In a sign of solidarity with one of America’s chief allies, Gov. Kay Ivey has announced that flags throughout the state will be lowered to half staff in honor of the more than 1,100 people killed in the Hamas attack in Israel last Friday. Eleven Americans have so far been identified as killed in the attacks, while several others were taken hostage.
“I am directing flags to be lowered to half-staff immediately in honor and remembrance of the lives lost in Israel at the hands of Hamas terrorists on Saturday, October 7th, 2023, which was the Jewish holy day of Simchat Torah,” Ivey said in a statement.
She also called for the terror attacks against Israel to be “stopped at all costs.”
“Those responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Israeli citizens are not only the enemies of our Jewish brothers and sisters, but the United States and her people, too,” she said. “For more than 80 years, Alabama has proudly stood in solidarity with the State of Israel, and we will continue to do so through these challenging times.”
Ivey noted some of the similarities between Alabama and Israel, while also asking that the citizens of Alabama support the middle eastern country in its time of need.
“Alabama and Israel share a commitment to deeply-held common values – one of which is the belief in the power of prayer,” she said. “I call upon the people of our great state to uplift our Jewish brothers and sisters in prayer as they fight to protect their homeland.”
The flags will be remain lowered until sunset Friday.
Eleven Americans have so far been identified as killed in the attacks, while several others were taken hostage.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
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