Kamlager-Dove Discusses Hamas Terrorist Attacks, Support for Israel With MSNBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 9, 2023
Media Contact: Maya Valentine | maya.valentine@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) joined MSNBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin on ‘Ayman Mohyeldin Reports’ to discuss the horrific Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel that have claimed the lives of over 1,000 innocent civilians and injured thousands more. Below are excerpts of her remarks and a link to the video.
To watch her full interview, click here.
“… I have to say this has been a horrific terrorist attack by militants who do not believe that Israel has the right to exist. I represent a very vocal and politically diverse Jewish community, and they are all standing in solidarity with Israel and its right to exist and defend itself, as do I. You never want to have innocent lives lost. You never want to have American lives lost. I certainly have been working with the consulate’s office to make sure that all Americans that are in Israel are registering with the [American] Embassy, are sheltering in place, so that we can identify where they are and help get them out…”
“…This was the absolute wrong time for the Republican Party to throw a tantrum in Congress. You know, [without a Speaker,] we do not have the ability to pass resolutions. We do not have the ability to appropriate supplemental funding for Israel, for Ukraine, for any of our other allies. The world is watching, waiting to see when we are going to move past this dysfunction. I will say, having said all of that, President Biden has made calls to all of the leaders in the region and has pledged unwavering support to Israel. The Foreign Affairs Committee has been meeting. I’ve been in briefings all day. We will have a classified briefing on Tuesday. We are going to figure out how we can move forward, and obviously we’re gonna push Republicans to get their act together, so they can elect a Speaker, so we can do what we’re supposed to do in Congress…There are enemies to Israel and the United States that are everywhere. The comparison to 9/11 does seem legitimate, but it is also a time for us to not just lean in with military support and funding support, but with diplomatic support, which is why I think it's important that the Senate moves to confirm our Ambassador to Israel as well as a number of other ambassadorships that are still vacant that are located in the Middle East.”
# # #