Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus, joined other members of Congress to introduce a resolution in the House of Representatives to support a weekend of prayer in support of Israel in its continuing struggle against the Hamas attacks of Oct. 6, 2023.

The bipartisan bill, H.Res.887, is entitled “Calling on the people of the United States to observe a weekend of prayer and reflection for the people of Israel, for all civilians caught in the crossfires of the war, and for the safe return of the hostages.”

“Hamas’ savage, terrorist attacks and its barbaric slaughtering, raping and kidnapping of innocent Israelis and Americans is a direct manifestation of its festering hatred and seething antisemitism. Now more than ever, the United States must stand boldly with Israel. As we mourn for those who have lost their lives, and fear for the safety of Hammas hostages, we should offer prays and reflection in solidarity with Israel in its time of need,” Smith said.

Click here to read the text of the resolution, which was sponsored by Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO). As Co-Chair of the House Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, Smith was an original cosponsor of the resolution, along with Rep. Bradley Scott Schnieder (D-IL).

Smith was one of four Members of Congress who offered a bipartisan prayer at a rally on the national Mall on Nov. 14, together with his fellow Co-Chairs Rep. Kathy Manning (D-NC), and Sens. James Lankford (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV). The “Americans March for Israel” rally, which was attended by thousands of people, was organized by the Jewish Federations of North America in collaboration with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. In addition to showing strong solidary for Israel, the event was aimed at bringing together people from across the country to demand the immediate release of the remaining hostages held captive by Hamas and condemn the rise of antisemitism following the barbaric terrorist attacks against innocent Israeli civilians on October 7th.