The Hamas terrorist attack of Oct. 7, 2023, was an act of wanton slaughter against innocent civilians. All people should condemn the deaths, taking of hostages, and the anti-Semitism that followed. However, Israel’s response has now crossed the line from justifiable self-defense to disproportionate, inhumane acts of genocide. Refusing to allow basic food, health, and shelter to millions of civilians is unacceptable even in wartime. As a nation, we must distinguish between people and their governments; between necessary and disproportionate force.
The United States must end all military aid and weapons sales to Israel to send a clear signal to the Israeli government, and ensure Israel fulfills all its obligations in the recently negotiated peace agreement with Palestinians, permit all necessary humanitarian aid to Gaza, rebuild Gaza and the surrounding areas destroyed by Israel’s attacks, retract illegal settlements in Palestinian territories, and ultimately negotiate a two-state solution to create a just and lasting peace for both nations.
