Oklahoma officials and lawmakers issue responses to ongoing conflict in Gaza Strp

Oct. 15—Oklahoma politicians gave statements last week in response to ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the militant group based in the Gaza Strip located at the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

Officials addressed the violence the conflict has brought, such as State Superintendent Ryan Walters who issued an "executive memo" on Thursday that outlined "a moment of silence and prayer for every Oklahoma school district."

His statement went on to say: "As a symbol of our unwavering support and empathy for those affected by these tragic events, I have asked our schools to observe a moment of silence. This moment reflects our deep sorrow and hope for the people of Israel."

Oklahoma House Representative Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, addressed the effects felt by both Israel and Palestine in a statement that read: "The horrific terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas cannot and should not be justified. Israel has a right to defend itself and its citizens. But we need to be careful not to paint all Palestinians with the broad brush of terrorism. Many people have died in Israel and in Palestine as a result of the actions of Hamas, a terrorist organization which routinely hides behind and targets innocent civilians. I hope the American people and the entire international community will unite and work together to ensure that the innocent people who are caught up in these attacks, and the ensuing conflict, have all the support & aid that they need. I pray that this tragedy ends and that peace prevails."

In a joint letter Thursday, U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and 18 other Senate Republicans wrote an open letter to President Joe Biden to "rescind the waivers that allowed Iranian funds to be converted and moved to more accessible bank accounts, as well as work with Qatar to immediately freeze the accounts containing these funds."

The joint statement said: "We write today to affirm our unwavering support for Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East, and call on the US Department of State to freeze the accounts in Qatar containing $6 billion in Iranian funds that were released from South Korean accounts in September..."

The letter added to this by saying "your administration claims these funds are only available for humanitarian use, but money is fungible, and there is a significant risk they could be used to further efforts by Iran or Hamas against Israel."

Lankford released an additional letter Friday in collaboration with other Senate Republicans that urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken "to make it the official policy of the United States to freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets" amidst the ongoing violence.

"Given Iran's history of supporting acts of terrorism through Hamas, the United States must do everything in its power in the wake of this brutal attack to ensure that Iran is not in a position to continue funding Hamas' terrorist activities in Israel and throughout the Middle East,"the statement reads.

State Senator Rob Standridge, R-Norman, echoed these sentiments in his own statement by saying: "It's imperative that Oklahomans and Americans alike recognize the high level of logistical sophistication demonstrated in this terrorist operation that could only be possible through funding and support from other foreign state sponsors of terror, specifically Iran.

"We want our friends in Israel and the Jewish community to know that we stand with them and they have Oklahoma's unwavering commitment...We must stand united during this dark time until peace and justice is restored."

Oklahoma House Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, wrote is his own statement Thursday: "As this ally stands under attack by cruel enemies and faces an increasing number of lives lost and those injured or kidnapped, it is more important than ever for us to remember our support of and pledge our help to Israel through our actions and our prayers."

He went on to reference the 2021 adoption of "the House Resolution 1037, which expressed support for the nation of Israel during a time of adversity and hostile actions by a foreign power," and states that "called for a restoration of peace in Israel and asked for prayers for the Jewish people and others involved in the latest escalation of fighting."

The resolution adds "We stand today united in our support of Israel and the Jewish people and we bless them, and we pray for the peace of Jerusalem."

In a statement given Thursday by State Senator Mary Boren, D-Norman, she said: "It is right for the United States and Oklahoma to stand with Israel to end the foreign terrorist organization of Hamas, so that a peaceful reconciliation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be achieved. Sadly, the ground upon which we stand with Israel is rendered unsteady as the U.S. and our allies remain dependent on importing foreign oil from Russia, Venezuela, Iran, and Saudi Arabia."

She went on to say that "this weakened place makes America vulnerable to negotiating with exploitive nations to get our daily fix of cheaper foreign oil. It is not the fault of any one U.S. President or individual politician."

"Oklahoma's energy executives and politicians have the power to usher in an 'all of the above' transformational energy policy to make America a truly energy independent nation and better positioned to fight escalating global terrorism. We have the power to leverage subsidies and incentives to secure American refinery capacity to produce oil from Texas and Oklahoma, instead of refining cheaper, heavier, and less sweet foreign oil. We have the power to reduce global demand for oil by embracing higher fuel-efficient cars, electric vehicles, electric fleets, and electric vehicle charging stations in America and throughout the world. We have the power to truly achieve this kind of moral and energy independence for ourselves and our allies, but we will need to reject politicians who call for us to sacrifice our reliance on cheaper foreign oil in October of 2023, and then blame their political opponents for higher oil prices in November of 2024," Boren wrote.