B’nai B’rith President Seth J. Riklin and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:

Millions of Israelis woke up today to heavy rocket fire and ground assaults, including on Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and across the South.

Iran-backed Hamas terrorists infiltrated the Jewish state from Gaza attacking civilians and reportedly taking hostages in a surprise escalation of violence, on the 50th anniversary of the Arab launch of the Yom Kippur War.

Some 2,200 rockets have been fired so far, and more than 100 Israelis have been killed, with more than 800 injured.

We stand with Israel as it responds to this declaration of war by Hamas and its backers.

International leaders should not be talking about “restraint” needed from “both sides.” Israel is the victim of an attack and it has every right to fully defend itself.