Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas state agencies are stepping up to offer unwavering support for Israel during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.
As soon as the war commenced, Abbott pledged the state’s support to Israel:
The State of Texas condemns these heinous acts of violence and inhumanity against Israel and its people by ruthless terrorists, and we stand ready to offer our complete support to the Israeli and Jewish communities. I firmly denounce the act of war against Israeli citizens and Americans in Israel and support Israel’s right to defend itself from these barbaric attacks. Working with local partners across Texas, we are actively increasing security at Jewish and Israel-related locations such as synagogues and schools. In response to these cowardly attacks, we stand united with our Jewish neighbors and we repudiate terrorism and anti-Semitism.
Abbott distributed over $4 million in grants to 31 Jewish organizations that will support physical security enhancements and other security measures.
Since taking office, Abbott has established the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission and awarded more than $19 million through his Public Safety Office for security enhancement projects to houses of worship, such as synagogues.
Two days after the conflict began, Abbott issued an Executive Order preventing “every state agency from purchasing goods produced in or exported from the Gaza Strip, and from any organization or state actor with ties to Hamas.”
The Governor directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to work with local partners and federal intelligence agencies on heightened public safety measures, with an intensified focus by the Joint Terrorism Task Force and Texas Fusion Center to elevate awareness about potential threats by Hamas or Hezbollah organizations against the Jewish community in Texas.
The next day, the Texas Department of Public Safety released a statement urging Texans to report suspicious, potentially antisemitic, activities to the proper authorities.
LATEST NEWS: DPS Urges Texans to Report Suspicious Activity After Recent Attacks Against Israel
AUSTIN – @TxDPS is responding to Gov. @GregAbbott_TX's directive this week to work with local partners & federal intelligence agencies on heightened public safety measures… (cont.) pic.twitter.com/SDpOhTp3oD
— Texas DPS (@TxDPS) October 10, 2023
“At this time, DPS is not aware of any specific and credible threats to Texas,” the statement reads. “However, the department does have concerns the current conflict could inspire homegrown violent extremists and foreign terrorist organizations operating in the United States to target the Jewish community and institutions associated with Israel outside the Middle East.”
Abbott has also ordered all Texas flags be lowered to half-staff in honor of all the lives lost due to the “heinous acts of war against Israel.”
Texas flags will remain at half-staff until October 14.
