Lowers flags on state grounds to honor lives lost during the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust

HELENA, MT – Governor Greg Gianforte this (Oct 7th) morning marked the solemn anniversary of when Hamas terrorists first attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. Delivering remarks, raising the Israel flag, and lowering all flags flown over the Montana State Capitol to half-staff, the governor held a ceremony at the flag plaza.

“One year ago, under the cover of darkness and in the quiet hours of the morning, innocent Israelis were brutally and ruthlessly attacked by Hamas terrorists,” Gov. Gianforte said. “On the anniversary of these tragic events, it’s important for us to declare: Montana stands with Israel, and Montana stands with the Jewish people.”

During the ceremony, the governor also condemned acts of anti-Semitism across the state and country.

The governor concluded, “We will raise the Israeli flag as a symbol of our continued support for our strongest ally in the Middle East as they root out and destroy Hamas. We do all of this, with sorrow in our hearts for those we’ve lost. But also with a hopeful prayer for peace.”

In the days after the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel last year, Gov. Gianforte ordered all flags flown in the State of Montana to fly at half-staff in memory of the innocent lives lost in Israel at the hands of Hamas terrorists and flew the Israel flag over the Montana State Capitol.

In April, on the six-month anniversary of the attacks, Gov. Gianforte directed the Israeli flag to stand outside his office alongside the flags of the United States and Montana until all hostages, including American citizens, are returned home.

Yesterday, ahead of the one-year anniversary of the barbaric Hamas terrorist attacks and in solidarity with Israel and Jews throughout the world, the governor and first lady attended a vigil for Israel at the Chabad Lubavitch Center of Jewish Life and Learning in Bozeman.