AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that the state will stand in solidarity with Israel as it responds to terrorist attacks by Hamas militants.
Additionally, the governor revealed that more than $4 million would be allocated to increase the security for Jewish institutions in Texas, including schools and synagogues. Furthermore, he issued a proclamation outlining economic sanctions on Hamas and affiliated groups.
“Texas and Israel share deep spiritual, cultural, and economic ties,” the proclamation read, noting, “Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip launched a horrific act of war against Israel, killing innocent civilians, Americans, and individuals from other countries.”
“Texas fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against these terrorists,” it continued, with Abbott ordering “every state agency to refrain from purchasing goods produced in or exported from the Gaza Strip, and from any organization or state actor with ties to Hamas.”
In a statement received by The Dallas Express, Gov. Abbott said, “The State of Texas condemns these heinous acts of violence and inhumanity against Israel and its people by ruthless terrorists, and we stand ready to offer our complete support to the Israeli and Jewish communities.”
“I firmly denounce the act of war against Israeli citizens and Americans in Israel and support Israel’s right to defend itself from these barbaric attacks,” he added. “Working with local partners across Texas, we are actively increasing security at Jewish and Israel-related locations such as synagogues and schools.”
“In response to these cowardly attacks, we stand united with our Jewish neighbors and we repudiate terrorism and anti-Semitism,” Abbott concluded.
The news release also explained that the Texas Department of Public Safety would organize increased safety precautions along with federal intelligence agencies in order to safeguard Jewish communities in the state.
As reported by The Dallas Express, Israel has declared war on Hamas after the group launched a surprise terrorist attack, killing hundreds of men, women, and children. The militants have taken captives back to the Gaza Strip, leading families from countries such as Germany to beg for information about their loved ones.
Nevertheless, pro-Palestine rallies across the country applauded the attacks by Hamas and called for the destruction of Israel.
At a Dallas event attended by The Dallas Express, anti-Israel protesters shouted slogans such as, “There is only one solution, intifada revolution.”
Intifada is an Arabic word that means “to shake off.” It has been used to refer to events over the past several decades during which Palestinians launched armed uprisings.
Other chants included, “No peace on stolen land” and “Intifada, intifada, long live the intifada.”