From Bruce Leon, a candidate seeking to represent Algonquin Township in Congress:
Bruce Leon Praises Announced Israel–Hamas Ceasefire as “A Step Toward Light After a Time of Darkness”
Illinois 9th Congressional Candidate Calls for Vigilance and Lasting Peace Built on Strength and Accountability
Chicago, IL — Following confirmation from the White House that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire, Illinois 9th Congressional District candidate Bruce Leon issued a statement welcoming the news while urging caution and moral clarity as the region takes its first steps toward peace.
Leon called the agreement “a historic step toward ending the cycle of violence that has brought unimaginable pain to both Israelis and Palestinians,” adding that “the ceasefire offers a moment of fragile hope in a region scarred by immense loss — a reminder that every life lost, Israeli or Palestinian, is a tragedy.”
He reflected on the ongoing pain faced by families of hostages still held by Hamas, citing the case of twin brothers Ziv and Gali Berman, who were kidnapped from their home in Kibbutz Kfar-Aza during the October 7th terror attack.“Each hostage, each family torn apart — like the mother still waiting for her two sons — represents the human cost of this conflict that must never be forgotten,” Leon said.
Leon, who has traveled extensively across the Middle East and met with civic and business leaders working to build on the Abraham Accords, said the ceasefire underscores both the difficulty and necessity of pursuing peace.
“As someone deeply connected to the Jewish community, I know the scars of these past two years run deep,” Leon said. “But peace built on strength and accountability is the only way forward. Hamas must be held to its commitments, and Israel’s right to security must remain absolute. It is hard to trust Hamas — but the world must hold it accountable while giving peace a chance.”
He added that true and lasting peace will only endure when Hamas abandons its campaign of terror and Palestinians have leaders “who choose to build a safe, prosperous, and tolerant future shared with their Israeli neighbors.”
Leon praised U.S. leadership and international mediators for their role in securing the agreement, saying, “Let us pray this moment marks the beginning of a lasting peace — one grounded in justice, safety, and the dignity of every human life. Today, we take a breath. Tomorrow, we must ensure this peace endures.”
A business leader and lifelong Chicagoan, Leon has been a consistent advocate for Israel’s right to defend itself while calling for long-term solutions that promote regional stability and prosperity through cooperation and mutual respect.
