Wicker Observes October 7 Anniversary

As Israel prepared to mark the anniversary of last year's October 7 attack, Iran reminded the world who is at the root of that atrocity and the violence that has followed. At the beginning of this month, the radical Islamic regime barraged Israel with nearly 200 ballistic missiles - the largest such salvo in history. These bombs are extremely difficult to shoot down because of their speed. Fortunately, no Israelis were killed, and Iran was embarrassed in its failure to inflict significant damage on its sworn enemy.

Predictably, the Biden-Harris administration condemned the attack, but the White House must do more than use words. Israel is fighting the longest war in its history, and it is battling on seven fronts - against Iran and its proxies in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria. In our ally's hour of need, our commander-in-chief must step up. We need to show Iran real consequences.

Iran Seeks Destruction, not Diplomacy

The White House should take a page out of Israel's book. While the president has been talking about a diplomatic solution, the Jewish state has been fighting for its very existence, aware that Iran seeks its destruction. I believe Mr. Biden does not understand the situation and is playing directly into Iran's hands.

Tehran's strike came as Israel has made impressive gains against three of the terrorist groups affiliated with Iran. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have killed half of Hamas' fighters, terrorists who trained in Iran before invading southern Israel. The Ayatollah has bankrolled the murderous Hezbollah group, and Israel has dismantled that organization's leadership. Last month, the IDF struck back after the Iran-backed Houthis bombed Tel Aviv. And through ingenious and targeted strikes in Tehran and across Lebanon, Israel has put all its enemies on notice.

Biden and Harris Shrug at Threats

Meanwhile, the Biden-Harris administration has played soft with terrorists. It has slow-rolled aid Congress had directed, discouraged military offensives that would increase Israel's power to free hostages, and wasted resources on the Gaza Pier to mollify American liberals. The White House has also shrugged at sustained, deadly attacks on American service members and ships. For a year, the Houthis have fired at will on our shipping vessels in the Red Sea.

The administration has lived in fear of a boogeyman it calls "escalation," seemingly unaware that weakness only invites more aggression. Beginning in 2021 with the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, the White House has repeatedly sent signals that America does not want to play an active role on the world stage. That attitude is particularly dangerous as our adversaries work together to undermine American safety and prosperity. North Korea has sent weapons to Hamas, Russia is in talks to sell anti-ship missiles to the Houthis, and China has given surveillance technology to Iran. The world's worst villains are conspiring to threaten us and Israel.

Resolve Can Deter Escalation

Iran's latest attack should be a wakeup call for Americans. By standing with our friends, we can help make the region - and world - safer. The United States owes Israel a particular debt of gratitude for taking out Hezbollah's leaders, killers with American blood on their hands.

In Congress, I am committed to strengthening American support for Israel. I help draft the Senate's annual, bipartisan national defense legislation. This year's bill contains provisions to replenish the missiles we have used up against the Houthis and to help Israel decisively uproot Hamas. Unfortunately, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has so far refused to bring this bill up for a vote. If he had, it would have been one more way the United States could show our friends and foes that we stand against terrorists and for freedom in an increasingly dangerous world.