Share:

Support Gaza Aid and End the Blockade

For the peace and security of all people in the region, Israelis and Palestinians alike, Gaza must be rebuilt and the blockade must be lifted.

I am writing to urge you to support funding for the rebuilding of Gaza which is in ruins following seven weeks of war between Israel and Hamas. According to a UN report,?The scale of damage?is unprecedented since the beginning of the Israeli occupation in 1967. All governorates in Gaza witnessed extensive aerial bombardment, naval shelling and artillery fire, resulting in the widespread loss of life and livelihoods. Damage to public infrastructure was also unprecedented, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without adequate services, including electricity, clean water and quality healthcare.?



While security controls will be necessary to ensure that materials are used for their intended purposes, they should not obstruct the urgent delivery of aid, and should allow for commerce and movement of people.



In addition, to end the cycle of violence, underlying causes must be addressed, including the lifting of the Gaza blockade. Hamas and other groups must stop firing rockets, and at the same time, the people of Gaza must be allowed to live normal, free lives. The best way to shut down illicit tunnel traffic is to open the monitored Gaza borders for aid, commerce, and movement of people.



To this end, I urge you to make a public statement calling for an end to the Gaza blockade now.



For the peace and security of all people in the region, Israelis and Palestinians alike, Gaza must be rebuilt and the blockade must be lifted.



http://epfnational.org/PIN/call-on-congress-to-support-gaza-aid-and-an-end-to-the-blockade/



I am grateful for your consideration of my views, and I thank you for your service.