Today marks one year since the Islamic terrorist organization Hamas attacked Israel’s civilian population along the border dividing the Middle Eastern country and the area of the Gaza Strip. The surprise rampage resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis, with approximately 250 people being taken hostage.
The decision by Hamas’ leadership to kill and torture unarmed civilians during the attack on October 7, was quickly met with an Israeli defensive action that has flattened much of Gaza and exacted a steep toll on the militant group and its leaders.
In its effort to fight terrorism in the region, Israel currently enjoys support from many of the world’s most powerful countries, particularly the United States. However, there is no place in America more supportive of the Judeo country’s right to self-defense than the state of Alabama.
RELATED: Christians United for Israel: Alabama’s unwavering support for Israel echoes through Congress
Now one year later, Governor Kay Ivey issued a proclamation establishing today in Alabama as a ‘Day of Observance’ to honor those killed in the ‘vicious’ Hamas attack.
One year ago today, Hamas terrorists viciously attacked Israel, making it the largest killing of Jews since the Holocaust. Alabama always stands with Israel, so today, I have proclaimed it a Day of Observance in Alabama. May we never forget. pic.twitter.com/HUA1hGOUAp
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) October 7, 2024
“In the aftermath of World War Two, the United States, along with the United Nations, recognized the need for Jewish people to reestablish their historic homeland,” the proclamation from Ivey reads. “In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly voted for the establishment of two states in Palestine.”
“The United States supported the relocation of Holocaust survivors to Palestine, and on May 14, 1948, the provisional government of Israel proclaimed a new state of Israel. President Harry Truman, on the same date, became the first leader of a nation to recognize Israel as a sovereign government and authority of the Jewish state. And since 1948, the United States has recognized Israel as an independent nation, with Alabama being the first to acknowledge its sovereignty.”
“Alabama and Israel share a commitment to deeply held common values from the history of each shaped greatly through the influence of biblical faith, in addition to many nationally shared values.”
Ivey hopes that Alabamians will recommit to the “shared values” that unite Alabama and Israel.
“On this solemn one-year anniversary, I ask Alabamians to remember the victims whose lives were tragically taken and those who are still held hostage to this day due to the acts of war committed by the brutal terrorist organization Hamas.”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
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