U.S. Emphasizes Support for Israel Against Islamic Republic on Anniversary of Hamas Attack

On the first anniversary of Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, senior U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, issued separate statements reaffirming the United States' commitment to defending Israel against the Iranian government and its proxy groups. President Biden stated that the U.S. defends Israel's right to self-defense against attacks from Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and the Islamic Republic of Iran. He noted that last week, at his direction, the U.S. participated for the second time in successfully defending Israel against missile attacks from the Iranian government. In another part of his statement, he condemned the rise of anti-Semitism in the U.S. and around the world, emphasizing the need to combat it and hatred in all forms. Regarding the hostages taken by Hamas, Biden expressed remembrance for them and their families, stating that he would never cease efforts to bring the remaining hostages back. He added that the U.S. would continue to work towards a ceasefire agreement in Gaza that would lead to the release of hostages, increase humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, ensure Israel's security, and end the ongoing war. In this context, Kamala Harris, the U.S. Vice President, emphasized the necessity for Israel to have continuous access to the necessary equipment for self-defense against the Iranian government and its supported terrorist groups like Hamas. Harris, who is also the Democratic candidate for the upcoming presidential election, asserted, 'My commitment to Israel's security is unwavering.' Referring to Hamas's actions on October 7 last year, including the massacre of 1,200 innocent people, the abduction of over 250 others, and sexual assaults on women and girls, she stated that this has evoked deep fear among Jews not only in Israel but also in the U.S. and around the world. Harris expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the October 7 attack and stated that she would work with all her strength to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas to Israel, ensuring that Hamas never has the ability to govern Gaza and that the people of Gaza are freed from Hamas's grip. In another part of her statement, she emphasized the need to reach an agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire, stating that she would not relent in the fight for Palestinians to have dignity, freedom, security, and the right to self-determination. Regarding the conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, Harris also reminded the necessity of achieving a peaceful solution, calling it the only way to restore lasting calm and allow residents of the border areas of Israel and Lebanon to return to their homes. Additionally, Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, in a statement, urged the international community to condemn the Iranian government's support for Hamas and other terrorist groups in the Middle East, which he described as 'responsible for all this death, destruction, and instability.' Blinken recalled the massacre of 1,200 men, women, and children from over 30 different countries in the October 7 terrorist attack, noting that 46 of the victims were U.S. citizens. According to Blinken, the October 7 terrorist attack is the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, and it involved sexual assaults against girls and women. He further noted that 254 other individuals were abducted during the October 7 terrorist attack, including 12 American hostages, four of whom were killed by Hamas, four were released during a November agreement last year, and four others remain as hostages in Gaza. Blinken stated that approximately 97 hostages, including men, women, girls, boys, the elderly, and children from 25 countries, are still in Gaza. He asserted, 'Hamas must release these hostages immediately. Each one of them must be returned to their families, and the United States will continue its tireless efforts to bring them home.' He described the October 7 terrorist attack as the cause of dire consequences for Palestinians and stated that the U.S. mourns the deaths of all innocent victims of the war over the past year. The Secretary of State said it is time to reach an agreement to bring the hostages home, alleviate the pain and suffering of Israelis and Palestinians, and ultimately end the ongoing war. Blinken reiterated that the international community must stand firmly against terrorism and violent extremism and the sources supporting groups like Hamas. He emphasized that the international community 'must condemn Iran's support for Hamas and other terrorist groups in the region that are responsible for all this death, destruction, and instability.' In conclusion, Blinken reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel against terrorism and stated that the U.S. remains committed to lasting peace and stability in the region and a shared future for Israelis and Palestinians where they enjoy security, dignity, opportunities, and equal freedom. Meanwhile, a bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators, including Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator from South Carolina, and Richard Blumenthal, a Democratic senator from New York, traveled to Israel and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During this meeting, Lindsey Graham stated that if the Iranian government obtains nuclear weapons, the question will be whether it will use them against the U.S., Israel, or Saudi Arabia. Senator Graham asserted that the U.S. cannot allow the Islamic Republic to acquire nuclear weapons and will assist Israel in this regard. His remarks come amid speculation about the possibility of an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities in response to last week's missile attack by the Iranian government on Israel. He implicitly criticized recent comments by Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, regarding the need to stop sending weapons used in Gaza to Israel to establish a ceasefire, stating that those who seek to destroy Israel also seek to destroy the people of France, and therefore, France's aid to Israel should be increased. In another part of his remarks, Senator Graham emphasized the need for the return of Israeli refugees in the north and south of the country to their homes, addressing Netanyahu, 'Do whatever is necessary for your citizens to return home.' Senior Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, during this meeting, expressed condolences to the people of Israel on this 'painful' day, stating, 'We all in the United States deeply understand that [October 7] was a completely brutal and inhumane attack against Jews.' Senator Blumenthal concluded his brief remarks by stating, 'We are here to say we stand with Israel, and Israel has the right to defend itself.' At the beginning of this meeting, Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude for the visit of Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal to Israel, recalling that October 7 was 'the worst attack against Jews since the Holocaust,' but unlike the Holocaust, Jews can now defend themselves. He continued by thanking the U.S. government and people, as well as these two senators, for their support throughout the war. In addition to senior U.S. officials, leaders from many countries around the world, including the UK, France, Germany, Canada, and Australia, issued separate messages condemning the October 7 terrorist attack, expressing condolences to the victims and their families, and reaffirming Israel's right to defend itself.