Katko on the Hostage Situation at Congregation Beth Israel

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, issued the following statement on the hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Texas:

“The terrifying hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Texas exemplifies the troubling threat landscape facing the homeland, with the Jewish community far too often the target of antisemitic violence. I am incredibly grateful to federal, state, and local law enforcement who responded and diffused this situation, resulting in the safe escape of innocent Americans. No one should fear or experience violence in their place of worship and on International Religious Freedom Day, we stand for the rights of all individuals to exercise this essential freedom. With indications of ties to international terrorism, my colleagues and I on the Homeland Security Committee will conduct rigorous oversight of this event in our effort to improve U.S. Government counterterrorism efforts.”

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