Rep Lee Joins Colleagues in Call for Immediate Ceasefire 

RELEASE:

Monday, October 16, 2023

Contact:

Marina Chafa (Bush)

Derrick Utley (Tlaib)

Caroline Ellert (Carson)

Jowen Ortiz-Cintron (Ramirez) 

Contact: Summerleepress@mail.house.gov

Rep Lee Joins Colleagues in Call for Immediate Ceasefire 

Ceasefire Now Resolution urges support for an end to violence in Israel and Occupied Palestine   

Washington, D.C. (October 16, 2023) — Today, Representative Summer Lee (PA-12) joined Representatives Cori Bush (MO-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), André Carson (IN-07), Delia Ramirez (IL-03) and 8 of their colleagues introduced a resolution urging the Biden Administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, and to send humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza. Rep. Lee is also working to co-sponsor a resolution condemning Hamas and calling for all hostages to be released immediately.

“The violence that continues to escalate in Israel and Palestine is devastating to watch. I once again strongly condemn the violence, terrorism, and hostage taking by Hamas that tore away the lives of over a thousand Israeli civilians. But we cannot allow innocent civilians in Gaza – including children – to continue to be collectively and inhumanely punished for Hamas’ horrific actions, as we’ve already seen Israeli airstrikes kill thousands of civilians against international human rights law, and force hundreds of thousands of people out of their homes. Continued retaliation against civilians will do nothing to end this tragic cycle of violence. That’s why today, I’m joining Representatives Cori Bush (MO-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), André Carson (IN-07), Delia Ramirez (IL-04), and more of my colleagues to demand an end to the violence, a ceasefire, and the immediate passage of humanitarian aid to the 2.2 million people of Gaza who have been forced to live without food, water, and electricity.”

“I am grieving for every Palestinian, Israeli, and American life lost to this violence, and my heart breaks for all those who will be forever traumatized because of it. War and retaliatory violence doesn’t achieve accountability or justice; it only leads to more death and human suffering,” said Congresswoman Bush. “Today I am introducing the Ceasefire Now Resolution, vital legislation that calls for de-escalation and an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Occupied Palestine, and for humanitarian assistance to urgently be delivered to the 2.2 million people under siege and trapped in Gaza. The United States bears a unique responsibility to exhaust every diplomatic tool at our disposal to prevent mass atrocities and save lives. We can’t bomb our way to peace, equality, and freedom. With thousands of lives lost and millions more at stake, we need a ceasefire now.”

“We need legislation that saves as many lives as possible, no matter one’s faith or ethnicity. I am proud to join my colleagues and a coalition of human rights advocates in calling for de-escalation, ceasefire, and a strong humanitarian response that prevents more devastating civilian casualties across the region,” said Congresswoman Tlaib.

“I’m proud to co-lead this resolution, which calls for a ceasefire to de-escalate this terrible situation. Our call for action is clear: every human life is precious, and no civilian – Israeli or Palestinian – should fear for their life,” said Congressman Carson. “I condemn the horrific attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians, and I also condemn the Israeli government’s cruel response on millions of Palestinians. The answer to violence is not more violence. The answer is not military response and more killing of innocent children and women. Gaza’s 2 million civilian residents – half of whom are children – are particularly vulnerable right now. The Israeli government cut off Gaza’s medical supply, food, fuel, water, and electricity; announced plans for ground military operations against civilians; and warned 1 million North Gaza residents to evacuate their homes. Palestinians are already surrounded by long-term military blockades — they have literally nowhere to go. I continue to pray for all families in the region who have lost loved ones, are searching for family members, or fear for their lives. Our shared humanity will continue to be my guide.”

“Throughout my time in Congress, I have been clear on my position that a true and lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians can only be achieved through recognition of our interdependence and a commitment to diplomacy. We must reject the doctrine that only some lives are worth protecting and recognize that the lives, futures, and collective safety of Israelis and Palestinians are intertwined. The solutions Congress puts forward and supports should affirm our shared humanity and reject all forms of dehumanization, scapegoating, and collective punishment. I am proud to join my colleagues and human rights advocates to urge for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation to make room for diplomacy and lasting peace,” said Congresswoman Ramirez. 

“The events that have unfolded over the past week in Israel and Gaza are horrifying violations of human rights and international law that have resulted in the devastating loss of thousands of civilian lives,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY-16). “We must do everything in our power to end this ongoing violence. Our actions should proceed on the basis of recognizing our shared humanity, including rejecting violence in all forms and pursuing an urgent ceasefire and de-escalation so we can save civilian lives. I’m proud to cosponsor this resolution with Representatives Tlaib, Bush, Summer Lee, Ramirez, and Carson that urges our government to show leadership by preventing an escalating humanitarian crisis. No one should ever have to live in constant fear of violence and unrest, and peace must remain our objective.”

“A shared wish of every parent is a world in which their children can live in peace and security.  Accordingly, I support every effort to de-escalate the violence in Israel and Palestine. This must be a primary focus of our foreign policy. Secretary Blinken must work with his counterparts in the region to call for an immediate ceasefire and delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. While an immediate ceasefire is essential, we must simultaneously address how we arrive at a lasting peace. Our collective responsibility must be to ensure a two-state solution that recognizes the equal rights and needs of Israelis and Palestinians as well as a commitment to rebuilding homes and communities in Gaza. A lasting peace requires courage and accountability to facilitate. Over the last week, I’ve been horrified by the violence seen in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. The toll this conflict has taken on innocent Israeli and Palestinian children has been especially heartbreaking. I will continue to support every reasonable effort to bring peace to Israel and Palestine and leave our children a world based in peace, dignity, and mutual respect,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman.

“We are watching an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe as a result of the Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Over a million people have now been displaced from their homes, nearly 3,000 have been killed—1,000 of them children. Human rights groups have put forward credible reports of white phosphorous being used in civilian areas—a war crime. Electricity remains cut off, with many hospitals on the brink of collapse today. We must be clear: violence does not justify more violence. Killing innocent children and civilians will only exacerbate the violence we have seen, and do nothing to bring about a political solution. We must urge an immediate end to the violence in Gaza, a release of the hostages still held in Gaza and at long last steps towards justice and peace,” said Congresswoman Omar.

“The loss of every Palestinian, Israeli, and American life we have seen in the past week is absolutely devastating and the grief and trauma in our communities is palpable. The murder of innocent Israeli civilians by Hamas is horrific and unacceptable. And the murder of innocent Palestinian civilians is a horrific and unacceptable response,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “With over 2,600 Palestinians, more than 1,400 Israelis, and 30 Americans killed, scores of others wounded, hostages’ lives at risk, and millions in Gaza lacking food, electricity, and clean drinking water, we must pursue an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians and save lives. The United States has a moral obligation to get Americans in Gaza and Israel safely home, save Israeli and Palestinian civilian lives, and ensure humanitarian assistance is provided to Gaza. Our shared humanity is at stake and we must move with urgency.”

“Hamas’ terrorist attack last week claimed the lives of 1,400 Israelis, while retaliatory strikes have killed over 2,383 Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. I mourn for the Israeli and Palestinian lives lost and I believe it is incumbent on the U.S. government to do all it can to prevent more civilian deaths. Without a ceasefire, hundreds of thousands of lives are at imminent risk. I’m proud to join my colleagues to urge the Biden administration to call for an immediate cease-fire to stop the current violence and ensure that desperately needed humanitarian aid can be delivered,” said Congresswoman Velázquez.

A copy of this resolution can be found HERE.

The Ceasefire Now Resolution is endorsed by About Face: Veterans Against the War, Action Center on Race & the Economy, Adalah Justice Project, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, American Friends Service Committee, Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, Arab American Institute, Center for Civilians in Conflict, Center for Constitutional Rights, Council on American Islamic Relations, Democracy for the Arab World Now, EMGAGE Action, Freedom Forward, Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, Highlander Research & Education, IfNotNow, Institute for Middle Eastern Understanding, Institute for Policy Studies New International Project, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Just Foreign Policy, MPower Change Action Fund, Peace Action, Progressive Jews of St. Louis, Project48, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, ReThinking Foreign Policy, United Church of Christ, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, and Working Families Party.

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