Hakeem Jeffries -Democratic House Minority Leader Press Releases
Updated 2023-11-24
https://democraticleader.house.gov/
2023-11-07 JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR
PRESS RELEASE
Washington, DC – Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement marking one month since the horrific events of October 7th:
On October 7, exactly one month ago today, Hamas committed horrific atrocities and acts of terrorism against Israel, murdering more than 1,400 people in what amounted to the largest loss of Jewish life in one day since the Holocaust. People of goodwill should unequivocally condemn this vile terrorism, as well as the deeply disturbing rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia in America. We must also respect the right of a sovereign country like Israel to defend its citizens while making clear that the international rules of war related to Palestinian civilians in Gaza should be meticulously followed.
Israel has an absolute right to exist as a Jewish, Democratic state and the ancestral homeland for the Jewish people who have faced pogroms, persecution and antisemitism for centuries. The State of Israel, a safe haven for Jews, was viciously attacked on October 7. Echoing slogans that are widely understood as calling for the complete destruction of Israel – such as from the River to the Sea – does not advance progress toward a two-state solution. Instead, it unacceptably risks further polarization, division and incitement to violence. There are millions of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza who legitimately aspire to peaceful self-determination and economic dignity. The continued presence of Hamas undermines that cause, further making clear that the ongoing effort to decisively defeat this brutal terrorist regime must succeed.
The Biden administration is also working on a humanitarian pause to surge food, water, medical supplies and other forms of relief to Palestinian civilians who are in harm’s way through no fault of their own. This is an important step in the midst of the fog of war, where thousands of civilians have tragically been killed and hundreds of hostages remain in peril. Congress must now do its part by passing emergency legislation that provides support for Israel and Ukraine as well as the resources needed to deliver humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians.
As public officials serving in Congress, the words we choose matter. It is my strong belief that we must all take care to respect each other personally, even when strongly disagreeing on matters of policy or legislation. We should be able to agree to disagree on domestic or foreign policy issues, without being disagreeable with each other or the President of the United States. If the end goal following the defeat of Hamas and safe return of all hostages is a just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinian people, as I believe it should be, ad hominem attacks against colleagues will never accomplish that objective.
The searing moment of turbulence in our society and throughout the world calls for us to tackle the challenges we confront in a serious, sober and substantive manner. Let us all recommit to doing just that for the good of everyone. https://democraticleader.house.gov/media/press-releases/jeffries-statement-israel-hamas-war
2023-10-25 LEADER JEFFRIES: “OUR COMMITMENT TO ISRAEL’S SECURITY IS IRONCLAD”
PRESS RELEASE
Washington, DC – In his remarks upon the election of the Speaker of the House, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries reiterated his commitment to the special relationship between the United States and Israel and highlighted the need to continue to stand with Israel as it defends itself and defeats Hamas.
“We must also continue to stand by President Biden as he works to bring American hostages and Israeli hostages held by Hamas back home. American hostages and Israeli hostages and international hostages back home. We must also stand by our friends on the international stage. And we have no better friend in the Middle East than the State of Israel.
Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish and Democratic state. The special relationship between the United States and Israel is unbreakable. Our commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad. And Israel has a right to defend itself under the international rules of war against the brutal terror unleashed on its citizens by Hamas.
Our ironclad commitment to Israel’s security and the effort to defeat Hamas is not inconsistent with the goal of achieving a lasting and just peace between Israel and the Palestinian people. In many ways, it is a necessary ingredient, because Hamas is not good for Israel, Hamas is not good for America, Hamas is not good for the Free World, Hamas is not good for the democratic aspirations of the Palestinian people.” A video of these remarks is available here. https://democraticleader.house.gov/media/press-releases/leader-jeffries-our-commitment-israels-security-ironclad-0
2023-10-19 LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON EXPLOSION AT AL AHLI HOSPITAL
Washington, DC – Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement: Earlier today, I received a high-level briefing about the catastrophic explosion at the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza. Based on the information that I have reviewed, it is apparent that the hospital explosion was not caused by a missile fired by Israel. Rather, the explosion was likely the result of an errant Islamic Jihad rocket. The misinformation propagated by Hamas is recklessly exacerbating unrest in the region and throughout the world. It is important that the dissemination of misinformation cease and desist during this extremely volatile time. https://democraticleader.house.gov/media/press-releases/leader-jeffries-statement-explosion-al-ahli-hospital
2023-10-16 LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON THE MURDER OF WADEA AL-FAYOUME
PRESS RELEASE Brooklyn, NY — Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement on the murder of Palestinian-American child Wadea Al-Fayoume:
Deeply saddened to learn of the brutal murder of six-year-old Palestinian-American Wadea Al-Fayoume. Islamophobia has no place in America and the violent, hate-filled targeting of Wadea or anyone else based on ethnicity or religious affiliation is unconscionable and should be unequivocally condemned by everyone. The murder of Wadea must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and my prayers are with his mother for a full recovery in the midst of unspeakable tragedy. We can never allow hatred to win. https://democraticleader.house.gov/media/press-releases/leader-jeffries-statement-murder-wadea-al-fayoume
2023-10-08 LEADER JEFFRIES: “OUR COMMITMENT TO ISRAEL’S SECURITY IS IRONCLAD”
PRESS RELEASE
CINCINNATI, OHIO – Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Dana Bash on CNN’s State of the Union where he emphasized that the United States will continue to stand with the people of Israel in the wake of the deadly terrorist attacks. He also highlighted that House Democrats remain ready, willing and able to find a bipartisan path forward so that the Congress can get back to the business of the people.
DANA BASH: Joining me now is Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader, the Democratic Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. Thank you so much for joining me this morning, sir. First question is what you have been told, your information. I know you were briefed about the situation going on in Israel.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well it’s a very heartbreaking situation, a tragic situation. We mourn for the loss of life that has taken place and for those Israelis who are currently being held hostage either in southern Israel or in Gaza. I had a conversation with the White House as well as the National Security Council yesterday. The most important thing that needs to be said is that the United States will continue to stand strongly behind Israel. America’s bond with Israel is unshakeable and unbreakable. We have stood strongly behind Israel during its first 75 years. We will stand strongly behind Israel for the next 75 years and beyond. https://democraticleader.house.gov/media/press-releases/leader-jeffries-our-commitment-israels-security-ironclad
2023-10-07 LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON DESPICABLE TERRORIST ATTACK AGAINST ISRAEL
PRESS RELEASE
Brooklyn, NY — Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement after Israel and her citizens were viciously targeted in a deadly attack on Israeli sovereignty by Hamas:
I strongly condemn the violent and ghastly attack by the terrorist organization Hamas on the Jewish people and the State of Israel. The loss of life in Israel as a result of the violent, calculated and unprovoked attack by Hamas is heartbreaking.
America stands firmly and unequivocally with Israel. We will strongly support Israel’s right to defend herself from this despicable attack that targeted civilians, including Israeli children, with rockets, gunfire and violent kidnappings. The Congress must stand with Israel until the invasion by Hamas has been crushed and security in Southern Israel and throughout the country has been permanently restored. https://democraticleader.house.gov/media/press-releases/leader-jeffries-statement-despicable-terrorist-attack-against-israel
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