U.S. senators and representatives from Pennsylvania reacted to the attack online and through statements.
Last week, Israel launched a sophisticated attack against Iran’s nuclear program. Israel’s strikes hit nuclear and military facilities, killing targeted senior generals and top nuclear scientists. The two countries have been trading fire since Israel’s initial attack.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. had “nothing to do with the attack on Iran” and warned Tehran to expect “the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces” should it retaliate against the United States.
Since the attack, several Pennsylvania lawmakers have spoken out in support of Israel and its defensive attack against Iran.
Both Senators Fetterman and McCormick expressed their support of Israel. Senator Fetterman has received backlash from his party for his staunch support of Israel and the release of hostages Hamas took on October 7th during its attack.
Senator Fetterman posted on social media, “Our commitment to Israel must be absolute and I fully support this attack. Keep wiping out Iranian leadership and the nuclear personnel. We must provide whatever is necessary – military, intelligence, weaponry – to fully back Israel in striking Iran.”
Senator McCormick said in a recent statement, “Dina and I are praying for Israel tonight. We are praying for the success of Israel’s mission to thwart the world’s largest state sponsor of terror and its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Iran has been a destabilizing threat to security in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, and around the world, and has the blood of Americans on its hands. Preventing Iran from having a nuclear bomb is in the interest of the civilized world. I am grateful to President Trump and his team for trying to achieve this peacefully. But just this week the International Atomic Energy voted overwhelmingly that Iran was not in compliance with its obligations. So Israel has decided to act and I stand with Israel.”
Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania’s First Congressional District posted on social media, “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action in response to continued threats from Iran. The United States was not involved in this operation, but we stand with our ally, as we always have – in shared purpose and mutual defense. A nuclear Iran is an unacceptable threat. In this moment, we remain vigilant, committed to protecting our forces, and united in our pursuit of peace through strength. Pray for Israel.”
Representative Lloyd Smucker, representing Lancaster County, also expressed his support for Israel in a comment on social media. He wrote, “I stand with Israel, who has every right to defend itself. Iran, the leading state sponsor of terrorism, must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapon capabilities.”
Representative Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania’s Eighth Congressional District shared similar support online, saying, “The United States will continue to stand with our strongest and only democratic ally in the Middle East, Israel, and its people. The world cannot let Iran, the leading state-sponsor [of] terrorism, access nuclear weapons.”
Representative Scott Perry of Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District reminded Americans that “this isn’t complicated.” He wrote, “Tehran has acted with impunity toward Israel for far too long – especially with its zeal for nuclear weapons. Iran was warned to back off (repeatedly). Iran not only chose to ignore those warnings, but now decided to ratchet up the tension. We all make decisions. I expect the success of Operation Rising Lion, and remain standing with our greatest ally, Israel.”
As of Sunday, Israel and Iran have been trading fire for three days. In Israel, at least 10 people have been killed by Iranian strikes.
In Iran, the health ministry reported 224 deaths since Israel’s attack on its nuclear and military facilities began.
