Wyden: Year later, Middle East conflict mushrooming

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- One year ago, Hamas terrorists carried out a brutal and horrific attack in Israel, killing scores of Jews and taking many more as hostages.

On Monday, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden went to the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education to make remarks about the year since the attack and the latest developments in an increasingly tense Middle East.

Wyden, the 75-year-old son of Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany, sits on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, keeping an eyes on the CIA and National Security Agency.

Wyden said there is no question the conflict is mushrooming in the Middle East -- and the US needs to help free the hostages.

"Israel has the right to defend itself. I want it understood that I support that. And there is no proposal forthcoming with respect to American troops.

In a statement, Oregon's other US senator, Jeff Merkley, said, "Now, more than ever, the US must use all available leverage to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, bring home all the hostages, deliver vital humanitarian aid and secure a lasting ceasefire."