Rep. Watson Coleman Issues Statement On One Year Anniversary of October 7th Attack
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement on the one year anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel:
“October 7, 2023, was one of the most horrific days in modern world history. It was the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. On that day, 1,195 men, women and children lost their lives, 251 were kidnapped and taken hostage, 101 of whom are still being held today. It made me sick to my stomach what was done by Hamas and other terrorist groups.
“Here at home, we awoke that morning in shock and horror, as videos of the atrocities spread across the internet. Young people at a music festival — dancing, singing, spreading joy and love, ambushed, murdered, kidnapped, and worse. Parents and children killed in their homes as they sat down to eat. It shocks the conscience of any decent human being.
“My Jewish constituents expressed their terror in the wake of October 7th. The ever-present specter of antisemitism rose its ugly head once again. I have seen pain in the eyes of my fellow New Jerseyans. That pain has manifested in many ways, from a deep fear, to an inconsolable grief, and an acute anger.
“I’ve been heartbroken and disgusted by the stories of hate that have been shared with me: Rabbis fear for the safety of their congregations, children afraid to wear the Star of David, and parents worried about safety and security. No one should have to live with that fear - not anywhere, but especially not in the United States.
“In the year since that heinous attack, I’ve worked with my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, to secure our places of worship through expansion of the nonprofit security grant program, and to fight the rise in antisemitism through efforts to implement a U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism as introduced by my colleague, Congressman Jerry Nadler of New York.
“I join my constituents in prayer for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the region, one that returns all the remaining hostages and guarantees safety, security, and self determination for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”