WASHINGTON, DC –Today, Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-Florida) returned from Tel Aviv, Israel, after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and families of hostages held by Hamas. Moskowitz issued the following statement:

“My visit to Israel this past weekend was a very somber experience, where we met with Israeli leaders and those whose loved ones are being held hostage in Gaza. It’s been an unrelenting nightmare for so many who are grieving the killing or abduction of their families and friends. The raw footage we were shown of the October 7^th attacks was copied from the Nazis: lining up families, killing kids in front of their parents, and burning people alive in pits. Israel is at war, and we must do everything possible to not only liberate Israel from Hamas but also liberate the Palestinian people that Hamas chooses to use as human shields.  No country should be expected to tolerate these kinds of indiscriminate attacks against its people, and Israel has every right to defend its citizens and borders. As one of the strongest and most vocal proponents of Israel in Congress, I stand with our friend and ally. Congress’s work to support and protect Israel is a top priority for me and is now more important than ever.”  

Congressman Moskowitz is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. This is his third trip to Israel since taking office. He previously was on a congressional delegation that visited Kibbutz Kfar Aza in August, the community where dozens of babies and children were murdered in the October 7^th attacks by Hamas terrorists.  

Moskowitz was part of a bipartisan, bicameral delegation that included:

• Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas)
• Sen. John Hoeven (R-North Dakota)
• House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas)
• House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-New York)
• Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pennsylvania)
• Rep. John James (R-Michigan)
• Rep. Mike Lawler (R-New York)
• Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio)