America Must Support Israel in Her Time of Need | Opinion

Just a few weeks ago, I was privileged to be part of a Congressional Black Caucus delegation to Israel and Rwanda. Little did we know that not long after we left, Israel would face a devastating terror attack—an attack which has taken more than a thousand lives. Babies were burned, civilians were decapitated, and women were raped.

Hamas devastated Netiv Ha'asara, one of the communities I visited. A mother was killed in her bathroom by a Hamas grenade. At least 20 residents of Netiv Ha'asara were murdered on that fateful day.

The horrific atrocities carried out by Hamas, a brutal terrorist group, are eerily reminiscent of the accounts I heard in Rwanda. My trip was a sobering reminder of the fragility of democracy. It exposed how underlying genocidal ideologies can remain dormant—but rear their ugly heads when the moment presents itself.

When one thinks of the children murdered and kidnapped by Hamas, we must remember that the horrors of the Rwandan Genocide are not so distant. In Rwanda and Israel, innocent women were brutally raped and entire families were massacred. In Rwanda and Israel, dehumanizing language laid the groundwork for the slaughter of thousands. Civilians were burned alive in Rwandan churches, just as they were in their homes in Netiv Ha'asara.

Hamas has proven to be a unique brand of evil ever since its establishment. Its founding document states point blank: "The Day of Judgment will not come about until Moslems fight Jews and kill them. Then, the Jews will hide behind rocks and trees, and the rocks and trees will cry out: 'O Moslem, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him.'" Hamas attempted to rebrand itself with a new charter in 2017, yet its barbaric actions confirm that it has not changed one bit.

This terrorist group has always targeted civilians, as we saw in 1996 when it bombed Israeli buses, killing 25 and injuring more than 80. Hamas has also ruled over Gaza with a tyrannical iron fist. The organization is so rooted in evil that it routinely places the lives of innocent Palestinians at risk, storing weapons in mosques, schools, and hospitals. In 2014, the terror group went on an executing rampage—killing 18 Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel. As we have seen since its inception, Hamas does not care about civilians, Palestinian or Israeli. Its sole goal is to create terror.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, some have demanded a ceasefire. This is a mistake. We cannot ignore the fact that while Israelis were still coming to grasp the scale of their catastrophic loss, thousands all over the world took to the streets and celebrated Hamas' terror in a "Day of Rage." It is deeply disturbing, and a tragic reminder that hate still resides in the hearts of many.

The people of Israel deserve more than our condolences. They deserve our unequivocal support during this trying time. Many have been silent. I will not be silent.

The recent events in Israel serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting and defending those at risk of being victimized, including Israelis and Palestinians who have been forced to endure a tyrannical and violent organization in Hamas. It is the responsibility of all nations to stand together against such evil and inhumane violence. As Americans, we have a collective responsibility to defeat this terror organization—to defeat Hamas.

The Israeli government has responded with determination to protect its citizens from Hamas' unprovoked aggression. I trust that Israel will do everything possible to prevent the loss of civilian life, as it has done in the past. It is the duty of the United States to support our ally. The world must stand with Israel, shoulder to shoulder, in its time of need.

Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is the U.S. Representative from Florida's 20th Congressional District and is a permanent member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.