[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 14, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E42]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           THE LIGHT WILL WIN

                                  _____
                                 

                      HON. BRADLEY SCOTT SCHNEIDER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 14, 2026

  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, last week, the bipartisan House Abraham 
Accords Caucus was privileged to host Rabbi Yehoram Ulman and Ahmed al-
Ahmed, of Sydney, Australia, and survivors of the terrorist attack at 
Bondi Beach last month.
  When a father-and-son pair of ISIS-inspired gunmen began massacring 
Jews during a Hanukkah celebration on the beach--murdering 15 people, 
including Rabbi Ulman's son-in-law--Ahmed, a Muslim who was at the 
event by serendipity, rushed for cover. As one of the terrorists 
approached his position, Ahmed heroically rose to the moment, charged, 
and single-handedly disarmed the attacker, saving countless lives.
  On behalf of the entire Abraham Accords Caucus, I thank Rabbi Ulman 
and Mr. al-Ahmed for traveling here and passionately sharing their 
stories. I also thank my many colleagues for joining us to honor these 
two great men.
  The Abraham Accords Caucus was formed after the accords were signed 
five years ago on a simple belief: Jews and Arabs belong to the same 
land, and elevating the people will elevate the land and bring peace to 
everyone in the region.
  Yesterday, Rabbi Ulman and Ahmed al-Ahmed showed that this spirit 
extends far beyond the Middle East. Their shared humanity and embrace 
of each other reflects our hope for the future, a future in which 
people see the dignity and grace in one another and have the strength 
to stand up and confront hatred and evil.
  As I told Ahmed, he is a hero to us all. He teaches us that love of 
the stranger can lift us all and defeat hatred. Or, as Rabbi Ulman and 
Mr. al-Ahmed have titled their visit around the world, ``The Light Will 
Win.''

                          ____________________