House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries marked the third anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre on Wednesday by strongly condemning the terrorist group’s atrocities and reaffirming Israel’s right to exist, while also declaring the devastation in Gaza “reprehensible” and calling for a dramatic shift in U.S. policy that would include the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The New York Democrat issued the statement exactly three years after Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, murdering approximately 1,200 people, kidnapping 251 others and committing widespread atrocities during the deadliest attack against the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

Jeffries opened his statement by focusing directly on the Hamas assault and the Israelis and Americans who were murdered, abducted and assaulted that day.

“Three years ago today, Hamas terrorists intent on destroying Israel launched an unthinkable massacre, murdering, kidnapping and sexually assaulting innocent Israeli civilians, as well as American citizens. We continue to mourn with the loved ones of those who were killed on that tragic day and stand with all still healing, including former hostages recovering from unimaginable horror,” he wrote.

Jeffries then addressed the dramatic rise in antisemitism that has followed the Oct. 7 attack, describing the Jewish people as facing an enduring struggle for survival and insisting that the United States remain committed to Israel’s security.

“As we solemnly commemorate October 7 and antisemitic attacks around the world surge, we are reminded of the painful reality that the Jewish people are in a constant struggle for survival, as has been the case for thousands of years. America must remain committed to Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state, living in safety and security with its neighbors. We must permanently remove Hamas from power, eradicate terror and strive for a just and lasting peace in the region.”

But Jeffries then pivoted from the Hamas massacre to Israel’s ensuing war in Gaza, using the anniversary statement to sharply condemn the civilian death toll and destruction in the Palestinian territory.

“Throughout the past three years, considerable suffering has plagued the Middle East. The horrific death of Palestinian civilians, destruction of civil society and devastation in Gaza is reprehensible and can never be allowed to happen again.”

Jeffries proceeded to call for a significant change in Washington’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, declaring that the United States should explicitly commit itself to creating a Palestinian state.

He also demanded a new generation of Palestinian leadership and condemned violence by Israeli settlers in Yehudah and Shomron, which he referred to as the West Bank.

“In order to end the vicious cycle of bloodshed, for the good of the Israeli and Palestinian people, American policy in the region must change dramatically. We must commit to the creation of an independent Palestinian state to provide dignity, respect and self-determination for the Palestinian people. We must also support a new generation of Palestinian leaders and put an end to the egregious settler violence in the West Bank. Nothing short of a future that involves Israel and a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and prosperity is acceptable.”

The remarks were not the first time Jeffries has recently demanded a change in American policy toward the conflict. In an August letter outlining his views on the Middle East, Jeffries said the United States must “strongly support the creation of an independent Palestinian state” and called for reconstruction of Gaza, the removal and disarmament of Hamas, increased humanitarian assistance and greater economic development in Gaza and Yehudah and Shomron.

His latest statement nevertheless drew additional attention because it was issued specifically on Oct. 7, a day on which Jewish communities in Israel and around the world were commemorating the victims of the Hamas massacre.

Jeffries was also not the only senior Democrat to use the anniversary to call for changes in American or Israeli policy. Other prominent Democrats issued statements Wednesday addressing Palestinian suffering and the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict alongside their commemorations of the Hamas attack.

The House Democratic leader’s statement came the same day that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued his own highly controversial Oct. 7 message, although Mamdani went considerably further in his accusations against Israel.

Mamdani acknowledged the Hamas atrocities and the suffering of Israelis before accusing the Israeli government of carrying out an “ongoing genocide” in Gaza and denouncing what he called “occupation and apartheid.” His statement triggered fierce criticism from Jewish leaders and elected officials who accused him of exploiting the anniversary of the massacre to attack Israel.

Jeffries has had a complicated political relationship with Mamdani over Israel. He formally endorsed Mamdani during the 2025 mayoral campaign but had previously pressed him to address concerns within New York’s Jewish community over his anti-Israel positions.

The issue resurfaced only days before the Oct. 7 anniversary after Mamdani reiterated his desire for the United States to join the International Criminal Court and enforce its arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.

Asked during a CNN interview whether he agreed with Mamdani’s position, Jeffries did not endorse the mayor’s demand. Instead, he said that another Oct. 7 must never be permitted to occur and that the destruction seen in Gaza must likewise not be repeated, while again advocating for Israel and a Palestinian state to exist alongside one another.

Jeffries’ position on Israel has evolved in emphasis since the immediate aftermath of the Hamas attack. One month after Oct. 7, 2023, he strongly defended Israel’s right and responsibility to protect its citizens and said the effort to defeat Hamas “must succeed,” while also insisting that Israel comply with the laws of war and minimize Palestinian civilian casualties.

{Matzav.com}