Wisconsin Members of Congress Remember Anniversary of Attack in Israel

Wisconsin’s members of Congress remembered the victims and hostages on the one-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks in Israel.

Both Wisconsin’s Republican Congressmen, and Democratic members of Congress made statements or, in Republican Senator Ron Johnson’s case, co-sponsored a resolution to mark the attacks.

“Be it resolved, that the Senate condemns Iran-backed Hamas for its brutal attacks on Israel; condemns Iran-backed Hamas for killing and taking hostage United States citizens; condemns Iran-backed Hamas for its use of rape as a weapon of war and for its inhumane treatment, torture, and killing of hostages,” the resolution reads.

Wisconsin’s Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin did not sign-on to Johnson’s resolution.

Instead, she issued her own statement.

“One year ago, the world witnessed Hamas brutally murder 1,200 Israelis, kidnap hundreds of others, and plunge the region into chaos,” Baldwin wrote. “My heart is with all those mourning a loved one taken too soon or those still lying up at night unsure if a family member kidnapped is alive or not.”

Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Moore also condemned Hamas is her thoughts on the October 7th attack.

“Today, we remember the horrific violence of October 7th, where more than 1,200 Israelis were brutally killed, and hundreds were kidnapped and taken hostage by Hamas, including American citizens. I stand with families and communities mourning and feeling the pain of loss as well as those still under threat today throughout the region. I stand with those whose loved ones are still being held hostage and the millions more in the region who continue to experience fear, anxiety, and uncertainty every day,” Moore said. “The region today is neither more safe, secure, nor stable for anyone. Not only has the trauma of that day subsided, but continuing violent escalation only means greater insecurity for Israelis, Palestinians, and now the Lebanese and others in the region. Worse, there appears to be no off ramp to ever increasing violent escalation.”

Republican Congressman Glenn Grothman focused on Israel in his remarks.

“Israel has every right to continue defending itself against such unprovoked aggression, and it is essential that the United States continues to stand firmly with our strongest ally in the Middle East. The resilience of the Israeli people in the face of this tragedy is a testament to their strength and unity,” Grothman added. “As we remember the victims and honor their memory, we must also acknowledge that many hostages remain in the hands of Hamas, enduring torture, and pray for their safe return home. We also grieve with the families of the hostages who were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists”

The Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine, however, took a different approach.

“As Palestinians mark one year of Israeli genocide on October 7, 2023, WCJP (and its 86 statewide organizations) urges all media to maintain a balanced, fact-based and unbiased approach to the crisis we have witnesses, presented without bias,” the group said. “For some, Palestine’s history began on October 7th, 2023, when Hamas broke out of their open air prison. This story has been repeatedly told, often with misleading untruths…We urge you to uphold journalistic integrity and balanced coverage. There are numerous Palestinian Americans and Lebanese Americans who have lost family and property who should be welcomed to tell their stories of ruthless terror. Israel, with the support of the US, murdered 42,000 Palestinians, wounded 90,000, with thousands more missing.”