‘Heinous terrorist attacks’: Lawmakers, Jewish groups condemn Hamas attack on Israeli civilians

BOSTON — Local lawmakers and Jewish organizations condemned a surprise attack launched by Hamas on Israel that killed at least 600 Israeli civilians and wounded several hundred others, thrusting the region back into a bloody conflict.

Images of lifeless, bloodied bodies circulated in news reports globally after the surprise attack by the Hamas militant group on Saturday that resulted in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that Israel is “at war.”

Locally, a Brandeis University professor, Ilan Troen, lost his daughter and son-in-law in the attacks, the university announced Sunday.

Officials said Gaza militants fired thousands of rockets and entered Israel by land, sea and air using paragliders. An Israeli airstrike later flattened a high-rise building in central Gaza City after Hamas launched its attack, according to The Associated Press.

“Israel is now at war. Here in Boston, we awoke to terrifying scenes in Israel,” the Boston Jewish Community Relations Council said in a statement following the attacks.

“The IDF has confirmed that hostages have been taken to Gaza and that, as of now, over 100 people were killed in a Hamas assault, with another 900 injured. The scale of the destruction is unfathomable,” the council said. “We have been in touch with our colleagues on the ground, all of whom are sharing how serious this moment is and how grateful they are to know that – as always – we stand in complete solidarity with them against terrorism and those who seek to destroy us.”

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The Hamas attack on Israel A bicycle was targeted and two young Palestinian militants were killed near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel on October 7, 2023 in Gaza City, Gaza. The Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a missile attack on Israel today, with fighters simultaneously crossing the border from Gaza. Israel has declared a state of war. (Getty Images/Getty Images)

The Boston Jewish Community Relations Council released their statement during Shabbat, a religious Jewish day of rest, which is a first for the organization.

“We are taking the unprecedented step of coming online on Shabbat. We are praying for the safety and security of the Israeli people and for the civilians being put in harms way by the Hamas terrorist group,” the council said.

Council officials said plans were underway to hold a gathering in Boston area to honor those killed in Israel, but details have not been released yet.

President Joe Biden on Saturday decried the attacks. During a press conference, Biden said that he told Netanyahu that the United States “stands with the people of Israel in the face of these terrorist assaults. Israel has the right to defend itself and its people, full stop.”

“In the street, in their homes, innocent people murdered, wounded, entire families taken hostage by Hamas, just days after Israel marked the holiest days in the Jewish calendar. It’s unconscionable,” Biden said.

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, a Marine veteran of Iraq who represents Massachusetts’ Sixth District, said in a social media post that he stands “firmly with Israel” and he urged the Biden administration “to move quickly” to assist the Israeli government.

“I stand firmly with Israel and unequivocally affirm its right to defend itself and its people,” said Moulton, a Democrat. “I am confident @POTUS will act with purpose to assist the Israeli government, and I urge the Administration to move quickly.”

“The world must figure out how to empower the peacemakers in this generations-long conflict. Hamas’s actions to define the conflict today are evil, their tactics are criminal, and the future they paint is dark,” Moulton said.

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat who serves as senior member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, called the surprise attacks “horrific.”

“These horrific and indiscriminate terrorist attacks on Israel and its people must stop immediately,” Shaheen said in a statement. “My thoughts and prayers are with all Israelis, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have been killed. Israel has a right to defend itself against these and any terrorist attack, and I will continue to monitor this situation closely.”

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey also swiftly condemned the attacks on Israeli civilians, calling the actions by Hamas “unconscionable.”

“I condemn the unconscionable attacks on innocent Israeli civilians by Hamas. I’m holding the victims of this violence and their families in my heart, and praying for the safety of the people of Israel,” Healey said in a social media post.

U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, who represents Massachusetts’s 3rd congressional district, called the Hamas attack “heinous.”

“I wholeheartedly condemn the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas that have killed dozens of Israeli citizens. The victims of this violence and their families are in my prayers. The United States will continue to stand strongly with our Israeli allies,” Trahan said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday morning.

U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch said in a social media post that he is “sickened” to see the bloody footage of the attacks on “innocent Israeli civilians.”

“I am sickened to see the footage of the savage terrorist attacks in Israel and the senseless killing of innocent Israeli civilians. There can be no justification for the slaughter of innocent people and I fully support Israel’s right to defend its civilian population,” Lynch said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts called for an immediate de-escalation of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian region to avoid further bloodshed.

“I condemn this heinous attack on Israel, and am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of civilian life. We must do everything in our power to deescalate violence, engage diplomacy, and avert bloodshed. A war between Israel and Palestine would be catastrophic,” Markey said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, early Saturday afternoon.

Congressman Bill Keating, who represents the 9th Congressional District of Massachusetts, called the Hamas attacks “senseless.”

“I am saddened to learn of the senseless terrorist attacks in Israel and offer my condolences to the victims and their families. America stands with the Government and people of Israel in the fight against terrorism,” Keating said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, who represents Massachusetts’s 5th congressional district, joined lawmakers in condemning the violence.

“I strongly condemn the vicious terrorist attack by Hamas against innocent civilians in Israel. The violence is unprovoked and appalling, and I send prayers to the families in mourning and communities under siege,” Clark said in a social media post.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren also condemned the terrorist attacks.

“I strongly condemn the horrific attacks against Israel by Hamas. There is no justification for this terrorism, and my heart goes out to the innocent civilians suffering from this senseless violence,” Warren said in a social media post on X.

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley said in a post on X, “These devastating attacks on Israelis are deeply alarming and my heart breaks for the victims & their loved ones. We need an immediate ceasefire & de-escalation. It is long past time to stop this cycle of violence & trauma, and work toward a just & lasting peace in the region.”

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, a Worcester Democrat, also condemned the attacks.

“I am horrified by the news coming out of Israel. I strongly condemn these vicious terror attacks. There is never an excuse for such despicable violence. I am praying for the innocent Israelis & Palestinians who have been caught in the crossfire. May peace prevail,” McGovern said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Massachusetts Republican Jewish Committee and the Massachusetts Republican Party said in a joint statement, “Israel is currently enduring a continuous, multi-faceted series of terrorist attacks from Hamas-controlled Gaza. That Hamas has launched such an attack should come as no surprise. Hamas has been doing it for years. What is different now is that the scope of the attack is massive. Hamas is attacking Israel by land, air, and even the sea. Dozens of Israelis are already dead, with the casualties sure to rise with the launch of thousands of missiles into Israel.”

In a statement, MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale said, “The timing of this latest terrorist barrage is hardly a coincidence. The Biden Administration recently released $6 billion to Iran in return for five American hostages. Iran is the major funder of terrorism in the Middle East and thanks to Joe Biden, the formerly cash-starved Iran now has billions to funnel to Hamas.”

“History has taught us that appeasement only begets war. And war is what is occurring right now as the terrorist Hamas, with the apparent full military and financial backing of its terrorist-sponsor Iran, is determined to kill as many Jews in Israel as possible,” the statement said.

Carnevale said that Massachusetts Republicans “stand with our friends in Israel and urge our Nation’s leaders to stop appeasing terrorist regimes.”

In a social media post on Saturday, Matthew Miller, spokesman for the U.S. State Department, refuted claims that the deal with Iran to return five American hostages were connected to the the surprise attacks on Israeli civilians.

“Let’s be clear: the deal to bring U.S. citizens home from Iran has nothing to do with the horrific attack on Israel. Not a penny has been spent, and when it is, it can only go for humanitarian needs like food and medicine. Anything to the contrary is false,” Miller said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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