Governor honors victims of Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7th

Texas Border Business

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AUSTIN – Gov. Greg Abbott spoke at the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas on October 7^Th Memorial ceremony in Dallas to honor the more than 1,200 victims whose lives were tragically taken by Hamas’s reckless terrorist attack on October 7 and the seven Americans who remain held hostage.

“Since October 7, 2023, Israel has faced extraordinary challenges due to the carnage caused by Hamas,” said Governor Abbott. “No country is more exposed to rocket attacks on a daily basis than Israel. No country is confronted with terrorist attacks as daily as Israel. But Israel refuses to be defined by these war attacks. A year later, Israel is still defending itself against Hamas and Hezbollah and defending itself against attacks from Iran itself. Israel cannot have peace – the world cannot have peace – until Hamas is gone. Those killed and those held hostage by Hamas will never be forgotten. Texas stands with the State of Israel and the Jewish community.”

Watch the governor’s full remarks at the memorial ceremony here.

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In an address to over 900 Jewish Texans and local leaders, the governor called for the elimination of Hamas and the return of the seven Americans still being held hostage by Hamas: Edan Alexander, Itay Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Gadi Haggai and Judith Weinstein Haggai, Omer Neutra and Keith Siegel.

The governor was joined at the memorial ceremony by Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission Chairman Kenny Goldberg. Igor Alterman, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas; Rabbi Ari Sunshine; Consul General of Israel in the Southwest Livia Link-Raviv; October 7 survivor Koby Pode; LeElle Slifer, family member of Hamas victim; and other Jewish faith leaders.

Last week, Governor Abbott issued a proclamation calling for a statewide moment of silence on October 7, 2024, to honor the victims whose lives were tragically lost due to acts of war committed by Hamas and to remember those who are still being held hostage on this day. The governor also lowered Texas and U.S. flags to half-staff and asked religious leaders to light a candle at their next church service to mark the solemn day. In addition, Texas facilities across the state organized moving displays of empty chairs to symbolize the seven Americans kept from their loved ones.

Governor Abbott has taken significant actions to strengthen security and combat anti-Semitism throughout Texas in light of the brutal terrorist organization Hamas’ war against the State of Israel and innocent civilians, including:

• Distributing over $4 million in grants to 31 Jewish organizations that will support security improvements
• Directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to coordinate with local partners and federal intelligence agencies on increased public safety measures across the state
• Issue an executive order directing all Texas state agencies to refrain from purchasing goods produced or exported in the Gaza Strip or from organizations or state actors with ties to Hamas
• Texas flags were ordered to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the lives lost in an act of war in Israel
• Strengthen educational resources to increase awareness and understanding of the Israel-Hamas War among Texas students

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