GOP lawmakers in the Tennessee General Assembly have signed a joint proclamation expressing their unwavering support of Israel following Hamas’ attack on the country over the Yom Kippur holiday weekend.
Today I joined @LtGovMcNally in issuing a joint House/Senate proclamation condemning the heinous terrorist attacks that took place this weekend and reiterating our strong support for our strongest ally in the world, Israel 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/ZvehGbecEg
— Speaker Cameron Sexton (@CSexton25) October 11, 2023
“The Nation of Israel and the United States of America are bound closely by historic and cultural ties. The horrific terrorist assault against Israel this past weekend was an act of intolerable and despicable hatred and violence,” the joint proclamation begins. “This was a heinous and unprovoked attack on one of our most trusted allies, resulting in innocent lives of adults and children being lost, as well as women and children now being held hostage by the extremist Islamic terrorist organization Hamas. We know that American citizens are among those killed, and an unknown number of our fellow citizens are also being held as hostages; and we strongly urge the immediate release of all innocent people taken by this barbaric organization and its co-conspirators.”
“The State of Tennessee stands with the people of Israel in this time of crisis, and express our unequivocal support for the Nation of Israel we fully support their ability to use force and their military might to defend themselves from terrorists; and we will not allow evil organizations and their supporters to lessen our resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel,” the proclamation continues.
“Remaining silent emboldens terrorist groups like Hamas by showing weakness and indifference to their actions, and we, as members of the General Assembly, stand together in support and in voice to condemn these extremist actions,” the proclamation adds.
In addition, all 75 Tennessee House Republicans signed a letter asking Governor Bill Lee and the entire congressional delegation to pledge their “total support in defending Israel.”
Today, all 75 of our members signed a letter asking @GovBillLee @MarshaBlackburn @SenatorHagerty @RepTimBurchett @RepCohen @DesJarlaisTN04 @RepChuck @RepMarkGreen @RepJohnRose @DHarshbargerTN1 @RepDavidKustoff and @RepOgles to pledge their total support in defending Israel. pic.twitter.com/jiHfXg5wmn
— TN House Republicans (@tnhousegop) October 11, 2023
“As a free nation, we have a moral and ethical duty to fight against tyranny in all forms. At this critical time, we ask that you pledge your total support in defending Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign state and dedicate necessary resources to destroy Hamas’ terrorist regime,” the state lawmakers wrote. “We further request that you urgently provide all assistance within your means and ability to expedite the safe return home of American citizens. In doing so, we also ask that you provide timely aid and support to families of American victims.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Cameron Sexton” by Cameron Sexton.
