LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: War in Israel: An unprecedented crisis and how it relates to the Commonwealth

On Saturday, October 7, a horrific terrorist attack took place in Israel. More than 5,000 rockets were launched into the country with no clear distinction between civilian or military targets. The complete death toll is still unknown. However, it has already been estimated that this event is the single bloodiest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. It has also been discovered that among the casualties are more than 20 American citizens. In response, Israel has made a formal declaration of war for the first time in over fifty years and have massed one hundred thousand troops from their defense force.

But how did this come to be? The history behind this event is complex. However, it is important to our Commonwealth.

People who call themselves Palestinians have claimed that all the lands that currently are held by the nation of Israel are being illegally occupied. Palestinians have been relegated to only two small areas of land, known as the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which are completely encompassed within Israel's borders and are shared in governance between Israel and an elected assembly of Palestinians.

The majority party in Palestinian politics is a party known as Hamas. Recognized by the United States, European Union, Israel, and many other nations as a terrorist organization, Hamas has claimed governance over the Gaza Strip for nearly twenty years. During those two decades, thousands have been killed during sporadic military conflicts, and Hamas has been unrelenting in their demands for Israel and its people to leave the country or be destroyed.

However, none of the previous skirmishes or battles with Israeli forces compare to what took place over last weekend. Civilians were specifically targeted, including attendees of a music festival for peace held on the Israeli-Gaza border. Video footage coming from the area showcase horrific massacres and kidnappings of hundreds of people in broad daylight.

Hamas is a relatively small force, however they have a number of powerful allies and supporters. Most notably, the theocratic and despotic state of Iran. Once dubbed a member of the "axis of evil" by President George W. Bush, Iran also recently received $6 billion from the Biden Administration. According to the White House these funds may only be used for "humanitarian" purposes, however this has allowed Iran the ability to free up their own resources to support allies like Hamas.

It has since been discovered that Iranian military officials assisted Hamas in planning this attack for several weeks. On the day that the attack took place Iranian lawmakers gathered on the floor of their parliament in a large group to continuously chant "death to America, death to Israel."

Israel has not just been a steadfast ally to the United States and a beacon of hope for the Middle East, but they have also been a strong partner of our Commonwealth throughout some of our greatest hours of need. During some of the worst natural disasters that have occurred in recent years, whether that was the flooding in Eastern Kentucky or the tornados in Western Kentucky, they were there on the ground and ready to help. They donated tens of thousands of dollars in supplies and aid as well as sending professionals to help in the search and rescue efforts.

Now it is time to return that favor, and for the Commonwealth to help those that have helped us. The legislature's Kentucky-Israel Caucus condemned this horrific attack and I stand with them and Israel. I ask that you keep the people of Israel in your hearts and minds as they go through this immensely difficult struggle for their survival.

As always, I can be reached at home anytime or through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at Timmy.Truett@lrc.ky.gov. You can also keep track of interim committee meetings through the Kentucky Legislature Home Page at legislature.ky.gov.