October 7, 2024 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today marking one year after Hamas' October 7th attack on Israel: "A year ago today, Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists began their unprovoked surprise invasion of Israel and unleashed horrific violence upon its people. They slaughtered 1,200 Israelis, took 251 people hostage – including 12 Americans – and launched thousands of rockets at peaceful Israeli communities. I have seen footage of Hamas executing Israeli parents in front of their children. I have walked the streets of Kibbutz Kfar Aza and the grounds of the Nova Music Festival where Hamas butchered Israeli civilians and defiled their corpses. I have met with the families of the hostages held captive in Gaza. We have heard directly from survivors of Hamas' sexual violence. That depraved terrorist attack was the latest manifestation of the violence and persecution inflicted upon Jews for millennia. "The brutality and trauma of October 7 have continued every day since. Hamas has executed multiple hostages. Iran and its proxies – Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthi Rebels – have fired more than 22,000 rockets and missiles at Israel. Just last week, Iran struck Israel with the largest ballistic missile barrage inflicted upon any country in history. "American intelligence found that Iran has also helped fuel a spike in antisemitism in the United States and around the world. That includes on American college campuses. The Anti-Defamation League reported that the rate of antisemitic incidents in America increased by 388% in the weeks following October 7. Additionally, the FBI recently reported that 2023 saw a 63% increase in the number of antisemitic hate crimes in the United States, making it the worst year on record. Sadly, Jews throughout the diaspora now fear for their safety and question whether they will ever feel like they truly belong – be it online, on campus, or in society at large. It falls to each one of us to stand against that cancerous, twisted antisemitic hate wherever and whenever it appears. "From coordinating our international coalition's successful defense against Iranian attacks on Israel to securing vital military aid for Israel's crucial military campaign against Hamas, America has sent a resounding message of support for Israel and the Jewish community. We continue to do so as Israel takes necessary action to defeat Hezbollah after the terrorist organization's violence forced over 60,000 Israeli civilians to flee their homes in the North. "A year after October 7, we must not forget what started this war: a vile terrorist attack that led to the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Israel did not want this war. Hamas initiated it in pursuit of its self-declared mission to kill Jews and destroy the State of Israel. To suggest otherwise not only ignores reality and gives credence to Hamas' false claims, but it also disrespects all those who have suffered because of that day. Instead, we must advance our work to secure the safe return of the remaining hostages – including seven Americans – held in Gaza, reaffirm our commitment to achieving a victory that brings lasting peace to the region, and continue to mourn those we have lost this past year. The pain of their loss is especially severe during this holy time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. May their memory be a blessing."