Congressman García’s Statement on a Year After the October 7 Attacks

CHICAGO — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) issued the following statement a year after the Hamas’ attack on Israel:

“One year ago, I strongly condemned Hamas’ attack on Israel, during which 1,200 civilians were killed and another 251 were taken hostage. As the horror of the attack sunk in, and as we mourned those killed and kidnapped, I feared for what would come next. I feared that Israel’s military response, supported materially, diplomatically, and financially by the United States, would only push peace farther away.

“Since then, Israel’s bombing campaigns have killed more than 42,000 Palestinians and 2,000 Lebanese. The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza grows by the day. A year in, Israel is not safer, many hostages are still being held by Hamas, and the Middle East is at an even more dangerous inflection point—on the precipice of a full-scale regional war.

“So as I once again condemn the horrific attacks one year ago and call for the hostages’ safe return, I also reaffirm my belief that the path toward safety for Israelis, Palestinians, and Lebanese alike includes stopping the flow of unconditional weapons from the U.S. to Israel, and securing a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.” 

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