Abbott Declares Day of Observance for Israel, Flags at Half-Staff

Gov. Greg Abbott has urged Texans to honor the victims of the Hamas attacks on Israel on the first anniversary, Oct. 7. He declared Monday a statewide Day of Observance for Israel and asked residents to hold a moment of silence for the people of Israel and the seven Americans who remain hostages. Texas and U.S. flags are being flown at half-staff to honor the victims.

In a press release, Gov. Abbott stated, "The State of Texas will do everything in our power to support the Jewish people here in Texas and in their defense of their homeland."

Abbott highlighted his past actions, saying, "I signed a law banning all Texas state agencies from engaging in business or investments with companies that boycott Israel, awarded $14 million in grants to bolster the security of houses of worship like synagogues, directed all Texas state agencies to refrain from purchasing goods produced in or exported from the Gaza Strip and from any organization or state actor with ties to Hamas, and established the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Committee."

American Hostages in Gaza

Four Americans are among the dozens of hostages still believed to be alive after being kidnapped a year ago in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. The hostages include:

• Keith Siegel
• Gadi Haggai
• Omer Neutra
• Judith Weinstein Haggai
• Sagui Dekel-Chen
• Edan Alexander
• Itay Chen

When Flags Are Flown at Half-Staff

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website lists specific holidays and events for flying flags at half-staff:

• Memorial Day: Until noon, then raised to the top of the staff.
• Peace Officers Memorial Day (unless also Armed Forces Day).
• Patriot Day.
• National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
• National Firefighters Memorial Day.

President Dwight Eisenhower's proclamation details flag protocol upon the death of government officials:

• 30 days for the president or a former president.
• 10 days for the vice president, chief justice, retired chief justice, or speaker of the House.
• Until interment for associate justices, Cabinet members, former vice presidents, and specific congressional leaders.
• Date of death and following day for senators, representatives, territorial delegates, or the resident commissioner from Puerto Rico.
• Until interment for governors of states, territories, or possessions.

The president may also order half-staff flag displays for other officials, former officials, foreign dignitaries, or tragic events.

-Brandi D. Addison of USA Today contributed to this report.