West Virginia’s congressional representatives and Gov. Jim Justice are condemning a Palestinian militant assault in Israel.
“I am horrified and saddened by the news that our ally Israel is again under attack by Iran-backed terrorists targeting innocent civilian lives. I stand with the State of Israel, its right to exist, and its right to defend itself,” Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., stated.
The early-morning surprise attack included firing more than 2,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel while Hamas militants crossed into Israel by land, sea and air. Hamas is the Palestinian militant organization that controls Gaza. Israeli citizens and soldiers were being held captive.
Israel retaliated with massive airstrikes on Gazan cities. “Citizens of Israel, we are at war – not in an operation, not in rounds – at war,” Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said in a video message.
“The attack we saw on Israel is an appalling act of violence at the hands of a terrorist organization. My commitment and America’s commitment to Israel remains steadfast as they confront this continued terror,” stated Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.
Congresswoman Carol Miller, R-W.Va., expressed support for Israel.
“As America awakes to the horror of Hamas waging a war against Israel, our closest ally deserves our full and unequivocal support,” Miller stated on social media.
Miller’s statement blasted the Biden Administration over its policies on Iran, which included lifting a freeze on $6 billion in Iranian oil revenue that had been blocked by U.S. sanctions as part of a prisoner swap last month. Iran backs Hamas.
“Biden must immediately reverse course and ensure Israel has all the support it needs to protect their sovereignty and save innocent lives,” Miller stated on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.
Congressman Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., also spoke out against the violence.
“I unequivocally condemn the horrific attacks by Hamas terrorists. We must stand with Israel and continue to pray for our ally and its citizens,” stated Mooney, who is running in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.
Gov. Jim Justice, also running for the Republican nomination for Senate, condemned the attacks too.
“The United States must stand with our ally Israel against these senseless attacks by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists. We must support our friend and strongest ally in the Middle East and support Israel’s right to defend themselves,” Justice stated on social media.
The attacks have occurred amid three-way negotiations between Saudi Arabia, Israel and the U.S. to establish formal relations between the kingdom and Israel.
“The Kingdom calls for an immediate halt to the escalation between the two sides, the protection of civilians and restraint,” Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry wrote in a statement.
“The Kingdom recalls its repeated warnings of the dangers of the explosion of the situation as a result of the continued occupation, the deprivation of the Palestinian people of their legitimate rights, and the repetition of systematic provocations against its sanctities.”
Hamas said the assault was in response to a continued blockade of Gaza, Israeli raids inside West Bank cities over the past year and attacks by settlers on Palestinians.
United States government officials issued sharp statements against today’s attacks.
“We unequivocally condemn the appalling attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israel. We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks,” stated Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
President Biden stated, “Today, I spoke with @IsraeliPM about the appalling Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. I offered our support and reiterated my unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.”
West Virginia Treasurer Riley Moore, a Republican candidate for Congress, also issued a statement condemning the attacks and blasted Biden.
His statement made reference to the the Iranian funds that had been frozen in South Korea. Those funds were transferred to Qatar and are only to be used for food, medicine and other humanitarian needs.
“The barbaric surprise attack by Hamas this morning against the State of Israel is horrifying. My prayers are with the people of Israel. God willing there will be a swift victory for Israel and justice for the families who have lost loved ones. It is is no coincidence that this is happening right after the Biden administration handed over billions of dollars to Iran. Unbelievably misguided and weak,” Moore stated.
Democratic Party Chairman Mike Pushing, a state delegate, responded that Moore’s statement is misleading.
“This unprovoked attack on civilians has nothing to do with our President and to claim anything else legitimizes terrorism,” Pushkin stated.