October 8, 2023
Yesterday, Israelis woke to the all-too-familiar sound of rocket fire from Hamas. Innocent civilians, including children and elderly grandparents, were kidnapped and murdered. My heart breaks for those victims, their families, and Israel itself.
These acts of terror stand as a grim reminder that after centuries of pogroms and genocide, the Jewish people are still not safe. Terror and violence are part of the collective memory of the Jewish people. Jews have been under attack by those who strive for our total annihilation since long before the modern State of Israel was born – this is the reality of what it means to be a Jew.
But the story of the Jewish people is not simply one of tragedy. It is a story of enduring and overcoming tragedy. It is a story of a people who come together and survive. That is precisely what Israel and its people will do.
The cycle of violence must come to an end – but today is a day for prayer, not politics. Together, we mourn the victims of these terror attacks and pray for peace.
Today, and always, I stand with the Israeli people.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
State Representative, 17th District