In a display of unity and remembrance, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) led a bipartisan candlelight vigil last week to honor the victims and hostages of the brutal Hamas terror attacks that occurred a little over a month ago in Israel.
On October 7, in the deadliest assault on the country since the Holocaust, over 1,400 Israelis lost their lives, and Hamas militants took more than 200 hostage. "This is a bipartisan gathering on a solemn day," Johnson said. "We vow to support Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas and are committed to doing all we can," he added, reflecting on the meeting GOP leaders had with the families of hostages earlier that day.
During the vigil, Johnson praised the courage of the families, stating, "They've shared their stories, allowing the American people to have some real insight into what they are facing." The Speaker's sentiments were echoed by the large bipartisan group of members present, expressing their resolve to end the chaos and destruction.
House GOP leaders also brought attention to the hostages' plight at a press conference earlier in the week, marking the one-month anniversary of the attacks. In response to the crisis, House Republicans, with the support of 12 Democrats, passed a legislative package providing $14.3 billion in aid to Israel, paired with cuts in IRS funding. However, the bill faces obstacles in the Senate, which is expected to propose its own aid package.
At the vigil, Jeffries also reiterated his support for Israel, promising to "do everything in our power to bring the hostages home." He condemned the acts of terror and called for the memories of the deceased to be honored and the hostages to be safely returned.
Across Israel, citizens participated in memorial gatherings, vigils, prayers, and protests, marking a month since the tragic day. A significant vigil took place at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, with attendees praying for the release of the hostages and remembering those killed. The Western Wall, a site steeped in history, saw emotional scenes as people gathered to light a "torch of life" in memory of the victims.
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As these ceremonies underscore the national and international impact of the October 7 attacks, the world watches as political leaders and communities come together to navigate the aftermath of violence and seek paths toward peace and reconciliation.