Congressmen, lieutenant governor pledge support at 6-month mark of war

(The Center Square) – Four North Carolina congressional members and the state’s lieutenant governor pledged support of Israel as its war with Hamas reached six months on Sunday, a day before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would invade Rafah.

The invasion has been discouraged by the United States.

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., on Monday shortly after Hamas rejected the latest ceasefire, wrote on social media, “Make no mistake which side is the biggest obstacle to a ceasefire.”

U.S. Rep. Kathy Manning, D-N.C., also took to social media on Monday. She wrote, “It’s been over six months since Hamas terrorists launched a brutal attack on Israel, slaughtering innocent civilians and taking hundreds of hostages. Over 130 hostages remain captive in Gaza, including Americans – one of them a North Carolinian.”

She closed with the viral hashtag #BringThemHomeNOW.

About 130 hostages are unaccounted for since the Oct. 7 war began, and 34 are presumed dead. Chapel Hill native Keith Siegel, whose family was hosted by U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., at the State of the Union last month, is among the Americans.

U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson on Monday urged support of Israel and wrote on social media, “Hamas must be defeated.”

Budd on Sunday wrote on social media that America should “reexamine who we can count on to be on our side and who stands on the right side of the terrorists.” He said nations in the region should be held accountable.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson on Sunday posted to social media, “The nightmare isn’t over for those still trapped in Gaza. And we must demand that every United States citizen held captive return home safely. Additionally, we must stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Israel in their time of need.”