Nadler Statement on Two Year Anniversary of October 7th

Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the most senior Jewish Member of the House of Representatives, issued the following statement on the two-year anniversary of the horrific October 7th attacks in Israel:

"Two years ago today, the Jewish people experienced the deadliest day in our history since the Holocaust. Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists invaded Israeli soil to kill over 1200 innocents and take an additional 251 hostage. Today, we remember all those who were ruthlessly murdered, recommit ourselves to the fight to bring the remaining hostages home, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder in solidarity with all those impacted by the events of that devastating day.

"The events of October 7th and the ensuing war are never far from my mind. There are still 48 hostages who excruciatingly remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza. We have heard testimony of the atrocious conditions under which they are being held and the unfathomable levels of brutality to which they have been subjected. I continue to call on Hamas to unconditionally release them immediately and continue to do everything in my power to help bring them home, now.

"It is also clear to me, as I have said many times, that the war in Gaza must end immediately. It was as long as eighteen months ago that top Israeli generals told Prime Minister Netanyahu that there was no further military advantage to continuing the war. Prime Minister Netanyahu's failure to defend his own citizens on October 7, 2023 is exacerbated by his needless continuation of the war, and compounded by him continuing to play politics with the lives of innocent Israelis and Palestinians. Indeed, it is shameful how Netanyahu has consistently placed his own political future above the wellbeing of the hostages and innocent civilians.

"Today I also recognize October 7th as the beginning of a now two-year long war that has brought devastation, displacement, and unimaginable suffering to innocent civilians in Gaza. Israel, the United States, and the international community must do all that is possible-and far more than the unacceptable status quo-to surge massive amounts of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. While the death and damage can never be undone, steps can be taken to alleviate suffering and build a better future. While these are critical steps, I also recognize that ultimately, there will never be true peace and stability in the region without a negotiated final status agreement between Israelis and Palestinians resulting in a viable two-state solution.

"October 7th will always be a day of mourning and sadness. Next week Jews around the world will observe Shmini Atzeret. Known as the end of the high holiday period and the last lingering opportunity for spiritual repentance after Yom Kippur, Jews who have lost a family member traditionally pray a special set of Yizkor (remembrance) prayers. This Shmini Atzeret, I will also be remembering the many members of our larger Jewish family who were ruthlessly murdered by terrorists two years ago today and the too many innocent Gazan civilians who have lost their lives in ensuing war. We will remember them, and I pray that we may all heed the lesson Psalm 34 teaches us, to "seek peace and pursue it."

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