Texas Goes Big: Abbott Declares Day of Observance for Israel, Flags at Half-Staff

In a move that's got leftists clutching their pearls, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared October 7th a statewide Day of Observance for Israel, marking the first anniversary of the Hamas attacks. He's called on Texans to hold a moment of silence for the Israeli people and the seven American hostages still held captive.

Texas and U.S. flags are flying at half-staff, because that's how we roll in the Lone Star State – with respect and honor.

Abbott, never one to mince words, stated in a press release, "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."

And he's not all talk. Abbott's walked the walk by:

• Signing a law that bans all Texas state agencies from doing business with companies that boycott Israel.
• Awarding $14 million in grants to beef up security at houses of worship, like synagogues.
• Directing all Texas state agencies to refrain from purchasing goods from the Gaza Strip or any organization with ties to Hamas.
• Establishing the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Committee.

Who are the American hostages in Gaza?

Four Americans are among the hostages still believed to be alive a year after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. Here are their names:

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

When are flags flown at half-staff?

For those wondering when flags are flown at half-staff, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website lays it all out:

• Memorial Day, with the flag at half-staff until noon, then raised to full staff.
• Peace Officers Memorial Day (unless it coincides with Armed Forces Day).
• Patriot Day.
• National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
• National Firefighters Memorial Day.

President Dwight Eisenhower also issued a proclamation outlining when to fly the flag at half-staff upon the death of government officials, including:

• 30 days for the death of the president or a former president.
• 10 days for the vice president, chief justice or retired chief justice of the Supreme Court, or speaker of the House.
• From death until interment for various high-ranking officials.
• The date of death and the following day for U.S. senators, representatives, and other officials, with flags at half-staff at federal facilities in their respective states or districts.
• From death until interment for state governors.

The president can also order flags at half-staff to honor other officials, former officials, foreign dignitaries, or tragic events.

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