All four members of Maine’s Congressional delegation have issued public statements in recent days concerning Hamas’ attacks on Israel, strongly condemning the atrocities committed by the terrorist organization.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) called out Hamas’ brutality and firmly asserted that the United States stands by Israel.
“I condemn the horrific, coordinated attacks against Israel by the terrorist group Hamas,” Sen. Collins said. “Thousands of rockets have targeted Israeli cities, killing and injuring Israeli civilians.”
“The United States stands with Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East, as it defends its citizens against Iranian-backed terrorists who have demonstrated no interest in peace,” she stated.
WMTW quoted Sen. Angus King (I-ME) as having largely echoed Collins’ sentiments.
“The Hamas terrorist attacks against our Israeli allies mark a deadly and dangerous escalation,” Sen. King wrote. “This tragic loss of life is heartbreaking and appalling.”
“I am monitoring this situation with everyone in Maine and expect a detailed briefing on the conditions there soon,” he said. “Our aim must remain to be stability for the people of the region.”
Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) posted his statement on X, as well as in the form of a press release.
“Hamas has proved once again it has no wish to live in peace. Its incursion into Israel is blatant terrorism that must not be tolerated,” Rep. Golden wrote. “Israel is the sole democracy in the Middle East and our closest ally in that region.”
“I stand firmly with Israel and am mourning the loss of innocent lives and keeping them in my prayers,” he said. “Am Yisrael Chai – The People of Israel Live.”
I stand firmly with Israel and am mourning the loss of innocent lives and keeping them in my prayers. Am Yisrael Chai – The People of Israel Live. 2/
— Congressman Jared Golden (@RepGolden) October 7, 2023
Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) issued a lengthy press release detailing her position. Unlike the other members of Maine’s delegation, Rep. Pingree expressed support for the Palestinian people alongside her condemnation of Hamas.
“On October 7, Hamas unleashed the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust and it should weigh on all Americans,” Pingree wrote. “Hamas’s savage genocide, rape, and hostage taking of Jews, including children and the elderly, is barbaric beyond words.”
“Make no mistake: Hamas is a murderous terrorist group funded by Iran, a proudly antisemitic theocracy. I condemn these terrorists in the strongest possible terms,” she stated.
“We cannot turn our backs on the Israeli people,” Pingree said. “The United States has a responsibility to provide aid to Israel, the only Democracy in the Middle East.”
“But that support must be predicated on preserving humanity and not on perpetuating greater cycles of violence,” she said. “While protecting the Israeli people, we in Congress cannot ignore or forget the misery that will be visited upon the Palestinian people in Gaza by a widescale war. “
“Many Palestinians are political hostages of Hamas’s violent fanaticism and will be harmed because of what Hamas terrorists have done,” Pingree wrote. “We must ensure both Israeli and Palestinian civilians are protected as we support Israel’s fight to defeat Hamas.”
