AUSTIN, Texas — Texas lawmakers during the first day of the third special session on Monday reaffirmed their solidarity with Israel following the weekend attack by the militant group Hamas.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a series of measures on Monday in support of the pledge.
Abbott said more than $4 million in additional funding from the Public Safety Office will be furnished to provide enhanced security at 31 Texas Jewish organizations including synagogues and schools.
“Working with local partners across Texas, we are actively increasing security at Jewish and Israel-related locations such as synagogues and schools. In response to these cowardly attacks, we stand united with our Jewish neighbors and we repudiate terrorism and anti-Semitism,” Abbott wrote in a news release.
Abbott said he has additionally directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to work with local partners and federal intelligence agencies on heightened security measures to identify potential threats by Hamas or Hezbollah against Texas’ Jewish community.
The governor also issued an executive order prohibiting Texas state agencies from purchasing goods produced in or exported from the Gaza Strip and from any organization or state actor with ties to Hamas.
Finally, Abbott ordered Texas flags across the state lowered to half-staff in honor of those killed in the attack. They are to remain at half-staff through Saturday.