Quigley Statement on One-Year Anniversary of Attack on Israel
Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the October 7th attack on Israel:
“One year ago today, the world witnessed the greatest assault on the Jewish people in Israel’s history. Hamas carried out the brutal murder of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 innocent people. The attack horrified people across the globe and alarmed all nations who value international law and human rights. For the hostages still being held by Hamas and their families, the nightmare is not over. Today, over 60 hostages and the remains of over 30 more are still being held in Gaza. To the victims, the hostages, and their families, we will not give up until all hostages are returned.
“Here in the United States, I have been disheartened to see the rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia over the past year. We can and must find ways to disagree about policy without attacking and degrading entire groups of people. Antisemitic language and conspiracy theories have no place in our communities.
“I continue to support Israel's right to self-defense as well as its goal of dismantling Hamas and bringing the hostages home. There is a clear path forward to reach these aims.
“The ceasefire deal President Biden proposed earlier this year is our best course of action. It outlines a clear path to peace for Israelis and Palestinians after a year of war. A ceasefire agreement is in Israel's best interest, as it will ensure their long-term security and stabilize threats from outside actors. Recent escalation in the region has increased the urgency of reaching an agreement – for Israel and for all of the Middle East.
“The path forward must also consider the conditions impacting the Palestinian people. For them, a two-state solution remains the only tenable diplomatic resolution to this crisis. The Arab states have an obligation to oversee reforms to the Palestinian Authority, so Palestinians have a legitimate governing body that works on their behalf. This is critical if we are to ensure lasting peace for not just Palestinians, but for Israelis. Israelis and Palestinians both have a right to exist peacefully and the United States must work toward that end.”