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In recent weeks, I have heard from thousands of people in the Capital Region grieving for those lost in the October 7th terrorist attacks on Israel, the biggest atrocity against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, and for the innocent Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire of Hamas’ war.

I share in your immense grief and anguish. I have mourned with you, prayed with you, and cried with you. The images of that day will be forever engrained into the eyes of the world. We must never normalize this evil – Hamas must be defeated, as Israel protects her people, and never again allowed to threaten the security of the Israeli and Palestinian people. We must also remember that it is still October 7th for many families waiting for their loved ones taken hostage to be released. They must be our priority.

Since that fateful day, we have also witnessed the situation in Gaza become a dire humanitarian crisis, with thousands of civilians, including countless children, killed and many more wounded. Food, water, medicine, and electricity are almost non-existent in Gaza at the moment, creating immense suffering for the Palestinian people.

To avoid unnecessary deaths of even more innocent civilians, I am calling for a humanitarian pause in hostilities to facilitate the immediate safe return of all hostages and to allow aid workers to deliver the food, water, fuel, and medical care desperately needed by Palestinians.

We must continue to pray for peace and work towards a just future that defeats Hamas and ensures safety and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.