State Rep. Mark M. Gillen | Pennsylvania 128th Legislative District
State Rep. Mark M. Gillen | Pennsylvania 128th Legislative District
State Representative Mark Gillen of Berks has expressed his strong support for Israel following recent attacks by Hamas. The assaults have resulted in over 1,000 deaths and more than 1,500 injuries, primarily affecting noncombatants. Rep. Gillen, who chairs the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, condemned the actions as "heinous" and described them as a deliberate targeting of innocent civilians.
Gillen highlighted the abduction of an 85-year-old Holocaust survivor, noting that Secretary of State Antony Blinken reported she was taken away in her wheelchair. He emphasized the gravity of this incident given its historical context.
The representative also criticized Palestinian educational materials. He cited a review by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center and the Center for Near East Policy Research, which found that Palestinian textbooks allegedly promote violence against Israel.
Rep. Gillen stated his solidarity with Israel and expressed confidence in their resilience against these attacks. He drew parallels between current events and historical atrocities from the 1930s and 1940s, calling for justice against those responsible for such acts today.
As founder of both the Berks Military History Museum and a planned Holocaust Museum, Gillen underscored the importance of understanding past brutalities to comprehend present conflicts. He questioned the sincerity of Palestinian authorities' public commitments to peace in light of ongoing violence.
Representative Mark Gillen can be contacted through Jacob Misal at JMisal@pahousegop.com or by phone at 717-260-6365.
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