Pelosi Statement on Hostage Situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas

Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement after the hostage situation on Saturday at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas ended with the four hostages being released unharmed:

"Yesterday, an act of terrorism horrified the nation, as peaceful worshippers at Congregation Beth Israel in Texas were taken hostage during a Shabbat service. In the wake of this antisemitic attack, Congress and the country stand in solidarity with the Jewish communities in Colleyville, across our nation and around the world. We are deeply grateful to the first responder heroes who showed great courage and excellence in the face of this attack, freeing all of the hostages unharmed.

"Disturbingly, antisemitism and other forms of hateful violence have been on the rise in recent years: invading our sacred houses of worship, schools and supermarkets, and even the United States Capitol during the January 6th insurrection. This dangerous extremism has injected fear into countless communities and stolen too many lives. Hatred and violence have no place in America - and we must never fail to confront and combat these dark forces wherever, whenever they arise.

"Congress remains ironclad in our commitment to fighting the scourge of antisemitism here at home and around the world. We are proud to have passed legislation to defend houses of worship and also to bolster funding for Holocaust education, as history reminds us that allowing bigotry to fester can reignite the horrors of the past. We cannot and will not rest until all of our children, regardless of their faith, can reach for their dreams in a world at peace."

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