Leading members of the American Congress introduced a bipartisan House Resolution on Friday, calling on Congress to proclaim November 17, 2023, through November 19, 2023, a weekend of prayer and reflection for the people of Israel. The resolution was led by Representatives Doug Lamborn (Col.-05), Brad Schneider (Ill.-10), and Chris Smith (New Jersey-10) who are co-chairs of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus. The caucus is coordinated by the Israel Allies Foundation, which works to educate and empower pro-Israel, faith-based legislators worldwide. They believe that the State of Israel has the right to exist in peace within secure borders.
“As co-chair of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus, I and other members from both sides of the aisle are united in our call for Americans to pray for the people of Israel and the safe return of all the hostages,” said Lamborn. The resolution outlines the “unprovoked, premeditated, and barbaric attack carried out by the Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas.” Among those lost are 1,200 lives and 240 Israelis and foreign nationals taken hostage by Hamas and brought into Gaza. There are at least 33 Americans among the dead and at least 10 American hostages.
The resolution also stresses how Hamas’s use of civilians as human shields has led to a tragic loss of life among Palestinians. The co-chairs said Israel and America are tied together by their shared Abrahamic faith and called for a weekend of worship so that Jews could pray on Saturday and Christians on Sunday. “…we are committed in Congress to act on Israel’s behalf as well, providing her with the aid and diplomatic support she needs to win this war against the terrorist group Hamas so that Israelis and Palestinians have the chance to live together in peace, security, and prosperity,” said Schneider.
