Duval Times

This year marks the first anniversary of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks against Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 32 Americans. Four Americans taken hostage during these attacks remain in captivity.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has released a video to commemorate the attacks and express support for Israel's efforts to combat the terrorist organizations responsible.

In his message, Rubio states, "One year ago, a terrorist group named Hamas launched a barbaric and unprovoked assault against Israel. The attack resulted in over 1,000 deaths."

He further describes the violent acts committed by Hamas: "Hamas’s campaign of violence involved the mass rape of young women, the mutilation of tiny babies and children, and the slaughtering of countless families. They used innocent Israelis and Palestinians as human shields. And when the loved ones of the dead begged for the bodies to be returned home, Hamas refused."

Rubio criticizes Hamas's motives: "This group is deprived of any moral conscience. They are driven by one goal: the destruction of Israel. And for their backers in Iran, this destruction is only the first step in a multi-stage plan to dominate the Middle East and to destabilize the West."

Reflecting on history, he notes that "October 7th, 2023 was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust." He emphasizes U.S. support for Israel: "But one thing needs to be made clear: The United States will always stand with Israel. We should not just support their right to defend themselves. We must support their right to destroy Hamas, and we must support their right to fight back against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah."

Rubio concludes by affirming Israel's importance as an ally: "Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East, and their enemies are our enemies. We must provide them with whatever it takes to defeat Hamas, and to demonstrate strength and clarity against those who threaten Israel and threaten America. Because if we don’t stand by our friends, then we are standing by our enemies."