Jack Reed: “I rise today to discuss the state of the war between Israel and Hamas. Tomorrow, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin…”

“I rise today to discuss the state of the war between Israel and Hamas. Tomorrow, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will speak before a joint session of Congress. I hope he will propose a significant change in his approach to the war. I hope he will offer his resounding thanks to President Biden for his steadfast support of the defense of Israel. I hope he will thank this Democratically led Senate, the majority leader, and our Republican colleagues for our early support of the supplemental appropriations bill that provided billions of dollars to strengthen Israel's defenses and provide humanitarian support to Gaza. It has been more than 9 months since Hamas carried out its horrific attack against the Israeli people. Hamas terrorists killed more than 1,200 men, women, and children, and took 250 hostages. Unspeakable acts of terror were committed on October 7, and they will never be forgotten. In the wake of this attack, the United States has stood resolutely by Israel's side, providing billions of dollars of aid and intervening to shield Israel from attack by Iran and its proxies. For more than 75 years, Israel has been one of our closest allies. Since its founding, Israel has relied on America's friendship, and we have been proud to give it. It is because of this friendship, not in spite of it, that we must insist the Israeli Government change course in its war against Hamas.…”