Houston, TX — U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) released the following statement tonight after attending Shabbat services at Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, a week after the hostage crisis at a Shabbat service at the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas. Israeli Consul General Livia Link-Raviv and Randy Czarlinsky, AJC Houston Regional Director, were also present.

“A week ago on Shabbat, a bigoted, anti-Semitic coward held four people hostage at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville for hours. He targeted them because they were Jews. In the aftermath of this attack, the Jewish community of Colleyville inspired Texas and the entire country with their strength and unity.

“Tonight it was an honor to join Congregation Beth Israel in Houston for Shabbat services and to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Texas and across the country. Now more than ever, we all need to come together to support each other in the aftermath of last week’s attack.

The ancient hatred of anti-Semitism is on the rise all over the world. It’s bad. There is no place for this in our society or in any society, and we must reaffirm our unequivocal condemnation of anti-Semitism and our commitment to combat it in all its forms.

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