On October 7, 2023, the world witnessed one of the most horrific terrorist attacks in recent history. Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization, launched a brutal and unprovoked assault on Israel, slaughtering over 1,200 innocent civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. Homes were invaded, families torn apart, and entire communities devastated in a single day of barbaric violence. These were not acts of war — they were acts of terror.
As a proud American, a supporter of President Trump, and a native of the great state of Wyoming, I believe it is our moral duty to stand firmly with our allies in Israel during times like these. What happened on October 7th was not just an attack on Israel. It was an attack on the very values we hold dear — freedom, democracy, and the sanctity of human life.
Israel is not just a strategic ally. It is a nation built on resilience, much like our communities here in Wyoming. Whether you live in Casper, Cheyenne, or one of our rural ranching towns, you know what it means to build something from the ground up, to defend what’s yours, and to stand tall against adversity. That same spirit is alive in Israel today, as families rebuild their lives amidst the rubble and grief caused by radical terrorists who seek only destruction.
President Trump understands the importance of standing with Israel. His leadership brought about historic peace agreements through the Abraham Accords, moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, and made it clear that America will not tolerate terrorism. Under his administration, we see clarity, strength, and results. That’s the kind of leadership we need again — leadership that doesn’t flinch in the face of evil.
In Wyoming, we don’t forget our friends, and we don’t back down from a fight when it’s just. The people of Israel are our friends. They are our partners in security, in innovation, and in upholding Judeo-Christian values. Many of our local churches here in Wyoming — from Gillette to Jackson — have prayed for the victims and for peace in the Holy Land. Our ranchers understand what it means to defend home and family — values that Hamas sought to destroy in their cowardly October 7th assault.
This isn't just foreign policy — it's personal. The same radical ideology that fuels Hamas is the same one that chants “Death to America” in the streets of Tehran. If we turn a blind eye to Israel’s suffering, we invite the same chaos to our shores. Wyoming families know the value of vigilance. We raise our children to respect life, to defend the defenseless, and to call evil by its name.
Let me be clear: there is no moral equivalence between Israel and Hamas. One is a democratic nation that protects its citizens regardless of religion. The other is a terrorist group that uses its own people as human shields. Sadly, some in the national media and on the far Left have tried to muddy those waters. But not here — not in Wyoming. We believe in calling truth by its name.
I have had the privilege of speaking with members of our Jewish community here in Wyoming, small though it may be. They are deeply connected to the pain of October 7th, and we stand with them. It’s important that we recognize and support Jewish Americans right here in our own communities — in our schools, on our city councils, and in our state legislature.
Our high school students in places like Laramie and Sheridan should learn the truth about Israel and its right to defend itself. We need to push back against anti-Semitism in our education systems and ensure that our youth understand the dangers of extremism. Wyoming's future depends on leaders who are unafraid to speak truth, support our allies, and stand up for what’s right.
On this solemn anniversary of October 7th, I call on every American, and especially my fellow Wyomingites, to renew our commitment to standing with Israel. Let us honor the innocent lives lost by refusing to remain silent. Let us support strong leaders like President Trump who know that peace is not achieved by appeasement, but by strength and resolve.
And let us always remember - freedom is never free. Whether it’s on the plains of Wyoming or the war-torn fields of southern Israel, the fight for liberty continues. May we always be found on the side of those who defend it.
On this day and every day, may God bless Israel.
Reid Rasner
