By COLlive reporter
Photos: Chaim Tuito
In a momentous bipartisan occasion, Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill met with the family members of those abducted and taken hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, vowing to fight for their safe release.
Over 350 men and women, members of the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee gathered in support of 170 immediate family members of the 240 Israeli and multinational hostages being held in Gaza.
Relatives of the hostages were in the United States for a trip organized by Chabad of Israel, led by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Aharonov to pray at the Ohel of the Rebbe in New York and visit Washington, DC to lobby for their loved ones.
Brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, spouses, and children held up posters of the hostages, sharing their heart-wrenching stories. Speaking with members of the Senator and Congress, they pleaded for support to help free their family members and bring them home safely in the fight against Hamas.
At the Capitol Hill event, lawmakers listened, filled with emotions and responding with their strong words of support and empathy, expressing their unwavering commitment to stand with Israel and alongside these families to usher in the hostages’ safe return immediately.
Congressman and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul had return from visit to Israel a day prior, having met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials.
“People are trying to deny it, just like the Holocaust, and we will not let that happen,” he stated. “We will not let the protestors – who don’t understand what’s going on) play the victim card, when it is in fact the Jewish people of Israel who are the victims, and it always has been throughout history.
“That is why we do stand with you,” he added. “I am working tirelessly on getting [the hostages] out.. lightness will defeat darkness; that’s what the message is all about.”
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), standing alongside Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), emphatically stated, “Our message to Israel and our message to you today is that we stand with Israel today, tomorrow, and forever.”
Senator Graham added, “This is the Ayotallah’s worst nightmare to see this – We have Republicans and Democrats, people of all faith, urging those who have your loved ones to turn them loose. They will release them… We’re going to make it painful to kill and murder Jews and kidnap your families.”
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) expressed, “We have an extraordinary response here as lawmakers, but there is an internal focus, a compass that we bring to the table, that begins with being a mother. Seeing these pictures, these young men, these sons, these daughters, our families that have been slaughtered, captured. This, as much as anything, is what you are seeing with the empathy and passion to ensure that ALL of these sons and daughters are returned home safely. The United States stands with Israel. We stand with you. We will bring your families home. G-d bless.”
“Mr. McCaul and I hosted earlier today a video showing the terrorists, who are not fighting for freedom or anything of that nature,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “The United States Congress will not rest and will be working with the state of Israel so that you can get back your family members, so that you can resume the peaceful lives in which you had. We will make sure to wipe out Hamas, so that that evil no longer exists.”
This bicameral and bipartisan session took place amidst the largest pro-Israel demonstration in U.S. history, in which approximately 290,000 people from around the nation and the world gathered peacefully to march on the National Mall.
Upon the session’s conclusion, attendees walked to join the enormous group at the National Mall. Members of Congress and the family members expressed how they felt inspired and strengthened by the event.
In attendance were: Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Marshall (R-KS), Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Senator James Risch (R-ID), Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Senator John Thune (R-SD), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH), Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA), Congressman Marcus Molinaro (R-NY), and Congressman Michael McCAul (Chairman of Committee on Foreign Affairs).
VIDEO
Chazan Helfgot sings emotional Ani Maamin and Mi Sheberach with family of hostages
Senators Richard Blumenthal and Lindsey Graham support for Israel
Congresswoman Madeleine Dean speaks out for Israel
Full Event:
I am impressed with Congress although not especially impressed with the Democrat House Minority leader. But I am favorably impressed by Sen. Schumer and certainly Speaker Johnson. Simultaneously, judging by the UN Security Council resolution echoing Biden’s calls for “humanitarian pauses,” I think that the message of the rally has not percolated to the White House. The Jewish community and the American people writ large, stand with Israel. If the White House engages in perfidy, in this and other matters such as their constant coddling of the Iranian Mullahs, then we need to increase the pressure, and use the momentum… Read more »
Every single Senate Democrat voted unanimously last week to deny ANY aid whatsoever to Israel.
Talk about speaking out of 2 sides of their mouth. ☹️
wow thank you sharing your words we are united we are strong we will win we are not give up we are the best