On the third anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said that U.S. policy in the Middle East “must change dramatically” to ensure long-term peace.

He was joined by fellow senior congressional Democrats in calling for shifts in policy by the U.S. and Israel.

Jeffries said in a statement that, since the Oct. 7 attacks, “considerable suffering has plagued the Middle East. The horrific death of Palestinian civilians, destruction of civil society and devastation in Gaza is reprehensible and can never be allowed to happen again.”

He argued that, in order to permanently end the violence between Israel and the Palestinians, “for the good of the Israeli and Palestinian people, American policy in the region must change dramatically.”

Jeffries said that the U.S. must “commit to the creation” of a Palestinian state as well as “support a new generation of Palestinian leaders” and end the “egregious settler violence” by Israelis in the West Bank.

At the same time, Jeffries mourned and expressed solidarity with those who lost loved ones on Oct. 7 and those still recovering, including the former hostages. He also emphasized the surging wave of antisemitism since the Hamas attacks.

“The Jewish people are in a constant struggle for survival, as has been the case for thousands of years,” he said, adding that the U.S. must remain committed to Israel’s right to exist as well as removing Hamas from power and ending terrorism in the region.

In his own statement, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, appeared to call out Israel for continued fighting in the region while also recognizing the victims of the Oct. 7 attacks and their loved ones.

“Further chaos, destruction, and violence is not the answer and will not make Israel safer,” Smith said. “Israel must work with the United States and partners in the region to bring this conflict to an end and find a way ahead that creates a sustainable, safe, and prosperous future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), generally a staunch supporter of Israel who has recently discussed his shifting stance on U.S. policy toward the Jewish state, said in a video statement that Israel’s military goals have been achieved and its approach should shift. 

Coons is in line to be the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee next year.

“Israel has largely achieved its military goals, its objectives in Gaza and West Bank. Hamas has been beheaded and driven underground at great human cost to Palestinian civilians and a future two-state solution,” Coons said. “It’s now time to work tirelessly to find a path to lasting peace and adjust security for all.”

Coons also emphasized that the “wounds” to Israel from the attacks may never heal and recounted his meetings with the families of hostages.