NASHVILLE — The terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel is generating bipartisan condemnation by top Tennessee and Georgia Republican and Democratic elected leaders.
Hamas launched a barrage of rockets and an incursion into Israel, killing hundreds of Israelis, including soldiers and civilians, and resulting in the abduction of dozens, including women and children, according to multiple news accounts.
Here's what they're saying:
— Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee: "Tennessee will always stand by our friends & allies in Israel, & we support Israel's right to defend itself against terrorists," the Republican governor posted on social media. "Maria & I ask Tennesseans to join us in prayer for the victims of these horrific attacks."
— Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp: "This is an egregious act of war upon one of our nation's greatest allies," the Republican governor wrote in a social media post. "The federal government must be swift and unequivocal: America stands with Israel and her people!"
— U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee: "Just weeks ago, the Biden administration handed over $6 billion to Iran, and today, innocent Israelis were murdered by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists. We must continue to support our strongest ally in the Middle East and their right to defend themselves against these unprovoked, horrific attacks," the senator said in a statement. "I stand with Israel and join many around the world in praying for the safety and security of its people."
— U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia: "I'm deeply saddened and alarmed by this morning's news out of Israel," Warnock posted on social media. "We must condemn terrorism in all its forms. Praying for the victims of this disturbing violence and that peace may prevail."
— U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia: "Senator Ossoff strongly condemns in the strongest terms Hamas' indiscriminate and murderous assault on our Israeli allies." Ossoff office statement to WANF-TV.
— U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Southeast Tennessee: "The barbaric attacks on Israel by radical Hamas terrorists are sickening," the congressman posted in a statement on social media. "Let me be clear: Israel has a right to exist and defend itself against any attack. The United States stands with Israel. We will fully support Israel in this war against Hamas."
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— U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Northwest Georgia: "We stand with our great friend and ally Israel as they declare war against Islamic terrorists," the lawmaker stated on social media: "Over 1,000 Iran backed Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, slaughtering Israeli citizens, right at the end of Sukkot, the feast of tabernacles. Make no mistake this is Islam's "holy" war and their ultimate goal is to wipe out all of Israel. America will not allow it."
— U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee. "The footage coming out of #Israel is abhorrent," Cohen posted on social media. "It is undeniable that Hamas is engaged in terrorism — they are kidnapping and murdering civilians. Israel's enemies should know that America's support for the Jewish people is unwavering. We will support our allies, now and always."
Behn sworn in as state representative
Democratic progressive political activist Aftyn Behn, of Nashville, was sworn in last week as a Tennessee House member representing District 51, following her victory in a Sept. 15 special election to replace the late Bill Beck.
Behn, 33, wore a hot pink pantsuit as she took the oath of office administered by her mother inside the House chamber. Behn is no stranger to the Capitol. As an activist, she was removed from the House gallery in 2019 by then-Republican House Speaker Glen Casada, of Franklin, as she protested Casada's refusal to take action against then-Rep. David Byrd, R-Waynesboro.
At issue was a yearslong controversy engulfing Byrd, a former high school coach. Three former female students had accused Byrd of sexually assaulting them while he was teaching and came to the Capitol holding signs calling for his resignation or removal. That never happened.
Byrd, who was never charged, later contracted a severe case of COVID-19 and did not seek re-election.
Last week, Behn told WKRN-TV her outfit was "political Barbie," adding that her mother, who swore her into office inside the House chamber, had noted it was the year of "powerful females."
It was a reference to the smash movie hit "Barbie."
"What has been said about me is that I'm an activist and that I'll be screaming in people's faces when I get here. And that is not my politics," she told the news station. "I am someone who is able to sit and listen to a different point of view and not be screaming consistently. I don't think that's helpful."
Behn joins 11 other women now serving in the House.
Hakeem named to panel advising U.S. Trade Representative
Tennessee Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, D-Chattanooga, has been named to serve on the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee, which provides advice to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
The committee provides general policy advice on trade on issues affecting state and local government. It is comprised of members who have expertise in general trade investment and development issues.
"One of my goals is to see a marked increase in small and medium-sized companies receiving assistance and development strategies for their involvement in international trade," said Hakeem, a former Chattanooga city council member, in a statement. "Tennessee, along with other Southeastern states, can benefit greatly from access to these opportunities, and I'm honored to receive this appointment."
READ MORE: Rep. Hakeem's Black history bill clears Tennessee House:
Ready to elect a woman president?
A survey released by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center queried 5,057 adults on whether they thought it important that a woman be elected president in their lifetime.
The answer? Eighteen percent said the issue was extremely or very important. Another 18% said it was somewhat importantly. And most —64% — said it is not is not too important, not at all important or that the president's gender doesn't matter.
Views varied by gender and partisanship.
For example, 28% of men said it was extremely, very or somewhat important that a woman be elected president. Seventy-three percent of men said it was either not important at all, not too important or that a president's gender doesn't matter.
Forty-two percent of women, however, said it was extremely, very or somewhat important. Another 57% said it was not at all important, not very important or that it doesn't matter.
Partisan differences were sharper. Just 5% of Republicans or people leaning Republican said it was important to them a woman be elected as president in their lifetime, while 9% said it was somewhat important. Eighty-six percent of Republican or GOP-leaning respondents said it wasn't at all important, not too important or that the president's gender doesn't matter.
Among Democrats or people leaning Democratic, 31% said it was extremely or very important a woman be elected in their lifetime. Another 26% called it somewhat important. Forty-three percent of Democrats or people leaning Democratic said it was not at all important or not too important for that a president's gender does not matter to them.
In a related question, just 1 in 4 of the U.S. adults in the survey said it was extremely or very likely American voters would elect a woman president in their lifetime. Forty-nine percent said it was somewhat likely, while 26% it is not too likely or not at all likely.
The findings in the report come from two surveys using Pew Research Center's American Trends Panel.
Another key finding: 53% of Americans surveyed said there are too few women in high political offices in the U.S. That's down from 59% in 2018.
In 2016, one of the nation's candidates from a major party for president, Democrat Hilary Clinton, lost to Republican President Donald Trump, with Trump garnering 304 electoral votes compared to 227 electoral votes for Clinton despite the Democrat winning the popular vote.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-285-9480.