Arizona Officials React to War in Israel

The shocking, coordinated terrorist attack on Israel yesterday by Hamas may seem as though it took place a world away. However, in an increasingly interconnected world—and of course, in a state with a large Jewish population—events that affect the desert of the Bible are near to the hearts of many people in this here desert.

Given the shocking attack on civilians, which the world is instantly likening to “Israel’s 9/11,” support for the Jewish State has been nearly unanimous. However, the nuances of different reactions reveal varying levels of passion and depth of understanding of the region’s dynamics.

Here is what some prominent Arizona’s have had to say.

Abraham Hamadeh, 2022 Republican candidate for Arizona Attorney General

It’s obvious Hamas coordinated the attacks with the approval of Iran to thwart progress being made between Israel 🇮🇱 and Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

In 2021, I was serving in the Army in the Middle East and was stationed in Riyadh when the ten day Gaza-Israel conflict broke out.

Saudi…

— Abe Hamadeh (@AbrahamHamadeh) October 8, 2023

Rep Andy Biggs, (R-AZ 5th District)

How many Hamas sleeper cells have crossed our southern border under the Biden Administration’s policies?

We are not prepared.

— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) October 8, 2023

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego

I’m proud to stand with Israel and condemn Hamas’s attacks on innocent people in the strongest terms.

Here in Phoenix, our police are stepping up patrols near synagogues—and our hearts are with our many friends throughout Israel.

— Mayor Kate Gallego (@MayorGallego) October 7, 2023

2022 Republican Gov. candidate and 2024 US Senate candidate Kari Lake

What’s happening in Israel is horrifying.

I pray every day that nothing like that be allowed to happen here in America ever again.

There are a lot of bad people looking to take advantage of our open border.

It’s time we push aside partisan politics and defend America before… pic.twitter.com/0ESsPLxBDa

— Kari Lake (@KariLake) October 7, 2023

State Senator Justine Wadsack retweeted provocateur Benny Johnson and added her own take.

https://twitter.com/Wadsack4Arizona/status/1710728881500733486

Former Gov. Doug Ducey

We pray for the innocent lives lost to terrorism in Israel early this morning. This is an act of war, and it should be treated as such.

In a world that poses grave security threats, nothing is more consequential than defending the basic existence of the Israeli state against…

— Doug Ducey (@DougDucey) October 7, 2023

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes used a random AP map of Israel to illustrate her tweet. 

Deeply shocked and heartbroken by today’s terrible Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. My heart goes out to the families mourning their lost loved ones. Arizona stands resolutely in support of Israel. https://t.co/arvkaKKyqs

— AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes (@AZAGMayes) October 7, 2023

Gov. Katie Hobbs, never a prolific Tweeter, has so far yet to comment publicly on the attacks. (Her last tweet was from Aug 10, when she appeared on CNN to advocate for a 2024 ballot measure supporting the right to abortion.)

US Sen. Mark Kelly

These attacks by Hamas against Israel were heinous and unprovoked.

My thoughts are with the families of those killed, injured, and captured.

I strongly condemn these attacks. The United States remains unwavering in our support for Israel and their right to self-defense.

— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) October 7, 2023

US Sen. Kyrsten Sinema

Statement Condemning Terrorist Attacks Against Israel.https://t.co/xMni3tkTkk pic.twitter.com/q5JZSwZH0H

— Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) October 7, 2023

We strongly condemn these attacks on innocent civilians and stand in support of the State of Israel’s right to self-defense. 🇮🇱

— Republican Party of Arizona (@AZGOP) October 7, 2023

Nothing from Arizona Democratic Party, though their Twitter account retweeted Sen. Kelly’s and Pres. Biden’s Israel-supportive tweets.