U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Arkansas officials commemorated the third anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel, addressing concerns over historical narratives and international reactions. Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and father of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, spoke at a commemoration held by the National Association of Christian Lawmakers at the Arkansas Capitol. About 1,200 people were killed and more than 240 taken hostage by Hamas fighters in the early morning attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.
More than 74,000 people have been killed during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its figures but says around half were women and children. The military campaign has displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population and destroyed vast areas.
Wednesday’s event at the state Capitol featured remarks from Sanders, Attorney General Tim Griffin, and others. Many thanked Sanders and the Legislature for their support of Israel in the years since the attacks. Israel’s Consul General to the Southwest Adi Farjon Israel said more than 100 members of the Arkansas Legislature attended a screening of footage recorded by the terrorists themselves on Oct. 7.
Farjon Israel commended the move by the Legislature last year to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which came as part of a law requiring public schools and universities to treat harassment or discrimination with “antisemitic intent” the same as they would treat any other form of discrimination prohibited by state or federal law.
Speakers sometimes used graphic terms when describing the violence of the attacks, which targeted a music festival as well as civilian homes. Albert Veksler, co-founder of the Jerusalem Prayer Dinner, said, “We can’t even understand the pain the Jewish people are going through these days, and the world is celebrating, and shouting, ‘From the river to the sea.’” This phrase has been adopted by pro-Palestinian protestors and vilified by Israel’s supporters.
A ceasefire that took effect in October halted the heaviest of the fighting, though Israel strikes have continued. A United Nations commission established to investigate allegations of humanitarian and human rights law violations in Israel issued a report last year saying Israel had committed genocide in the territory – findings the nation has denied.
