Two years ago on Oct. 7, 2023, the world watched in horror as vicious Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, murdered nearly 1,200 innocent Israelis, burned entire communities to the ground, and took hundreds of people hostage. Hamas is a terrorist organization that has no regard for human nor any remorse for its violent actions. Killing entire families, raping women, attacking a music festival, and setting homes and neighborhoods ablaze is despicable and shameful. On this somber anniversary, we mourn those who tragically lost their lives, continue to call for the release of all remaining hostages, and never forget the horror of that awful day.

In the aftermath of the brutal Oct. 7 attacks, what should have been a total rejection of this barbarism was shattered by pro-Hamas, antisemitic rallies on college campuses across our country. The Biden administration hardly lifted a finger to put an end to these disturbing displays of hate while Jewish students were harassed, mocked, and intimidated. Instances of antisemitism have skyrocketed, especially on college campuses, with some estimates suggesting that roughly 3.5 million Jewish Americans have faced antisemitism and other forms of hate since Oct. 7. Two Israeli Embassy staffers – Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim – were even murdered this past May outside of the Jewish Capital Museum in Washington, D.C. These trends are alarming and unacceptable, and it requires everyone who rejects hate to speak out.

I have had the opportunity to travel to Israel on several occasions, both before and after the horrific events of Oct. 7. Seeing the aftermath of the carnage at the Nova Festival and witnessing the complete destruction of the kibbutzes that faced the barbarism of Hamas was heart wrenching. Knowing that innocent Israelis were slaughtered in their homes and some in front of their families is unconscionable. Though the pain of that infamous day is difficult to bear, it is the responsibility of Iowans, Americans, and the international community to never forget those who senselessly lost their lives nor turn numb to the atrocious and violent actions of Hamas terrorists.

At the federal level, the Trump administration has stood with Israel every step of the way since Oct. 7. Where the Biden administration failed to strongly support the U.S.-Israel alliance or protect Jewish students, President Trump has shown true leadership and advanced peace through strength. His unyielding work to secure the release of all remaining hostages is giving hope to their families and his orders to obliterate Iran’s nuclear facilities have made the world a safer place. This strong support is also evident through significant funding for the Iron Dome Missile Defense System appropriated by Congress and upheld by the Trump administration. President Trump even authorized investigations into antisemitism on campuses, including Columbia University and the University of California at Berkeley where pro-Hamas rallies have been most egregious, to root out hateful ideologies that have no place around students nor should interfere with their educational experience. The Trump administration’s policies stand in stark contrast with the Biden administration’s seeming indifference to the rampant antisemitism on college campuses and in communities across the country.

Two years later, as Iowans and Americans remember this sad day, we continue to mourn those who were senselessly murdered, recommit ourselves to combating antisemitism, and stand with Israel in the face of pure evil.

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Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, represents Iowa’s Fourth District in the U.S. House.