Franklin Mayor Dr. Ken Moore released a statement Tuesday in response to the Palestinian militant group Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel over the weekend, saying the attack is a reminder anti-Semitism “still exists in our world” and vowing his city will not tolerate such hate.
A message from Mayor Dr. Ken Moore:
Our hearts are broken by the terrorist attacks that took place in Israel over the weekend. At last count, hundreds were killed and thousands more injured. What's even more tragic is that so many of these victims were innocent women and… pic.twitter.com/Zpiu2s5STI
— City of Franklin (@CityOfFranklin) October 10, 2023
“Our hearts are broken by the terrorist attacks that took place in Israel over the weekend. At last count, hundreds were killed and thousands more injured,” Moore (pictured above) said. “What’s even more tragic is that so many of these victims were innocent women and children, with still many more kidnapped and missing. Our city grieves with Israel and the Jewish people as they deal with the aftermath of these horrific events.”
“While this took place thousands of miles away, it’s still a reminder to us here in the United States and right here in Franklin that hatred and anti-Semitism still exists in our world,” Moore added. “We have worked hard to be a community where people of faith are welcome and to promote unity in our community. We want to be clear that our city will not tolerate anti-Semitism or anything that fosters hatred or violence against any group because of their religious beliefs or ethnicity.”
“As Mayor, I call upon all of the citizens of Franklin to join me in praying for the nation of Israel in the days ahead. May we also be a source of strength and encouragement to the Jewish people in our community during this difficult time,” Moore concluded.
The mayor’s statement comes as the death toll in Israel has surpassed 1,000, including 11 Americans.
On Tuesday, White House spokesman John Kirby said while the Biden administration cannot confirm if Americans are being held hostage, “we have to accept the grim possibility that some are.”
Kirby also said the Administration does not have a “solid idea” of how many total Americans are unaccounted for in Israel.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee ordered the flags over the State Capitol and all State office buildings to be flown at half-staff effective immediately until sunset on Friday “in remembrance of the innocent Israeli lives lost during the horrific terrorist attacks and as a mark of Tennessee’s unwavering support and solidarity with Israel.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
