Pro-Israeli group gathers outside TX Capitol to remember lives lost in 2023 Hamas strike

Monday will mark one year since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, stoking the flames of war which still persist today.

On that day, 1,200 Israelis were killed. Sunday outside the Texas State Capitol, a Pro-Israel group gathered to remember those lives, and more.

"Last year you heard about the tragedies in Israel and the hostages that are still in captivity. So we are here to commemorate the lost and pray for the IDF soldiers who are going into battle," said Arianna-Rosie Bourgoin with the group Christians United for Israel.

Supporters in the crowd held signs reading "We stand with Israel," and "Pray for Jerusalem," as speakers took to the podium to express continued support.

"We are not ashamed or afraid to stand publicly with the nation of Israel and the Jewish people," said Kirby Calhoun, campus director for CUFI.

Not only did the group meet to remember the lives lost, but to also call for lawmakers to take action – hence the reason for meeting outside the Texas Capitol.

"We are urging Congress to push harder for the American hostages and U.S. soldiers who are in the Middle East right now," said Bourgoin.

CUFI isn't the only organization calling for hostages to be released. Sunday, the Council on American-Islamic Relations released a statement calling for U.S. President Joe Biden to "use American leverage to force the Israeli government to accept a comprehensive ceasefire deal that ends the genocide in Gaza, frees all captives and political prisoners, averts an all-out regional war and addresses the root cause of decades of recurring violence: the illegal occupation of Palestine."

The ongoing conflict is affecting many around the world, including here in the Austin area. Dori Roberts had family who were hostages held by Hamas who had been released. He says he was "fortunate" to be able to visit with them and hug them.

He also still has a member of his family being held hostage. To that, he says "we're still hoping to today that he will, you know, be able to come back home safe."

Not everyone in the crowd was sympathetic to CUFI's rally Sunday. One man in the crowd yelled "Free Palestine" several times as he walked away and inside the capitol building before being drowned out with a megaphone.

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