Oddbean

US “unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians.” - White House NSC statement https://assets.journa.host/media_attachments/files/111/193/870/469/734/681/original/d6467d75b5221067.png

Update: At least 40 Israelis killed, 500+ wounded. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-07/ty-article-live/israel-under-attack-terrorists-infiltrate-from-gaza-amid-massive-rocket-barrages/0000018b-088b-dae9-adcb-abbff50f0000

“I am shocked by the barbaric images we are seeing of Hamas’ violence and by reports Hamas is taking innocent Israeli citizens hostage.” - House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul https://assets.journa.host/media_attachments/files/111/193/927/829/485/078/original/dd42a84679dce07b.png

“There is never any justification for terrorism. We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Israel, and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks.” - Secretary of State Blinken https://assets.journa.host/media_attachments/files/111/194/263/650/523/778/original/4ce3d78c2623f685.png

“Senior national security officials briefed the President this morning on the appalling Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. The President will continue to receive updates and White House officials remain in close contact with Israeli partners." - White House press office

Statement from Ben Cardin, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on the terrorist attacks in #Israel. https://assets.journa.host/media_attachments/files/111/194/287/557/341/536/original/b93f8fa4592ddd7f.png

President Biden has spoken with Prime Minister Netanyahu. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/10/07/statement-from-president-joe-biden-condemning-terrorist-attacks-in-israel/ #Israel

“The terrorists responsible for this ongoing war against Israel were trained and equipped by Iran, the same terror state providing lethal drones to Russia to attack Ukraine. There must be consequences for those who conduct or support such terror.” - Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell https://assets.journa.host/media_attachments/files/111/194/488/271/706/066/original/0a092cf0c61d5353.png

@e814e036 Mitch continues "... therefore, we must speed up Ukraine's collapse, so that Russia has no more need to buy materiel from Iran, starving that terror state of income. Now I will stare at this wall until I am carried away by my staff. Thank you all for *stares into space, drooling* "

@098a11ae @f379f4a8 @e814e036 The Federalist website is mocking Mitch. The Republicans are in disarray. The Federalist is pushing it's authoritarian agenda and Mitch isn't toeing the line. (One funder of The Federalist website is WI's David Uihlein. I keep finding out more cr^p about Uihleins. Uihlein's are supportive of Vos and Janet impeachment.) https://thefederalist.com/2023/10/03/how-conservatives-quietly-outmaneuvered-weakened-mcconnell-on-ukraine/

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has also released a statement "on the terrorist attacks by Hamas on the people of Israel." https://assets.journa.host/media_attachments/files/111/194/568/415/216/081/original/ddda0444592b39f5.png

#Israel opposition Leader Yair Lapid calls for an “emergency government” to manage “the difficult and complex operation ahead of us." https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/opposition-leader-yair-lapid-calls-to-form-emergency-government-with-netanyahu-to-manage-complex-time-ahead/

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has spoken with #Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, according to the Pentagon. https://assets.journa.host/media_attachments/files/111/194/625/991/820/237/original/5de2c960d99673ec.png