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‘When Israel Is Strong, America Is Strong’: US Politicians Mark Israel’s 77th Independence Day
US Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) addressing the Israeli parliament on May 24, 2024. Photo: Office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.
US politicians across the political aisle congratulated Israel as the Jewish state celebrated the 77th anniversary of its independence, noting the importance of the relationship between the two allies.
On Tuesday night, Israel began observing Yom HaZikaron, its annual Memorial Day which commemorates soldiers killed in battle and victims of terrorism since the state’s founding in 1948. Then on Wednesday night, Israel began celebrating Yom HaAtzmaut, its Independence Day. However, many celebrations were canceled or postponed throughout the country as massive wildfires continued to engulf the Jewish state.
This year’s observance comes at a time of heightened political debate and security concerns amid the war in Gaza escalating tensions with Iran, prompting renewed dialogue on unity and national direction.
US Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) acknowledged Israel’s Independence Day, stating that the holiday represents a testament to the Jewish state’s “strength, spirit, and resilience.”
Stefanik has established herself as a strong ally of the Jewish community. While serving on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, she has lambasted administrators of elite universities for their allegedly mealy-mouthed condemnations of antisemitism and tolerance of anti-Jewish discrimination at their schools. In December 2023, Stefanik engaged in a fiery back-and-forth with the presidents of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology over their handling of a surge in antisemitism on campus.
“As the sun sets and Yom HaZikaron comes to a close, Israel transitions from mourning to joy —honoring the cost of freedom and celebrating its independence and honoring 76 years of strength, spirit, and resilience,” Stefanik said in a statement.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) also issued a statement celebrating Israel’s Independence Day, vowing to continue to use his platform to support the Jewish community.
“Tonight, NYC City Hall shines blue & white as we honor Israel’s 77th Independence Day. We illuminate in celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut and stand with Israel and our Jewish community today and always,” Adams said.
In recent weeks, Adams has attempted to salvage his fledging mayoral reelection campaign by underscoring the importance of combatting antisemitism. Last week, reports surfaced that he plans on running on an “EndAntiSemitism” ballot line. Adams, who secured his 2021 mayoral victory with a significant amount of Orthodox Jewish support, has repeatedly spoken out about antisemitism in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attacks throughout Israel.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) also commemorated Israel’s Independence Day, stating that a strong Israel benefits the United States, and that he will always be a supporter of the Jewish state.
“When Israel is strong, America and the world are strong. I will always stand unequivocally and unapologetically with Israel, our friend and ally,” Cruz said.
Cruz has long been a vocal supporter of Israel, emphasizing the nation’s right to self-defense and sovereignty. In a 2025 address to the Sovereignty Conference in Jerusalem, Cruz affirmed that Israel’s presence in the West Bank is rooted in biblical history and modern legal rights. During a 2021 visit to Israel, he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that Israel not only has the right but a responsibility to defend itself, particularly against threats from Iran and Hamas. Additionally, Cruz has been vocal in criticizing US policies he perceives as undermining Israel’s security, including the administration’s financial dealings with Iran, which he argues have indirectly funded terrorist activities.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) expressed pride in New York’s substantial Jewish community, adding that she stands “in solidarity” with Israel.
“Tonight, we celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut and Israel’s 77th Independence Day! New York is proud to be the home of the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, and we’re proud to stand in solidarity with the Israeli people,” Hochul wrote.
Hochul has demonstrated strong support for Israel, particularly in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attacks. She led a bipartisan coalition of 17 governors in condemning the massacre and expressing solidarity with Israel, emphasizing the unbreakable bond between the US and the Jewish state. Hochul also visited Israel during the conflict, meeting with victims and officials to reaffirm New York’s commitment. Domestically, she has taken steps to honor victims, such as directing state landmarks to be lit in Israel’s colors and ordering flags at half-staff.
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also marked Israel’s Independence Day with a statement on X/Twitter.
“Seventy-seven years ago, the Jewish people declared sovereignty over their ancestral homeland. Happy Independence Day to Israel — our greatest ally in the Middle East,” Mast posted.
Mast has established himself as one of Israel’s most vocal supporters in Congress, intertwining personal experience with legislative advocacy. Mast, a US Army veteran who lost both legs during a tour in Afghanistan, volunteered with the Israel Defense Forces in 2015. Following the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, Mast donned his IDF uniform on Capitol Hill to express support with the Jewish state. As chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he has championed measures to bolster US-Israel ties, including legislation to prevent US funds from supporting antisemitic education in Gaza.
The post ‘When Israel Is Strong, America Is Strong’: US Politicians Mark Israel’s 77th Independence Day first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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After False Dawns, Gazans Hope Trump Will Force End to Two-Year-Old War
Palestinians walk past a residential building destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, after Hamas agreed to release hostages and accept some other terms in a US plan to end the war, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Exhausted Palestinians in Gaza clung to hopes on Saturday that US President Donald Trump would keep up pressure on Israel to end a two-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced the entire population of more than two million.
Hamas’ declaration that it was ready to hand over hostages and accept some terms of Trump’s plan to end the conflict while calling for more talks on several key issues was greeted with relief in the enclave, where most homes are now in ruins.
“It’s happy news, it saves those who are still alive,” said 32-year-old Saoud Qarneyta, reacting to Hamas’ response and Trump’s intervention. “This is enough. Houses have been damaged, everything has been damaged, what is left? Nothing.”
GAZAN RESIDENT HOPES ‘WE WILL BE DONE WITH WARS’
Ismail Zayda, 40, a father of three, displaced from a suburb in northern Gaza City where Israel launched a full-scale ground operation last month, said: “We want President Trump to keep pushing for an end to the war, if this chance is lost, it means that Gaza City will be destroyed by Israel and we might not survive.
“Enough, two years of bombardment, death and starvation. Enough,” he told Reuters on a social media chat.
“God willing this will be the last war. We will hopefully be done with the wars,” said 59-year-old Ali Ahmad, speaking in one of the tented camps where most Palestinians now live.
“We urge all sides not to backtrack. Every day of delay costs lives in Gaza, it is not just time wasted, lives get wasted too,” said Tamer Al-Burai, a Gaza City businessman displaced with members of his family in central Gaza Strip.
After two previous ceasefires — one near the start of the war and another earlier this year — lasted only a few weeks, he said; “I am very optimistic this time, maybe Trump’s seeking to be remembered as a man of peace, will bring us real peace this time.”
RESIDENT WORRIES THAT NETANYAHU WILL ‘SABOTAGE’ DEAL
Some voiced hopes of returning to their homes, but the Israeli military issued a fresh warning to Gazans on Saturday to stay out of Gaza City, describing it as a “dangerous combat zone.”
Gazans have faced previous false dawns during the past two years, when Trump and others declared at several points during on-off negotiations between Hamas, Israel and Arab and US mediators that a deal was close, only for war to rage on.
“Will it happen? Can we trust Trump? Maybe we trust Trump, but will Netanyahu abide this time? He has always sabotaged everything and continued the war. I hope he ends it now,” said Aya, 31, who was displaced with her family to Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
She added: “Maybe there is a chance the war ends at October 7, two years after it began.”
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Mass Rally in Rome on Fourth Day of Italy’s Pro-Palestinian Protests
A Pro-Palestinian demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a national protest for Gaza in Rome, Italy, October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Large crowds assembled in central Rome on Saturday for the fourth straight day of protests in Italy since Israel intercepted an international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza, and detained its activists.
People holding banners and Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Palestine” and other slogans, filed past the Colosseum, taking part in a march that organizers hoped would attract at least 1 million people.
“I’m here with a lot of other friends because I think it is important for us all to mobilize individually,” Francesco Galtieri, a 65-year-old musician from Rome, said. “If we don’t all mobilize, then nothing will change.”
Since Israel started blocking the flotilla late on Wednesday, protests have sprung up across Europe and in other parts of the world, but in Italy they have been a daily occurrence, in multiple cities.
On Friday, unions called a general strike in support of the flotilla, with demonstrations across the country that attracted more than 2 million, according to organizers. The interior ministry estimated attendance at around 400,000.
Italy’s right-wing government has been critical of the protests, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggesting that people would skip work for Gaza just as an excuse for a longer weekend break.
On Saturday, Meloni blamed protesters for insulting graffiti that appeared on a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside Rome’s main train station, where Pro-Palestinian groups have been holding a protest picket.
“They say they are taking to the streets for peace, but then they insult the memory of a man who was a true defender and builder of peace. A shameful act committed by people blinded by ideology,” she said in a statement.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive after Hamas terrorists staged a cross border attack on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 people hostage.
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Hamas Says It Agrees to Release All Israeli Hostages Under Trump Gaza Plan
Smoke rises during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip, October 2, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, under the terms of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal, and signaled readiness to immediately enter mediated negotiations to discuss the details.