I have always stood with Israel, and I know it is incredibly important for us all to come together and support them as they come under attack yet again from Hamas terrorists that are backed by Iran. I fully support Israel’s right to defend itself against this violence.

What has happened over the past few days against Israel is absolutely horrific. Make no mistake, this war did not start in a vacuum. The Iranian regime, which President Biden recently gave $6 billion to, has been funding and supporting Hamas for years. This Administration has also stopped enforcing sanctions on Iran, which has enabled Iran to enrich themselves even further. And now, Israel is paying the price.

Israel has every right to finish this war, just as any other sovereign nation would have the right to defend itself in the face of an attack like this. Hamas terrorists are horrifically brutal and have been targeting women, children, and other innocent civilians in their campaign to destroy Israel.

Let’s be clear, Hamas only exists for one reason alone, and that is to wipe out the Jewish state of Israel.

My House Republican colleagues and I are unwavering in our support for Israel. In February of this year, we sent a letter to President Biden encouraging his administration to stop any anti-Israel resolution put before the U.N. Security Council. Just a few months later, we voted to support the Abraham Accords to encourage other countries to improve relations with Israel and continue bilateral cooperation with Israel.

In May, we voted to condemn the rise of antisemitism. Then in June, we voted to establish a Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords at the Department of State to strengthen and improve the Abraham Accords.

I’m also in close contact with the Department of State and with Alabamians in Israel who are trying to return home safely. If you or anyone you know is trying to get safely out of Israel, please reach out to my office for help at 202-225-4931 or email me at [email protected].

Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East, and the United States was the first nation in the world to recognize them as a sovereign nation. Today, and always, we stand with Israel.

Jerry Carl represents Alabama’s First Congressional District. He lives in Mobile with his wife Tina.