Sandoval County Commission stands with Israel

District 2 Commissioner Jay Block showed support for Israel at the Oct. 11 Sandoval County Commission meeting.

Block sat with an Israeli flag on his desk and spoke about the surprise attack on Israel during which Hamas killed more than 1,000 people during the meeting’s introductions.

“It’s been a really tough week. You know, our friend, our best friend in the Middle East, Israel was attacked, unprovoked by the terrorists Hamas,” Block said. “We’re seeing some brutal pictures out there. We’re seeing beheaded babies from Hamas, or seeing rapes and tortures, executions and kidnappings of civilians. And over 1,000 Israelis dead, over 260 massacred at a music festival.”

Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S. and a number of other Western countries.

“Hamas has only one agenda, to destroy Israel and to murder Jews,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a press conference Thursday in Israel.

“It’s on Twitter and it’s out there on YouTube for you to see the evil of Hamas and what the beautiful people of Israel are doing,” Block said. “Some of you know my Jewish background, my dad’s side of the family. It’s just horrible. I’m disappointed and disgusted.”

Block then asked his fellow commissioners to raise their hand if “you stand for Israel and if you’re against Hamas and these brutal killings.” Block, Commissioner Chair Dave Heil, District 5 Commissioner Joshua Jones and District 3 Commissioner Michael Meek all raised their hands, as did many citizens in attendance. District 1 Commissioner Katherine Bruch was on Zoom for the meeting.

The attack has triggered a massive retaliation, with Israel launching airstrikes deep into Gaza and vowing a “complete siege.”

Colorado doctor Barbara Zind Preston has been working with the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund since 2010, helping kids with chronic diseases. She arrived in Gaza Friday and remains stuck there as the fighting intensifies between Israel and Hamas.

“It is been a troubling week. And I want to say that for any of you who know that there are going to be very many deaths in this very brutal situation,” Bruch said. “And for those of you who know, many of our friends and neighbors are concerned about Dr. Barbara Preston, who is in the Gaza now working for the Palestinian children’s relief fund, and she is an American citizen, as there are many. They need our support.”

Block criticized Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for not speaking out against the attack.

“Our own governor here in New Mexico, we have over 30,000 Jewish people in New Mexico, and many of us New Mexicans can trace our roots back for 500 years to the Jews that came through here with the Spanish back then,” Block said. “The New Mexico Democratic Party and the governor have said nothing and have been silent.”

Thursday afternoon, Lujan Grisham posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, an executive order to have all flags in the state lowered to half-staff to show support for Israel.

“I have ordered flags in the state to be lowered to half-staff from October 13 through 16 as a solemn gesture of support & mourning for the attack on Israel. New Mexico stands 100% with the nation of Israel and the right of Israel to defend itself,” Lujan Grisham said.

Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) released a statement in support of Israel and condemning Hamas’ terrorist attacks.

“I recently signed on to a bipartisan resolution to condemn Hamas’ atrocious acts of terrorism on innocent civilians. Hurting the innocent anywhere is unacceptable,” Vasquez said. “My constituents are rightly concerned about what this means for the region, for the Americans taken hostage and for the spread of antisemitism worldwide. I stand with Israel and condemn acts of violence in the strongest terms. The U.S.-Israel alliance remains crucial, and it is essential to stand together in the face of terrorism and violence.

“Similarly, we must protect innocent lives across the world, and that includes civilians in Gaza caught in the crossfire of this conflict. My office has received several calls already about constituents and their loved ones who are stuck in Israel. We are doing everything we can to help people get home safely, and I encourage my constituents to call my office or the State Department if they need assistance.”

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) issued a statement on the ongoing conflict in Israel on Monday.

“I stand with the the people of Israel,” Stansbury said. “And, I stand in prayer with all of the families impacted by the horrific violence and in condemning the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in recent days. My heart and prayers are with the families of all who have been lost and those who are still missing. May this continued cycle of senseless violence end and peace prevail.”

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, also issued a statement on the assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists.

“I join President Biden and my Senate colleagues in unequivocally condemning the appalling attacks by Hamas terrorists. The United States stands with the Israeli people and Israel’s right to defend against this horrific violence. My thoughts are with the grieving families and the wounded.”

If you or someone you know needs help evacuating from Israel, call 1-833-890-9595 or 1-606-641-0131 or fill out the State Department form at cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake.