By Charles Owens
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, W.Va.
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares is urging sheriffs across the Commonwealth to donate expired or excess law enforcement gear to the Israeli military as it fights Hamas terrorists.
Miyares said Tuesday that he has sent a letter to all 123 sheriffs in the state asking them to consider donating their expired or excess law enforcement gear to the Office of the Attorney General, where the equipment will then be donated to the Israeli military.
Miyares, a Republican, didn’t provide details on how his office would get any equipment that is donated by sheriff’s offices to Israel, which is currently engaged in a war with Hamas stemming from the deadly Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel.
The attorney general’s office provided a copy of the letter Tuesday that has been sent to all state sheriff’s to media representatives.
In the letter, Miyares encourages sheriff’s departments across the state to consider donating surplus body armor, protective gear, and tactical equipment to help the Israel Defense Forces fight terrorism in Israel and Palestine.
“While I’m aware that some police departments are stretched for resources, there are many departments that have expired equipment that are required to be donated or discarded,” Miyares said in the letter to the sheriffs. “If you have excess law enforcement protective equipment, my office will collect them and ship it to the Israel Defense Forces.”
Miyares added in the letter to the sheriffs that many Americans are already stepping up to provide support and humanitarian relief to innocent Israelis and Palestinians caught in the war.
“During my trip to Israel earlier this year, I met women and men who serve in the Israel Defense Forces who are willing to give their lives to maintain peace in this region of the world,” Miyares added in the letter. “They are committed to democracy and the public safety of their land, and I am proud to stand with them during this difficult time.”
Miyares also sent out a tweet Tuesday on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, announcing the initiative.
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