enemy that abducts the elderly, children and young women, that slaughters and massacres our citizens, including children, who simply went out to enjoy the holiday,” Netanyahu said. “We will destroy them and we will forcefully avenge this dark day that they have forced on the State of Israel and its citizens.”
On Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his office is “actively trying to verify” reports that “several Americans” may be among the dead in Israel as well as being held hostage.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photos Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and U.S. Representatives Tim Burchett (R-TN-02), Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03), Mark Green (R-TN-07), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01), Andy Ogles (R-TN-05), and John Rose (R-TN-06) by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and U.S. Representatives Tim Burchett (R-TN-02), Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03), Mark Green (R-TN-07), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01), Andy Ogles (R-TN-05), and John Rose (R-TN-06).
