Utah Legislature issues citation condemning Oct. 7 attacks and expresses support for Israel

The Utah Senate read an official legislative citation condemning the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel and expressing the legislature’s support for Israel. The citation, read aloud by the clerk and signed by legislative leaders, described the attacks as "brutal, highly organized, and vicious" and called for vigilance against crimes and unlawful discrimination targeting Israeli Americans, Jewish Americans, and supporters of Israel.

The citation text included assertions about the scale and nature of the attacks and the taking of hostages; the clerk read passages stating that "Hamas murdered more than 1,000 Israelis and over a dozen American citizens, tortured innocent civilians, and took hundreds of children, women, elderly, and infirm civilians hostage." Those specific figures and characterizations appeared as part of the citation read into the record.

Senator Stevenson followed the reading with remarks in which he said the chamber was "horrified by the actions of Hamas," repeated casualty and hostage figures, and stated, "Israel has every right to defend itself, its land, and its citizens." He also said, "If Hamas stops fighting, there will be peace. If Israel stops fighting, there will be no Israel." The citation urged other countries, particularly parties to the Abraham Accords, to denounce the attacks and encouraged continued U.S. support for Israel.

The citation directed Utah law enforcement to remain vigilant to protect Israeli Americans, Jewish Americans, and supporters of Israel from crimes and discrimination during this period. The reading and the subsequent remarks constituted a formal statement of the legislature’s position; no legislative policy change or appropriation followed from the citation.

The Senate concluded the citation reading and related remarks and then proceeded to conclude business for the extraordinary session.