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Indian-origin leaders call for peace 2 years since Gaza war

Across parties and nations, leaders mourn victims, urge peace, and call for accountability.

(Top L-R) Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna (Bottom L-R) Ghazala Hashmi, Zohran Mamdani, Priti Patel, Nikki Haley, Rishi Sunak / File Photo/ X ((Top L-R) Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna (Bottom L-R) Ghazala Hashmi, Zohran Mamdani, Priti Patel, Nikki Haley, Rishi Sunak_

Two years after the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks that killed more than 1,100 Israelis and triggered a devastating war in Gaza, Indian-origin leaders across the political spectrum have issued solemn calls for remembrance, peace, and accountability.

Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) marked the anniversary with a statement reflecting on the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians. “October 7th was a horrific day—for Israelis, for Jewish people around the world, for all of us who believe in peace,” she said.

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Citing the humanitarian toll of Israel’s military response, Jayapal warned, “Revenge never brings peace, and war only brings more war. Netanyahu’s war on Gaza and on Palestinians has only hurt the return of the hostages and the safety of Israelis.”

Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) echoed this balance, remembering the victims of Hamas’ assault while urging for a political resolution. “We must never forget the innocent lives taken and we must continue calling for the unconditional return of all hostages,” he wrote.

“I am also thinking of the tens of thousands who have been killed in Gaza since this conflict started and will continue pushing for an end to the war with a lasting peace and the recognition of a Palestinian state,” Khanna added.



Representative Shri Thanedar (D-MI) described October 7th as “one of the most tragic times for the Jewish people since the Holocaust” and reiterated his commitment to fighting antisemitism.



In Virginia, State Senator Ghazala Hashmi, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, issued one of the most personal reflections. She mourned both Israeli and Palestinian victims, recalling Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a hostage with ties to Richmond who was murdered after nearly a year in captivity.

“Tragically, over the past two years, tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza have been killed in the aftermath of the Hamas terrorist attack and the Netanyahu government’s indiscriminate response,” she said.



Expressing cautious optimism, Hashmi added: “I am encouraged by recent news that offers hope that a peace deal may soon be reached … My greatest hope is that this moment will lead to an end to the violence and the beginning of a lasting peace for both Palestinians and Israelis.”

In New York, Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani called for an end to “occupation and apartheid,” saying the past two years have shown “the very worst of humanity.” He urged U.S. policymakers to pursue diplomacy, not war, insisting, “Peace must be pursued through diplomacy, not war crimes, and our government must act to end these atrocities.”



Across the aisle, Republican leaders of Indian origin framed their statements around solidarity with Israel. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley invoked harrowing accounts from her visit to an Israeli kibbutz. “These were people who were burned alive. These were children who were killed. These were women that were raped,” she said in a video message. On social media, she added: “We will never forget October 7th. We will never forget that Hamas started this war, and it is Hamas that holds up peace today.”



Indian American entrepreneur and Republican gubernatorial contender Vivek Ramaswamy also aligned with Israel’s cause. “Two years ago today, a group of vile Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 innocent human beings in Israel. We pray for their families today, and for President Trump’s efforts to secure lasting peace in the region,” he wrote.



In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak remembered the victims of Hamas’ attack, calling for the return of hostages still held in Gaza. “We must never forget the brutality of those attacks or the hostages still in captivity,” he stated.

Conservative Party Shadow Foreign Secretary and Member of Parliament for Witham, Priti Patel, issued a video message offering “heartfelt sympathy” to victims’ families and condemned what she called a “barbaric terrorist act.”

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