Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday soundly rejected acts of terror as he prayed with members of a Jewish synagogue in north suburban Glencoe and vowed that the country — and Illinois — will stand with Israel in its battle against Hamas.
The Democratic governor, who is Jewish, acknowledged that there are “peace-loving Palestinians, and we must honor them,” but he called Hamas an “Iranian-backed army of murderers” at a Jewish United Fund solidarity event in the parking lot of the North Shore Congregation Israel.
“Hamas has always been a terrorist organization. And now the world can see. They have witnessed the inhumanity of this Iranian-backed army of murderers,” Pritzker said. “The images and videos of the invasion, the slaughtering of Israeli families, and the kidnappings of loved ones is sickening.”
More than 900 people have died in attacks that began Saturday with a surprise attack by Hamas militants as Israelis wrapped up the Jewish festival of Sukkot. Another 2,500 people have been injured, including at least 11 American citizens, President Joe Biden said Monday. And at least 765 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip by Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes.
Pritzker said those who believe in peace, freedom and human rights “for Israelis, for Palestinians, for all humankind, must reject those who use terror as their weapon.”
“We pray today for the strength and safety of the men and women of the Israeli Defense Forces as they embark on this most difficult and important mission. Each step of the way they should know, and the people of Israel should know, that America and Illinois unequivocally stands with them in their battle to end the ongoing Hamas attacks,” Pritzker said. “We stand with Israel.”
The governor also acknowledged the Illinois State Police is on alert for synagogues and gathering places for Jewish people across the state. He said there is no immediate threat that the FBI or law enforcement has detected.
“But they are remaining vigilant, as should all of you,” Pritzker said.
Other speakers at the solidarity rally included Yinam Cohen, consul general of Israel to the Midwest, and state Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who called the attack “a display of pure evil.”
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, who is Jewish, said, “Hamas will come to know that Oct. 7, to them, was no victory but was the beginning of their end.”
He emphasized that Hamas is a terrorist organization, that Israel has a right to defend itself, and that the U.S. will continue to stand by Israel.
Hundreds gathered to cheer the speeches, many holding Israeli flags, as dozens of police stood guard nearby. A surveillance drone hovered above.
Marty Schwartz, of Wilmette, said he was “100%” behind Pritzker’s support of Israel. Schwartz said he’s been in “disbelief” since Saturday’s attacks. He said he feels “the world is retreating back to the World War II days of hate. It’s sad. You always hope though.”
Ron Haviv, an Israeli visiting family the Chicago area, said Pritzker’s speech was full of empathy.
“It’s good to know that all over the world, not just the Jews in Chicago, in the United States, support us,” he said.
Dmitriy Sandler, of Glenview, said he is glad Pritzker has “come out publicly supporting us in such strong words. Unfortunately, not all politicians in our country, in our Congress, have,” Sandler said.
Andrea Rae Markowicz, cantor of Am Shalom in Glencoe, said she was “heartened by [Pritzker’s] words and his unwavering support for for the state of Israel.”
She said she’s been in constant communication with people she knows in Israel.
“Thank God for WhatsApp and FaceTime and all of those things, to be able to talk to friends and family and check in on them,” she said. “Of course, no one is OK. This is unprecedented.”
